A hydraulic cylinder capable of switching between air and oil circuits

Abstract

This application relates to a hydraulic cylinder capable of switching between pneumatic and hydraulic circuits, belonging to the technical field of hydraulic-pneumatic composite drive. It includes a support assembly, a hydraulic assembly, and a pneumatic-hydraulic circuit exchange mechanism. The hydraulic assembly includes a base, a cylinder body, and a piston. A rotary valve body is housed within the base, with symmetrical first and second input pipes. The cylinder body correspondingly has a first and second output pipe connected to an oil chamber. The pneumatic-hydraulic circuit exchange mechanism drives the rotary valve body to precisely deflect 180 degrees via a Geneva mechanism, aligning the input port of the first output pipe with the output port of the second input pipe, and simultaneously aligning the input port of the second output pipe with the output port of the first input pipe. This achieves the interchange of hydraulic oil and high-pressure gas passages, enabling the piston to obtain high thrust output hydraulically driven in both directions of its stroke, overcoming the limitation of traditional hydraulic cylinders that only operate in one direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of hydraulic-pneumatic combined drive, and in particular to a hydraulic cylinder capable of switching between air and oil circuits. Background Technology

[0002] In traditional hydraulic-pneumatic hybrid systems, the typical design pattern is as follows: the hydraulic circuit, i.e., the high-pressure oil circuit, is responsible for providing the main, high-thrust driving force for the working stroke, such as pressing or lifting; while the pneumatic circuit, i.e., the low-pressure gas circuit, is responsible for providing the driving force required for the return stroke. This design utilizes the high-pressure characteristics of hydraulic oil to achieve a powerful working stroke, while utilizing the rapid response and low-cost characteristics of compressed air to achieve an efficient return stroke.

[0003] However, this traditional oil-in, air-out mode has the following limitations: the system can only achieve effective working output in one direction. That is, it can only generate sufficient thrust to complete effective work when the oil circuit is pressurized during the working stroke; while when the air circuit is pressurized during the return stroke, the gas circuit cannot provide sufficient thrust to drive the cylinder to perform effective working load actions. Because the system cannot achieve effective working output in both directions, its application scenarios are limited (e.g., bidirectional pressing, clamping, bidirectional precise positioning, etc.). Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problem that traditional hydraulic-pneumatic composite systems cannot effectively output in both directions, this application provides a hydraulic cylinder that can achieve air-oil circuit reversal.

[0005] The hydraulic cylinder provided in this application, which enables air-to-oil circuit reversal, adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A hydraulic cylinder capable of switching between pneumatic and hydraulic circuits includes a support assembly, a hydraulic assembly, and an oil-pneumatic circuit exchange mechanism. Both the hydraulic assembly and the oil-pneumatic circuit exchange mechanism are connected to the support assembly. The hydraulic assembly includes a base, a cylinder body, and a piston. The base and cylinder body are coaxially connected, and the piston is connected to the cylinder body. A rotary valve body is provided within the base, and a first input pipe and a second input pipe are provided within the rotary valve body. A first output pipe and a second output pipe are provided within the cylinder body, and the output ends of both the first and second output pipes communicate with an oil chamber. The input ports of the first and second output pipes are aligned with the output ports of the first and second input pipes, respectively. The oil-pneumatic circuit exchange mechanism is used to drive the rotary valve body to deflect, thereby aligning the input port of the first output pipe with the output port of the second input pipe, and vice versa.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the oil-gas exchange mechanism drives the rotary valve body to deflect, aligning the inlet of the first output pipe with the outlet of the second input pipe, and simultaneously aligning the inlet of the second output pipe with the outlet of the first input pipe, thereby realizing the exchange of hydraulic oil and high-pressure gas passages. As a result, the piston's working stroke in the direction close to the base is driven by hydraulic oil, and its working stroke in the direction away from the base is also driven by hydraulic oil, breaking through the limitation of traditional hydraulic cylinders that only provide effective working thrust in one direction, and realizing bidirectional effective working output.

[0008] Preferably, the support assembly includes a base plate, and the oil and gas exchange mechanism includes a motor, a dial, and a grooved wheel. The motor is connected to the base plate, the dial is connected to the output shaft of the motor, and a pin is connected to the dial. The grooved wheel is connected to the rotary valve body, and the motor drives the grooved wheel to deflect through the pin on the dial, thereby deflecting the rotary valve body.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, a motor drives the dial to rotate circumferentially, causing the pin on the dial to drive the grooved wheel to rotate, thus precisely controlling the deflection angle of the rotary valve body. The indexing motion characteristics of the grooved wheel mechanism ensure that the deflection angle of the rotary valve body is fixed each time, making the position exchange process between the first input pipeline and the second input pipeline reliable and avoiding failure of oil and gas circuit connection due to deflection error.

[0010] Preferably, the grooved wheel is provided with a locking arc, and a locking disc is connected to the dial. The locking disc slides in cooperation with the locking arc, and the locking disc is used to position the grooved wheel.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the locking disc slides with the locking arc on the grooved wheel, and mechanical self-locking is achieved by the curved surface of the locking arc when the grooved wheel is stationary; this structure prevents the rotary valve body from being displaced by fluid pressure impact during non-operation periods, and ensures the stability of the oil and gas circuit connection.

[0012] Preferably, the cylinder body is connected to a boss, and a connecting groove is provided on the boss, with one end of the rotary valve body extending into the connecting groove provided on the boss.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the connecting groove opened on the boss accommodates the end of the rotary valve body, providing radial support for the rotary valve body and reducing vibration when the valve body rotates at high speed. At the same time, the boss serves as the docking structure between the cylinder and the rotary valve body, ensuring the coaxiality of the first and second output pipes with the input pipe of the rotary valve body.

[0014] Preferably, one end of the rotary valve body is connected to a connecting disc, which extends into a connecting groove on the boss. The outer diameter of the connecting disc is larger than the outer diameter of the rest of the rotary valve body. A fixing ring is fitted on the rotary valve body, and the inner diameter of the fixing ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting disc. The fixing ring is threaded onto the boss.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the outer diameter of the connecting plate is larger than that of the main body of the rotary valve body. Combined with the design that the inner diameter of the fixing ring is smaller than that of the outer diameter of the connecting plate, the axial preload is generated by the threaded connection of the fixing ring to the boss. This structure ensures that the rotary valve body can rotate freely while preventing axial movement between the connecting groove of the connecting plate and the boss, thus maintaining the sealing of the pipeline connection.

[0016] Preferably, the cylinder body is connected to the base plate via a support block, the support assembly further includes a support plate, the base is connected to the support plate, and the support plate is connected to the base plate.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the support block independently supports the cylinder body, and the support plate independently supports the base body, so that the cylinder body and the base body are installed separately on the bottom plate. This layout eliminates the coaxiality deviation caused by assembly stress, ensures the precise alignment of the rotary valve body and the boss connecting groove, and reduces the risk of structural deformation when switching between oil and air circuits.

[0018] Preferably, the substrate is provided with an oil inlet and an air inlet, the input end of the first input pipeline is connected to the oil inlet, and the input end of the second input pipeline is connected to the air inlet.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the oil inlet is directly connected to the first input pipeline, and the gas inlet is connected to the second input pipeline through the annular gas groove. The circumferential through design of the annular gas groove ensures that the second input pipeline is always connected to the gas source when the rotating valve body deflects, avoiding interruption of the gas passage due to valve body rotation and ensuring the continuity of gas path switching.

[0020] Preferably, the piston divides the oil chamber into a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber that are not connected to each other, the output end of the first output pipe is connected to the first oil chamber, and the output end of the second output pipe is connected to the second oil chamber.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the piston is divided into a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber that are not connected to each other, and is respectively connected to the first output pipeline and the second output pipeline; this structure allows hydraulic oil to be selectively injected into either oil chamber to drive the piston to move in both directions, while the other oil chamber serves as a return medium discharge channel, providing basic chamber conditions for bidirectional hydraulic drive.

[0022] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0023] 1. The rotary valve body is deflected by the oil-gas exchange mechanism, aligning the inlet of the first output pipe with the outlet of the second input pipe, and simultaneously aligning the inlet of the second output pipe with the outlet of the first input pipe, thus realizing the exchange of hydraulic oil and high-pressure gas passages. As a result, the piston's working stroke in the direction close to the base is driven by hydraulic oil, and the working stroke in the direction away from the base is also driven by hydraulic oil, breaking through the limitation of traditional hydraulic cylinders that only provide effective working thrust in one direction, and realizing bidirectional effective working output.

[0024] 2. The rotary dial is driven by a motor to rotate in a circular motion, which causes the pin on the dial to drive the grooved wheel to rotate, thus precisely controlling the deflection angle of the rotary valve body. The indexing motion characteristics of the grooved wheel mechanism ensure that the deflection angle of the rotary valve body is fixed each time, making the position exchange process between the first input pipeline and the second input pipeline reliable and avoiding failure of oil and gas circuit connection due to deflection error. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall structure in the embodiments of this application.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram used to illustrate the overall structure in the embodiments of this application.

[0027] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a partial structure of a hydraulic component in an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial structure of the hydraulic component in an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the dial in the embodiments of this application.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram used in the embodiments of this application to illustrate the hydraulic components after reversal.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Support assembly; 11. Base plate; 111. Support block; 12. Support plate; 121. Support ring; 122. Mounting component; 2. Hydraulic assembly; 21. Base; 211. Rotary valve body; 2111. Connecting disc; 2112. First input pipeline; 2113. Second input pipeline; 212. Fixing ring; 213. Oil inlet; 214. Air inlet; 215. Mounting ring; 216. Ring type 22. Air groove; 22. End cap; 221. Connecting pipe; 222. Second output pipe; 223. Boss; 2231. Connecting groove; 23. Cylinder body; 231. First output pipe; 232. First oil chamber; 233. Second oil chamber; 24. Piston; 25. Connecting piece; 3. Oil and air exchange mechanism; 31. Motor; 32. Dial; 321. Dial pin; 322. Locking disc; 33. Grooved wheel; 331. Locking arc. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 This application will be described in further detail.

[0033] This application discloses a hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing the air-oil circuit, referring to... Figures 1-2 The system includes a support assembly 1 and a hydraulic assembly 2. The support assembly 1 includes a base plate 11 and a support plate 12. The hydraulic assembly 2 includes a base 21, a cylinder 23, and a piston 24. The support plate 12 is vertically connected to the top wall of the base plate 11. A support ring 121 is fixedly connected to one side wall of the support plate 12. The support ring 121 is located above the support plate 12. An mounting ring 215 is fixedly connected to the circumferential side wall of the base 21. The mounting ring 215 is coaxial with the base 21. The mounting ring 215 is fixedly connected to the support ring 121 by a mounting member 122. In this embodiment, the mounting member 122 is a mounting screw.

[0034] Reference Figures 2-3 An oil inlet 213 is provided at one end of the base 21 near the support plate 12, and an air inlet 214 is provided on the circumferential side wall of the base 21. An annular air groove 216 is provided inside the base 21, and the air inlet 214 communicates with the annular air groove 216. A rotary valve body 211 is rotatably connected inside the base 21. A first input pipe 2112 and a second input pipe 2113 are provided along the length direction of the rotary valve body 211, and the first input pipe 2112 and the second input pipe 2113 are symmetrically arranged. The first input pipe 2112 communicates with the oil inlet 213, and the second input pipe 2113 communicates with the annular air groove 216. The rotary valve body 211 extends from the base 21 and is fixedly connected to the end of the connecting plate 2111. The outer diameter of the connecting plate 2111 is larger than the outer diameter of the rest of the rotary valve body 211. The output ports of the first input pipe 2112 and the second input pipe 2113 both extend from the connecting plate 2111.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 The cylinder body 23 is fixedly connected to the base plate 11 by the support block 111. The cylinder body 23 is located on one side of the base 21 and is coaxial with the base 21. The end cap 22 is provided at the end of the cylinder body 23 near the base 21. The end cap 22 is fixedly connected to the cylinder body 23 by the connector 25. In this embodiment, the connector 25 is a connecting screw.

[0036] Reference Figures 2-4 A boss 223 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the end cap 22 near the base 21. The boss 223 is coaxial with the end cap 22. A connecting groove 2231 is formed on the side wall of the boss 223 near the base 21. The connecting groove 2231 facilitates the insertion of the connecting disc 2111 on the rotary valve body into the boss 223. An external thread is formed on the circumferential side wall of the boss 223. A fixing ring 212 is fitted on the rotary valve body. The inner diameter of the fixing ring 212 is smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting disc 2111, but larger than the outer diameter of the rest of the rotary valve body except for the connecting disc 2111. An internal thread is formed on the inner circumferential side wall of the fixing ring 212. The fixing ring 212 is used to tightly connect the connecting disc 2111 of the rotary valve body to the boss 223.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 The end cap 22 has a connecting pipe 221 and a second output pipe 222. The input port of the connecting pipe 221 is aligned with the output port of the first input pipe 2112, and the input port of the second output pipe 222 is aligned with the output port of the second input pipe 2113. An oil chamber is formed inside the cylinder body 23, and a piston 24 is telescopically disposed within the cylinder body 23, dividing the oil chamber into a first oil chamber 232 and a second oil chamber 233 that are not interconnected. The output end of the second output pipe 222 communicates with the first oil chamber 232. The cylinder body 23 also has a first output pipe 231, the input end of which communicates with the output end of the connecting pipe 221, and the output end of the first output pipe 231 communicates with the second oil chamber 233.

[0038] Reference Figure 2When piston 24 needs to be fed, hydraulic oil is input from oil inlet 213, passing through first input pipe 2112, connecting pipe 221 and first output pipe 231 in sequence before entering second oil chamber 233, thereby pushing piston 24 to move closer to base 21. At the same time, piston 24 pushes high-pressure gas in first oil chamber 232 through second output pipe 222, second input pipe 2113 and annular gas groove 216 and discharged from air inlet 214. When piston 24 needs to return quickly, the input of hydraulic oil into cylinder 23 is stopped first, and then high-pressure gas is input from air inlet 214, passing through annular gas groove 216, second input pipe 2113 and second output pipe 222, and entering first oil chamber 232. At the same time, piston 24 also pushes hydraulic oil in second oil chamber 233 through first output pipe 231, connecting pipe 221 and first input pipe 2112 in sequence and discharged from oil inlet 213.

[0039] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 6 A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing the air-oil circuit includes an oil-air circuit exchange mechanism 3. The oil-air circuit exchange mechanism 3 is used to exchange the positions of the first input pipe 2112 and the second input pipe 2113. In this embodiment, the oil-air circuit exchange mechanism 3 adopts a Geneva mechanism. Specifically, refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The oil-gas exchange mechanism 3 includes a motor 31, a dial 32, and a grooved wheel 33. The grooved wheel 33 is fixedly connected to the rotary valve body 211 and is coaxial with the rotary valve body 211. In this embodiment, the grooved wheel 33 has four grooves, which are evenly arranged circumferentially on the wheel 33. The grooved wheel 33 is also provided with four locking arcs 331, which are evenly arranged circumferentially on the wheel 33. The motor 31 is fixedly connected to the top wall of the base plate 11 and is also located on one side of the base 21. The dial 32 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor 31. In this embodiment, two pins 321 are fixedly connected to the dial 32 and are symmetrically arranged on the dial 32. A locking disc 322 is also fixedly connected to the dial 32 and is used to lock the grooved wheel 33. The grooved wheel mechanism is prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 When the positions of the first input pipe 2112 and the second input pipe 2113 need to be exchanged, the motor 31 drives the dial 32 to rotate one revolution through the output shaft. The dial 32 drives the grooved wheel 33 to rotate 180° through the pin 321, thereby causing the rotary valve body 211 to rotate 180°. Subsequently, the locking disc 322 on the dial 32 cooperates with the locking arc on the grooved wheel 33 to achieve self-locking of the grooved wheel 33.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 Before switching, the piston 24 is first pushed away from the base 21 by high-pressure gas to discharge the hydraulic oil in the second oil chamber 233, so as to prevent the hydraulic oil in the second oil chamber 233 from entering the air source from the air outlet after switching.

[0042] The implementation principle of a hydraulic cylinder capable of switching between air and oil circuits according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: In the initial state, hydraulic oil enters from the oil inlet 213 of the base 21, flows sequentially through the first input pipe 2112 of the rotary valve body 211, the connecting pipe 221 of the end cap 22, and the first output pipe 231 of the cylinder body 23, and finally enters the second oil chamber 233. At this time, the piston 24 moves towards the base 21 under the action of hydraulic oil pressure, and at the same time, the gas in the first oil chamber 232 is discharged from the air inlet 214 through the second output pipe 222, the second input pipe 2113, and the annular air groove 216. If it is necessary to change the direction of the piston 24's working stroke to move away from the base 21, the motor 31 of the oil-air exchange mechanism 3 is activated. The output shaft of the motor 31 drives the dial 32 to rotate one revolution. The pin 321 on the dial 32 drives the grooved wheel 33 to rotate 180°. The grooved wheel 33 synchronously drives the rotary valve body 211 to rotate 180° around its axis, thus exchanging the positions of the first input pipe 2112 and the second input pipe 2113. After the reversal, hydraulic oil is input from the oil inlet 213, passing through the first input pipe 2112 and the second output pipe 222 in sequence into the first oil chamber 232, thereby pushing the piston 24 to move away from the base 21. If the piston 24 needs to return quickly, first stop the input of hydraulic oil into the cylinder 23, and input high-pressure gas from the air inlet 214. The gas passes through the annular air groove 216, the second input pipe 2113, the connecting pipe 221 and the first output pipe 231 in sequence and enters the second oil chamber 233. At the same time, the piston 24 also pushes the hydraulic oil in the first oil chamber 232 through the second output pipe 222 and the first input pipe 2112 in sequence and is discharged from the oil inlet 213.

[0043] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits, characterized in that: It includes a support assembly (1), a hydraulic assembly (2), and an oil-air circuit exchange mechanism (3), wherein the hydraulic assembly (2) and the oil-air circuit exchange mechanism (3) are both connected to the support assembly (1); The hydraulic assembly (2) includes a base (21), a cylinder (23), and a piston (24), wherein the base (21) and the cylinder (23) are coaxially connected. The piston (24) is connected to the cylinder (23); the base (21) is provided with a rotary valve body (211), and the rotary valve body (211) is provided with a first input pipe (2112) and a second input pipe (2113); the cylinder (23) is provided with a first output pipe (231) and a second output pipe (222), and the output ends of the first output pipe (231) and the second output pipe (222) are both connected to the oil chamber; The inlets of the first output pipe (231) and the second output pipe (222) are aligned with the outlets of the first input pipe (2112) and the second input pipe (2113), respectively. The oil-gas exchange mechanism (3) is used to drive the rotary valve body (211) to deflect so that the inlet of the first output pipe (231) is aligned with the outlet of the second input pipe (2113), and the inlet of the second output pipe (222) is aligned with the outlet of the first input pipe (2112).

2. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support assembly (1) includes a base plate (11), and the oil and gas exchange mechanism (3) includes a motor (31), a dial (32), and a grooved wheel (33). The motor (31) is connected to the base plate (11), the dial (32) is connected to the output shaft of the motor (31), and a pin (321) is connected to the dial (32). The grooved wheel (33) is connected to the rotary valve body (211), and the motor (31) drives the grooved wheel (33) to deflect through the pin (321) on the dial (32), thereby causing the rotary valve body (211) to deflect.

3. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits according to claim 2, characterized in that: The grooved wheel (33) is provided with a locking arc (331), and the dial (32) is connected with a locking disc (322). The locking disc (322) slides with the locking arc (331), and the locking disc (322) is used to position the grooved wheel (33).

4. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder body (23) is connected to a boss (223), and a connecting groove (2231) is provided on the boss (223). One end of the rotary valve body (211) extends into the connecting groove (2231) provided on the boss (223).

5. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits according to claim 4, characterized in that: One end of the rotary valve body (211) is connected to a connecting disc (2111), which extends into a connecting groove (2231) on the boss (223). The outer diameter of the connecting disc (2111) is larger than the outer diameter of the rest of the rotary valve body (211). A fixing ring (212) is fitted on the rotary valve body (211), and the inner diameter of the fixing ring (212) is smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting disc (2111). The fixing ring (212) is threaded onto the boss (223).

6. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder (23) is connected to the base plate (11) via a support block (111). The support assembly (1) also includes a support plate (12). The base (21) is connected to the support plate (12), and the support plate (12) is connected to the base plate (11).

7. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate (21) is provided with an oil inlet (213) and an air inlet (214). The input end of the first input pipeline (2112) is connected to the oil inlet (213), and the input end of the second input pipeline (2113) is connected to the air inlet (214).

8. A hydraulic cylinder capable of reversing air and oil circuits according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piston (24) divides the oil chamber into a first oil chamber (232) and a second oil chamber (233) that are not connected to each other. The output end of the first output pipe (231) is connected to the first oil chamber (232), and the output end of the second output pipe (222) is connected to the second oil chamber (233).

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