Electric cylinder and its release structure

Abstract

This utility model relates to an electric cylinder and its release structure. The release structure includes an end connector, a connecting seat, and a counter-rotating member. The end connector includes a head and a shaft extending from the head, with a first engaging portion at the head. The connecting seat sleeves the shaft and connects to an inner tube, and has a second engaging portion that operably engages with or releases the first engaging portion. The counter-rotating member is sleeved on the shaft and formed on one side of the connecting seat. In an unlocked state, the first and second engaging portions are released, allowing the connecting seat and inner tube to rotate freely relative to the end connector. In a locked state, the first and second engaging portions engage, and the end connector and connecting seat move together with the inner tube. This allows for rapid separation of the connecting seat and the end connector, thereby reducing the significant time spent during transport.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of an electric cylinder, and more particularly to an electric cylinder and its release structure. Background Technology

[0002] The use of electric cylinders in electric beds, medical beds, hospital beds, electric height-adjustable tables, or electric height-adjustable chairs for height or tilt adjustment is quite common. Medical beds are mostly provided for the elderly or users with limited mobility. After long-term use, dust, residue, and garbage will inevitably accumulate in the surrounding environment and need to be cleaned.

[0003] Existing medical care beds generally consist of an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section connected to each other. The electric cylinder generally consists of an actuating body and a rear support connected to the rear end of the actuating body. The rear support is connected to the middle section of the medical care bed by a pin, and the end of the actuating body away from the rear support is connected to the lower section of the medical care bed by a pin. When it is necessary to clean or sweep the space under the medical care bed, the lower section of the medical care bed is lifted by the operation of the actuating body, which facilitates cleaning or sweeping.

[0004] However, since the lifting of the lower or upper section mostly requires the operation of an electric motor, which drives a lead screw to drive an inner tube to make linear movements of extending or retracting in order to achieve the aforementioned lifting action of the lower section, the lifting process is physically limited and will consume a lot of waiting time for cleaning personnel.

[0005] In view of this, the applicant has devoted himself to researching and applying theoretical principles to address the shortcomings of the prior art, and has made every effort to solve the above problems, which has become the target of the applicant's improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One objective of this invention is to provide an electric cylinder and its release structure, which enables rapid separation of the connecting seat and the end connector, thereby reducing the time spent during the handling process.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a release structure for an electric cylinder. The electric cylinder has an inner tube, and the release structure is disposed in the inner tube. It includes an end connector, a connecting seat, and a counteracting member. The end connector includes a head and a shaft extending from the head, and the head has a plurality of first engaging portions. The connecting seat is sleeved on the shaft and connected to the inner tube. The connecting seat has a plurality of second engaging portions, each of which is operably engaged with or releases the first engaging portions. The counteracting member is sleeved on the shaft and formed on one side of the connecting seat. In a non-locked state, each of the first engaging portions and each of the second engaging portions is released, and the connecting seat and the inner tube can rotate freely relative to the end connector. In a locked state, each of the first engaging portions and each of the second engaging portions is engaged, and the end connector and the connecting seat move together with the inner tube.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an electric cylinder, comprising a housing, an electric motor, a transmission mechanism, a quick-release mechanism, and a release structure. The electric motor is connected to the housing; the transmission mechanism is connected to the housing and driven by the electric motor, and includes a lead screw, an inner tube, and a nut. The nut is connected to one end of the inner tube and is screwed to the lead screw for transmission; the quick-release mechanism is sleeved on the lead screw; the release structure is disposed at the other end of the inner tube and includes an end connector, a connecting seat, and a counter-rotating member. The end connector includes a head and a shaft extending from the head. The rod has a plurality of first fitting portions at its head; the connecting seat is fitted onto the rod and connected to the inner tube, and the connecting seat has a plurality of second fitting portions, each of the second fitting portions being operable to engage or release the respective first fitting portions; the abutting member is fitted onto the rod and formed on one side of the connecting seat; wherein, in an unlocked state, each of the first fitting portions and each of the second fitting portions is released, and the connecting seat and the inner tube can rotate freely relative to the end joint; in a locked state, each of the first fitting portions and each of the second fitting portions is engaged, and the end joint and the connecting seat move together with the inner tube.

[0009] This utility model also has the following advantages: when the end joint and connecting seat are in an unlocked state, the lower section of the medical bed can be moved relative to the middle section. When the end joint and connecting seat are in a locked state after being released, the inner tube will not retract due to the self-locking effect of the electric cylinder itself. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the electric cylinder assembly of this utility model.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the inner tube of this utility model after it extends outward and is assembled.

[0012] Figure 3This is an exploded view of the release structure and inner tube of this utility model.

[0013] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the release structure of this utility model.

[0014] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the release structure of this utility model from another direction.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the electric cylinder assembly and a partially enlarged view of the release structure of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view (I) of the electric cylinder of this utility model in use.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view (II) of the electric cylinder of this utility model in use.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view (III) of the electric cylinder of this utility model in use.

[0019] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0020] 10: Housing 20: Motor

[0021] 21: Worm gear; 30: Transmission mechanism

[0022] 31: Lead screw; 32: Inner tube

[0023] 321: First internal thread; 322: Second internal thread

[0024] 33: Nut; 331: First external thread

[0025] 34: Bearing 35: Worm Gear

[0026] 40: Fast-release mechanism; 41: Fixed wheel

[0027] 42: Clutch wheel 43: Guide component

[0028] 44: Lever 45: Actuating assembly

[0029] 50: Release structure 51: End connector

[0030] 511: Head 512: Perforation

[0031] 513: First mating part; 515: Shaft.

[0032] 516: Slot 517: Recess

[0033] 52: Connector 521: Second Fitting Part

[0034] 522: Second external thread; 53: Abutment component

[0035] 531: Stationary part; 532: Rotating part

[0036] 54: Buckle 55: Return spring

[0037] 56: Waterproof ring; 60: Outer tube

[0038] 70: Rear support Detailed Implementation

[0039] The detailed description and technical content of this utility model are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are provided for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0040] Please see Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this utility model provides an electric cylinder and its release structure, wherein the electric cylinder mainly includes a housing 10, an electric motor 20, a transmission mechanism 30, a fast release mechanism 40, a release structure 50, an outer tube 60, a rear support 70 and other related components or devices.

[0041] The electric cylinder in this embodiment mainly includes a housing 10, an electric motor 20, a transmission mechanism 30, a fast-release mechanism 40, a release structure 50, an outer tube 60, a rear support 70, and other related components or devices.

[0042] The motor 20 is fixed on one side of the housing 10. The transmission mechanism 30 is mounted on the housing 20 and driven by the motor 20. It and the motor 20 generally form an L-shape. The fast-release mechanism 40 is located inside the housing 10 and at one end of the transmission mechanism 30. The release structure 50 is located at the end of the transmission mechanism 30 away from the fast-release mechanism 40. One end of the outer tube 60 is connected to the housing 10 and extends around the outer periphery of the transmission mechanism 30. The rear support 70 is connected to the housing 10 and is formed on the rear side of the transmission mechanism 30.

[0043] The electric motor 20 has a worm gear 21. The transmission mechanism 30 mainly includes a lead screw 31, an inner tube 32, a nut 33, two bearings 34, and a worm wheel 35. The lead screw 31 passes through each bearing 34 and is supported on the housing 10 by each bearing 34. The two ends of the inner tube 32 are respectively provided with a first internal thread 321 and a second internal thread 322. The nut 33 has a first external thread 331 and is locked and fixed to the first internal thread 321 by its first external thread 331. The nut 33 is screwed to the lead screw 31 through its internal thread for transmission. The worm wheel 35 is sleeved on the lead screw 31 and meshes with the aforementioned worm gear 21. The rotation of the worm gear 21 drives the worm wheel 35 and the lead screw 31 to rotate together.

[0044] The fast-release mechanism 40 mainly includes a fixed wheel 41, a clutch wheel 42, a guide member 43, a lever 44, and an actuating assembly 45. The guide member 43 and the fixed wheel 41 are sequentially sleeved on the lead screw 31 and housed inside the housing 10. The aforementioned worm gear 35 is connected to the lead screw 31 through the guide member 43. The clutch wheel 42 is movably sleeved on the guide member 43, and grooves and blocks are provided on the end faces of the clutch wheel 42 and the fixed wheel 41 for engagement and disengagement (not shown in the figure). The lever 44 is pivotally connected to the outside of the housing 10, and the actuating assembly 45 is disposed inside the housing 10 and connects the lever 44 and the clutch wheel 42. By turning the lever 44, the clutch wheel 42 can move along the axial direction of the guide member 43, and the clutch wheel 42 can engage or disengage with the fixed wheel 41.

[0045] The release structure 50 is located at the end of the inner tube 32 away from the nut 35, and mainly includes an end connector 51, a connecting seat 52, and a counter-rotating member 53. The end connector 51 mainly includes a head 511 and a shaft 515 extending from the head 511. The head 511 is generally a cylinder with a through hole 512 in its radial direction, and a plurality of first fitting parts 513 are provided near the shaft 515 on the head 511. Each first fitting part 513 is arranged in a ring at equal intervals on the end face of the head 511. In this embodiment, the first fitting part is a block, but this is not a limitation. The end of the shaft 515 away from the head 511 is provided with a slot 516 for a retaining ring 54 to be inserted and connected.

[0046] The connecting seat 52 is a hollow cylindrical column, which is fitted with the aforementioned shaft 515 and connected to the inner tube 32. Multiple second fitting portions 521 are provided on the end face of the connecting seat 52 near the end connector 51 to engage or disengage with the aforementioned first fitting portions 513. In this embodiment, the second fitting portion is a groove, but this is not a limitation. Furthermore, a second external thread 522 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting seat 52, and the connecting seat 52 is locked and fixed to the second internal thread 322 of the aforementioned inner tube 32 via its second external thread 522.

[0047] In this embodiment, the anti-rotation member 53 is a thrust bearing, but this is not a limitation. It mainly includes a stationary part 531 and a rotating part 532 that is movably connected to the stationary part 531. The stationary part 531 is fixed to the shaft 515, and the rotating part 532 abuts against one side of the connecting seat 52. The anti-rotation member 53 is stopped and positioned on the shaft 515 by the aforementioned retaining ring 54. The stationary part 531 remains stationary due to the friction between the end faces of the retaining ring 54, while the rotating part 532 abuts against the end face of the connecting seat 52, thereby being able to rotate with the rotation of the connecting seat 52.

[0048] In an unlocked state, each of the first fitting parts 513 and each of the second fitting parts 521 is released, and the connecting seat 52 and the aforementioned inner tube 32 can rotate freely relative to the end connector 51. In a locked state, each of the first fitting parts 513 and each of the second fitting parts 521 is engaged, and the end connector 51 and the connecting seat 52 move together.

[0049] In one embodiment, the release structure 50 further includes a return spring 55, which is sleeved on the aforementioned shaft 515 and elastically clamped between the connecting seat 52 and the abutment member 53 to provide a reset function for the end joint 51.

[0050] In one embodiment, the release structure 50 further includes a waterproof ring 56, and the aforementioned shaft 515 is also provided with a groove 517. The waterproof ring 56 is disposed in the groove 517 to prevent external moisture or dust and other substances from entering the aforementioned inner tube 32.

[0051] Please continue reading. Figures 7 to 9 As shown, in use, this electric cylinder can be installed on a medical bed (not shown). The medical bed generally includes an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section connected to each other. The rear support 70 is connected to the middle section of the medical bed by a pin. The end connector 51 of the release structure 50 is connected to the lower section of the medical bed by a pin inserted into its through hole 512. When it is necessary to clean or sweep the space under the medical bed, by lifting the lower section of the medical bed, the end connector 51 of the release structure 50 and the connecting seat 52 are released simultaneously (e.g., Figure 7 As shown), at this time, the buckle 54 and the abutment member 53 will move to the left together. Since the connecting seat 52 and the inner tube 32 are connected by threads, and the nut 33 and the inner tube 32 are also connected by threads, and the rear support 70 and the end connector 51 are fixed and cannot rotate, the nut 33 and the inner tube 32 will rotate together around the guide screw 31 and move with the end connector 51, thereby enabling the lower section of the medical bed to be lifted quickly.

[0052] When the hand is released, the end connector 51 is subjected to the elastic force of the return spring 55, which causes the end connector 51 to generate a rightward thrust. The end connector 51 and the connecting seat 52 cannot rotate relative to each other through the engagement of each first fitting part 513 and each second fitting part 521. The end connector 51 transmits the thrust to the connecting seat 52. The connecting seat 52 is connected to the inner tube 32 by a thread, transmitting the thrust to the inner tube 32. The inner tube 32 is connected to the nut 33 by a thread, transmitting the thrust to the nut 33. The nut 33 is connected to the guide screw 31 by a thread. However, since the electric cylinder itself has a brake, the guide screw 31 cannot rotate, and the nut 33 cannot rotate either. Therefore, the inner tube 32 will not move to the right.

[0053] In addition, when manual push-back is required (such as...) Figure 8As shown), by turning the lever 44, the actuating assembly 45 moves the clutch wheel 42 to the left along the axial direction of the guide member 43. The clutch wheel 42 will disengage from the fixed wheel 41. In this way, by pressing the inner tube 32, the guide screw 31 will rotate, thereby causing the inner tube 32 to retract into the outer tube 60 (as shown). Figure 9 (As shown).

[0054] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of patent protection of the present utility model. Other equivalent changes that utilize the patent spirit of the present utility model should all fall within the scope of patent protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A release structure for an electric cylinder, the electric cylinder having an inner tube, the release structure being disposed in the inner tube, characterized in that, The release structure includes: An end connector includes a head and a shaft extending from the head, and the head is provided with a plurality of first fitting portions; A connecting seat, which sleeves the shaft and connects to the inner tube, the connecting seat having a plurality of second engaging portions, each of the second engaging portions being operable to engage or release the respective first engaging portion; and A counter-rotating component is sleeved on the shaft and formed on one side of the connecting seat; In an unlocked state, each of the first and second fitting parts is released, and the connector and the inner tube can rotate freely relative to the end joint. In a locked state, each of the first and second fitting parts is engaged, and the end joint and the connector move together with the inner tube.

2. The release structure of the electric cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The abutting member includes a stationary part and a rotating part movably connected to the stationary part. The stationary part is fixed to the shaft, and the rotating part abuts against the connecting seat.

3. The release structure of the electric cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a return spring, which is sleeved on the shaft and elastically held between the connecting seat and the abutment member.

4. The release structure of the electric cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a waterproof ring, and the shaft has a groove in which the waterproof ring is disposed.

5. The release structure of the electric cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft has a slot at the end away from the head for a buckle to be inserted and connected, thereby positioning the actuating member stop on the shaft.

6. The release structure of the electric cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first fitting portions is a insert, and each of the second fitting portions is a groove that mates with the insert.

7. The release structure of the electric cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The anti-rotation component is a thrust bearing.

8. The release structure of the electric cylinder as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The head is a cylinder with a perforation in the radial direction of the cylinder.

9. An electric cylinder, characterized in that, include: One shell base; An electric motor is connected to the housing. A transmission mechanism is connected to the housing and driven by the electric motor. The transmission mechanism includes a lead screw, an inner tube and a nut. The nut is connected to one end of the inner tube and is screwed to the lead screw for transmission. A fast-release mechanism is fitted onto the lead screw; and A release structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the release structure is disposed at the other end of the inner tube.

10. The electric cylinder as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The inner tube has a first internal thread and a second internal thread at its two ends respectively. The nut has a first external thread that is locked and fixed to the first internal thread. The outer circumferential surface of the connector has a second external thread that is locked and fixed to the second internal thread.

11. The electric cylinder as described in claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes an outer tube and a rear support. One end of the outer tube is connected to the housing and extends around the outer periphery of the transmission mechanism. The rear support is connected to the housing and is formed on the rear side of the transmission mechanism.

12. The electric cylinder as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The electric motor includes a worm gear, and the transmission mechanism also includes a bearing and a worm wheel. The lead screw passes through the bearing and is supported in the housing. The worm wheel is sleeved on the lead screw and meshes with the worm gear for transmission.

13. The electric cylinder as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The fast-release mechanism includes a fixed wheel, a clutch wheel, and a guide member. The guide member and the fixed wheel are sequentially sleeved on the lead screw and housed inside the housing. The clutch wheel is movably sleeved on the guide member.

14. The electric cylinder as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The fast-release mechanism also includes a lever and an actuating assembly. The lever is pivotally connected to the housing, and the actuating assembly is disposed inside the housing and connects the lever and the clutch wheel.

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