A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up

Abstract

This utility model relates to a single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up, belonging to the technical field of plastic production equipment. It includes a single-acting cylinder and a spring return mechanism. The spring return mechanism comprises: a contact plate; a buffer assembly disposed on one side of the contact plate; and a limiting assembly including a threaded post and a connecting nut. The threaded post is rotatably connected to the contact plate; the connecting nut is threadedly connected to the threaded post and fixed to the connecting flange of the actuator. This utility model can adjust the spring preload of the spring return mechanism through the limiting assembly, thereby compensating for spring fatigue or adapting to torque requirements under different working conditions, effectively solving the problems of reduced return torque and poor versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of plastic production equipment technology, and in particular to a single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up. Background Technology

[0002] A high-torque-start single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator is an automated actuator that uses compressed air as power, outputs a large torque during startup, and is driven by air pressure only in one direction (such as opening or closing), and resets by spring force in the reverse direction. Essentially, it is a power component that converts pneumatic energy into rotational mechanical energy. Its core features are "high-torque start" and "single-acting drive," and it is widely used in industrial scenarios requiring high-load drive and safe reset.

[0003] However, existing single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuators suffer from several problems during long-term use. First, the spring undergoes fatigue deformation during repeated compression and reset cycles, leading to increased length or a decrease in its elastic modulus. Second, environmental corrosion (such as humidity or corrosive gases) can also shorten the effective spring length. These problems result in insufficient actual compression after spring fatigue, causing the reset torque to gradually decrease over time, potentially dropping from 100% of the design value to below 60%, ultimately leading to "reset failure"—the valve fails to operate after air supply is cut off, severely impacting equipment reliability and safety. Furthermore, in industrial settings, the load on the controlled equipment may change with operating conditions, such as increased or decreased pipeline pressure or wear on valve sealing surfaces, causing variations in resistance. In such cases, the reset torque needs adjustment to adapt to the new load. However, existing technologies lack effective spring length adjustment capabilities, resulting in poor versatility and an inability to meet diverse application needs.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up, in order to improve the technical problems existing in related technologies, such as spring fatigue deformation, reduction of reset torque leading to reset failure during long-term use, lack of effective adjustment function for spring length, and poor versatility.

[0006] This application provides a single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up, comprising: a single-acting cylinder and a spring return mechanism, wherein the spring return mechanism comprises: an abutment plate; a buffer assembly disposed on one side of the abutment plate; and a limiting assembly comprising a threaded post and a connecting nut; the threaded post is rotatably connected to the abutment plate; the connecting nut is threadedly connected to the threaded post and is fixed to the connecting flange of the actuator.

[0007] The technical solutions described above in this application embodiment have at least the following technical effects: the spring preload of the spring reset mechanism can be adjusted by the limiting component, thereby compensating for spring fatigue or adapting to torque requirements under different working conditions, effectively solving the problems of reduced reset torque and poor versatility.

[0008] In this embodiment, the limiting component further includes a locking nut; the locking nut is threadedly connected to the threaded post, and the locking nut abuts against the connecting nut.

[0009] This technical solution effectively fixes the position of the connecting nut, preventing it from loosening under vibration or impact and ensuring the stability of the spring preload.

[0010] In this embodiment, the limiting component further includes a threaded top block; the threaded top block is threadedly connected to the connecting nut, and the end of the threaded top block abuts against the threaded post.

[0011] This technical solution further enhances the fixing effect between the connecting nut and the threaded post, provides additional anti-loosening protection, and improves the reliability of the adjustment mechanism.

[0012] In this embodiment, the buffer assembly includes multiple left-winding springs and multiple right-winding springs; the left-winding springs and the right-winding springs are alternately arranged.

[0013] This technical solution, which alternates between left and right winding springs, can effectively counteract the torsional force generated during spring compression, reduce lateral deformation of the spring, and improve the spring's stability and service life.

[0014] In this embodiment, the buffer assembly further includes multiple guide posts; each of the left winding spring and the right winding spring has a guide post inside.

[0015] This technical solution enables the guide column to provide stable support and guidance for the spring, preventing the spring from bending or becoming unstable during compression, and further improving the working efficiency and reliability of the spring.

[0016] In this embodiment, each guide post includes a fixed post and a telescopic post; the telescopic post is slidably connected to the fixed post.

[0017] This technical solution utilizes a sliding connection design between the fixed column and the telescopic column, enabling the guide column to adapt to length changes under different compression states of the spring, ensuring that the spring is always effectively guided, while also reducing wear on the guide column itself.

[0018] In this embodiment, the limiting component also includes a bearing; the threaded post is connected to the abutment plate via the bearing.

[0019] This technical solution reduces friction between the threaded post and the abutment plate, making the rotation of the threaded post smoother and facilitating the adjustment of the spring preload.

[0020] In this embodiment, a transmission rod is also included; the abutment plate is connected to the single-acting cylinder via the transmission rod.

[0021] This technical solution transmits the motion of the contact plate to the single-acting cylinder via the transmission rod, ensuring effective linkage between the spring reset mechanism and the cylinder, and enabling the pneumatic actuator to operate normally.

[0022] In this embodiment, the spring reset mechanism further includes a protective housing; the connecting flange is fixed to one end of the protective housing.

[0023] This technical solution provides external protection for the spring reset mechanism, preventing dust, moisture, and corrosive substances from entering and extending the service life of the mechanism.

[0024] In this embodiment, the buffer assembly is disposed between the protective sleeve and the abutment plate.

[0025] With this technical solution, the buffer assembly is set between the protective shell and the abutment plate, which can make full use of the internal space of the protective shell, has a compact structure, and provides a good working environment for the buffer assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the spring reset mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0027] The following are the labeling elements in the figure: 1. Single-acting cylinder; 2. Torque converter; 3. Spring return mechanism; 31. Protective housing; 32. Connecting flange; 33. Buffer assembly; 331. Left winding spring; 332. Right winding spring; 333. Guide post; 3331. Fixed post; 3332. Telescopic post; 334. Abutment plate; 34. Limiting assembly; 341. Bearing; 342. Threaded post; 343. Connecting nut; 344. Locking nut; 345. Threaded top block; 35. Transmission rod. Detailed Implementation

[0028] However, existing single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuators suffer from several problems during long-term use. First, the spring undergoes fatigue deformation during repeated compression and reset cycles, leading to increased length or a decrease in its elastic modulus. Second, environmental corrosion (such as humidity or corrosive gases) can also shorten the effective spring length. These problems result in insufficient actual compression after spring fatigue, causing the reset torque to gradually decrease over time, potentially dropping from 100% of the design value to below 60%, ultimately leading to "reset failure"—the valve fails to operate after air supply is cut off, severely impacting equipment reliability and safety. Furthermore, in industrial settings, the load on the controlled equipment may change with operating conditions, such as increased or decreased pipeline pressure or wear on valve sealing surfaces, causing variations in resistance. In such cases, the reset torque needs adjustment to adapt to the new load. However, existing technologies lack effective spring length adjustment capabilities, resulting in poor versatility and an inability to meet diverse application needs.

[0029] Based on this, in order to improve the technical problems existing in related technologies, such as spring fatigue deformation and reduction of reset torque leading to reset failure during long-term use, as well as the lack of effective adjustment function for spring length and poor versatility, the embodiments of this application provide the following solutions.

[0030] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 3 This application provides a single-acting pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up. The single-acting pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up includes a single-acting cylinder 1 and a spring return mechanism 3. The spring return mechanism 3 includes: an abutment plate 334; a buffer assembly 33 disposed on one side of the abutment plate 334; and a limiting assembly 34, which includes a threaded post 342 and a connecting nut 343. The threaded post 342 is rotatably connected to the abutment plate 334. The connecting nut 343 is threadedly connected to the threaded post 342 and is fixed on the connecting flange 32 of the actuator.

[0031] The single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up provided in this application embodiment can adjust the spring preload of the spring return mechanism 3 through the limiting component 34, thereby compensating for spring fatigue or adapting to torque requirements under different working conditions, effectively solving the problems of reduced return torque and poor versatility. Thus, during long-term use, the spring will fatigue due to repeated deformation, reducing its elastic coefficient and causing a gradual decrease in return torque, which may lead to malfunctions such as slow mechanism operation and incomplete return. The limiting component 34 can offset the performance degradation caused by spring fatigue by adjusting the preload, extending the effective service life of the mechanism.

[0032] In this embodiment, the limiting component 34 further includes a locking nut 344; the locking nut 344 is threadedly connected to the threaded post 342, and the locking nut 344 abuts against the connecting nut 343.

[0033] This design effectively secures the locking nut 344 to the position of the connecting nut 343, preventing it from loosening under vibration or impact and ensuring the stability of the spring preload. In contrast, ordinary nuts require periodic downtime for inspection and retightening after loosening, which is not only time-consuming but can also lead to accelerated wear of parts if the loosening is not detected in time. The long-term anti-loosening capability of the locking nut 344 reduces maintenance frequency, lowers labor costs, and reduces equipment downtime.

[0034] In this embodiment, the limiting component 34 further includes a threaded top block 345; the threaded top block 345 is threadedly connected to the connecting nut 343, and the end of the threaded top block 345 abuts against the threaded post 342.

[0035] This design further enhances the fixing effect between the connecting nut 343 and the threaded post 342, providing additional anti-loosening protection and improving the reliability of the adjustment mechanism. In threaded connections, a small gap inevitably exists between the nut and the threaded post 342. Under conditions of vibration and impact, this gap can cause the nut to gradually loosen. The threaded block 345 eliminates this gap by pressing against the side of the threaded post 342, using additional radial or axial pressure. This creates a dual fixing mechanism of "nut self-locking + block tightening," which is more resistant to external interference than a single locking method (such as using only the locking nut 344), preventing loosening at its source.

[0036] In this embodiment, the buffer assembly 33 includes a plurality of left winding springs 331 and a plurality of right winding springs 332; the left winding springs 331 and the right winding springs 332 are alternately arranged.

[0037] This configuration, with the left and right winding springs 332 alternating, can effectively counteract the torsional force generated during spring compression, reduce lateral deformation of the spring, and improve the spring's stability and service life.

[0038] In this embodiment, the buffer assembly 33 further includes a plurality of guide posts 333; each of the left winding spring 331 and the right winding spring 332 has a guide post 333 disposed inside.

[0039] With this configuration, the guide post 333 can provide stable support and guidance for the spring, preventing the spring from bending or becoming unstable during compression, and further improving the spring's working efficiency and reliability.

[0040] In this embodiment, each guide post 333 includes a fixed post 3331 and a telescopic post 3332; the telescopic post 3332 is slidably connected to the fixed post 3331.

[0041] This design, with the sliding connection between the fixed column 3331 and the telescopic column 3332, allows the guide column 333 to adapt to the length changes of the spring under different compression states, ensuring that the spring is always effectively guided, while also reducing the wear of the guide column 333 itself.

[0042] In this embodiment, the limiting component 34 further includes a bearing 341; the threaded post 342 is connected to the abutment plate 334 through the bearing 341.

[0043] This configuration reduces friction between the threaded post 342 and the abutment plate 334, making the rotation of the threaded post 342 smoother and facilitating the adjustment of the spring preload.

[0044] In this embodiment, a transmission rod 35 is also included; the abutment plate 334 is connected to the single-acting cylinder 1 through the transmission rod 35.

[0045] With this configuration, the transmission rod 35 transmits the movement of the abutment plate 334 to the single-acting cylinder 1, ensuring effective linkage between the spring reset mechanism 3 and the cylinder, and enabling the pneumatic actuator to operate normally.

[0046] In this embodiment, the spring reset mechanism 3 further includes a protective sleeve 31; the connecting flange 32 is fixed to one end of the protective sleeve 31.

[0047] With this configuration, the protective housing 31 can provide external protection for the spring reset mechanism 3, preventing dust, moisture and corrosive substances from entering and extending the service life of the mechanism.

[0048] In this embodiment, the buffer component 33 is disposed between the protective sleeve 31 and the abutment plate 334.

[0049] With this configuration, the buffer assembly 33 is positioned between the protective housing 31 and the abutment plate 334, which can make full use of the internal space of the protective housing 31, resulting in a compact structure and providing a good working environment for the buffer assembly 33.

[0050] The working principle of the high-torque starting single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator provided in this application embodiment is as follows: During the process of opening the valve using the high-torque starting single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator, the compressed air of the single-acting cylinder 1 overcomes the elastic force of the spring return mechanism 3. After the valve of the single-acting cylinder 1 is closed, the elastic force of the spring return mechanism 3 completes the reset. During this process, a limit assembly 34 with adjustable spring preload is connected through the connecting flange 32. By rotating the threaded column 342, the connecting nut 343 is set on the connecting flange 32, causing the threaded column 342 and the connecting nut 343 to rotate. The threaded post 342 is rotatably connected to the abutment plate 334 via the bearing 341. The threaded post 342 moves back and forth under the action of the connecting nut 343, thereby adjusting the preload of the left winding spring 331 and the right winding spring 332 set on the abutment plate 334. After adjustment, the locking nut 344 is connected to the threaded post 342, so that the locking nut 344 and the connecting nut 343 are threadedly abutted against each other. The threaded top block 345 limits the position of the connecting nut 343, the locking nut 344 and the threaded post 342 to prevent displacement during use. Meanwhile, the abutment plate 334 is transmitted to the single-acting cylinder 1 through the transmission rod 35. The left winding spring 331 and the right winding spring 332 are alternately arrayed on the abutment plate 334, with the other end abutting against the protective sleeve 31. Each spring is equipped with a guide post 333. The telescopic post 3332 extends and retracts on the fixed post 3331 without affecting the extension and retraction of the spring, thus preventing the spring from bending. When the left and right winding springs 332 are arranged alternately, the lateral force and torque generated by the springs with different helical directions during the extension and retraction are different and can cancel each other out. This can avoid additional off-center load and torsion of the piston and output shaft caused by the unbalanced spring force, making the actuator output torque more stable and improving the linear motion guidance accuracy of the piston, so that the position control of the actuator when driving the load is more precise.

[0051] 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 single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up, comprising a single-acting cylinder (1) and a spring return mechanism (3), characterized in that, The spring reset mechanism (3) includes: an abutment plate (334); a buffer assembly (33) disposed on one side of the abutment plate (334); and a limiting assembly (34), the limiting assembly (34) including a threaded post (342) and a connecting nut (343); the threaded post (342) is rotatably connected to the abutment plate (334); the connecting nut (343) is threadedly connected to the threaded post (342), and the connecting nut (343) is fixed on the connecting flange (32) of the actuator.

2. The single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting component (34) further includes a locking nut (344); the locking nut (344) is threadedly connected to the threaded post (342), and the locking nut (344) abuts against the connecting nut (343).

3. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting component (34) further includes a threaded top block (345); the threaded top block (345) is threadedly connected to the connecting nut (343), and the end of the threaded top block (345) abuts against the threaded post (342).

4. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer assembly (33) includes a plurality of left winding springs (331) and a plurality of right winding springs (332); the left winding springs (331) and the right winding springs (332) are arranged alternately.

5. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 4, characterized in that, The buffer assembly (33) also includes a plurality of guide posts (333); each of the left winding spring (331) and the right winding spring (332) is provided with a guide post (333).

6. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the guide posts (333) includes a fixed post (3331) and a telescopic post (3332); the telescopic post (3332) is slidably connected to the fixed post (3331).

7. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting component (34) also includes a bearing (341); the threaded post (342) is connected to the abutment plate (334) through the bearing (341).

8. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a transmission rod (35); the abutment plate (334) is connected to the single-acting cylinder (1) through the transmission rod (35).

9. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring reset mechanism (3) also includes a protective housing (31); the connecting flange (32) is fixed to one end of the protective housing (31).

10. A single-acting cylinder pneumatic actuator with high torque start-up according to claim 9, characterized in that, The buffer assembly (33) is disposed between the protective shell (31) and the abutment plate (334).

Images