Electric actuator and dual-functional component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism thereof

Abstract

A dual-functional component with strain sensing and buffering mechanism includes a load body, a strain gauge, a cable connector and an impact absorbing element. The load body includes a cylinder and a flange extending from the cylinder. The cylinder having an opening. A detection surface is formed on both opposite sides of the opening. The strain gauge is installed on the detected surface to detect the amount of deformation on the detected surface. The cable connector includes a connector and a cable. The connector is connected to the cylinder. The cable passes through the connector and electrically connected to the strain gauge. The impact absorbing element is arranged on an end face of the flange. The impact absorbing element is arranged on an end face of the flange to absorb the impact force on the load body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technology of an electric linear actuator, and more particularly to an electric linear actuator and its dual-function component that combines strain sensing and buffering mechanisms. Prior Technology

[0002] Electric linear actuators are widely used in industrial, medical, and home applications such as beds, massage chairs, fitness equipment, rehabilitation equipment, door openers, window openers, and lifting mechanisms. They are used to push objects weighing tens or even thousands of kilograms to achieve lifting or angle changes. Most existing electric linear actuators use an electric motor with a transmission and reduction mechanism to drive a lead screw to rotate. The lead screw then drives a screwed-in actuator to extend or retract linearly.

[0003] However, electric linear actuators have a maximum load capacity. Most electric linear actuators cannot measure the weight of the load, especially industrial or agricultural electric linear actuators, which bear heavier loads. During use, this may exceed the maximum load capacity, easily causing deformation and damage to the actuator or other mechanisms. Therefore, to avoid this situation, strain gauges are currently installed on the electric linear actuators to measure the load weight. However, the strain gauge signal lines are routed internally within the electric linear actuator, making installation and removal inconvenient. Furthermore, users cannot replace the strain gauges as needed or use software other than the software specified by the designer for testing.

[0004] In view of this, the creator has devoted himself to researching and applying theoretical principles to address the shortcomings of the existing technology, and has made every effort to solve the above-mentioned problems, which has become the creator's goal for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One objective of this application is to provide an electric actuator and its dual-function component that combines strain sensing and buffering mechanisms, which not only has force detection capabilities but also prevents damage to the device from sudden impacts.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanisms, including a load-bearing body, a pair of strain gauges, a cable connector, and an impact-absorbing element. The load-bearing body includes a column and a flange extending from the column. The column has an opening, and a pair of detection surfaces are formed on two opposite sides of the opening. Each strain gauge is disposed on each of the detection surfaces to detect the deformation of each detection surface. The cable connector includes a connector and a cable. The connector is connected to the column, and the cable passes through the connector and is electrically connected to each strain gauge. The impact-absorbing element is disposed on the end face of the flange to absorb the impact force on the load-bearing body.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an electric actuator, including a gearbox, a motor, a transmission mechanism, and a dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanisms. The motor is connected to the gearbox; the transmission mechanism is connected to the gearbox and formed on one side of the motor, and is driven by the motor; the dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanisms is disposed on the side of the gearbox opposite to the transmission mechanism, and includes a load-bearing body, a pair of strain gauges, a cable connector, and an impact-absorbing element. The load-bearing body includes a column and a flange extending from the column. The column has an opening, and a pair of detection surfaces are formed on two opposite sides of the opening. Each strain gauge is disposed on each of the detection surfaces to detect the deformation of each detection surface; the cable connector includes a connector and a cable. The connector is connected to the column, and the cable passes through the connector and is electrically connected to each strain gauge; the impact-absorbing element is disposed on the end face of the flange to absorb the impact force on the load-bearing body.

[0008] This application also has the following advantages: it can effectively reduce vibrations generated during external forces or operation, thereby extending service life and improving stability. Through the installation of strain gauges, the weight applied to the push rod can be detected, and the force changes during actuation can be sensed in real time, enabling the system to control force more accurately, thereby improving operational safety. When excessive external force is detected, the system can adjust, stop operation, or even reverse in real time to avoid accidents. The combination of polygonal slots in the load body and polygonal segments in the connector allows only axial movement between the load body and the connector. The self-lubricating bushing provides lubrication for the axial movement of the load body and the connector, ensuring smooth operation. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electric actuator of this application.

[0010] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the dual-function component and gearbox of this application, which combines strain sensing and buffering mechanisms.

[0011] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the dual-function component of this application, which combines strain sensing and buffering mechanisms.

[0012] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electric actuator assembly of this application.

[0013] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electric actuator of this application when it is used for thrust.

[0014] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electric actuator of this application when it is used under tension. Implementation

[0015] The detailed description and technical content of this application are illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are provided for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit this application.

[0016] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. This application provides an electric actuator and a dual-function component that combines strain sensing and buffering mechanisms. The electric actuator 9 mainly includes a gearbox 91, a motor 92, a reduction mechanism 93 (Figure 4), a transmission mechanism 94, a dual-function component 1 that combines strain sensing and buffering mechanisms, and other related components or devices.

[0017] The gearbox 91 mainly includes a base 911 and a cover 912 corresponding to the base 911. The cover 912 is provided with a stepped hole 913 (Figure 4). The reduction mechanism 93 is set inside the gearbox 91 and includes a plurality of spur gears of different sizes. The motor 92 and the transmission mechanism 94 are installed in the base 911 and are transmitted through the connection of the reduction mechanism 93. The transmission mechanism 94 has a lead screw 941 (Figure 4), a push rod 942 (Figure 1) screwed to the lead screw 941 for transmission, and other related components. Since the aforementioned components or mechanisms are all prior art, they will not be described in detail one by one.

[0018] The dual-function component 1 of this application, which combines strain sensing and buffering mechanism, is located on the side of the gearbox 91 facing away from the transmission mechanism 94, specifically on the cover 912, and mainly includes a load body 10, a pair of strain gauges 20, a cable connector 30, and an impact absorption element 40.

[0019] The load-bearing body 10 is a component made of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum or their alloys, and has a certain mechanical strength. It mainly includes a column 11 and a flange 12. An opening 111 is provided in the middle section of the column 11. The opening 111 is a rectangular groove, and a pair of test surfaces 112 are formed on its two opposite sides.

[0020] A through hole 113 is provided above the opening 111 of the column 11 for use with fixing equipment, pins, or bolts. Furthermore, a polygonal slot 114 and a circular hole 115 (Figure 4) are provided below the opening 111 of the column 11, with the circular hole 115 located inside the polygonal slot 114. Additionally, a connecting hole 116 (Figure 4) is provided between the circular hole 115 and the opening 111. The flange 12 extends from the lower section of the column 11 in an expanded diameter manner.

[0021] Each strain gauge 20 is disposed on each of the tested surfaces 112 (Figure 4) to detect the deformation of each tested surface 112. It mainly comprises an insulating substrate (not shown) and a metal sensing grid (not shown). The strain gauge 20 measures the strain of an object. When the object is deformed by an external force, the metal sensing grid also deforms, causing a corresponding change in its resistance value. Each strain gauge 20 is disposed on the tested surface 112 through an opening 111, thereby enabling the measurement of the deformation of each tested surface 112. Specifically, a pair of circuit boards (not shown) may also be included. Each circuit board is disposed on two opposite walls through the opening 111 and located between the strain gauges 20, that is, the strain gauges 20 and the circuit boards are arranged perpendicularly to each other. One circuit board is electrically connected in series with one strain gauge 20 to form a first half-bridge, and the other circuit board is electrically connected in series with another strain gauge 20 to form a second half-bridge. The first half-bridge and the second half-bridge are electrically connected in parallel to form a Wheatstone bridge. Thus, the change in resistance value generated when an object is deformed by an external force can be measured through the Wheatstone bridge, and then converted into the strain value of the actual object.

[0022] The cable connector 30 includes a connector 31 and a cable 32. The connector 31 passes through the aforementioned stepped hole 913 and connects to the column 11. The cable 32 passes through the connector 31 and is electrically connected to each strain gauge 20. The connector 31 is a component made of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum or their alloys. It mainly includes a circular shaft section 311, a polygonal body 312 extending downward from the circular shaft section 311, a first external thread section 313 extending downward from the polygonal body 312, a polygonal section 314 extending downward from the first external thread section 313, and a circular column 315 extending downward from the polygonal section 314. A central hole 316 (Figure 4) is provided at the axis of the connector 31, and a through hole 317 communicating with the central hole 316 is provided in the polygonal section 314.

[0023] The cable 32 is inserted into the connector 31 through the through hole 317, then out through the central hole 316, and then through the aforementioned connecting hole 116 to be electrically connected to each strain gauge 20.

[0024] The polygonal body 312 of the connector 31 is matched with the polygonal slot 114 of the aforementioned load body 10, so that the cable connector 30 and the load body 10 can only move axially.

[0025] The impact absorbing element 40, also known as the first impact absorbing element, is disposed on the lower end face of the flange 12 to absorb the impact force on the load body 10. The impact absorbing element 40 can be a disc-shaped spring, and there can be multiple impact absorbing elements 40 stacked on top of each other.

[0026] In one embodiment, the dual-function component 1 of this application, which combines strain sensing and buffering mechanism, further includes another impact absorption element 50, which is disposed on the upper end face of the flange 12 to absorb the impact force on the load body 10; wherein the other impact absorption element 50 can also be called a second impact absorption element, which can be a disc-shaped spring, and the number of such springs can also be multiple, with each other impact absorption element 50 stacked on top of each other.

[0027] In one embodiment, the dual-function component 1 of this application, which combines strain sensing and buffering mechanism, further includes an outer cover 60, which covers the load body 10, each impact absorption element 40 and each other impact absorption element 50. The outer cover 60 includes a top plate 61 and a surrounding plate 62 extending downward from the top plate 61, wherein each other impact absorption element 50 is disposed between the top plate 61 and the flange 12.

[0028] In one embodiment, the dual-function component 1 combining strain sensing and buffering mechanisms further includes an adapter ring 70 connected between the connector 31 and the outer cover 60. The outer cover 60 has a first internal thread 621 on its surrounding plate 62, and the adapter ring 70 has a second internal thread 71 and a second external thread 72. The second external thread 72 is screwed and locked to the first internal thread 621 of the outer cover 60, and the second internal thread 71 is screwed and locked to the first external thread segment 313 of the connector 31. Each impact absorption element 40 is disposed between the adapter ring 70 and the flange 12.

[0029] In one embodiment, the dual-function component 1 of this application, which combines strain sensing and buffering mechanism, further includes a self-lubricating bushing 80, which is fitted onto the circular shaft section 311 of the connector 31 and formed in the circular hole 115 of the load body 10, thereby providing lubrication for the load body 10 and the connector 31 when they move axially, and ensuring smooth operation.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 5. When a thrust is applied, the load-bearing body 10 is subjected to an external thrust, resulting in axial displacement. This displacement is then compressed through its flange 12 against each impact-absorbing element 40, thus providing a buffering effect. When only the impact-absorbing element 40 is present, it can be applied to a push-but-pull electric actuator.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 6. When a tensile force is applied, the load-bearing body 10 is subjected to an external thrust, resulting in axial displacement. This displacement is then compressed through its flange 12 against each of the other impact-absorbing elements 50, thus providing a buffering effect. When both impact-absorbing elements 40 and the other impact-absorbing element 50 are present, it can be applied to various types of electric actuators.

[0032] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the patent scope of this application. Other equivalent variations that utilize the patent spirit of this application should all fall within the patent scope of this application.

[0033] 1: A component with both strain sensing and buffering mechanisms 10: Load body 11: Column 111: Opening 112: Surface to be tested 113: Perforation 114: Polygonal slot 115: Circular hole 116: Connecting hole 12: Flange 20: Strain gauge 30: Cable connector 31: Connector 311: Circular shaft segment 312: Polygonal Body 313: First external thread segment 314: Polygonal Segment 315: Circular column 316: Center Hole 317: Through hole 32: Cable 40: Impact Absorption Element 50: Another shock-absorbing element 60: Outer cover 61: Top plate 62: Enclosure 621: First internal thread 70: Adapter ring 71: Second internal thread 72: Second external thread 80: Self-lubricating bushing 9: Electric linear actuator 91: Gearbox 911: base body 912: Cover 913: Stepped hole 92: Electric motor 93: Reduction Mechanism 94: Transmission Mechanism 941: Lead screw 942: Putter

Claims

1. A component with dual functions of strain sensing and buffering mechanism, comprising: A load-bearing body includes a column and a flange extending from the column. The column has an opening, and a pair of test surfaces are formed on two opposite sides of the opening. A pair of strain gauges are respectively disposed on each of the test surfaces to detect the deformation of each test surface. A cable connector includes a connector head and a cable. The connector head is connected to the column, and the cable passes through the connector head and is electrically connected to each of the strain gauges. An impact absorbing element is disposed on the end face of the flange to absorb the impact force on the load-bearing body.

2. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 1 further includes another impact absorbing element disposed on the end face of the flange opposite to the impact absorbing element, for absorbing the impact force on the load body.

3. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein both the shock absorbing element and the other shock absorbing element are disc-shaped springs.

4. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing element and the other shock absorbing element are both multiple.

5. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 2, further comprising an outer cover covering the load-bearing body, the impact-absorbing element and the other impact-absorbing element, the outer cover comprising a top plate and a surrounding plate extending from the top plate, the other impact-absorbing element being disposed between the top plate and the flange.

6. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 5 further includes an adapter ring connected between the connector and the outer cover, the connector having a first external thread segment, the enclosure having a first internal thread, the adapter ring having a second internal thread and a second external thread, the second external thread and the first internal thread being screwed and locked together, the second internal thread and the first external thread segment being screwed and locked together, and the impact absorbing element being disposed between the adapter ring and the flange.

7. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 1 further includes a self-lubricating bushing, the load body having a circular hole, the connector having a circular shaft section, and the self-lubricating bushing being fitted onto the circular shaft section and formed within the circular hole.

8. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the load body has a polygonal slot and the connector has a polygonal body that mates with the polygonal slot.

9. The dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the load body is provided with a connecting hole, the connector includes a circular shaft segment, a polygonal body extending from the circular shaft segment, a first external thread segment extending from the polygonal body, a polygonal segment extending from the first external thread segment, and a circular cylinder extending from the polygonal segment, a central hole is provided at the axis of the connector, and a through hole communicating with the central hole is provided in the polygonal segment, the cable passes through the through hole into the interior of the connector and out of the central hole, and then passes through the connecting hole to be electrically connected to each strain gauge.

10. An electric actuator, comprising: a gearbox; an electric motor connected to the gearbox; a transmission mechanism connected to the gearbox and formed on one side of the electric motor, the transmission mechanism being driven by the electric motor; and a dual-function component combining strain sensing and buffering mechanisms as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, disposed on the side of the gearbox opposite to the transmission mechanism.

11. The electric actuator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the gearbox includes a base and a cover corresponding to the base, the cover having a stepped hole through which the connector passes to connect to the load body.

12. The electric actuator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a lead screw, and the dual-function component that combines strain sensing and buffering mechanisms is configured to be aligned with the lead screw.

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