Patent Description:
Signal cables of motor encoders impose stricter requirements on sealing and electromagnetic shielding performance, and the signal cables are generally led out by a cable gland. If an installation space reserved in the motor for the encoder is too small, and a minimum bending radius of the cables needs to be satisfied, cable glands with conventional specifications fail to accommodate use requirements.

<CIT> discloses a cable outlet structure for an encoder.

The present disclosure is intended to provide an outlet structure for an encoder, which is more compact in terms of structure, and provides a greater bending space for cable outlet of the encoder.

The present disclosure is further intended to provide an encoder having a more compact outlet structure, which provides a greater bending space for cable outlet of the encoder.

The present invention according to claim <NUM> provides an outlet structure for an encoder. The outlet structure includes: an encoder case, a metal ring, a fixing member, a first O-shaped ring, and a second O-shaped ring. A first cable through hole is disposed in the encoder case, wherein a cable is capable of passing through the first cable through hole. The metal ring is disposed in the first cable through hole and is sleevable onto a shielding layer of the cable, and the metal ring is deformable under an external force to clasp the shielding layer. A second cable through hole is disposed in the fixing member, wherein the cable is capable of passing through the second cable through hole, and the fixing member is insertable with interference into the first cable through hole from an outer side of the encoder case for fixation. The first O-shaped ring is sleeved onto the fixing member, and the first O-shaped ring is capable of sealing a slit between the fixing member and the encoder case after the fixing member is inserted into the first cable through hole. The second O-shaped ring is disposed in the second cable through hole and is sleevable on the cable, and the second O-shaped ring is capable of sealing a slit between the fixing member and the cable, and the second O-shaped ring is also capable of applying an elastic force to the metal ring such that the metal ring remains abutting against the encoder case along an insertion direction of the fixing member.

The outlet structure for the encoder according to the present disclosure includes the metal ring insertable with interference into the encoder case and capable of clasping the shielding layer. By the fixing member, the outlet structure abuts against the second O-shaped ring and the metal ring to fix the cable to the encoder case, and meanwhile the metal ring abuts against the encoder case to enhance capabilities of shielding electromagnetic interference. The outlet structure further seals, by the first O-shaped ring, the slit between the fixing member and the encoder case, and seals, by the second O-shaped ring, the slit between the fixing member and the cable, thereby achieving an IP67-class sealing effect. The outlet structure according to the present disclosure does not needed to be protruded from the encoder case and is compact in terms of structure, and provides a greater bending space for cable outlet of the encoder.

In another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encoder, the outlet structure further includes an abutting ring. An inner diameter of the abutting ring is less than an outer diameter of the metal ring and an outer ring of the second O-shaped ring. An outer diameter of the abutting ring is greater than the outer diameter of the metal ring and the outer ring of the second O-shaped ring. The abutting ring is disposed in the second cable through hole and is sleeved onto the cable, and the abutting ring is disposed between the second O-shaped ring and the metal ring along the insertion direction of the fixing member. The abutting ring is capable of preventing the second O-shaped ring from sliding inbetween the metal ring and the second cable through hole, thereby improving a sealing effect of the outlet structure.

In still another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encoder, an abutting surface perpendicular to the insertion direction of the fixing member and facing towards the outer side of the encoder case is disposed in the first cable through hole of the encoder case, and the second O-shaped ring is capable of applying an elastic force along the insertion direction of the fixing member to the metal ring such that the metal ring remains abutting against the abutting surface. The abutting surface is capable of stably holding and supporting the metal ring, thereby ensuring the metal ring to be stable at its position.

In still another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encoder, the fixing member is narrowed at an opening on one end of the second cable through hole to define an abutting portion, a diameter of the second cable through hole at the abutting portion is equal to a diameter of the cable, and the abutting portion is abuttable against the second O-shaped ring along the insertion direction of the fixing member after the fixing member is inserted into the first cable through hole. The abutting portion is capable of narrowing the slit between the fixing member and the cable, and meanwhile the fixing member is capable of uniformly applying a force to the second O-shaped ring by the abutting portion.

In still another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encoder, the first cable through hole includes a fixing hole segment, and a section of the fixing hole segment perpendicular to the insertion direction of the fixing member is circular-shaped, wherein a diameter of the section is progressively narrowed along the insertion direction of the fixing member. The structure of the encoder case brings about convenience for manufacturing, and facilitates insertion of the fixing member.

In still another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encoder, the fixing member is cone-shaped, and the second cable through hole is coaxial with the fixing member. The structure of the fixing member brings about convenience for manufacturing, and facilitates insertion of the fixing member.

In still another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encoder, a first annular groove coaxial with the fixing member is defined on a side surface of the fixing member, and the first O-shaped ring is sleeved into the first annular groove. The first annular groove is capable of preventing the first O-shaped ring from sliding relative to the fixing member after the fixing member is inserted into the first cable through hole, thereby improving the sealing effect of the outlet structure.

In still another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encoder, a second annular groove coaxial with the fixing member is defined on the side surface of the fixing member, wherein the second groove and an inner surface of the first cable through hole enclose a sealing chamber after the fixing member is inserted into the first cable through hole. Two communicating grooves are further defined on the side surface of the fixing member, wherein each of the communicating grooves and the inner surface of the first cable through hole enclose a communicating chamber after the fixing member is inserted into the first cable through hole, and each of the communicating chambers communicates the sealing chamber with a surface of the fixing member facing towards the outer side of the encoder case. After the fixing member is inserted into the first cable through hole, a sealant may be injected into the sealing chamber by the communicating chamber, thereby further improving the sealing effect of the outlet structure.

In still another illustrative embodiment of the outlet structure for the encode, an outer surface of the encoder case at a periphery of the first cable through hole is a plane perpendicular to an insertion direction of the fixing member, and a surface of the fixing member facing towards the outer side of the encoder case is coplanar with the outer surface of the encoder case after the fixing member is inserted into the first cable through hole. In this way, whether the fixing member is properly mounted may be detected, and an aesthetic appearance of the outlet structure is created.

The present invention according to claim <NUM> further provides an encoder. The encoder includes a cable and the outlet structure as described above. The cable is capable of passing through the first cable through hole, the metal ring is disposed in the first cable through hole and is sleevable onto the shielding layer of the cable, and the metal ring is deformable under an external force to clasp the shielding layer. The cable is capable of passing through the second cable through hole, the second O-shaped ring is disposed in the second cable through hole and is sleevable onto the cable, and the second O-shaped ring is capable of sealing the slit between the fixing member and the cable. The outlet structure is compact, and provides a greater bending space for cable outlet of the encoder.

The accompanying drawings are merely for schematic and illustrative description and demonstration of the present disclosure, instead of limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Reference numerals and denotations thereof:.

For clearer descriptions of the technical features, objectives, and the technical effects of the present disclosure, the specific embodiments of the present disclosure are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals denote elements having the same structure or having the similar structure but the same function.

In this text, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and any illustration or embodiment described herein as "exemplary" shall not be necessarily construed as preferred or advantageous over other illustrations or embodiments.

<FIG> is a schematic exploded view of an outlet structure for an encoder according to one illustrative embodiment. <FIG> is a schematic assembly view of the outlet structure for the encoder. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the outlet structure for the encoder includes: an encoder case <NUM>, a metal ring <NUM>, a fixing member <NUM>, a first O-shaped ring <NUM>, and a second O-shaped ring <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic partial sectional view of the outlet structure for the encoder as illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a first cable through hole <NUM> is disposed in the encoder case <NUM>, wherein a cable <NUM> is capable of passing through the first cable through hole <NUM>. The metal ring <NUM> is disposed in the first cable through hole <NUM> and is sleevable onto a shielding layer <NUM> of the cable <NUM>, and the metal ring <NUM> is made of a soft metal and has a small thickness, such that the metal ring <NUM> is deformable under an external force to clasp the shielding layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a second cable through hole <NUM> is disposed in the fixing member <NUM>, wherein the cable <NUM> is capable of passing through the second cable through hole <NUM>. The fixing member <NUM> is insertable into the first cable through hole <NUM> from an outer side of the encoder case <NUM> along an insertion direction A, and the fixing member <NUM> is interference fitted with the encoder case <NUM> and is fixed therewith after being inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>. The first O-shaped ring <NUM> is abuttable against the fixing member <NUM>, and after the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>, the first O-shaped ring <NUM> is deformable to seal a slit between the fixing member <NUM> and the encoder case <NUM>, thereby achieving an IP67-class sealing effect.

Referring to <FIG>, the second O-shaped ring <NUM> is disposed in the second cable through hole <NUM> and is sleevable on the cable <NUM>, the second O-shaped ring <NUM> is deformable to seal a slit between the fixing member <NUM> and the cable <NUM>, thereby achieving the IP67-class sealing effect. The second O-shaped ring <NUM> is further capable of applying an elastic force to the metal ring <NUM> after the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>, such that the metal ring <NUM> remains abutting against the encoder case <NUM> along the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM>. In an illustrative embodiment, the second O-shaped ring <NUM> directly applies a force to the metal ring <NUM>. However, in another illustrative embodiment, the second O-shaped ring <NUM> may also indirectly apply a force to the metal ring <NUM> by another part. During use of the encoder, the encoder case <NUM> may be grounded, and the shielding layer <NUM> of the cable <NUM> is connected to the encoder case <NUM> by the metal ring <NUM> to achieve grounding, thereby enhancing capabilities of shielding electromagnetic interference.

During assembly of the outlet structure for the encoder according to the present disclosure, first the first O-shaped ring <NUM> is sleeved onto the fixing member <NUM>, and then the cable <NUM> is passed through the fixing member <NUM>, the second O-shaped ring <NUM>, the metal ring <NUM>, and the encoder case <NUM> in sequence. A force is applied to the metal ring <NUM>, such that the metal ring <NUM> is deformed to clasp the shielding layer <NUM>. The fixing member <NUM> is inserted with interference into the first cable through hole <NUM> for fixation, the first O-shaped ring <NUM> is capable of sealing the slit between the fixing member <NUM> and the encoder case <NUM>, and the second O-shaped ring <NUM> is capable of sealing the slit between the fixing member <NUM> and the cable <NUM>. Meanwhile, the fixing member <NUM> abuts against the second O-shaped ring <NUM> and the metal ring <NUM> along the insertion direction thereof, such that the metal ring <NUM> remains abutting against the encoder case <NUM>, thereby fixing the cable <NUM>. The outlet structure according to the present disclosure does not need to be protruded from the encoder case <NUM>, and achieves an IP67-class sealing effect and has capabilities of shielding electromagnetic interference, and thus provides a greater bending space for cable outlet of the encoder.

In an illustrative embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an outer surface of the encoder case <NUM> at a periphery of the first cable through hole <NUM> is a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM>, and a surface of the fixing member <NUM> facing towards the outer side of the encoder case <NUM> is coplanar with the outer surface of the encoder case <NUM> after the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>. In this way, by observing whether the fixing member <NUM> protrudes from the encoder case <NUM>, whether the fixing member <NUM> is properly mounted or slides out is determined. This structure also ensures an aesthetic appearance of the outlet structure.

In an illustrative embodiment, referring to <FIG>, an abutting surface <NUM> perpendicular to the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM> and facing towards the outer side of the encoder case <NUM> is disposed in the first cable through hole <NUM> of the encoder case <NUM>, and the second O-shaped ring <NUM> is capable of applying an elastic force along the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM> to the metal ring such that the metal ring <NUM> remains abutting against the abutting surface <NUM>. The abutting surface <NUM> is capable of stably holding and supporting the metal ring <NUM>, thereby ensuring the metal ring <NUM> to be stable at its position.

In still another illustrative embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the fixing member <NUM> is narrowed at an opening on one end of the second cable through hole <NUM> to define an abutting portion <NUM>, a diameter of the second cable through hole <NUM> at the abutting portion <NUM> is equal to a diameter of the cable <NUM>, and the abutting portion <NUM> is abuttable against the second O-shaped ring <NUM> along the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM> after the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>. The abutting portion <NUM> is capable of narrowing the slit between the fixing member <NUM> and the cable <NUM>, and meanwhile the fixing member <NUM> is capable of uniformly applying a force to the second O-shaped ring <NUM> by the abutting portion <NUM>.

In an illustrative embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the first cable through hole <NUM> includes a fixing hole segment <NUM>, wherein a section of the fixing hole segment <NUM> perpendicular to the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM> is circular-shaped, and a diameter of the section is progressively narrowed along the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM>. The structure of the encoder case <NUM> brings about convenience for manufacturing, and facilitates insertion of the fixing member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic structural view of a fixing member. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixing member <NUM> is cone-shaped, and the second cable through hole <NUM> is coaxial with the fixing member <NUM>. The structure of the fixing member <NUM> brings about convenience for manufacturing, and facilitates insertion of the fixing member into the first cable through hole <NUM>.

In an illustrative embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a first annular groove <NUM> coaxial with the fixing member <NUM> is defined on a side surface of the fixing member <NUM>, and the first O-shaped ring <NUM> is sleeved into the first annular groove <NUM>. After the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>, the first annular groove <NUM> is capable of preventing the first O-shaped ring <NUM> from sliding relative to the fixing member <NUM>, thereby preventing impacts on the sealing effect. In this way, the sealing effect between the fixing member <NUM> and the encoder case <NUM> is improved.

In an illustrative embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a second annular groove <NUM> coaxial with the fixing member <NUM> is defined on the side surface of the fixing member <NUM>, wherein the second groove <NUM> and an inner surface of the first cable through hole <NUM> enclose a sealing chamber <NUM> after the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>. Two communicating grooves <NUM> are further defined on the side surface of the fixing member <NUM>, wherein each of the communicating grooves <NUM> and the inner surface of the first cable through hole <NUM> enclose a communicating chamber <NUM> after the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>, and each of the communicating chambers <NUM> communicates the sealing chamber <NUM> with a surface of the fixing member <NUM> facing towards the outer side of the encoder case <NUM>. After the fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the first cable through hole <NUM>, the sealant may be injected into the sealing chamber <NUM> by one of the communicating chambers <NUM>, and the other communicating chambers <NUM> is configured to exhaust the air. After the sealing chamber <NUM> is full of the sealant, the sealing effect between the fixing member <NUM> and the encoder case <NUM> may be improved.

<FIG> is a schematic partial sectional view of an outlet structure for an encoder according to another illustrative embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the identical parts or similar parts of the outlet structure according to this illustrative embodiment over the outlet structure as illustrated in <FIG> are not described herein any further. The outlet structure herein according to this embodiment further includes an abutting ring <NUM>. An inner diameter of the abutting ring <NUM> is less than the outer diameter of the metal ring <NUM> and the outer diameter of the second O-shaped ring <NUM>. An outer diameter of the abutting ring <NUM> is greater than the outer diameter of the metal ring <NUM> and the outer diameter of the second O-shaped ring <NUM>. The abutting ring <NUM> is disposed in the second cable through hole <NUM> and is sleevable onto the cable <NUM>, and the abutting ring <NUM> is disposed between the second O-shaped ring <NUM> and the metal ring <NUM> along the insertion direction A of the fixing member <NUM>. The second O-shaped ring <NUM> is capable of applying an elastic force to the abutting ring <NUM>, such that the abutting ring <NUM> abuts against the metal ring <NUM> and thus the metal ring <NUM> remains abutting against the encoder case <NUM>. The abutting ring <NUM> is capable of preventing the second O-shaped ring <NUM> from sliding inbetween the metal ring <NUM> and the second cable through hole <NUM>, thereby improving the sealing effect of the outlet structure.

The present disclosure further provides an encoder. Referring to <FIG>, the encoder includes a cable <NUM> and the outlet structure as described above. The cable <NUM> is capable of passing through the first cable through hole <NUM>, the metal ring <NUM> is disposed in the first cable through hole <NUM> and is sleevable onto a shielding layer <NUM> of the cable <NUM>, the metal ring <NUM> is deformable under an external force to clasp the shielding layer <NUM>, the cable <NUM> is capable of passing through the second cable through hole <NUM>, the second O-shaped ring <NUM> is disposed in the second cable through hole <NUM> and is sleevable onto the cable <NUM>, and the second O-shaped ring <NUM> is capable of sealing a slit between the fixing member <NUM> and the cable <NUM>. The outlet structure is more compact, and provides a greater bending space for cable outlet of the encoder.

It should be understood that, although this specification is described based on the embodiments, not each of the embodiments discloses an independent technical solution. Such description manner of the specification is only for clarity. A person skilled in the art should consider the specification as an entirety. The technical solutions according to the embodiments may also be suitably combined to derive other embodiments that may be understood by a person skilled in the art.

Claim 1:
An outlet structure for an encoder, comprising:
an encoder case (<NUM>), a first cable through hole (<NUM>) being disposed in the encoder case (<NUM>), a cable being capable of passing through the first cable through hole (<NUM>);
a first metal ring (<NUM>), the metal ring (<NUM>) being disposed in the first cable through hole (<NUM>) and being sleevable onto a shielding layer of the cable, the metal ring (<NUM>) being deformable under an external force to clasp the shielding layer;
a fixing member (<NUM>), a second cable through hole (<NUM>) being disposed in the fixing member (<NUM>), the cable being capable of passing through the second cable through hole (<NUM>), the fixing member (<NUM>) being insertable with interference into the first cable through hole (<NUM>) from an outer side of the encoder case (<NUM>) for fixation;
a first O-shaped ring (<NUM>), the first O-shaped ring (<NUM>) being sleevable onto the fixing member (<NUM>), and the first O-shaped ring (<NUM>) being insertable into the first cable through hole (<NUM>) to seal a slit between the fixing member (<NUM>) and the encoder case (<NUM>); and
a second O-shaped ring (<NUM>), the second O-shaped ring (<NUM>) being disposed in the second cable through hole (<NUM>) and sleevable onto the cable, the second O-shaped ring (<NUM>) being capable of sealing a slit of the fixing member (<NUM>) and the cable, and the second O-shaped ring (<NUM>) being further capable of applying an elastic force to the metal ring (<NUM>) after the fixing member (<NUM>) is inserted into the first cable through hole (<NUM>), such that the metal ring (<NUM>) remains abutting against the encoder case (<NUM>).