Patent Description:
The shaft of the traditional traveling roller is driven by an engine or a motor through a chain or belt, and a differential device or a ratchet and pawl device is provided in the traveling roller. Alternatively, the shaft of the traditional traveling roller is driven by an engine or a motor through an external differential device. Due to the existence of the transmission system, the traditional traveling roller has a complicated structure, low transmission efficiency and a large system weight. In addition, due to the gap between the rollers, the system has a poor sealing effect, such that dust is more likely to enter the inside of the traveling roller to cause wear of the differential device. <CIT> discloses a differential travelling roller driven by an engine via a built-in differential and comprising a left roller and a right roller.

In order to solve the above technical problems, an objective of the present invention as claimed in claim <NUM> is to provide a differential traveling roller driven by a built-in outer rotor motor.

Claim <NUM> defines a differential travelling roller for which protection is sought. The dependent claims concern particular embodiments of the invention as claimed in claim <NUM>.

The present invention as claimed in claim <NUM> has the following beneficial effects. The present invention as claimed in claim <NUM> adopts an outer rotor motor drive mode. According to the characteristics of the outer rotor motor, the present invention as claimed in claim <NUM> integrates part of the transmission devices on the rotor of the outer rotor motor, thereby achieving the purpose of traveling and steering. In addition, the present invention as claimed in claim <NUM> adopts a built-in sealing structure to prevent dust from entering the driving device.

To explain the present invention as claimed in claim <NUM> more clearly, embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings, whereby the first embodiment falls within the wording of claim <NUM>, whereas the second to fifth embodiment do no fall within the wording of claim <NUM>.

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention as claimed in claim <NUM> provides a differential traveling roller driven by a built-in outer rotor motor. As shown in <FIG>, the traveling roller is divided into two parts, namely a left roller <NUM> and a right roller <NUM>. The left roller <NUM> and the right roller <NUM> are hermetically connected. A left support plate <NUM> is welded to an inner wall of the left roller <NUM>, and a right support plate corresponding to the left support plate <NUM> is welded to an inner wall of the right roller <NUM>. The left support plate <NUM> has the same structure as the right support plate. The support plate <NUM> includes an annular plate body. An outer ring of the annular plate body is welded to the inner walls of the left and right rollers. Multiple notches <NUM> are spaced apart in the outer ring of the annular plate body. Multiple threaded holes <NUM> are spaced apart in an inner ring of the annular plate body. A support shaft <NUM> is inserted at a center axis of the left and right rollers. Left and right supporting sealing plates <NUM> are sleeved on the support shaft at ends of the left and right rollers, respectively. The supporting sealing plates are respectively welded to the inner walls of the left and right rollers. An outer rotor motor <NUM> is fixedly sleeved on a middle part of the support shaft <NUM>. Two end walls of a rotor body <NUM> of the outer rotor motor <NUM> are respectively fixedly connected to end cap seats <NUM> by bolts. An inner ring of each of the end cap seats <NUM> includes a large-hole wall, a limiting-hole wall and a small-hole wall. A first bearing <NUM> is provided between the large-hole wall and the support shaft. The limiting-hole wall and the small-hole wall are sleeved on the support shaft. The limiting-hole wall is used for positioning an outer ring of the first bearing <NUM>. An outer ring of each of the end cap seats <NUM> includes a large-diameter section <NUM>, a transition section, a small-diameter section <NUM> and a positioning section. The large-diameter section <NUM> is fixedly connected to an end wall of the rotor body <NUM> of the outer rotor motor by a bolt. A pawl member <NUM> includes pawls <NUM> and a pawl seat <NUM>. The pawl seat <NUM> includes a fixing ring sleeve <NUM> fixed to the small-diameter section <NUM>. At least three mounting ring grooves <NUM> are spaced apart and circumferentially provided on an outer wall of the fixing ring sleeve <NUM>. The pawls <NUM> are respectively rotatably mounted in the mounting ring grooves <NUM>. Each of the pawls <NUM> is provided with a round head and a pointed tail. The round head is rotatably inserted into the mounting ring groove, and a body portion extends out through an opening of the mounting ring groove. When the roller rotates, the body portion can swing along the opening due to gravity. A ratchet wheel member <NUM> includes a wheel frame sleeve and ratchet teeth <NUM>. An inner ring of the wheel frame sleeve includes a large-hole wall, an intermediate-hole wall and a small-hole wall that are stepped. Six ratchet teeth <NUM> corresponding to the pointed tails of the pawls <NUM> are spaced apart and circumferentially provided on the large-hole wall. The ratchet teeth are square bumps, and a round corner is provided at a connection between each of the bumps and the large-hole wall. A second bearing <NUM> is sleeved between the intermediate-hole wall and the support shaft <NUM>. The small-hole wall is used for positioning an outer ring of the second bearing, and the positioning section of the corresponding end cap seat is used for positioning an inner ring of the second bearing. An outer ring of the wheel frame sleeve includes a large-diameter section, an intermediate-diameter section and a small-diameter section that are stepped. The large-diameter section is circumferentially provided with through holes <NUM> aligned with the threaded holes <NUM>. Bolts are inserted through the aligned threaded holes and through holes to make the wheel frame sleeve and the support plate fixedly connected. The support plate is sleeved on the intermediate-diameter section of the wheel frame sleeve. A sealing structure is clamped between the left and right support plates. The sealing structure is provided outside the rotor body of the outer rotor motor. The sealing structure includes an annular spacer <NUM>. Annular stop sleeves <NUM> are respectively arranged between the annular spacer and the left and right support plates. The annular spacer <NUM> is circumferentially provided outside the outer rotor motor. The annular spacer includes a round tube body. The annular stop sleeves <NUM> each include a cone <NUM>. A ring cap <NUM> of the cone <NUM> is inserted into a slot of the large-diameter wall of the wheel frame sleeve. A large-diameter end of the cone extends into the round tube body and abuts on the inner wall.

When the traveling roller needs to turn, the power is cut off. According to the principle of the ratchet and pawl, an external force is applied to enable one of the left and right rollers to enter an engaged state and the other a disengaged state, thereby realizing turning. Alternatively, to turn, the motor speed is reduced or maintained. According to the principle of the ratchet and pawl, the external force is increased to enable one of the double rollers to enter an engaged state and the other a disengaged state, thereby realizing turning. The built-in design of the outer rotor motor utilizes the effective space inside the roller to realize a compact structure, and realize the turning purpose while driving. In addition, the sealing is described as follows. The left and right rollers adopt a radial labyrinth seal. The annular spacer is supported by the left and right annular stop sleeves. When dust and other impurities enter the roller through the labyrinth, the annular spacer separates them from the internal structure. As the roller rotates, the impurities enter the notches of the support plate through the annular stop sleeves, thereby effectively preventing the impurities from entering the inside of the working part.

A second embodiment not falling within the wording of claim <NUM> provides a differential traveling roller driven by a built-in outer rotor motor. As shown in <FIG>, the traveling roller includes a left roller 1A and a right roller 2A. The left roller 1A and the right roller 2A are hermetically connected. A left support plate 11A is welded to an inner wall of the left roller 1A, and a right support plate corresponding to the left support plate 11A is welded to an inner wall of the right roller 2A. The left support plate has the same structure as the right support plate. The left support plate 11A includes an annular plate body. An outer ring of the annular plate body is welded to the inner walls of the left and right rollers. Multiple notches 111A are spaced apart in the outer ring of the annular plate body. Multiple threaded holes 112A are spaced apart in an inner ring of the annular plate body. A support shaft 3A is inserted at a center axis of the left and right rollers. Left and right supporting sealing plates 9A are sleeved on the support shaft at ends of the left and right rollers, respectively. The supporting sealing plates are respectively welded to the inner walls of the left and right rollers. An outer rotor motor 4A is fixedly sleeved on a middle part of the support shaft 3A. A transmission device is provided between a rotor body of the outer rotor motor and the support plate 11A. Motor end caps 5A are sleeved on the support shaft on two sides of the outer rotor motor 4A, respectively. A first bearing <NUM> is provided between each of the motor end caps and the support shaft. The motor end caps 5A and the rotor body 41A of the outer rotor motor 4A are fixedly connected by bolts. The transmission device includes driving planetary gears 6A and driven side gears 7A. Two or six evenly spaced driving planetary gear shafts 6B are fixedly connected to a side wall of the rotor body of the outer rotor motor. The driving planetary gears 6A are respectively sleeved on the driving planetary gear shaft 6B. The driven side gears 7A meshed with the driving planetary gears are sleeved on the support shaft on the two sides of the outer rotor motor. The driven side gears 7A are fixedly sleeved on the support shaft 3A through a second bearing <NUM>. The driven side gears 6A are provided with counterbores 61A aligned with the threaded holes 112A of the support plate 11A, and are fixedly connected by bolts. A sealing structure is clamped between the left and right support plates. The sealing structure is circumferentially provided outside the driving planetary gears 6A. The sealing structure includes an annular spacer 81A. Annular stop sleeves 82A are respectively arranged between the annular spacer and the left and right support plates. The annular spacer 81A is circumferentially provided between the rotor body of the outer rotor motor and the inner walls of the left and right rollers. The annular spacer includes a round tube body. The annular stop sleeves 82A each include a cone 821A. A ring cap 822A of the cone 821A is inserted into a slot of a corresponding driven side gears. A large-diameter end of the cone extends into the round tube body and abuts on the inner wall.

In this embodiment, the revolution of the driving planetary gears is realized by the outer rotor motor. The left and right driven side gears are respectively connected to the left and right rollers. When the active planetary gears revolve, they drive the left and right rollers to rotate. The outer rotor motor is provided at the center of the left and right rollers, and the support shaft is used as a motor shaft and also a support shaft of the left and right rollers. Specifically, the two ends of the support shaft are fixed to a frame by a positioning structure to prevent the support shaft from rotating, and the two ends of the support shaft are integrated with a stator to maintain a static state. The positioning structure includes flat positions provided at the ends of the support shaft or keys provided at the ends of the support shaft. The driving planetary gear shafts and the rotor body are integrated. Two oppositely arranged driving planetary gear shafts are respectively provided with the driving planetary gears. The driving planetary gears can rotate around the driving planetary gear shafts (rotation) and rotate around the stator and the support shaft with the rotor body of the outer motor (revolution). When the traveling roller travels in a straight line, because the left and right rollers receive the same resistance, the driving planetary gears revolve but do not rotate. The connection between the driving planetary gears and the left and right driven side gears is equivalent to a rigid connection, and the speeds of the left and right rollers are the same. When the traveling roller turns, the resistance received by the left and right rollers is different due to an external force, which is fed back to the driven side gears, forcing the driving planetary gears to rotate. The inner roller decelerates or even reverses, while the outer roller accelerates, causing a difference in the speeds of the left and right rollers, so as to realize turning or steering in place. In addition, the sealing is described as follows. The left and right rollers adopt a radial labyrinth seal with the annular spacer and the annular stop sleeves built-in. The annular spacer is supported by the left and right annular stop sleeves. When dust and other impurities enter the roller through the labyrinth, the annular spacer separates them from the internal structure. As the roller rotates, the impurities enter the notches of the support plate through the annular stop sleeves, thereby effectively preventing the impurities from entering the inside of the working part.

<FIG> shows a third embodiment not falling within the wording of claim <NUM>. The third preferred embodiment differs from the second preferred embodiment in that the driving planetary gear 6A is replaced with three parallel and meshed small driving planetary gears 6C. The diameter of the single driving planetary gear 6A is too large, resulting in limited radial space and excessive axial space between the roller and the rotor of the outer rotor motor. When the driving planetary gear is replaced with three independent small planetary gears 6C, the problem of space size is solved. When the roller travels in a straight line, the connection of the three gears is equivalent to a rigid connection, and these three gears can be regarded as a whole, thereby driving the rotation of the driven side gears on both sides. When the roller is turning, due to the large resistance of the inner roller, the peripheral driving planetary gears drive the inner driving planetary gears to rotate one by one to complete the turn.

<FIG> shows a fourth embodiment not falling within the wording of claim <NUM>. The difference between the fourth preferred embodiment and the first preferred embodiment is that the traveling roller is divided into three parts, namely a left roller, an intermediate roller <NUM> and a right roller. The intermediate roller and the left and right rollers form sealing structures respectively. The intermediate roller is shorter, and its length is preferably about <NUM>% that of the entire traveling roller. The rotor body of the outer rotor motor is connected to the inner wall of the intermediate roller through a key <NUM> or other means. The intermediate roller is integrated with the rotor body of the outer motor and rotates together with the rotor body. When the traveling roller travels in a straight line, the three rollers rotate synchronously. When it needs to turn, the power is cut off. According to the principle of the ratchet and pawl, one of the left and right rollers is in a disengaged state and the other is in an engaged state, and the intermediate roller and the inner roller move synchronously, thereby realizing turning. Alternatively, when the traveling roller needs to turn, the motor speed is reduced or maintained. According to the principle of the ratchet and pawl, an external force is increased to enable one of the left and right rollers to enter an engaged state and the other a disengaged state, and the intermediate roller and the inner roller move synchronously, thereby realizing turning. The sealing structure_only includes an annular stop sleeve 82B. The annular stop sleeve corresponds to a labyrinth sealing structure. A large-diameter end of the annular stop sleeve extends into and closely abuts against an inner wall of the intermediate roller. When dust enters the roller through the labyrinth, the dust enters the left and right rollers along the annular stop sleeve, thereby effectively protecting the driving device and the transmission device.

<FIG> shows a fifth embodiment not falling within the wording of claim <NUM>. The difference between the fifth preferred embodiment and the second preferred embodiment is that the traveling roller is divided into three parts, namely a left roller, an intermediate roller 12A and a right roller. The intermediate roller and the left and right rollers form sealing structures respectively. The intermediate roller is shorter, and its length is preferably about <NUM>% that of the entire traveling roller. The driving planetary gear shaft is fixedly connected to the intermediate roller by screws 13A. Alternatively, the driving planetary gear shaft is not connected to the intermediate roller, but the intermediate roller and the rotor body of the outer motor are directly and firmly connected as a whole, such that the intermediate roller rotates with the rotor body. When the traveling roller travels in a straight line, the three rollers rotate synchronously. When the roller turns, the resistance received by the left and right rollers is different due to an external force, which is fed back to the driven side gears, forcing the driving planetary gears to rotate. The inner roller decelerates or even reverses, while the outer roller accelerates, causing a difference in the speeds of the left and right rollers while keeping the speed of the intermediate roller between the speeds of the left and right rollers, so as to realize turning or steering in place. The sealing structure only includes an annular stop sleeve 82C. The annular stop sleeve corresponds to a labyrinth sealing structure. A large-diameter end of the annular stop sleeve extends into and closely abuts against an inner wall of the intermediate roller. When dust enters the roller through the labyrinth, the dust enters the left and right rollers along the annular stop sleeve, thereby effectively protecting the driving device and the transmission device.

Claim 1:
A differential traveling roller driven by a built-in outer rotor motor (<NUM>), comprising a left roller (<NUM>), a right roller (<NUM>), a support shaft (<NUM>), the built-in outer rotor motor (<NUM>) sleeved on the support shaft (<NUM>), and a sealing structure (<NUM>, <NUM>-Fig.<NUM>) provided in an inner cavity of the left and right rollers (<NUM>, <NUM>) wherein the sealing structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) is formed between the left roller (<NUM>) and the right roller (<NUM>); the support shaft (<NUM>) is provided on an axis of the left and right rollers (<NUM>, <NUM>); an inner wall of the left roller (<NUM>) is connected to a left support plate (<NUM>), and an inner wall of the right roller (<NUM>) is connected to a right support plate; an outer ring of each of the support plates (<NUM>) is provided with a notch (<NUM>-Fig.<NUM>) for dust to flow out; two end walls of a rotor body (<NUM>) of the built-in outer rotor motor (<NUM>) are respectively connected to end cap seats (<NUM>); transmission devices are respectively provided between the end cap seats (<NUM>) and the corresponding support plates (<NUM>) on corresponding sides; pawl members (<NUM>-Fig.<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>-Fig.<NUM>) of the transmission devices are fixedly sleeved on the end cap seats (<NUM>); ratchet wheel members (<NUM>-Fig.<NUM>; <NUM>-Fig.<NUM>) of the transmission devices are connected to the corresponding support plates (<NUM>); the sealing structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) is provided between the left and right support plates (<NUM>) and is circumferentially provided outside the rotor body of the built-in outer rotor motor (<NUM>); left and right supporting sealing plates (<NUM>) are provided on the support shaft (<NUM>) at ends of the left and right rollers (<NUM>, <NUM>), respectively; and an end of the support shaft (<NUM>) is provided with a positioning structure to prevent the support shaft (<NUM>) from rotating.