Steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of automotive parts manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and method thereof, comprising a steel ball assembly device, a positioning mechanism, a rack synchronization mechanism, and an image recognition mechanism. The steel ball assembly device is mounted above the rack synchronization mechanism, the rack is mounted on the rack synchronization mechanism, the upper end of the rack is mounted within the positioning mechanism, a steering nut is further mounted on the positioning mechanism, and an image recognition mechanism is mounted on the side of the rack. Compared with the prior art, the present invention designs a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and method thereof, wherein the rack, steering nut, and steel balls are assembled by means of the steel ball assembly device, the positioning mechanism, the rack synchronization mechanism, and the image recognition mechanism, and the rack synchronization mechanism is used to rotate and move vertically, thereby facilitating the assembly of the rack and the steering nut. The steel ball selection method is combined with the selection of steel balls suitable for the gear position to avoid collision between the steel balls and the rack or the steering nut, thereby ensuring the quality of the finished product after assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of automobile parts manufacturing, in particular to a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and a method thereof. Background Art

[0002] See also Figure 1 The ball screw mechanism is mainly composed of three parts: one end of the rack 1 is the screw end, and the other end is the tooth end, among which only the screw end needs to cooperate with the steering nut 2; the steering nut 2 cooperates with the rack 1, and a steel ball guide is pre-installed at the internal thread of the steering nut 2. Since the steel ball guide sleeve protrudes outside the internal thread, the rack 1 must rotate and move vertically during the process of meshing with the steering nut 2 in order to bypass the steel ball guide sleeve; the steel ball 3 is arranged between the rack 1 and the steering nut 2, and the steel ball 3 needs to be selected according to the size of the rack 1 and the steering nut 2.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and method thereof, which can realize the assembly of the rack, steering nut and steel balls. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and method thereof, which can realize the assembly of a rack, a steering nut and a steel ball.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism, including a steel ball assembly device, a positioning mechanism, a rack synchronization mechanism, and an image recognition mechanism. The steel ball assembly device is installed above the rack synchronization mechanism, the rack is installed on the rack synchronization mechanism, the upper end of the rack is installed in the positioning mechanism, a steering nut is also installed on the positioning mechanism, and an image recognition mechanism is installed on the side of the rack.

[0006] The rack synchronization mechanism includes a vertical lifting device, a base plate, a motor, a synchronous belt, a transmission shaft, a three-claw mechanism, and a code reader. The base plate is connected to the vertical lifting device. The motor and the transmission shaft are installed on the surface of the base plate. The motor shaft and the transmission shaft are connected by a synchronous belt. The three-claw mechanism is installed on the transmission shaft, and the code reader is installed on the motor.

[0007] The data output end of the image recognition mechanism is connected to the signal input end of the machine tool control system, the information output end of the code reader is connected to the bar code information input end of the machine tool control system, and the six signal output ends of the machine tool control system are respectively connected to the driving end of the vertical lifting device of the rack synchronization mechanism, the motor driving end of the rack synchronization mechanism, the driving end of the three-claw mechanism of the rack synchronization mechanism, the driving end of the vertical moving device of the steel ball assembly device, the driving end of the horizontal moving device of the steel ball assembly device, and the driving end of the telescopic cylinder of the steel ball assembly device.

[0008] The steel ball assembly device includes a vertical moving device, a steel ball guide sleeve, a horizontal moving device, a connecting inner plate, a connecting outer plate, a steel ball slide, and a telescopic cylinder. The connecting outer plate is connected to the horizontal moving device, the vertical moving device is installed on the inner side of the connecting outer plate, the connecting inner plate is connected to the vertical moving device, the steel ball slide is installed on the inner side of the connecting inner plate, a steel ball guide sleeve is provided at the bottom opening of the steel ball slide, and a telescopic cylinder is provided at the connection between the steel ball guide sleeve and the steel ball slide.

[0009] The positioning mechanism includes a spring clamp, a cylinder clamp, a connecting plate, and a boss. The spring clamp is arranged below the cylinder clamp, the spring clamp clamps the upper end of the rack, the cylinder clamp clamps the bottom of the steering nut, and the cylinder clamp is installed on the connecting plate. Two bosses are provided on the upper part of the connecting plate, and the two bosses clamp the edge of the steering nut.

[0010] A method for assembling a steel ball assembly mechanism for a steering gear comprises the following steps: Step 1, manually installing the two ends of a rack in a three-claw mechanism and a positioning mechanism respectively, and aligning the QR code of the rack with a code reader. After the code reader reads the QR code, the three-claw mechanism clamps the rack; Step 2, an image recognition mechanism takes a photo of the screw rod end of the rack to confirm whether the deviation value between the current position of the screw rod end of the rack and the target position of the rack is within a set range. If it is within the set range, the rack synchronization mechanism drives the rack to move vertically to the desired height position through a vertical lifting device according to the deviation value, and the motor drives the rack Rotate to the required angle position, and then proceed to step 3. If it exceeds the set range, the rack is placed in the wrong position and the machine tool alarms; in step 3, the image recognition mechanism takes a photo at the rack pre-engagement position, reads the relative position of the rack, and the rack synchronization mechanism adjusts the height of the rack according to the standard parameters; in step 4, move the steel ball assembly device so that the steel ball guide sleeve presses the steering nut; in step 5, the rack synchronization mechanism motor drives the rack to rotate, and at the same time drives the rack to move vertically downward through the vertical lifting device, and the optional steel balls are poured into the steering nut through the steel ball guide sleeve until the steel ball assembly is completed.

[0011] The method for setting the target position of the rack includes the following steps: step 1a, gluing the rack and the steering nut with glue, and after the glue cools, placing the rack and the steering nut into the rack synchronization mechanism and the positioning mechanism, and positioning them with the working surface of the steering nut; step 2a, moving the image recognition mechanism to the working area and taking a photo as the 0mm reference position.

[0012] The standard parameter is the distance from the lowest point of the screw rod end to the end face of the rack read after the image recognition mechanism takes a picture of the rack.

[0013] The steel ball selection method comprises the following steps: Step 1b, obtaining the rack cross-rod diameter m1 and the steering nut cross-rod diameter m2 according to the QR code information; Step 2b, calculating the optimal steel ball grade , d is the standard size of the 0-grade steel ball, and C is the correction parameter; step 3b, rounding off the optimal steel ball grade A1; selecting the steel ball of the corresponding gear according to the rounded optimal steel ball grade A1.

[0014] The correction parameter is -10~10.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention designs a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and method, realizes the assembly of the rack, steering nut and steel balls through the steel ball assembly device, positioning mechanism, rack synchronization mechanism and image recognition mechanism, and makes the rack rotate and move vertically at the same time through the rack synchronization mechanism, which facilitates the assembly of the rack and the steering nut. In combination with the steel ball selection method, the steel ball suitable for the gear position is selected to avoid collision between the steel ball and the rack or the steering nut, thereby ensuring the quality of the finished product after assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the ball screw mechanism.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the rack synchronization mechanism of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the positioning mechanism of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the steel ball assembly device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the diameter size of the rack spanning the rod and the diameter size of the steering nut spanning the rod of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] See also Figure 2 The present invention provides a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism, including a steel ball assembly device, a positioning mechanism, a rack synchronization mechanism, and an image recognition mechanism. The steel ball assembly device 5 is installed above the rack synchronization mechanism 7, the rack 1 is installed on the rack synchronization mechanism 7, the upper end of the rack 1 is installed in the positioning mechanism 6, the positioning mechanism 6 is also installed with a steering nut 2, and the side of the rack 1 is installed with an image recognition mechanism 4.

[0024] See also Figure 3The rack synchronization mechanism 7 includes a vertical lifting device 71, a base plate 72, a motor 73, a synchronous belt 74, a transmission shaft 75, a three-claw mechanism 76, and a code reader 77. The base plate 72 is connected to the vertical lifting device 71. The motor 73 and the transmission shaft 75 are installed on the surface of the base plate 72. The shaft of the motor 73 and the transmission shaft 75 are connected by a synchronous belt 74. The three-claw mechanism 76 is installed on the transmission shaft 75, and the code reader 77 is installed on the motor 73.

[0025] The motor 73 and the vertical lifting device 71 are used to enable the rack synchronization mechanism 7 to simultaneously move in the vertical direction and the axial direction at a certain speed ratio, so that the rack 1 can be smoothly assembled into the steering nut 2.

[0026] See also Figure 5 The steel ball assembly device 5 includes a vertical moving device 51, a steel ball guide sleeve 52, a horizontal moving device 53, a connecting inner plate 54, a connecting outer plate 55, a steel ball slide 56, and a telescopic cylinder. The connecting outer plate 55 is connected to the horizontal moving device 53, the vertical moving device 51 is installed on the inner side of the connecting outer plate 55, the connecting inner plate 54 is connected to the vertical moving device 51, the steel ball slide 56 is installed on the inner side of the connecting inner plate 54, a steel ball guide sleeve 52 is provided at the bottom opening of the steel ball slide 56, and a telescopic cylinder is provided at the connection between the steel ball guide sleeve 52 and the steel ball slide 56.

[0027] The steel ball assembly device 5 is mainly used for the machine tool to transfer the steel balls that need to be selected from the external mechanism and store them in the steel ball chute 56. By moving the horizontal moving device 53 back and forth and the vertical moving device 51 up and down, the steel ball guide sleeve 52 is matched with the steering nut 2 fixed on the positioning mechanism 6, and the steel balls in the steel ball chute 56 are then assembled into the parts.

[0028] Given the limited space at the assembly site and the diverse number of parts being assembled, a horizontal motion device 53, consisting of a horizontal guide rail and a horizontal servo mechanism, is required to accommodate multiple different positions in the forward and backward directions. The horizontal motion device 53 primarily moves the ball slide 56 above the steering nut 2. After assembly is complete, it exits its working position, leaving space for other mechanisms to operate.

[0029] The vertical moving device 51 including a vertical guide rail and a vertical servo mechanism is used to move the steel ball slide 56 in the vertical direction and move the steel ball guide sleeve 52 to the position of the steering nut 2.

[0030] The telescopic cylinder can control when the steel balls can be assembled. The assembly of the steel balls 3 can only begin after the rack 1 is completely assembled to the steering nut 2.

[0031] The steel ball guide sleeve 52 is assembled into the steering nut 2 parts with the selected steel ball. Simultaneously, the steel ball guide sleeve 52 can play the axial degree of freedom effect of fixing the steering nut 2 in the assembly process.

[0032] See also Figure 4 The positioning mechanism 6 includes a spring jaw 61, a cylinder jaw 62, a connecting plate 63, and a boss 64. The spring jaw 61 is positioned below the cylinder jaw 62. The spring jaw 61 clamps the upper end of the rack, while the cylinder jaw 62 clamps the bottom of the steering nut 2. The cylinder jaw 62 is mounted on the connecting plate 63. Two bosses 64 are provided on the upper portion of the connecting plate 63. The two bosses 64 clamp the edges of the steering nut 2. The combination of the cylinder jaw 62 and the boss 64 can secure the steering nut 2 and ensure its position during assembly.

[0033] The data output of the image recognition mechanism 4 is connected to the signal input of the machine control system. The information output of the code reader 77 is connected to the barcode information input of the machine control system. The six signal outputs of the machine control system are respectively connected to the drive end of the vertical lifting device of the rack synchronization mechanism 7, the drive end of the motor of the rack synchronization mechanism 7, the drive end of the three-claw mechanism of the rack synchronization mechanism 7, the drive end of the vertical movement device of the steel ball assembly device 5, the drive end of the horizontal movement device of the steel ball assembly device 5, and the drive end of the telescopic cylinder of the steel ball assembly device 5. The image recognition mechanism 4 is used to identify the position of the rack 1 before assembly and transmit this position information to the machine control system. By comparing the deviation value with the standard position, the machine control system controls the vertical lifting device of the rack synchronization mechanism 7 and the motor of the rack synchronization mechanism 7 through the signal output, adjusts the position of the rack 1 before assembly, and ensures that the position of the rack 1 is always controllable during assembly. In addition, the machine control system can also control the operation of various components through the signal output according to set values ​​and QR code information.

[0034] The assembly method of the steering gear steel ball includes the following steps:

[0035] Step 1: Manually install the two ends of the rack 1 in the three-claw mechanism 76 and the positioning mechanism 6 respectively, and align the QR code of the rack 1 with the code reader 77. After the code reader 77 reads the QR code, the three-claw mechanism 76 clamps the rack 1.

[0036] In step 2, the image recognition mechanism 4 takes a picture of the screw end of the rack 1 to confirm whether the deviation value between the current position of the screw end of the rack 1 and the target position of the rack is within the set range. If it is within the set range, the rack synchronization mechanism 7 drives the rack 1 to move vertically to the required height position through the vertical lifting device 71 according to the deviation value, and the motor 73 drives the rack 1 to rotate to the required angle position, and then proceeds to step 3. If it exceeds the set range, the placement position of the rack 1 is incorrect, and the machine tool alarm is issued.

[0037] The method for setting the target position of the rack includes the following steps: step 1a, gluing the rack 1 and the steering nut 2 with glue. After the glue cools, the rack 1 and the steering nut 2 are placed in the rack synchronization mechanism 7 and the positioning mechanism 6, and positioned with the working surface of the steering nut 2; step 2a, moving the image recognition mechanism 4 to the working area and taking a photo as the 0mm reference position.

[0038] Step 3: The image recognition mechanism 4 takes a picture at the rack pre-engagement position, reads the relative position of the rack 1, and the rack synchronization mechanism 7 adjusts the height of the rack 1 according to standard parameters.

[0039] The standard parameter is the distance from the lowest point of the screw rod end to the end face of the rack 1 read after the image recognition mechanism 4 takes a picture of the rack 1 .

[0040] Step 4: Move the steel ball assembly device 5 so that the steel ball guide sleeve 52 presses the steering nut 2.

[0041] Step 5: The motor 73 of the rack synchronization mechanism 7 drives the rack 1 to rotate, and at the same time drives the rack 1 to move vertically downward through the vertical lifting device 71. The optional steel ball 3 is poured into the steering nut 2 through the steel ball guide sleeve 52 until the steel ball 3 is assembled.

[0042] The method for selecting the steel ball 3 includes the following steps: Step 1b, obtaining the rack cross-rod diameter size m1 and the steering nut cross-rod diameter size m2 according to the QR code information, such as Figure 6 shown.

[0043] Step 2b, calculate the best steel ball grade , d is the standard size of the 0-grade steel ball, C is the correction parameter, and the correction parameter is -10~10. In the calculation formula, It indicates the difference between the standard size of the 0-grade steel ball and the half difference of the cross-rod diameter. It represents the cosine of the pressure angle. It represents the component of the difference between the standard size of the 0-grade steel ball and the half difference of the cross-rod diameter in the pressure direction. The line connecting the pressure angle points symmetrical through the center of the circle is the diameter of the ideal steel ball, so The further meaning is the diameter difference between the ideal steel ball and the 0-grade steel ball. The multiplier of 1000 is to convert millimeters into microns.

[0044] Step 3b: rounding off the best steel ball grade A1 to the nearest integer; and selecting steel balls of the corresponding gear according to the rounded best steel ball grade A1.

[0045] The present invention also designs a steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism and method, which realizes the assembly of the rack, steering nut and steel balls through the steel ball assembly device, positioning mechanism, rack synchronization mechanism and image recognition mechanism, and makes the rack rotate and move vertically at the same time through the rack synchronization mechanism, which facilitates the assembly of the rack and the steering nut. In combination with the steel ball selection method, the steel ball suitable for the gear position is selected to avoid collision between the steel ball and the rack or the steering nut, thereby ensuring the quality of the finished product after assembly.

Claims

1. A steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism, comprising a steel ball assembly device, a positioning mechanism, a rack synchronization mechanism, and an image recognition mechanism, characterized in that: The steel ball assembly device (5) is installed above the rack synchronization mechanism (7), the rack (1) is installed on the rack synchronization mechanism (7), the upper end of the rack (1) is installed in the positioning mechanism (6), the positioning mechanism (6) is also installed with a steering nut (2), and the side of the rack (1) is installed with an image recognition mechanism (4). The rack synchronization mechanism (7) includes a vertical lifting device (71), a base plate (72), a motor (73), a synchronous belt (74), a transmission shaft (75), a three-claw mechanism (76), and a code reader (77). The base plate (72) is connected to the vertical lifting device (71), and the surface of the base plate (72) is installed with a motor (73) and a transmission shaft (75). The shaft of the motor (73) and the transmission shaft (75) are connected by a synchronous belt (74). The transmission shaft (75) is installed with a three-claw mechanism (76), and the motor (73) is installed with a code reader (77). The data output end of the image recognition mechanism (4) is connected to the signal input end of the machine tool control system, the information output end of the code reader (77) is connected to the bar code information input end of the machine tool control system, and the six signal output ends of the machine tool control system are respectively connected to the driving end of the vertical lifting device of the rack synchronization mechanism (7), the motor driving end of the rack synchronization mechanism (7), the driving end of the three-claw mechanism of the rack synchronization mechanism (7), the driving end of the vertical moving device of the steel ball assembly device (5), the driving end of the horizontal moving device of the steel ball assembly device (5), and the driving end of the telescopic cylinder of the steel ball assembly device (5). The positioning mechanism (6) includes a spring clamp (61), a cylinder clamp (62), a connecting plate (63), and a boss (64). The spring clamp (61) is arranged below the cylinder clamp (62). The spring clamp (61) clamps the upper end of the rack (1). The cylinder clamp (62) clamps the bottom of the steering nut (2). The cylinder clamp (62) is installed on the connecting plate (63). Two bosses (64) are provided on the upper part of the connecting plate (63). The two bosses (64) clamp the edge of the steering nut (2).

2. The steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steel ball assembly device (5) includes a vertical moving device (51), a steel ball guide sleeve (52), a horizontal moving device (53), a connecting inner plate (54), a connecting outer plate (55), a steel ball chute (56), and a telescopic cylinder. The connecting outer plate (55) is connected to the horizontal moving device (53), the vertical moving device (51) is installed on the inner side of the connecting outer plate (55), the connecting inner plate (54) is connected to the vertical moving device (51), the steel ball chute (56) is installed on the inner side of the connecting inner plate (54), a steel ball guide sleeve (52) is provided at the bottom opening of the steel ball chute (56), and a telescopic cylinder is provided at the connection between the steel ball guide sleeve (52) and the steel ball chute (56).

3. An assembly method using the steering gear steel ball assembly mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: step 1, manually installing the two ends of the rack (1) in the three-claw mechanism (76) and the positioning mechanism (6) respectively, and aligning the two-dimensional code of the rack (1) with the code reader (77). After the code reader (77) reads the two-dimensional code, the three-claw mechanism (76) clamps the rack (1); step 2, the image recognition mechanism (4) takes a photo of the screw end of the rack (1) to confirm whether the deviation value between the current position of the screw end of the rack (1) and the target position of the rack is within a set range. If it is within the set range, the rack synchronization mechanism (7) drives the rack (1) to move vertically to the desired height position through the vertical lifting device (71) according to the deviation value, and the motor (73) drives the rack (1) to rotate to the desired angle position. If the rack (1) exceeds the set range, the rack (1) is placed in an incorrect position and the machine tool alarms; in step 3, the image recognition mechanism (4) takes a photo at the rack pre-engagement position and reads the relative position of the rack (1), and the rack synchronization mechanism (7) adjusts the height of the rack (1) according to the standard parameters; in step 4, the steel ball assembly device (5) is moved so that the steel ball guide sleeve (52) presses the steering nut (2); in step 5, the rack synchronization mechanism (7) motor (73) drives the rack (1) to rotate, and at the same time drives the rack (1) to move vertically downward through the vertical lifting device (71), and the selected steel ball (3) is poured into the steering nut (2) through the steel ball guide sleeve (52) until the steel ball (3) is assembled.

4. The assembly method according to claim 3, wherein: The method for setting the target position of the rack comprises the following steps: step 1a, gluing the rack (1) and the steering nut (2) with glue, and after the glue cools, placing the rack (1) and the steering nut (2) into the rack synchronization mechanism (7) and the positioning mechanism (6), and positioning them with the working surface of the steering nut (2); step 2a, moving the image recognition mechanism (4) to the working area and taking a photo as the 0mm reference position.

5. The assembly method according to claim 3, wherein: The standard parameter is the distance from the lowest point of the screw rod end to the end face of the rack (1) read after the image recognition mechanism (4) takes a picture of the rack (1).

6. The assembly method according to claim 3, wherein: The method for selecting the steel ball (3) comprises the following steps: step 1b, obtaining the rack cross-rod diameter size m1 and the steering nut cross-rod diameter size m2 according to the QR code information; step 2b, calculating the optimal steel ball grade , d is the standard size of the 0-grade steel ball, and C is the correction parameter; step 3b, rounding off the optimal steel ball grade A1; selecting the steel ball of the corresponding gear according to the rounded optimal steel ball grade A1.

7. The assembly method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The correction parameter is -10~10.

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