Automatic spring assembly device for clutch driven plate

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of automotive component assembly technology, specifically to an automatic assembly device for the spring of a clutch driven plate, comprising: a frame; a clamping mechanism connected to the frame, the clamping mechanism including multiple clamping units distributed centrally symmetrically, each clamping unit having a clamping area and having a clamping state and a released state; and a driver connected to the frame. This invention features a vertically arranged driver and utilizes a linkage structure to transmit power horizontally, facilitating the horizontal arrangement of multiple clamping units as needed. Simultaneously, the linkage structure incorporates a folding, force-saving lever, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple clamping units with relatively low driving force. The worker only needs to place the spring and outer disc hub in predetermined positions; all other assembly is completed automatically.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive parts assembly technology, and more specifically to an automatic assembly device for the spring of a clutch driven plate. Background Technology

[0002] The clutch ensures the transmission of engine power and provides smooth engagement and complete disengagement. However, because the natural frequency of the transmission system coincides with the engine's operating frequency, resonance can occur, leading to premature damage to various automotive components. To avoid resonance and mitigate the impact load on the transmission system, some automotive clutch driven plates are equipped with torsional dampers.

[0003] A torsional vibration damper consists of 4-8 rectangular openings in the driven disc, outer hub, and damping disc. Each opening houses a damping spring, and rivets or limiting pins rivet the driven disc, outer hub, and damping disc together as a single unit. A notch is cut into the outer hub to mate with the rivet spacer, leaving a certain gap between the notch and the spacer. This allows for a corresponding angle between the driven disc and the outer hub.

[0004] When the engine is running, the torque must pass through multiple damping springs arranged tangentially along the circumference. After the damping springs are compressed to a certain stroke, the limiting pins collide with the notches of the damping hub, limiting the maximum deformation of the damping springs. Friction damping plates are riveted to both sides of the driven plate and floated between the driven plate and the damping plate. Due to the action of the springs and friction damping plates, the amplitude of torsional vibration is effectively reduced, thereby attenuating the torsional amplitude.

[0005] Combination Figure 1 As shown, during assembly, the spring needs to be assembled into the window of the driven plate. However, the spring has high rigidity, and manual assembly will take a long time. Even with semi-automatic assembly using tools, there is still a risk of unsafe factors such as spring popping out during assembly. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automatic spring assembly device for the driven plate. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention proposes an automatic spring assembly device for a clutch driven plate, comprising:

[0007] frame;

[0008] A clamping mechanism is connected to the frame. The clamping mechanism includes a plurality of clamping units that are centrally symmetrically distributed. Each clamping unit has a clamping area and has a clamping state and a releasing state.

[0009] A driver, connected to the rack, is configured to synchronously drive each of the clamping units into a clamping or releasing state;

[0010] The pressing mechanism is connected to the frame;

[0011] When the clamping unit is configured to be in the released state, the user inserts a spring into the clamping area, and the driver drives the clamping unit to change from the released state to the clamping state, compressing the spring in the clamping area.

[0012] When the spring is in a compressed state, the pressing mechanism assembles the outer hub onto the outside of the spring, and the driver drives the clamping unit to change from a clamping state to a releasing state, so that the spring is assembled onto the outer hub.

[0013] Preferably, the clamping unit includes a pair of fixture mounting seats, and the clamping area is formed between the pair of fixture mounting seats. The fixture mounting seats are configured to reciprocate in a horizontal plane. When the clamping unit is in a released state, the distance between the clamping areas is L1, and when the clamping unit is in a compressed state, the distance between the clamping areas is L2, wherein L1>L2.

[0014] The driver includes a drive shaft perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the drive shaft being configured to move in a vertical direction, and the drive shaft being drively connected to the fixture mounting base.

[0015] Preferably, the outer wall of the drive shaft is provided with a connecting block, the connecting block is connected to the first end of the vertical connecting rod, the clamping unit further includes a sliding sleeve, a connecting rod connecting seat and a horizontal connecting rod structure, the sliding sleeve is fixed to the frame, the sliding sleeve is provided with a sliding groove extending in the horizontal direction, the horizontal connecting rod structure is disposed in the sliding groove, the connecting rod connecting seat is connected to the second end of the vertical connecting rod, the first end of the horizontal connecting rod structure is connected to the connecting rod connecting seat, and the second end of the horizontal connecting rod structure is connected to a pair of fixture mounting seats.

[0016] Preferably, the moving direction of the connecting rod connector is perpendicular to the moving direction of the fixture mounting base.

[0017] Preferably, the axes at both ends of the vertical connecting rod are parallel to the direction of movement of the fixture mounting base.

[0018] Preferably, the horizontal linkage structure includes a pair of short links, a pair of long links, and a pair of four-links. The first ends of the pair of short links are coaxially hinged, and the second ends are respectively connected to the first end of one of the long links. The long links are connected to the sliding sleeve, and the second ends of the long links are connected to the four-links. The four-links are connected to the fixture mounting base, wherein the length of the short links is less than the length of the long links.

[0019] Preferably, the long connecting rod is defined to have a first hinge point, a second hinge point, and a third hinge point in the direction from the short connecting rod to the four-bar linkage, wherein the distance between the first hinge point and the second hinge point is greater than the distance between the second hinge point and the third hinge point.

[0020] Preferably, the clamping unit further includes an outer hub positioning seat, which is provided with tooling adapted to the outer hub.

[0021] Preferably, the number of clamping units is 4-8.

[0022] Preferably, the pressing mechanism includes a cylinder and a pressure plate.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

[0024] This invention features a vertically arranged driver and a linkage structure to transmit power horizontally. This allows for the arrangement of multiple clamping units in the horizontal direction as needed. The linkage structure also incorporates a foldable, force-saving lever, enabling the simultaneous operation of multiple clamping units with minimal driving force. This completes the compression and release of the spring. Workers only need to place the spring and outer hub in the predetermined positions; the rest is automated, reducing assembly time to within 30 seconds and improving assembly efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in the various figures may be denoted by the same reference numeral. For clarity, not every component is labeled in each figure. Embodiments of various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the product to be assembled according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate shown in this invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a front view of the automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate shown in this invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a sectional view along a vertical plane of the automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate shown in this invention.

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Sectional view along the middle AA direction;

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Sectional view along the BB direction;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal linkage structure shown in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To better understand the technical content of the present invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Combination Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the blue part is the outer hub of the driven disc, and the red part is the fixtures at both ends of the spring. During installation, the fixtures are placed at both ends of the spring, and then the spring is compressed so that the fixtures are placed into the window of the outer hub to complete the assembly. The difficulty of the assembly lies in the fact that the spring has a high rigidity and how to press multiple springs into the window of the outer hub at the same time.

[0035] Combination Figure 2-3 As shown, the present invention proposes an automatic spring assembly device for a clutch driven plate, including a frame 10, a clamping mechanism 20, a driver 30, and a pressing mechanism 40. The frame 10 is intended to provide support for the clamping mechanism 20, the driver 30, and the pressing mechanism 40, and is preferably configured to facilitate operation that is compatible with workers, and to facilitate material feeding and retrieval.

[0036] Specifically, the rack 10 is configured as a cabinet with a lower space and an upper space. The lower space is used to install the driver 30, and the upper space is used to install the clamping mechanism 20 and the pressing mechanism 40.

[0037] The clamping mechanism 20 includes multiple clamping units that are centrally symmetrically distributed. Each clamping unit has a clamping area and a clamping state and a release state. The driver 30 is configured to synchronously drive each clamping unit to be in the clamping state or the release state.

[0038] The clamping area is the area where the user needs to place the spring of the assembled fixture during assembly. At this time, the spring is in an extended state, and there is no need to compress the spring when placing it, which reduces the difficulty of the work.

[0039] Optionally, the number of clamping units varies depending on the product model, for example, 4 as shown in the diagram. There can be 4-8 clamping units. Understandably, the worker needs to insert the corresponding number of springs sequentially according to the number of clamping units.

[0040] When the clamping unit is configured to be in the released state, the user places the spring into the clamping area, and the driver 30 drives the clamping unit to change from the released state to the clamping state, compressing the spring in the clamping area; when the spring is in the compressed state, the pressing mechanism 40 assembles the outer hub onto the outside of the spring, and the driver 30 drives the clamping unit to change from the clamping state to the released state, so that the spring is assembled onto the outer hub.

[0041] In this way, the worker's operation only involves placing the spring into the clamping area, and after the spring in the clamping area is in a compressed state, aligning the window of the outer hub with each spring and placing it in place. The compression of the spring, the release of the spring, and the pressing of the outer hub are all completed automatically, which can control the entire assembly process within 30 seconds, greatly improving the assembly speed.

[0042] Furthermore, the clamping unit includes a pair of fixture mounting seats 24, forming a clamping area between the pair of fixture mounting seats 24. The fixture mounting seats 24 are configured to reciprocate in a horizontal plane. When the clamping unit is in a released state, the distance between the clamping areas is L1, and when the clamping unit is in a compressed state, the distance between the clamping areas is L2, where L1 > L2. The length of L1 is greater than the length of the spring, and the length of L2 is less than the window length of the outer hub.

[0043] Furthermore, in order to reduce the size of the device and make the structure compact, the driver 30 includes a drive shaft 32 perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The drive shaft 32 is configured to move in the vertical direction and is connected to the fixture mounting base 24 in a driving connection. In this way, the vertical movement of the drive shaft 32 is converted into the horizontal movement of the fixture mounting base 24.

[0044] Specifically, in combination Figure 4-6 As shown, the outer wall of the drive shaft 32 is provided with a connecting block 33, which is connected to the first end of the vertical connecting rod 34. The clamping unit also includes a sliding sleeve 21, a connecting rod connecting seat 22, and a horizontal connecting rod structure 23. The sliding sleeve 21 is fixed to the frame 10. The sliding sleeve 21 is provided with a sliding groove extending in the horizontal direction. The horizontal connecting rod structure 23 is disposed in the sliding groove. The connecting rod connecting seat 22 is connected to the second end of the vertical connecting rod 34. The first end of the horizontal connecting rod structure 23 is connected to the connecting rod connecting seat 22. The second end of the horizontal connecting rod structure 23 is connected to a pair of fixture mounting seats 24.

[0045] In a specific embodiment, the connecting block 33 is columnar or disc-shaped, with its bottom connected to the drive shaft 32 and its upper part provided with a hinge seat connected to the vertical connecting rod 34. The axes at both ends of the vertical connecting rod 34 are parallel to the direction of movement of the fixture mounting base 24.

[0046] Furthermore, the moving direction of the connecting rod connecting seat 22 is perpendicular to the moving direction of the fixture mounting seat 24, and is in the horizontal direction.

[0047] Optionally, the actuator 30 can be a pneumatic cylinder or an electric cylinder. The following example uses a pneumatic cylinder, where a drive shaft 32 is provided inside the cylinder body 31.

[0048] In a specific embodiment, when the drive shaft 32 moves upward, its top connecting block 33 moves upward, lifting the bottom of the vertical connecting rod 34. Since the connecting rod connecting seat 22 is constrained by the upper horizontal connecting rod structure 23 and can only move horizontally, the connecting rod connecting seat 22 moves outward in the horizontal direction. After the connecting rod connecting seat 22 moves outward, the horizontal connecting rod structure 23 drives a pair of fixture mounting seats 24 to move closer to each other, changing from a released state to a compressed state. It can be understood that when the drive shaft 32 moves downward, the action is the opposite, and all component positions return from the compressed state to the released state.

[0049] Thus, by controlling the lifting and lowering motion of the drive shaft 32, the actions of multiple clamping units connected to the drive shaft 32 can be controlled synchronously.

[0050] Combination Figure 6-7 As shown, the horizontal linkage structure 23 includes a pair of short links 231, a pair of long links 232, and a pair of four-links 233. The first ends of the pair of short links 231 are coaxially hinged, and the second ends are respectively connected to the first end of a long link 232. The long link 232 is connected to the sliding sleeve 21, and the second end of the long link 232 is connected to the four-link 233. The four-link 233 is connected to the fixture mounting base 24. The length of the short link 231 is less than the length of the long link 232.

[0051] Thus, when the connecting rod connecting seat 22 moves to the left, the right end hinge points of the two short connecting rods 231 move to the left, and the angle of intersection gradually increases. The left ends of the two long connecting rods 232 swing outward with the hinge point in the middle as the center, that is, the right ends of the two long connecting rods 232 swing inward, so that the fixture mounting seat 24 moves closer to each other.

[0052] Furthermore, in order to increase the strength and angular certainty of the fixture mounting base 24, a four-bar linkage 233 is used to connect the long link 232 and the fixture mounting base 24, making the fixture mounting base 24 stronger and having more load-bearing points.

[0053] Furthermore, the long link 232 is defined to have a first hinge point, a second hinge point, and a third hinge point in the direction from the short link 231 to the four-link 233, wherein the distance between the first hinge point and the second hinge point is greater than the distance between the second hinge point and the third hinge point.

[0054] Thus, the first hinge point serves as the point of force application, and the long connecting rod 232 becomes a force-saving lever. The short connecting rod 231 and the long connecting rod 232 also constitute a force-saving lever, meaning that a smaller thrust can be used to control the two fixture mounting seats 24 to move closer to each other.

[0055] Furthermore, the fixture mounting base 24 is detachably connected to a retainer that is compatible with the spring fixture, which can be replaced according to different models.

[0056] Preferably, the clamping unit also includes an outer hub positioning seat 25, which is provided with tooling adapted to the outer hub.

[0057] Specifically, a splined shaft is installed on the outer hub positioning seat 25, which mates with the pin hole in the center of the outer hub to position the outer hub.

[0058] Referring to the diagram, the pressing mechanism 40 includes a cylinder and a pressure plate 41. After the outer hub is placed on the outer hub positioning seat 25, the window corresponds to each spring. At this time, the pressure plate 41 is pressed down, the springs are installed to the appropriate depth of the window, the pressure plate 41 is raised, and the product can be removed.

[0059] In conjunction with the above embodiments, the present invention sets up a vertically arranged driver and uses a linkage structure to transmit power to the horizontal direction. This is beneficial for arranging multiple clamping units in the horizontal direction as needed. At the same time, the linkage structure is equipped with a foldable force-saving lever, which can drive multiple clamping units to move synchronously with a small driving force to complete the compression and release of the spring. The worker only needs to place the spring and the outer hub in the predetermined position, and everything else is completed through automated assembly. The assembly time is controlled within 30 seconds, improving assembly efficiency.

[0060] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic spring assembly device for a clutch driven plate, characterized in that, include: Rack (10); A clamping mechanism (20) is connected to the frame (10). The clamping mechanism (20) includes a plurality of clamping units that are centrally symmetrically distributed. Each clamping unit has a clamping area and a clamping state and a releasing state. A driver (30) is connected to the rack (10) and the driver (30) is configured to synchronously drive each of the clamping units into a clamping state or a releasing state; A pressing mechanism (40) is connected to the frame (10); When the clamping unit is configured to be in the released state, the clamping area is filled with springs by the user, and the driver (30) drives the clamping unit to change from the released state to the clamping state, compressing the springs in the clamping area; When the spring is in a compressed state, the pressing mechanism (40) assembles the outer disc hub onto the outside of the spring, and the driver (30) drives the clamping unit to change from a clamping state to a releasing state, so that the spring is assembled onto the outer disc hub. The clamping unit includes a pair of fixture mounting seats (24), and the clamping area is formed between the pair of fixture mounting seats (24). The fixture mounting seats (24) are configured to reciprocate in a horizontal plane. When the clamping unit is in a released state, the distance between the clamping areas is L1, and when the clamping unit is in a compressed state, the distance between the clamping areas is L2, wherein L1>L2. The outer wall of the drive shaft (32) is provided with a connecting block (33), which is connected to the first end of the vertical connecting rod (34). The clamping unit also includes a sliding sleeve (21), a connecting rod connecting seat (22), and a horizontal connecting rod structure (23). The sliding sleeve (21) is fixed to the frame (10). The sliding sleeve (21) is provided with a sliding groove extending in the horizontal direction. The horizontal connecting rod structure (23) is disposed in the sliding groove. The connecting rod connecting seat (22) is connected to the second end of the vertical connecting rod (34). The first end of the horizontal connecting rod structure (23) is connected to the connecting rod connecting seat (22). The second end of the horizontal connecting rod structure (23) is connected to a pair of fixture mounting seats (24). The driver (30) includes a drive shaft (32) perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the drive shaft (32) being configured to move in a vertical direction, and the drive shaft (32) being drively connected to the fixture mounting base (24); The horizontal linkage structure (23) includes a pair of short links (231), a pair of long links (232), and a pair of four-links (233). The first ends of the pair of short links (231) are coaxially hinged, and the second ends are respectively connected to the first end of one of the long links (232). The long link (232) is connected to the sliding sleeve (21). The second end of the long link (232) is connected to the four-link (233). The four-link (233) is connected to the fixture mounting base (24). The length of the short link (231) is less than the length of the long link (232). The number of clamping units is 4-8.

2. The automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving direction of the connecting rod connector (22) is perpendicular to the moving direction of the fixture mounting base (24).

3. The automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The axes at both ends of the vertical connecting rod (34) are parallel to the direction of movement of the fixture mounting base (24).

4. The automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The long link (232) is defined to have a first hinge point, a second hinge point and a third hinge point in the direction from the short link (231) to the four-link (233), wherein the distance between the first hinge point and the second hinge point is greater than the distance between the second hinge point and the third hinge point.

5. The automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The clamping unit also includes an outer hub positioning seat (25), which is provided with tooling adapted to the outer hub.

6. The automatic spring assembly device for the clutch driven plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing mechanism (40) includes a cylinder and a pressure plate (41).

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