Error-proofing system and methods for preventing grease leakage in ball cages

Abstract

This invention discloses a system and method for preventing grease leakage in ball cages, relating to the field of drive shaft assembly. It includes a sensing sensor, a grease injection control system, and a clamp control circuit. The sensing sensor is located on the grease injection equipment. When the ball cage is placed into or removed from the grease injection equipment, the sensing sensor acquires a sensing signal and feeds it back to the grease injection control system. The grease injection control system controls the grease injection equipment to inject grease into the ball cage. After grease injection is completed, the grease injection control system sends a grease injection completion signal to the clamp control circuit. The clamp control circuit is equipped with a manually pressable clamp locking button AN. When the clamp control circuit receives the grease injection completion signal and the clamp locking button AN is activated, the clamp control circuit controls the clamp to move, locking the clamp to the ball cage. This invention modifies the clamp locking button's on / off circuit, adding the grease injection completion signal to the clamp locking button's start button circuit, thus implementing a grease leakage prevention design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drive shaft assembly, and more specifically to a system and method for preventing grease leakage in ball cages. Background Technology

[0002] When assembling the drive shaft assembly, lubricating oil needs to be injected into the outer (or inner) ball cage first. After the oil is injected, the clamps are tightened with clamp pliers to complete the assembly. The main process is as follows:

[0003] 1. Product clamping: The employee places the product to be oiled onto the equipment and presses the oil injection switch to inject oil. The equipment receives the sensor signal and circuit signal and starts the corresponding control to complete the oil injection.

[0004] 2. Product position adjustment: The employee removes the dust cover from the oiled outer ball cage (or inner ball cage), adjusts the large and small clamps on the dust cover to the specified position, and locks the clamp jaws to contact the clamp to be locked (this process has no signal transmission or circuit connection with the system, and there is no time limit).

[0005] 3. Locking the clamp: The employee presses the button on the clamp clamp, and the clamp clamp locks the clamp.

[0006] 4. Product flow: After the operation of this process is completed, the product flows into the next process.

[0007] However, this technical solution has the following drawbacks:

[0008] 1. There is no error prevention for whether the product has been filled with oil. It is up to the employee operator to check by paying attention or visually looking at the oil filling indicator light. There is a risk of oil leakage, such as the employee leaving temporarily and then returning and forgetting to fill the oil, not actually filling the oil, not visually checking the oil filling indicator light when filling the oil, or not opening the air pressure valve of the oil filling pump.

[0009] 2. After locking the clamps, the dust cover is placed on the inner and outer CV joints, so it is not visible whether there is grease injected inside the CV joints. Subsequent inspections, customer installation, and vehicle off-line testing will not reveal any grease leakage in the drive shaft. The abnormality of the drive shaft can only be discovered when the vehicle has traveled a certain mileage.

[0010] 3. For products with locked clamps, check for oil leaks. If necessary, the large clamps need to be removed and the dust cover opened to see if there are any grease leaks. Then, a new clamp will be installed.

[0011] 4. If the drive shaft assembly is not lubricated, after the product is installed and sold, and the vehicle has traveled a certain mileage, the user will find that the product is not lubricated, which will cause a major complaint from the customer.

[0012] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing grease injection process for ball cages and provide a system and method for preventing grease leakage in ball cages. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a system and method for preventing grease leakage in CV joints. This involves modifying the on / off circuit of the clamp locking caliper button by adding a grease filling completion signal to the clamp locking caliper start button circuit, thus implementing a grease leakage prevention design. This avoids the need to disassemble and damage the clamp to check for grease leakage during internal inspections of suspected products. It also prevents grease-leaked drive shaft products from reaching vehicle users, thus preventing dissatisfaction from vehicle users and complaints from OEM customers.

[0014] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: This error prevention system for grease leakage in ball cages includes a sensing sensor, a grease injection control system, and a clamp control circuit.

[0015] The sensing sensor is installed on the oiling equipment. When the ball cage is placed into or removed from the oiling equipment, the sensing sensor acquires a sensing signal and feeds it back to the oiling control system.

[0016] The oil injection control system is used to control the oil injection equipment to inject oil into the ball cage. After the oil injection is completed, the oil injection control system sends an oil injection completion signal to the clamp control circuit.

[0017] The clamp caliper control circuit is equipped with a clamp locking button AN that is manually pressed. When the clamp caliper control circuit receives the oil filling completion signal and the clamp locking button AN is turned on, the clamp caliper control circuit controls the clamp caliper to move and lock the clamp to the ball cage.

[0018] As a further technical solution, the oil injection device includes an oil injection flow meter and an oil injection gun. The oil injection flow meter is used to control the oil injection volume of the oil injection gun, and the oil injection parameters are set by the oil injection flow meter through the control panel on the oil injection control system.

[0019] As a further technical solution, the oil injection control system also includes a manual control switch for manually controlling the operation of the oil injection flow meter and the oil injection gun.

[0020] As a further technical solution, the clamp control circuit includes an oil filling status light, a monostable delay circuit, a NAND gate, an intermediate relay, and a clamp fastening motor. The oil filling status light is electrically connected to the oil filling control system to receive the oil filling completion signal and synchronously flash a pulse signal. A capacitor C is electrically connected to the rear of the oil filling status light, and the rear of the capacitor C is electrically connected to the input terminal of the monostable delay circuit. The output terminal of the monostable delay circuit is connected to the second input terminal of the NAND gate. The monostable delay circuit is triggered to output a low level through the capacitor C. The clamp locking button AN is electrically connected to the first input terminal of the NAND gate, and the output terminal of the NAND gate is electrically connected to the base of the transistor BG. The emitter of the transistor BG is electrically connected to the control coil of the intermediate relay, and the collector of the transistor BG is grounded. The contacts of the intermediate relay are electrically connected to the clamp fastening motor to control the on / off state of the clamp fastening motor.

[0021] As a further technical solution, when the oil filling status light emits a pulse signal, capacitor C triggers the monostable delay circuit to output a low level. This, by activating the clamp locking button AN, causes the NAND gate output to output a low level, which in turn turns on transistor BG, energizes the intermediate relay, and powers on the clamp fastening motor. When the oil filling status light does not emit a pulse signal, the monostable delay circuit outputs a high level. At this time, the NAND gate outputs a high level, causing transistor BG to be cut off, the intermediate relay to not engage, the clamp fastening motor to be de-energized, and it is no longer controlled by the clamp locking button AN.

[0022] A method for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage, employing the aforementioned grease leakage prevention system for ball cages, includes the following steps:

[0023] Step 1: Place the ball cage into the oil injection equipment. The sensing sensor receives the sensing signal and feeds it back to the oil injection control system, causing the oil injection control system to start working.

[0024] Step 2: The oil injection control system controls the oil injection gun to inject oil into the ball cage through the oil injection flow meter. After the set oil injection volume is reached, the oil injection gun stops dispensing oil. At the same time, the oil injection control system sends an oil injection completion signal to the oil injection status light, and the oil injection status light flashes to emit a pulse signal.

[0025] Step 3: After receiving the pulse signal, the clamp caliper control circuit triggers the monostable delay circuit to output a low level through capacitor C. After the operator observes the oil filling status light flashing, press the clamp locking button AN to power on the clamp fastening motor and lock the clamp to the ball cage.

[0026] Step 4: Remove the ball cage from the oil injection equipment. The sensing sensor receives the sensing signal and feeds it back to the oil injection control system, causing the oil injection control system to stop working.

[0027] As a further technical solution, when the oil filling status light does not emit a pulse signal, the monostable delay circuit outputs a high level, and the NAND gate also outputs a high level, causing the clamp fastening motor to be de-energized. Regardless of whether the operator presses the clamp locking button AN, the clamp fastening motor will not work. At this time, the operator checks the ball cage. If a leak is found, the operator presses the manual control switch to proceed to step two and realize manual oil filling.

[0028] As a further technical solution, in step three, after capacitor C triggers the monostable delay circuit, it outputs a low-level delay. After the operator observes the oil filling status light flashing, the position of the clamp and the ball cage is adjusted within the delay time, and then the clamp locking button AN is pressed. The delay time is adjusted according to the operator's work efficiency.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0030] 1. A pre-positioned lubrication signal was added to the on / off circuit of the clamp locking pliers button, integrating the two independent system circuits and signals of clamp locking and lubrication into a new organic whole, permanently avoiding the problem of grease leakage in the inner and outer ball cage processes of the drive shaft;

[0031] 2. This product permanently resolves the issue of suspected internal grease leakage in drive shafts, eliminating the need for disassembling clamps for post-incident inspection and preventing grease leakage quality problems from occurring in vehicle after-sales service.

[0032] 3. The clamp tightening motor cannot be started regardless of whether the clamp locking button is pressed when the lubrication completion signal is not issued. This can remind the operator to check the ball cage to avoid grease leakage.

[0033] 4. In the event of grease leakage, the grease injection equipment can be manually controlled to maintain normal operation of the equipment;

[0034] 5. After the oil filling status light illuminates, the monostable delay circuit outputs a low level. During this delay time, the operator can adjust the position of the clamp and the ball cage before pressing the clamp locking button to ensure that the clamp and the ball cage are locked in place. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the clamp caliper control circuit in this invention.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the workflow of the present invention.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: First input terminal 1, Second input terminal 2, NAND gate output terminal 3, Oil filling status light 10, Monostable delay circuit 20, NAND gate 30, Intermediate relay 40, Control coil 41, Contact 42, Clamp fastening motor 50, Clamp clamp control circuit 100. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0039] Example: As attached Figure 1 , 2 As shown, this error-proofing system for preventing grease leakage in ball cages includes a first input terminal 1, a second input terminal 2, a NAND gate output terminal 3, a grease filling status light 10, a monostable delay circuit 20, a NAND gate 30, an intermediate relay 40, a control coil 41, a contact 42, a clamp fastening motor 50, a sensing sensor, a grease filling control system, a grease filling device, and a clamp clamp control circuit 100.

[0040] A sensing sensor (preferably a photoelectric sensor or a photosensitive eye) is installed on the lubrication equipment. When the ball cage is placed into or removed from the lubrication equipment, the sensing sensor acquires a sensing signal and feeds this signal back to the lubrication control system. The lubrication control system controls the lubrication equipment to inject oil into the ball cage. The lubrication equipment includes an oil flow meter and an oil injection gun. The oil flow meter controls the amount of oil injected by the oil injection gun. The oil flow meter is configured with lubrication parameters (including the amount of oil injected each time and the injection rate) via the control panel on the lubrication control system. After lubrication is completed, the lubrication control system sends a lubrication completion signal to the clamp control circuit 100. The lubrication control system also includes a manual control switch for manually controlling the operation of the oil flow meter and the oil injection gun.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the clamp caliper control circuit 100 includes an oil filling status light 10, a monostable delay circuit 20, a NAND gate 30, an intermediate relay 40, a clamp fastening motor 50, and a clamp locking button AN that is manually pressed. The oil filling status light 10 (using an LED light) is electrically connected to the oil filling control system to receive the oil filling completion signal. After receiving the oil filling completion signal, the oil filling status light 10 flashes synchronously and emits a pulse signal. A capacitor C is electrically connected after the oil filling status light 10. The capacitor C is electrically connected to the input terminal of the monostable delay circuit 20. The output terminal of the monostable delay circuit 20 is connected to the second input terminal 2 of the NAND gate 30. The clamp locking button AN is electrically connected to the first input terminal 1 of the NAND gate 30. The output terminal 3 of the NAND gate is electrically connected to the base of the transistor BG. The emitter of the transistor BG is electrically connected to the control coil 41 of the intermediate relay 40. The collector of the transistor BG is grounded. The contact 42 of the intermediate relay 40 is electrically connected to the clamp fastening motor 50 to control the on / off state of the clamp fastening motor 50.

[0042] When the oil filling status light 10 emits a pulse signal, capacitor C triggers the monostable delay circuit 20 to output a low-level delay. By pressing (activating) the clamp locking button AN, the output terminal 3 of the NAND gate outputs a low level, which in turn turns on the transistor BG. The intermediate relay 40 is then energized, powering on the clamp fastening motor 50. The clamp clamp then actuates, locking the clamp to the ball cage. When the oil filling status light 10 does not emit a pulse signal, the monostable delay circuit 20 outputs a high level. At this time, the output terminal 3 of the NAND gate outputs a high level, causing the transistor BG to be cut off. The intermediate relay 40 is not energized, the clamp fastening motor 50 is de-energized, and is no longer controlled by the clamp locking button AN.

[0043] A method for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage, employing the aforementioned grease leakage prevention system for ball cages, includes the following steps:

[0044] Step 1: Place the ball cage into the oil injection equipment. The sensing sensor will then acquire the sensing signal and feed it back to the oil injection control system, causing the oil injection control system to start working.

[0045] Step 2: The oil injection control system controls the oil injection gun to inject oil into the ball cage through the oil injection flow meter. After the set oil injection volume is reached, the oil injection gun stops dispensing oil. At the same time, the oil injection control system sends an oil injection completion signal to the oil injection status light 10, and the oil injection status light 10 flashes to emit a pulse signal.

[0046] Step 3: After receiving the pulse signal, the clamp control circuit 100 triggers the monostable delay circuit 20 to output a low-level delay through capacitor C. After the operator observes the oil filling status light 10 flashing, the position of the clamp and the ball cage is adjusted within the delay time. Then, the clamp locking button AN is pressed to power on the clamp fastening motor 50 and lock the clamp and the ball cage. Preferably, the delay time is adjusted according to the operator's work efficiency (i.e., the time required to adjust the position of the clamp and the ball cage).

[0047] Step 4: Remove the ball cage from the oil injection equipment. The sensing sensor receives the sensing signal and feeds it back to the oil injection control system, causing the oil injection control system to stop working.

[0048] Furthermore, when the oil filling status light 10 is not flashing (no pulse signal is emitted), the monostable delay circuit 20 outputs a high level, and the NAND gate 30 also outputs a high level, causing the clamp fastening motor 50 to be de-energized. Regardless of whether the operator presses the clamp locking button AN, the clamp fastening motor 50 will not work. At this time, the operator opens the dust cover to check the ball cage. If oil leakage is found, the operator presses the manual control switch to continue to step two and realize manual oil filling.

[0049] This invention integrates the lubrication completion signal (pulse signal) into the clamp caliper control circuit 100. Only after receiving the lubrication completion signal (pulse signal) and pressing the clamp locking button AN will the clamp fastening motor 50 be activated, causing the clamp caliper to move and lock the clamp to the ball cage. If lubrication leakage occurs, the clamp caliper control circuit 100 will not receive the lubrication completion signal (pulse signal). In this case, regardless of whether the operator presses the clamp locking button AN, the clamp fastening motor 50 will not operate, and the clamp and ball cage cannot be locked. This serves to remind the operator to open the dust cover and check the ball cage, preventing leaked lubrication from flowing into subsequent processes. Only when lubrication is normal and the button is pressed will the clamp be locked.

[0050] It is understood that, for those skilled in the art, any equivalent substitutions or modifications to the technical solutions and inventive concepts of this invention should fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fault-prevention system for grease leakage in ball cages, characterized in that: Includes sensing sensors, an oil injection control system, and a clamp caliper control circuit (100). The sensing sensor is installed on the oiling equipment. When the ball cage is placed into or removed from the oiling equipment, the sensing sensor acquires a sensing signal and feeds it back to the oiling control system. The oil injection control system is used to control the oil injection equipment to inject oil into the ball cage. After the oil injection is completed, the oil injection control system sends an oil injection completion signal to the clamp control circuit (100). The clamp caliper control circuit (100) is equipped with a clamp locking button AN that is manually pressed. When the clamp caliper control circuit (100) receives the oil filling completion signal and the clamp locking button AN is turned on, the clamp caliper control circuit (100) controls the clamp caliper to move and lock the clamp to the ball cage. The clamp control circuit (100) includes an oil filling status light (10), a monostable delay circuit (20), a NAND gate (30), an intermediate relay (40), and a clamp fastening motor (50). The oil filling status light (10) is electrically connected to the oil filling control system to receive the oil filling completion signal and synchronously flash to emit a pulse signal. A capacitor C is electrically connected to the rear of the oil filling status light (10), and the rear of the capacitor C is electrically connected to the input terminal of the monostable delay circuit (20). The output terminal of the monostable delay circuit (20) is connected to the NAND gate (30). The second input terminal (2) triggers the monostable delay circuit (20) to output a low level through the capacitor C. The clamp locking button AN is electrically connected to the first input terminal (1) of the NAND gate (30). The output terminal (3) of the NAND gate is electrically connected to the base of the transistor BG. The emitter of the transistor BG is electrically connected to the control coil (41) of the intermediate relay (40). The collector of the transistor BG is grounded. The contact (42) of the intermediate relay (40) is electrically connected to the clamp fastening motor (50) to control the clamp fastening motor (50) to turn on and off.

2. The error-proofing system for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil injection device includes an oil injection flow meter and an oil injection gun. The oil injection flow meter is used to control the oil injection volume of the oil injection gun. The oil injection parameters are set by the oil injection flow meter through the control panel on the oil injection control system.

3. The error-proofing system for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage according to claim 2, characterized in that: The oil injection control system also includes a manual control switch for manually controlling the operation of the oil injection flow meter and the oil injection gun.

4. The error-proofing system for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the oil filling status light (10) emits a pulse signal, the capacitor C triggers the monostable delay circuit (20) to output a low level. By connecting the clamp locking button AN, the NAND gate output terminal (3) outputs a low level, which in turn conducts the transistor BG, and the intermediate relay (40) is energized, so that the clamp fastening motor (50) is powered on and works. When the oil filling status light (10) does not emit a pulse signal, the monostable delay circuit (20) outputs a high level. At this time, the NAND gate output terminal (3) outputs a high level, so that the transistor BG is cut off, the intermediate relay (40) is not energized, the clamp fastening motor (50) is de-energized, and is not controlled by the clamp locking button AN.

5. A method for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage, employing the grease leakage prevention system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: Place the ball cage into the oil injection equipment. The sensing sensor receives the sensing signal and feeds it back to the oil injection control system, causing the oil injection control system to start working. Step 2: The oil injection control system controls the oil injection gun to inject oil into the ball cage through the oil injection flow meter. After the set oil injection volume is reached, the oil injection gun stops dispensing oil. At the same time, the oil injection control system sends an oil injection completion signal to the oil injection status light (10), and the oil injection status light (10) flashes to emit a pulse signal. Step 3: After receiving the pulse signal, the clamp control circuit (100) triggers the monostable delay circuit (20) to output a low level through the capacitor C. After the operator observes the oil filling status light (10) flashing, press the clamp locking button AN to power on the clamp fastening motor (50) and lock the clamp to the ball cage. Step 4: Remove the ball cage from the oil injection equipment. The sensing sensor receives the sensing signal and feeds it back to the oil injection control system, causing the oil injection control system to stop working.

6. The error-prevention method for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the oil filling status light (10) does not emit a pulse signal, the monostable delay circuit (20) outputs a high level, and the NAND gate (30) also outputs a high level, causing the clamp fastening motor (50) to be de-energized. Regardless of whether the operator presses the clamp locking button AN, the clamp fastening motor (50) will not work. At this time, the operator checks the ball cage. If a leak is found, the operator presses the manual control switch to enter step two and realize manual oil filling.

7. The method for preventing grease leakage in a ball cage according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: In step three, after capacitor C triggers the monostable delay circuit (20), it outputs a low level after a delay. After the operator observes the oil filling status light (10) flashing, the position of the clamp and the ball cage is adjusted within the delay time, and then the clamp locking button AN is pressed. The delay time is adjusted according to the operator's work efficiency.

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