Four-axis positioning fixture for machining of yoke

Abstract

The application discloses a yoke four-axis positioning one-time machining clamp, which comprises a workbench, a supporting frame, a lifting assembly, a rotary driving assembly, a jig and a controller, the supporting frame is arranged above the workbench and is driven to lift by the lifting assembly, the jig is rotatably connected to the supporting frame and is driven to rotate by the rotary driving assembly, a plurality of sets of clamping mechanisms are arranged on the jig, and the controller is electrically connected with the lifting assembly, the rotary driving assembly and the jig respectively. The yoke four-axis positioning one-time machining clamp can effectively reduce the clamping times of the blank by adjusting the direction of the blank after each drilling by the rotary driving assembly on the basis of clamping the blank only once, thereby increasing the production efficiency of workers by about 60% relative to the traditional process, reducing the labor intensity of workers, effectively avoiding the assembly error caused by multiple clamping, ensuring the position tolerance of the yoke drawing and reducing the scrap rate of products by about 150%.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of fixtures, and in particular to the technical field of a four-axis positioning single-processing fixture for a fork. Background Technology

[0002] In the steering system of a car, the steering knuckle fork plays a role in transmitting torque and adjusting the length and position of the drive shaft. The fork is generally fork-shaped, with two coaxial holes on the upper and lower forks for mounting the kingpin. The steering knuckle journal is used to mount the wheel. The two lugs on the upper pin hole of the steering knuckle connect to the fist-shaped parts at both ends of the front axle via the kingpin, allowing the front wheel to deflect around the kingpin at a certain angle and thus steer the car.

[0003] The machining quality of the steering knuckle fork not only affects its installation and movement accuracy but also the working accuracy, performance, and service life of the automotive chassis drive shaft. In the actual machining process of steering knuckle fork parts, to avoid machining errors caused by the blank shaking during drilling, workers often need to pre-clamp the blank using a fixture before drilling, as shown in the invention patents CN101537507B (an automatic drilling device for a cross-shaft universal joint) and CN111168109B (an automatic drilling device for the end of an automotive steering knuckle fork). Since the steering knuckle fork typically has three different holes in different directions, workers need to clamp it sequentially in three different machine tools before drilling. This method not only results in high labor intensity for workers but also significantly impacts production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems in the prior art and to propose a four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for the fork segment. This fixture can assist the drilling machine in completing drilling operations in multiple different directions of the fork segment under the condition of one-time clamping of the fork segment, thereby improving the production accuracy of the product and reducing the production cost of the product.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a four-axis positioning one-time machining fixture for a fork, comprising a worktable, a support frame, a lifting assembly, a rotary drive assembly, a jig, and a controller. The support frame is positioned above the worktable and is driven to rise and fall by the lifting assembly. The jig is rotatably connected to the support frame and is driven to rotate by the rotary drive assembly. The jig is provided with several sets of clamping mechanisms. The controller is electrically connected to the lifting assembly, the rotary drive assembly, and the jig.

[0006] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes a base plate, a clamping cylinder, and clamping fingers, with the two clamping fingers slidably connected to the same side of the base plate and driven by the clamping cylinder to move closer or further apart from each other.

[0007] Preferably, the adjacent surfaces of the two gripping fingers are provided with a number of protruding teeth.

[0008] Preferably, each of the two gripper fingers has several through holes.

[0009] Preferably, the support frame includes a base plate, a disc tailstock, and reinforcing bars; the lifting assembly includes lifting cylinders and a connecting frame; several lifting cylinders are respectively fixed on the worktable and the telescopic rods are respectively connected to the base plate through the connecting frame; disc tailstocks are respectively fixed on the left and right sides of the top surface of the base plate; several reinforcing bars are installed between the left and right disc tailstocks; the fixture includes a mandrel, a mandrel frame, and a clamping mechanism; the mandrel is horizontally arranged and rotatably connected to the left and right disc tailstocks respectively; the mandrel frame is fixed on the mandrel and located between the left and right disc tailstocks; several clamping mechanisms are sequentially arranged on the mandrel frame along the horizontal direction; the rotary drive assembly includes a motor; the motor is fixed on one of the disc tailstocks and its output shaft is coaxially connected to the mandrel.

[0010] Preferably, the core frame includes a ship plate, side plates, and bushings. Two side plates are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides, and bushings are installed on opposite sides respectively. Several ship plates are arranged vertically from front to back and fixed on the adjacent surfaces of the left and right side plates. Each set of clamping mechanisms is fixed on the front and rear sides of the ship plate respectively. The core shaft is indirectly connected to the two side plates through two bushings.

[0011] Preferably, an oil passage block is installed on the base plate, and an oil passage adapter plate is installed in the gap between two adjacent ship plates. One end of the oil passage block is connected to an oil tank via an oil pipe, and the other end is connected to the oil passage adapter plate via an oil pipe. The oil passage adapter plate is connected to each lifting cylinder and each clamping cylinder via oil pipes.

[0012] Preferably, several intermediate plates are provided in the gap between two adjacent ship plates, and the top of each ship plate is covered with sheet metal.

[0013] Preferably, the rotary drive assembly further includes a dust cover, an anti-rotation block, and a plate. The plate is fixed on one of the disc tailstocks and has a notch. The motor is fixed on the plate and its output shaft passes through the disc tailstock where the plate is located along the notch. The dust cover seals the notch. The motor, dust cover, and plate are respectively provided with a body socket, a cover socket, and a plate socket. The anti-rotation block is inserted into the body socket, the cover socket, and the plate socket simultaneously.

[0014] Preferably, the anti-rotation block is further connected to the machine plate by fasteners, and the anti-rotation block has a narrowing part at the end facing the motor.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1) By installing a support frame driven by a lifting component above the worktable, and a jig driven by a rotary drive component on the support frame, and then installing several sets of clamping mechanisms on the jig, the blank can be clamped only once. The rotary drive component allows the blank to adjust its direction automatically after each drilling, effectively reducing the number of blank clamping operations. This increases worker productivity by approximately 60% compared to traditional processes, while reducing worker labor intensity. Furthermore, it effectively avoids assembly errors caused by multiple clamping operations, ensuring the positional tolerances of the forklift drawings, and reducing product scrap rate by approximately 150%. 2) By using a clamping cylinder to drive two toothed fingers to move closer or further apart on the same side of the substrate, the blank can be clamped quickly and stably. The through holes on the two fingers can facilitate the free flow of cutting fluid to achieve sufficient heat dissipation and reduce the weight of the fingers. 3) By using a motor, dust cover, anti-rotation block and plate together to form a rotary drive assembly, on the one hand, the dust cover can block dust and other impurities from entering the motor, thereby extending the service life of the motor. On the other hand, when the anti-rotation block is inserted into the machine body socket, cover socket and plate socket at the same time, it can effectively prevent the motor from rotating, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the jig angle switching.

[0016] The features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for the segmented fork of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of point A; Figure 3 This is a front view of the four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for the fork of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a left view of the four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for the segmented fork of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the fixture for the four-axis positioning and one-time machining jig of the present invention; Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged view of point B; Figure 7 This is a front view of the fixture for the four-axis positioning and one-time machining jig of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a top view of the fixture for the four-axis positioning and one-time machining jig of the present invention; Figure 9This is a top view of the fixture for the four-axis positioning and one-time machining jig of the present invention after the sheet metal has been removed.

[0018] In the diagram: 1-Workbench, 2-Support frame, 21-Base plate, 22-Disc tailstock, 23-Reinforcing strip, 24-Oil circuit block, 3-Lifting assembly, 31-Lifting cylinder, 32-Linkage frame, 4-Rotary drive assembly, 41-Motor, 411-Machine body socket, 42-Dust cover, 421-Cover socket, 43-Anti-rotation block, 431-Narrowing section, 44-Machine plate, 441-Plate socket, 5-Jig, 51-Mandrel, 52-Core frame, 521-Board plate, 522-Side plate, 523-Bushing, 524-Oil circuit adapter plate, 525-Intermediate plate, 526-Sheet metal, 53-Clamping mechanism, 531-Base plate, 532-Clamping finger, 5321-Protruding tooth, 5322-Through hole, 6-Controller. Detailed Implementation

[0019] See Figure 1 This invention discloses a four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for forks, comprising a worktable 1, a support frame 2, a lifting assembly 3, a rotary drive assembly 4, a jig 5, and a controller 6. The support frame 2 is positioned above the worktable 1 and is driven to rise and fall by the lifting assembly 3. The jig 5 is rotatably connected to the support frame 2 and is driven to rotate by the rotary drive assembly 4. The jig 5 is equipped with several sets of clamping mechanisms 53. The controller 6 is electrically connected to the lifting assembly 3, the rotary drive assembly 4, and the jig 5. This design allows the blank to be clamped only once, and the rotary drive assembly 4 enables the blank to automatically adjust its orientation after each drilling, effectively reducing the number of blank clamping operations. This increases worker productivity by approximately 60% compared to traditional processes, while reducing worker labor intensity. Furthermore, it effectively avoids assembly errors caused by multiple clamping operations, ensuring the positional tolerances of the fork drawings and reducing product scrap rate by approximately 150%.

[0020] See Figure 6 The clamping mechanism 53 includes a base plate 531, a clamping cylinder, and clamping fingers 532. Two clamping fingers 532 are slidably connected to the same side of the base plate 531 and are driven by the clamping cylinder to move closer or further apart. Several protruding teeth 5321 are provided on the adjacent surfaces of the two clamping fingers 532. Several through holes 5322 are provided on each of the two clamping fingers 532. This design allows for rapid and stable clamping of the blank, and the through holes 5322 on the two clamping fingers 532 facilitate the free flow of cutting fluid for adequate heat dissipation, while also reducing the weight of the clamping fingers 532.

[0021] See Figure 1 , 24 and 5, the support frame 2 includes a base plate 21, a disc tail seat 22 and reinforcing bars 23, the lifting assembly 3 includes a lifting cylinder 31 and a connecting frame 32, several lifting cylinders 31 are respectively fixed on the workbench 1 and the telescopic rods are respectively connected to the base plate 21 through the connecting frame 32, the top surface of the base plate 21 is respectively fixed with disc tail seats 22 on the left and right sides, and several reinforcing bars 23 are installed between the left and right disc tail seats 22, the jig 5 includes a mandrel 51, a core frame 52 and a clamping mechanism 53, the mandrel 51 is horizontally arranged and rotatably connected to the left and right disc tail seats 22 respectively, the core frame 52 is fixed on the mandrel 51 and located between the left and right disc tail seats 22, and several clamping mechanisms 53 are arranged sequentially on the core frame 52 along the horizontal direction, the rotary drive assembly 4 includes a motor 41, the motor 41 is fixed on one of the disc tail seats 22 and the output shaft is coaxially connected to the mandrel 51. The support frame 2, equipped with two symmetrically arranged disc tailstocks 22, can support and restrict the movement of the jig 5 from both the left and right sides, effectively preventing machining deviations. Furthermore, the lifting assembly 3 can simultaneously raise and lower the jig 5 while it rotates on the motor 41 to avoid interference between the jig 5 and the worktable 1. It can also assist in calibrating the position of the jig 5 through its lifting action.

[0022] See Figure 7 The core frame 52 includes a boat plate 521, side plates 522, and bushings 523. Two side plates 522 are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides, and bushings 523 are installed on their opposite sides. Several boat plates 521 are arranged vertically from front to back and fixed to the adjacent surfaces of the two side plates 522. Each set of clamping mechanisms 53 is fixed to the front and rear sides of the boat plate 521. The mandrel 51 is indirectly connected to the two side plates 522 through two bushings 523. The boat plate 521 provides a foundation for the installation of each clamping mechanism 53, while the side plates 522 with bushings 523 ensure the smooth rotation of the mandrel 51.

[0023] See Figure 3 and 9 An oil passage block 24 is installed on the base plate 21. An oil passage adapter plate 524 is installed in the gap between two adjacent ship plates 521. One end of the oil passage block 24 is connected to an external oil tank via an oil pipe, and the other end is connected to the oil passage adapter plate 524 via an oil pipe. The oil passage adapter plate 524 is connected to each lifting cylinder 31 and each clamping cylinder via oil pipes. The oil passage block 24 serves as a main connector to the external oil tank, while the oil passage adapter plate 524 acts as a transfer station to distribute oil to each lifting cylinder 31 and each clamping cylinder.

[0024] See Figure 8 and 9Several intermediate plates 525 are also provided in the gap between two adjacent ship plates 521, and the top of each ship plate 521 is covered by a sheet metal 526. Since the oil passage adapter plate 524 is located between two adjacent ship plates 521, and the mandrel 51 also passes through each ship plate 521 along the gap, the intermediate plates 525 are added to support each ship plate 521, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the oil passage adapter plate 524 and the mandrel 51. In addition, the sheet metal 526 can also protect the oil passage adapter plate 524 and the mandrel 51.

[0025] See Figure 2 The rotary drive assembly 4 also includes a dust cover 42, an anti-rotation block 43, and a plate 44. The plate 44 is fixed on one of the disc tail seats 22 and has a notch. The motor 41 is fixed on the plate 44 and its output shaft passes through the disc tail seat 22 where the plate 44 is located along the notch. The dust cover 42 seals the notch. The motor 41, the dust cover 42, and the plate 44 are respectively provided with a body insertion port 411, a cover insertion port 421, and a plate insertion port 441. The anti-rotation block 43 is inserted into the body insertion port 411, the cover insertion port 421, and the plate insertion port 441 simultaneously. This design serves two purposes: firstly, the dust cover 42 can block dust and other impurities from entering the motor 41, thus extending the service life of the motor 41; secondly, when the anti-rotation block 43 is simultaneously inserted into the body socket 411, the cover socket 421, and the plate socket 441, it can effectively prevent the motor 41 from rotating along with the machine body, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the angle switching of the jig 5.

[0026] See Figure 2 The anti-rotation block 43 is further connected to the machine plate 44 via fasteners, and the end of the anti-rotation block 43 facing the motor 41 is provided with a narrowing portion 431. The anti-rotation block 43 and the machine plate 44 are connected via a threaded fastener to achieve this secondary connection. Furthermore, the narrowing portion 431 guides the anti-rotation block 43, facilitating its initial insertion.

[0027] Working process of this invention: Before use, each clamping cylinder is used to drive each set of clamping fingers 532 away from each other in sequence. Then, when the blank is placed between each set of clamping fingers 532, each clamping cylinder is driven to drive each set of clamping fingers 532 to move closer to each other to clamp the corresponding blank.

[0028] During use, the drill bits located above the worktable 1 can be moved downwards to drill holes in the blanks for the first time. Then, the motor 41 drives the mandrel 51 to rotate at a certain angle so that the blanks, after the first drilling, have the other side to be drilled facing upwards. During this process, each lifting cylinder 31 can also drive the support frame 2 and its connected components to move upwards synchronously via the connecting frame 32, thereby avoiding interference between the clamping mechanisms 53 and the worktable 1. After the blanks complete their first angle change, the drill bits located above the worktable 1 can be moved downwards again to drill holes in the blanks a second time. This process is repeated until all holes are drilled.

[0029] The above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any simple modifications to the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for a fork, characterized in that: The assembly includes a workbench (1), a support frame (2), a lifting assembly (3), a rotary drive assembly (4), a jig (5), and a controller (6). The support frame (2) is positioned above the workbench (1) and is driven to rise and fall by the lifting assembly (3). The jig (5) is rotatably connected to the support frame (2) and is driven to rotate by the rotary drive assembly (4). Several clamping mechanisms (53) are provided on the jig (5). The controller (6) is electrically connected to the lifting assembly (3), the rotary drive assembly (4), and the jig (5). The lifting assembly (3) can simultaneously drive the jig (5) to rise and fall during its rotation to avoid interference between the jig (5) and the workbench (1). It can also assist in calibrating the position of the jig (5) through its lifting action. The support frame (2) includes a base plate (21), a disc tailstock (22), and reinforcing bars (23). The lifting assembly (3) includes a lifting cylinder (31) and a connecting frame (32). Several lifting cylinders (31) are fixed on the workbench (1), and the telescopic rods are connected to the base plate (21) through the connecting frame (32). Disc tailstocks (22) are fixed on the left and right sides of the top surface of the base plate (21), and several reinforcing bars (23) are installed between the two disc tailstocks (22). The fixture (5) includes a mandrel (5). 1) Core frame (52) and clamping mechanism (53), the core shaft (51) is horizontally arranged and rotatably connected to the left and right disc tail seats (22) respectively, the core frame (52) is fixed on the core shaft (51) and located between the left and right disc tail seats (22), and several clamping mechanisms (53) are arranged sequentially on the core frame (52) along the horizontal direction. The rotary drive assembly (4) includes a motor (41), the motor (41) is fixed on one of the disc tail seats (22) and the output shaft is coaxially connected to the core shaft (51); The rotary drive assembly (4) also includes a dust cover (42), an anti-rotation block (43), and a machine plate (44). The machine plate (44) is fixed on one of the disc tail seats (22) and has a notch. The motor (41) is fixed on the machine plate (44) and its output shaft passes through the disc tail seat (22) where the machine plate (44) is located along the notch. The dust cover (42) seals the notch. The motor (41), the dust cover (42), and the machine plate (44) are respectively provided with a body socket (411), a cover socket (421), and a plate socket (441). The anti-rotation block (43) is inserted into the body socket (411), the cover socket (421), and the plate socket (441). The anti-rotation block (43) is also connected to the machine plate (44) by fasteners. The anti-rotation block (43) has a narrowing part (431) at the end facing the motor (41).

2. The four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for a fork as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping mechanism (53) includes a base plate (531), a clamping cylinder and clamping fingers (532). The two clamping fingers (532) are slidably connected to the same side of the base plate (531) and are driven by the clamping cylinder to move closer or further apart from each other.

3. The four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for a fork as described in claim 2, characterized in that: Several protruding teeth (5321) are provided on the adjacent surfaces of the two clamping fingers (532).

4. The four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for a fork as described in claim 3, characterized in that: Each of the two clamping fingers (532) has a number of through holes (5322).

5. The four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for a fork as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The core frame (52) includes a ship plate (521), a side plate (522) and a bushing (523). Two side plates (522) are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides and bushings (523) are installed on opposite sides respectively. Several ship plates (521) are arranged vertically from front to back and fixed on the adjacent surfaces of the left and right side plates (522). Each set of clamping mechanisms (53) is fixed on the front and rear sides of the ship plate (521). The mandrel (51) is indirectly connected to the two side plates (522) through two bushings (523).

6. The four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for a fork as described in claim 5, characterized in that: An oil passage block (24) is installed on the bottom plate (21). An oil passage adapter plate (524) is installed in the gap between two adjacent ship plates (521). One end of the oil passage block (24) is connected to the oil tank through an oil pipe, and the other end is connected to the oil passage adapter plate (524) through an oil pipe. The oil passage adapter plate (524) is connected to each lifting cylinder (31) and each clamping cylinder through oil pipes.

7. The four-axis positioning and one-time machining fixture for a fork as described in claim 6, characterized in that: Several intermediate plates (525) are provided in the gap between two adjacent ship plates (521), and the top of each ship plate (521) is covered with sheet metal (526).

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