An automatic installation mechanism for a gearbox clutch

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic installation mechanism for a gearbox clutch, comprising a robot and a clamping installation mechanism mounted on the end of the robot. The clamping installation mechanism includes a clamping cylinder, a vertical fixing frame, and a gripper plate. The vertical fixing frames on both sides are driven to open and close by the clamping cylinder. The gripper plate is vertically and flexibly mounted on the corresponding vertical fixing frame. Each vertical fixing frame has a limiting block with a leakage hole on its upper side. An airtightness detection block is located at the upper end of the gripper plate, covering the leakage hole. The clamping installation mechanism includes an air gap vacuum detection component, and the limiting block has a vent hole connected to the air gap vacuum detection component via an air pipe. A gripper block is located on the lower side of the gripper plate. A hollow positioning mandrel is located in the middle of the clamping installation mechanism. This invention enables automatic clutch installation, ensuring assembly quality and improving assembly efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of clutch assembly technology, specifically an automatic installation mechanism for a gearbox clutch. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the automotive industry, the quality control requirements for automotive products are becoming increasingly stringent. As a crucial component of a vehicle, the assembly quality of the transmission significantly impacts overall vehicle quality. Furthermore, with the advancement of automotive technology, transmission technology is also constantly evolving. How to continuously improve assembly efficiency while ensuring assembly quality is a challenge that many manufacturers need to consider. Figures 5-6 In one type of gearbox, the inner hole of the clutch needs to be sequentially engaged with odd-numbered shafts and even-numbered shafts of different diameters with splines on their surfaces. At the same time, the lower end of the shaft teeth also needs to be engaged with the oil pump gear inside the gearbox body. The assembly requirements are high. Existing technologies mostly use manual assembly. However, it is difficult to keep the clutch perpendicular to the odd-numbered shafts and even-numbered shafts during manual assembly. It is also easy to bump the shaft teeth and oil pump gear, thus affecting the assembly quality of the gearbox. At the same time, the assembly efficiency is also low. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic installation mechanism for a gearbox clutch, which can realize the automatic installation of the clutch, ensuring assembly quality and improving assembly efficiency.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] An automatic installation mechanism for a gearbox clutch includes a robot and a clamping installation mechanism mounted on the end of the robot. The clamping installation mechanism includes a clamping cylinder, a vertical fixing frame, and a gripper plate. The vertical fixing frames on both sides are driven to open and close by the clamping cylinder. The gripper plate is vertically and flexibly mounted on the vertical fixing frame on the corresponding side. The vertical fixing frame is provided with a limiting block, and the upper side of the limiting block is provided with an air leakage hole. The upper end of the gripper plate is provided with an air tightness detection block, and the air tightness detection block covers the air leakage hole. The clamping installation mechanism is provided with an air gap vacuum detection component, and the limiting block is provided with a vent hole connected to the air gap vacuum detection component through an air pipe. The lower side of the gripper plate is provided with a gripper block, and the clamping installation mechanism is provided with a hollow positioning mandrel in the middle.

[0006] During installation, the upper clamping end of the clutch is clamped by the jaw blocks on both sides. The positioning shaft inside the clamping end is inserted into the hollow positioning mandrel. The inner hole of the clutch is provided with a first spline groove section and a second spline groove section. The first spline groove section is engaged with the odd-numbered shafts, and the second spline groove section is engaged with the even-numbered shafts. The lower end of the clutch is provided with a shaft tooth section that is engaged with the oil pump gear.

[0007] When the first spline groove section is not aligned with the odd-numbered shaft, the second spline groove section is not aligned with the even-numbered shaft, or the shaft tooth section is not aligned with the oil pump gear, the gripper plate is lifted and drives the air tightness detection block to disengage from the limit stop. The robot control system cannot receive the vacuum degree signal fed back by the air gap vacuum detection component. At this time, the robot end is lifted and rotated to adjust the clutch position before being lowered and installed again until the robot control system receives the vacuum degree signal fed back by the air gap vacuum detection component again.

[0008] The clamping and mounting mechanism has a connecting plate at its upper end that connects to the end of the robot. The hollow positioning spindle is located in the middle of the lower side of the connecting plate. Gas detection mounting plates are located on both sides of the connecting plate, and a horizontal slide rail is located on the lower side of the gas detection mounting plate. A horizontal slider is located at the upper end of the vertical fixing frame that cooperates with the horizontal slide rail.

[0009] The vertical fixing frame is provided with a vertical slide rail on the side near the hollow positioning mandrel, and the gripper plate is provided with a vertical slider that cooperates with the vertical slide rail on the corresponding side.

[0010] An airtightness testing pad is provided on the underside of the airtightness testing block.

[0011] The lower end of the hollow positioning mandrel is equipped with a clutch presence or absence detection sensor.

[0012] The air gap vacuum detection component includes a vacuum generator and a vacuum detection sensor.

[0013] The advantages and positive effects of this invention are as follows:

[0014] 1. This invention enables automatic installation of the clutch, avoiding the occurrence of defective products due to human factors during manual assembly, thus ensuring assembly quality and improving assembly efficiency.

[0015] 2. This invention utilizes a combination of air gap vacuum detection components, air tightness detection blocks, and limit stops to achieve the alignment of the clutch with related components. When the clutch and related components are not aligned, the gripper plate is lifted, causing the air tightness detection block on it to disengage from the limit stop, so that the air gap vacuum detection component no longer feeds back the vacuum signal. At this time, the robot end effector lifts up to adjust the clutch posture and then lowers down to install it again until the system receives the vacuum signal again, indicating that the clutch and related components have been successfully installed, thus ensuring that the clutch is smoothly installed in place.

[0016] 3. When the present invention is working, the robot and the entire clamping and installation mechanism can effectively control the center and the speed of vertical and rotational movement during the installation process, so that the clutch will not collide with the odd and even shafts and the oil pump gear during the assembly process, thus ensuring quality. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the clamping installation mechanism.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the operational status of a gas inspection agency.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the clamping installation mechanism.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the clutch and gearbox housing targeted by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged schematic diagram of the odd-numbered axes, even-numbered axes, and oil pump gear.

[0023] Among them, 1 is the robot, 2 is the clamping and mounting mechanism, 201 is the air gap vacuum detection component, 202 is the clamping cylinder, 203 is the horizontal slider, 204 is the vertical fixing frame, 205 is the air tightness detection block, 206 is the limit block, 207 is the vertical slider, 208 is the gripper block, 209 is the clutch presence / absence detection sensor, 210 is the air tightness detection gasket, 211 is the hollow positioning mandrel, 212 is the air detection mounting plate, 213 is the connecting plate, 214 is the gripper plate, 3 is the clutch, 301 is the positioning shaft, 302 is the clamping end, 303 is the shaft tooth, 4 is the odd-numbered shaft, 5 is the even-numbered shaft, 6 is the oil pump gear, 7 is the front bearing cover, and 8 is the gearbox body. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the present invention includes a robot 1 and a clamping and mounting mechanism 2, wherein the clamping and mounting mechanism 2 is mounted on the moving end of the robot 1, as shown in the figure. Figures 2-4 As shown, the clamping installation mechanism 2 includes a clamping cylinder 202, a vertical fixing frame 204, and a gripper plate 214. The vertical fixing frames 204 on both sides are driven to open and close by the clamping cylinder 202. The gripper plate 214 is vertically and flexibly mounted on the corresponding vertical fixing frame 204. Figure 2As shown, the vertical fixing frame 204 is provided with a limiting block 206, and the upper side of the limiting block 206 is provided with an air leakage hole. The upper end of the gripper plate 214 is provided with an airtightness detection block 205, and the airtightness detection block 205 is located on the upper side of the limiting block 206 and covers the air leakage hole. The upper end of the clamping installation mechanism 2 is provided with an air gap vacuum detection component 201, and the limiting block 206 is provided with a vent hole connected to the air gap vacuum detection component 201 through an air pipe. The lower side of the gripper plate 214 is provided with a gripper block 208, and the middle of the clamping installation mechanism 2 is provided with a hollow positioning mandrel 211. Figures 4-5 As shown, the clutch 3 of this invention has a clamping end 302 at its upper end, and a positioning shaft 301 is provided inside the clamping end 302. The clutch 3 has a geared portion 303 at its lower end. Figure 6 As shown, the gearbox body 8 contains structures such as odd-numbered shafts 4, even-numbered shafts 5, oil pump gears 6, and front bearing caps 7. The odd-numbered shafts 4 and even-numbered shafts 5 are coaxially arranged and have different numbers of splines on their outer surfaces. The inner hole of the clutch 3 has a first spline groove section and a second spline groove section arranged sequentially from top to bottom. Figure 5 As shown, after assembly, the first spline groove section engages with the odd-numbered shaft 4, the second spline groove section engages with the even-numbered shaft 5, the shaft tooth portion 303 at the lower end of the clutch 3 engages with the oil pump gear 6, and the lower end of the clutch 3 engages with the front bearing cover 7.

[0026] When this invention is working, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the clamping cylinder 202 in the clamping mounting mechanism 1 drives the vertical fixing frames 204 on both sides to close, thereby driving the jaw blocks 208 at the lower end of the jaw plates 214 on both sides to close and clamp the upper clamping end 303 of the clutch 3. The lower end of the hollow positioning spindle 211 in the clamping mounting mechanism 1 is inserted into the clamping end 303 and fitted onto the positioning shaft 301, thereby firmly gripping the clutch 3. Figure 3 As shown, at this time, the gripper plate 214 is subjected to gravity, causing the airtightness detection block 205 on it to fit tightly against the corresponding limiting block 206. The entire cavity of the limiting block 206 is evacuated by the air gap vacuum detection component 201 to form a near-sealed state. When the air gap vacuum detection component 201 detects that the vacuum pressure in the cavity of the limiting block 206 reaches -30 kPa, it will feed back a vacuum signal to the robot 1 control system. The end effector of robot 1 begins installation. When the gripper plate 214 is lifted by an upward force, as... Figure 3As shown, the airtightness detection block 205 at the upper end of the gripper plate 214 disengages from the limit block 206, creating a gap. The inside of the limit block 206 is no longer in a vacuum state. Due to the limited ability of the air gap vacuum detection component 201 to generate negative vacuum pressure, the vacuum degree of the entire air circuit cannot reach the -30Kpa standard. The air gap vacuum detection component 201 no longer feeds back the vacuum degree signal. At this time, the control system of robot 1 will adjust the end effector action when it does not receive the vacuum degree signal until the clutch 3 is aligned with the relevant components. The clutch 3 drops down again and drives the airtightness detection block 205 to move down and re-attach to the limit block 206 through the gripper plate 214. After the air gap vacuum detection component 201 detects that the vacuum pressure has reached the requirement, it feeds back the vacuum degree signal. The end effector of robot 1 continues the installation action.

[0027] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the clamping and mounting mechanism 2 has a connecting plate 213 at its upper end, which is connected to the end of the robot 1. The hollow positioning spindle 211 is located in the middle of the lower side of the connecting plate 213. Gas detection mounting plates 212 are located on both sides of the connecting plate 213, and a horizontal slide rail is located on the lower side of the gas detection mounting plate 212. A horizontal slider 203 is located at the upper end of the vertical fixing frame 204, which cooperates with the horizontal slide rail on the corresponding side. A vertical slide rail is located on the side of the vertical fixing frame 204 near the hollow positioning spindle 211. A vertical slider 207 is located on the gripper plate 214, which cooperates with the vertical slide rail on the corresponding side.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, an airtightness testing gasket 210 is provided on the lower side of the airtightness testing block 205 to ensure airtightness testing and sealing.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the lower end of the hollow positioning spindle 211 is provided with a clutch presence or absence detection sensor 209 for determining whether the clamping installation mechanism 2 clamps the clutch 3. The clutch presence or absence detection sensor 209 is a technology known in the art and is a commercially available product.

[0030] In this embodiment, the air gap vacuum detection component 201 includes a vacuum generator and a vacuum detection sensor. The vacuum generator can generate a vacuum degree, and the vacuum detection sensor is used to detect the vacuum degree value. Its set trigger value is -30 kPa. Both the vacuum generator and the vacuum detection sensor are technologies known in the art and are commercially available products.

[0031] The robot 1 is a technology known in the art and is a commercially available product. Its end, which is connected to the clamping and mounting mechanism 2, can rotate.

[0032] The working principle of this invention is as follows:

[0033] When this invention is in operation, the robot 1 drives the clamping and mounting mechanism 2 to move the clutch 3 to be installed from the corresponding workstation to the upper position of the assembly workstation. When the clamping and mounting mechanism 1 grips the clutch 3, the clamping cylinder 202 drives the vertical fixing frame 204 on both sides to close, which in turn drives the gripper block 208 at the lower end of the gripper plate 214 on both sides to close and clamp the upper end of the clamping end 303 of the clutch 3. The lower end of the hollow positioning mandrel 211 in the clamping and mounting mechanism 1 is inserted into the clamping end 303 and fitted onto the positioning shaft 301, thereby firmly gripping the clutch 3. After the clutch 3 moves to the assembly workstation, it needs to be detected by relevant sensors to ensure that the end of the robot 1, the clamping and mounting mechanism 2, the clutch 3 and the odd-numbered shaft 4 are concentric. This is a well-known technology in the field.

[0034] Then, the clamping and installation mechanism 2 is driven by the robot 1 to rotate at a set speed and descend to begin installation. In its natural state, the gripper plate 214 is subjected to gravity, causing the airtightness detection block 205 on it to fit tightly against the corresponding limit block 206. The entire cavity of the limit block 206 is evacuated by the air gap vacuum detection component 201 to form a near-sealed state. When the air gap vacuum detection component 201 detects that the vacuum pressure in the cavity of the limit block 206 reaches -30Kpa, it will provide a real-time vacuum signal to the robot 1.

[0035] When the clutch 3 descends to the point where the first spline groove in its inner bore contacts the upper end of the odd-numbered shaft 4, if misalignment occurs, the gripper plate 214 is pushed up by an upward force, such as... Figure 3 As shown, at this time, the airtightness detection block 205 at the upper end of the gripper plate 214 disengages from the limit block 206, creating a gap. The inside of the limit block 206 is no longer in a vacuum state. Due to the limited ability of the air gap vacuum detection component 201 to generate negative vacuum pressure, the vacuum degree of the entire air circuit cannot reach the -30Kpa standard. The air gap vacuum detection component 201 no longer feeds back the vacuum degree signal. At this time, the control system of robot 1 does not receive the vacuum degree signal, so it will drive the end to lift up to a set height and rotate to adjust the position of clutch 3 according to the set angle, and then lower it again until the control system receives the vacuum degree signal again. This indicates that the spline of the odd-numbered shaft 4 has been inserted into the first spline groove section. The assembly process of the even-numbered shaft 5 and the oil pump gear 6 is the same as above. If the control system of robot 1 does not receive the feedback vacuum degree signal, it means that it is not aligned. After the end of robot 1 lifts up to a set height (without disengaging from the already installed workpiece), it readjusts the angle of clutch 3 until the control system receives the feedback vacuum degree signal again, indicating that it has been inserted, and finally the entire installation is completed.

[0036] Because robot 1 and the entire clamping and mounting mechanism 2 can effectively control the center, vertical, and rotational speeds during installation, clutch 3 will not collide with the odd and even shafts or the oil pump gears during assembly, ensuring assembly quality. After assembly, clamping cylinder 202 opens, and robot 1 drives clamping and mounting mechanism 2 to disengage from clutch 3.

Claims

1. An automatic installation mechanism of a gearbox clutch, characterized by: The system includes a robot (1) and a clamping mounting mechanism (2) installed at the end of the robot (1). The clamping mounting mechanism (2) includes a clamping cylinder (202), a vertical fixing frame (204), and a gripper plate (214). The vertical fixing frames (204) on both sides are driven to open and close by the clamping cylinder (202). The gripper plate (214) is movably mounted on the vertical fixing frame (204) on the corresponding side. The vertical fixing frame (204) is provided with a limiting block (206), and the limiting block (206) is provided with a limiting block (206). 06) An air leakage hole is provided on the upper side. An air tightness detection block (205) is provided on the upper end of the gripper plate (214), and the air tightness detection block (205) covers the air leakage hole. An air gap vacuum detection component (201) is provided on the clamping installation mechanism (2), and the limiting block (206) is provided with a vent hole and connected to the air gap vacuum detection component (201) through an air pipe. A gripper block (208) is provided on the lower side of the gripper plate (214), and a hollow positioning mandrel (211) is provided in the middle of the clamping installation mechanism (2).

2. An automatic mounting mechanism of a gearbox clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that: During installation, the clamping end (302) at the upper end of the clutch (3) is clamped by the jaw blocks (208) on both sides. The positioning shaft (301) inside the clamping end (302) is inserted into the hollow positioning mandrel (211). The inner hole of the clutch (3) is provided with a first spline groove section and a second spline groove section. The first spline groove section is engaged with the odd-numbered shaft (4), and the second spline groove section is engaged with the even-numbered shaft (5). The lower end of the clutch (3) is provided with a shaft tooth section (303) that is engaged with the oil pump gear (6).

3. An automatic mounting mechanism of a gearbox clutch according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the first spline groove section is not aligned with the odd-numbered shaft (4), when the second spline groove section is not aligned with the even-numbered shaft (5), or when the shaft tooth section (303) is not aligned with the oil pump gear (6), the gripper plate (214) is lifted and drives the air tightness detection block (205) to disengage from the limit stop (206). The robot (1) control system cannot receive the vacuum degree signal fed back by the air gap vacuum detection component (201). At this time, the end of the robot (1) is lifted and the clutch (3) is rotated to adjust its position before being lowered and installed again until the robot (1) control system receives the vacuum degree signal fed back by the air gap vacuum detection component (201) again.

4. The automatic mounting mechanism of a gearbox clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping and mounting mechanism (2) has a connecting plate (213) at its upper end that is connected to the end of the robot (1). The hollow positioning spindle (211) is located in the middle of the lower side of the connecting plate (213). Gas detection mounting plates (212) are located on both sides of the connecting plate (213). A horizontal slide rail is located on the lower side of the gas detection mounting plate (212). A horizontal slider (203) is located at the upper end of the vertical fixing frame (204) and cooperates with the horizontal slide rail.

5. The automatic installation mechanism for the gearbox clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical fixing frame (204) is provided with a vertical slide rail on the side near the hollow positioning spindle (211), and the gripper plate (214) is provided with a vertical slider (207) that cooperates with the vertical slide rail on the corresponding side.

6. The automatic installation mechanism for the gearbox clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that: An airtightness testing pad (210) is provided on the lower side of the airtightness testing block (205).

7. The automatic installation mechanism for the gearbox clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the hollow positioning mandrel (211) is equipped with a clutch presence or absence detection sensor (209).

8. The automatic installation mechanism for the gearbox clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gap vacuum detection assembly (201) includes a vacuum generator and a vacuum detection sensor.

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