Automated positioning ball valve installation apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of automotive parts manufacturing technology, and more particularly to an automatic positioning ball valve installation equipment. The equipment includes a frame, on which a ball valve positioning fixture and a valve core installation device are mounted. The ball valve positioning fixture includes a ball valve tool mounted on the frame, and a clamping device that cooperates with the ball valve tool to press the ball valve. The valve core installation device includes a clamping device for holding the valve core, connected to a press-fitting drive device. The press-fitting drive device drives the clamping device to press the valve core into the ball valve housing. The frame also includes a guide device for guiding the valve core, comprising a guide post that cooperates with the valve core for positioning. The positioning guide post and the clamping assembly cooperate with the valve core from two directions. By guiding the valve core through the guide device, the slippage between the valve core and the shaft seal caused by positioning errors is reduced. This automatic positioning installation provides high installation accuracy, thereby ensuring the stability and service life of the ball valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive parts manufacturing technology, and in particular to automatic positioning ball valve installation equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The four-way valve is the main actuator of the automotive engine cooling water circulation system. It includes a ball valve body, valve core, dynamic sealing ring, bracket, ball valve body machining channel and port, valve core connected to drive shaft, drive shaft controlled by motor rotation, and a shaft seal between drive shaft and ball valve body. To achieve precise installation, those skilled in the art have designed installation equipment. A robot arm is used to install the ball valve body with the shaft seal on the ball valve tooling. Then, the robot arm presses the valve core into the ball valve body. Due to positioning deviations during assembly, the drive shaft of the valve core may cause slight scratches to the shaft seal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an automatic positioning ball valve installation device that can guide the valve core and ensure positioning accuracy.

[0004] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution: an automatic positioning ball valve installation device, comprising a frame, on which a ball valve positioning fixture and a valve core installation device are mounted.

[0005] The ball valve positioning fixture includes a ball valve fixture mounted on a frame, and the frame is also equipped with a clamping device that cooperates with the ball valve fixture to clamp the ball valve.

[0006] The valve core mounting device includes a clamping device for holding the valve core, the clamping device being connected to a press-fitting drive device, the press-fitting drive device being capable of driving the clamping device to press the valve core into the ball valve housing.

[0007] The frame is also equipped with a guide device for guiding the valve core. The guide device includes a guide post that cooperates with the valve core for positioning. The positioning guide post and the clamping assembly cooperate with the valve core from two directions.

[0008] Furthermore, the clamping device includes an expansion column that cooperates with the inner cavity of the valve core. The expansion column is connected to an opening drive device and a closing drive device, configured such that the expansion column is pressed and fixed against the inner wall of the valve core in the open state, and the expansion column is disengaged from the inner wall of the valve core in the closed state.

[0009] Furthermore, the expansion column includes multiple sliders, and a cylindrical opening driving cavity is formed between the multiple sliders. The opening driving device includes a driving column disposed in the opening driving cavity. The end of the driving column is provided with an inclined surface that cooperates with the inner wall of the slider. During the relative movement of the driving column and the expansion column, the expansion column can be driven to open. The closing driving device includes an elastic ring disposed outside the expansion column. The pressing driving device includes a movable seat. The movable seat is provided with a sliding groove that cooperates with the slider. The driving column and the movable seat are slidably connected.

[0010] Furthermore, the movable seat is provided with a plurality of guide blocks surrounding the drive column, and a sliding groove is formed between two adjacent guide blocks. The elastic ring is fitted around the expansion column and the guide blocks.

[0011] Furthermore, the guide post and the expansion post are arranged coaxially, and the end of the guide post is provided with a connector that mates with the drive shaft of the valve core. The guide post is connected to a lifting seat, the lifting seat is connected to a lifting drive device, and a buffer device is provided between the lifting seat and the lifting drive device.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressing device includes a pressure plate disposed on a lifting seat, the lifting seat being able to drive the pressure plate to descend and engage with the upper end of the ball valve.

[0013] Furthermore, the clamping device includes a telescopic positioning column that mates with the port of the ball valve, and the telescopic positioning column is connected to a telescopic drive device.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: An automatic positioning ball valve installation device includes a frame, on which a ball valve positioning fixture and a valve core installation device are provided. The ball valve positioning fixture includes a ball valve fixture mounted on the frame. The frame also includes a clamping device that cooperates with the ball valve fixture to press the ball valve. The valve core installation device includes a clamping device for holding the valve core. The clamping device is connected to a press-fitting drive device, which can drive the clamping device to press the valve core into the ball valve housing. The frame also includes a guide device for guiding the valve core. The guide device includes a guide post that cooperates with the valve core for positioning. The positioning guide post and the clamping assembly cooperate with the valve core from two directions. By guiding the valve core through the guide device, the slippage between the valve core and the shaft seal caused by positioning errors is reduced. Automatic positioning and installation are achieved with high installation accuracy, thereby ensuring the stability and service life of the ball valve. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 1;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ball valve positioning fixture structure in Example 1;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a disassembly diagram of a four-way ball valve;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the valve core and the ball valve body;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the clamping device and the ball valve;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping device structure;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of the expansion column;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the guiding device structure;

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the guide column structure;

[0024] The components are as follows: 1. Frame; 2. Stand; 3. Lifting seat one; 4. Drive cylinder one; 5. Lifting seat two; 6. Drive cylinder two; 7. Guide column; 8. Pressure plate; 9. Guide plate; 10. Telescopic positioning column; 11. Ball valve body; 12. Ball valve tooling; 13. Lifting seat three; 14. Expansion column; 15. Valve core; 16. Splined shaft; 17. Dynamic sealing ring; 18. Shaft seal; 19. Bracket; 20. Connector; 21. Moving seat; 22. Drive column; 23. Guide block; 24. Inclined surface; 25. Slide groove; 26. Groove; 27. Slider; 28. Elastic ring; 29. ​​Drive cylinder three; 30. Drive cylinder four; 31. Drive cylinder five; 32. Drive cylinder six; 33. Connecting seat; 34. Positioning groove. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] like Figure 1-9As shown, an automatic positioning ball valve installation device is used to assemble a four-way ball valve for an automotive engine cooling water circulation system. The four-way ball valve includes a ball valve body 11, which is integrally formed with three transverse ports. A valve core 15 is installed inside the ball valve body 11. The valve core 15 is integrally formed with a drive shaft, the end of which is a splined shaft 16, which can be connected to a motor and driven by the motor to perform actions. A dynamic sealing ring 17 is also installed between the valve core 15 and the ball valve body 11, and the dynamic sealing ring 17 is supported by a bracket 19, thereby ensuring a sealing fit between the valve core 15 and the ball valve body 11. A port is also integrally formed on the bracket 19. After assembly, a four-way ball valve body is obtained. In this embodiment, it is an automatic installation device that assembles four components: valve core 15, ball valve body 11, shaft seal 18, and dynamic sealing ring 17.

[0028] Includes frame 1, on which ball valve positioning fixture and valve core 15 mounting device are fixedly installed.

[0029] The ball valve positioning fixture includes a ball valve fixture 12 fixed on the frame 1. The upper end face of the ball valve fixture 12 is integrally formed with a groove that matches the ball valve body 11. The frame 1 is also equipped with a clamping device that matches the ball valve fixture 12 to clamp the ball valve. The clamping device includes a telescopic positioning post 10 that matches the transverse port of the ball valve body 11. The telescopic positioning post 10 is connected to a telescopic drive device. The telescopic drive device is a drive cylinder 32. The drive cylinder 32 drives the telescopic positioning post 10 to move, thereby inserting the end of the telescopic positioning post 10 into the transverse port or clamping it with the transverse port to position the upper end of the ball valve body 11.

[0030] The valve core 15 mounting device includes a clamping device for holding the valve core 15. The clamping device is connected to a press-fitting drive device, which drives the clamping device to press the valve core 15 into the ball valve housing 11. The clamping device includes an expansion column 14 that mates with the inner cavity of the valve core 15. The expansion column 14 is connected to an opening drive device and a closing drive device. In the open state, the expansion column 14 presses and fixes against the inner wall of the valve core 15, thereby positioning the valve core 15. In the closed state, the expansion column 14 disengages from the inner wall of the valve core 15, allowing the valve core 15 to be removed along with the ball valve housing 11 after press-fitting, thus completing the installation. In this embodiment, the expansion column 14 includes 4-8 sliders 27, which are made of stainless steel and can also be hardened as required. To ensure structural strength and wear resistance, the sliders 27, when assembled, form a cylindrical shape. The outer wall of the sliders 27 mates with the inner wall of the ball valve, thus making the expansion column 14 and the valve core 15 coaxial. Correspondingly, the expansion column 14 and the drive shaft of the valve core 15 are coaxial. A cylindrical opening drive cavity is formed between the sliders 27. The opening drive device includes a drive column 22 inserted into the opening drive cavity. The end of the drive column 22 is machined with a slope 24 that mates with the inner wall of the slider 27. In this embodiment, the end of the drive column 22 is machined into an inverted frustum shape, and the inner wall of the slider 27 is also machined with a slope 24. This ensures that the end of the drive column 22 does not extend upward beyond the expansion column 14 under normal conditions. During the relative movement of the drive column 22 and the expansion column 14, the expansion column 14 can be opened through the engagement of the slope 24. To extend service life, regular lubrication is required. The closing drive device includes an elastic ring 28 fitted around the expansion column 14. The elastic ring 28 can be a sealing ring or a retaining ring. The press-fit drive device includes a movable base 21, on which a groove 25 is integrally formed to mate with the slider 27. The drive column 22 and the movable base 21 are slidably connected. Specifically, guide blocks 23 corresponding to the number of sliders 27 are integrally formed around the drive column 22 on the movable base 21. A groove 25 is formed between two adjacent guide blocks 23. The elastic ring 28 is fitted around the expansion column 14 and the guide blocks 23. Grooves 26 that mate with the elastic ring 28 are machined on the outer walls of both the slider 27 and the guide blocks 23 to position the elastic ring 28, thereby ensuring proper contact between the slider 27 and the guide blocks 23. Without vertical relative displacement, the elastic ring 28 is prevented from being exposed and squeezed against the valve core 15. By controlling the dimensions of the guide block 23 and the slider 27, when the expansion column 14 is closed, the inner wall of the slider 27 extends inward beyond the guide block 23 and fits against the drive column 22. When the expansion column 14 is open, the outer wall of the slider 27 extends outward beyond the guide block 23 and fits against the inner wall of the valve core 15. This achieves the purpose of clamping and positioning the valve core 15. In the positioned state, the drive column 22, the expansion column 14, and the drive shaft of the valve core 15 are coaxial. The upper end of the moving seat 21 is integrally formed with a positioning groove 34 that cooperates with the dynamic sealing ring 17. The frame 1 is also equipped with guide plates 9 that cooperate with the positioning groove 34. In this embodiment, there are 3 guide plates 9.Each guide plate 9 is connected to a drive cylinder 31. Driven by the cylinder 31, the guide plate 9 moves from its side to approach the dynamic sealing ring 17, thereby guiding the dynamic sealing ring 17 so that it can be pressed into the ball valve body 11 along with the valve core 15.

[0031] The movable seat 21 is installed on the lifting seat 3 13. The lifting seat 3 13 is connected to the drive cylinder 3 29. The drive cylinder 3 29 drives the lifting seat 3 13 to rise and fall, thereby controlling the rise and fall of the movable seat 21. When the movable seat 21 rises, it pushes the valve core 15 into the ball valve housing 11 through the expansion column 14. The drive column 22 passes downward through the movable seat 21. The lifting seat 3 13 is also equipped with a drive cylinder 4 30 for driving the drive column 22. The action of the drive cylinder 4 30 causes a longitudinal relative displacement between the drive column 22 and the expansion column 14, which in turn cooperates with the elastic ring 28 to control the opening and closing of the expansion column 14.

[0032] The frame 1 is also equipped with a guide device for guiding the valve core 15. A stand 2 is fixed on the frame 1. The guide device includes a lifting seat 3 mounted on the stand 2. The lifting seat 3 is connected to a drive cylinder 4. The drive cylinder 4 drives the lifting seat 3 to rise and fall. The lifting seat 3 is equipped with a second lifting seat 5 and a second drive cylinder 6. The drive cylinder 6 drives the second lifting seat 5 to rise and fall. The power of the second drive cylinder 6 is less than that of the first drive cylinder 4, thus forming an elastic buffer device. The second lifting seat 5 is also equipped with a guide post 7 that is axially engaged with the drive axis of the valve core 15. The end of the guide post 7 is machined with a plug 20 that is engaged with the spline shaft 16. The guide post 7 and the spline shaft 16 are coaxial and have the same outer diameter. The second lifting seat 5 is connected to the guide post 7 through a connecting seat 33. The guide post 7 can rotate within the connecting seat 33, thereby cooperating with the buffer device so that the plug 20 and the spline shaft 16 can be coaxially engaged.

[0033] The clamping device also includes a transverse pressure plate 8 installed on the lifting seat 3. The lifting seat 3 can drive the pressure plate 8 to descend and press against the upper end of the ball valve body 11, thereby positioning and fixing the ball valve body 11.

[0034] Lifting seat 1 (3), lifting seat 2 (5), lifting seat 3 (13), moving seat (21), telescopic positioning column (10), and guide plate (9) are all connected to the frame 1 or the upright frame 2 via corresponding linear guide rails, thereby ensuring the accuracy of linear motion.

[0035] The automatic positioning ball valve installation equipment provided in this embodiment operates as follows:

[0036] Step 1: First, the shaft seal 18 is assembled onto the ball valve housing 11 using a robotic arm to obtain a pre-assembled ball valve housing 11. Then, the valve core 15 is placed on the expansion column 14 using a robotic arm, with the upper end of the expansion column 14 inserted into the valve core 15. Next, the dynamic sealing ring 17 is placed using a robotic arm. The dynamic sealing ring 17 is positioned and supported by the positioning groove 34. The driving cylinder 31 is activated to bring the guide plate 9 close to the dynamic sealing ring 17, guiding the dynamic sealing ring 17 and allowing it to shift or tilt.

[0037] Step 2: The pre-assembled ball valve housing 11 is placed on the ball valve fixture 12 by a robotic arm. The positioning accuracy of the robotic arm ensures that the ball valve housing 11 and the valve core 15 are aligned. The first drive cylinder 4 is activated, causing the lifting cylinder 1 to descend. The pressure plate 8 presses down on the upper end of the ball valve housing 11. Then, the second drive cylinder 6 is activated, causing the guide column 7 to move downward and engage with the drive shaft of the valve core 15. During this process, the guide column 7 can rotate, thereby enabling the spline shaft 16 to engage with the connector 20. It is worth noting that since the guide column 7 moves downward through the ball valve housing 11, when the positioning accuracy of the ball valve housing 11 is poor, it can automatically correct the position of the ball valve housing 11. The guide column 7 pushes the valve core 15 downward, pressing the valve core 15 against the moving seat 21.

[0038] Step 3: Drive cylinder 4 30 moves, pulling down drive column 22. Drive column 22 drives expansion column 14 to open through inclined plane 24, thereby correcting and fixing the position of valve core 15. It is worth noting that by adjusting, it can be ensured that guide column 7, drive column 22 and expansion sleeve are coaxial. After this step, guide column 7, drive column 22, expansion sleeve and valve core 15 are coaxial.

[0039] Step four: The drive cylinder six 32 is activated, which causes the telescopic positioning column 10 to be inserted into the transverse pipe opening, thereby correcting and fixing the position of the ball valve body 11. Since the guide column 7 is inserted downward into the ball valve body 11, and with the cooperation of the pressure plate 8, the ball valve body 11 cannot be flipped, but can only be rotated horizontally for correction.

[0040] Step 5: Drive cylinder 3 29 is activated, pressing valve core 15 and dynamic sealing ring 17 upward into predetermined position within ball valve housing 11 via movable seat 21. During this process, drive cylinder 2 6 is pushed upward. Since drive cylinder 2 6 has relatively low power, it can be pushed upward. Furthermore, since the force of drive cylinder 2 6 always acts on valve core 15 through guide post 7, it guides valve core 15 throughout the pressing process. In addition, since connector 20 is inserted into spline shaft 16, the drive shaft of valve core 15 smoothly transitions when passing through shaft seal 18, thereby avoiding slippage between shaft seals 18.

[0041] Step Six: Drive cylinder 1 (4), drive cylinder 2 (6), drive cylinder 4 (30), drive cylinder 5 (31), and drive cylinder 6 (32) are reset, and then drive cylinder 3 (29) is reset. The pre-assembled parts consisting of valve core 15, ball valve housing 11, shaft seal 18, and dynamic sealing ring 17 are removed by the robotic arm and then proceed to the next step to install bracket 19, motor, and other components.

[0042] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," which indicate direction or positional relationships, are based on the direction or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are used merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0043] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0044] The term "comprising" or any other similar term is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, article, or apparatus / device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to those processes, articles, or apparatus / devices.

[0045] The technical solution of the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after such changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic positioning ball valve installation device for assembling a four-way ball valve for an automotive engine cooling water circulation system, the four-way ball valve comprising a ball valve body (11), the ball valve body (11) being integrally formed with three transverse ports, a valve core (15) installed inside the ball valve body (11), the valve core (15) being integrally formed with a drive shaft, the end of the drive shaft being a splined shaft (16), and a dynamic sealing ring (17) being installed between the valve core (15) and the ball valve body (11), characterized in that, The automatic positioning ball valve installation equipment includes a frame (1), on which a ball valve positioning fixture and a valve core (15) installation device are provided. The ball valve positioning fixture includes a ball valve fixture (12) mounted on a frame (1), and the frame (1) is also provided with a clamping device that cooperates with the ball valve fixture (12) to clamp the ball valve body (11). The valve core (15) mounting device includes a clamping device for holding the valve core (15), the clamping device being connected to a press-fitting drive device, the press-fitting drive device being able to drive the clamping device to press the valve core (15) into the ball valve housing (11), the clamping device including an expansion column (14) that cooperates with the inner cavity of the valve core (15), the expansion column (14) being connected to an opening drive device and a closing drive device, configured such that, in the open state, the expansion column (14) is pressed and fixed against the inner wall of the valve core (15), and in the closed state, the expansion column (14) is disengaged from the inner wall of the valve core (15). The expansion column (14) includes multiple sliders (27), forming a cylindrical opening drive cavity between the multiple sliders (27). The opening drive device includes a drive column (22) disposed within the opening drive cavity. The end of the drive column (22) is provided with an inclined surface (24) that cooperates with the inner wall of the slider (27). During the relative movement of the drive column (22) and the expansion column (14), the expansion column (14) can be driven to open. The closing drive device includes an elastic ring (28) disposed outside the expansion column (14). The pressing drive device includes a movable seat (21), which is provided with a sliding groove (25) that cooperates with the slider (27). The drive column (22) and the movable seat (21) are slidably connected. The frame (1) is also provided with a guide device for guiding the valve core (15). The guide device includes a guide post (7) that cooperates with the valve core (15) for positioning. The guide post (7) and the clamping assembly cooperate with the valve core (15) from two directions. A stand (2) is fixed on the frame (1). The guide post (7) is connected to a lifting seat. The lifting seat is connected to a lifting drive device. The clamping device includes a pressure plate (8) set on the lifting seat. The lifting seat can drive the pressure plate (8) to descend and squeeze and cooperate with the upper end of the ball valve. The clamping device also includes a telescopic positioning post (10) that cooperates with the port of the ball valve body (11). The telescopic positioning post (10) is connected to a telescopic drive device. The working steps are as follows: the pre-assembled ball valve housing (11) is placed on the ball valve fixture (12) by the robot arm, so that the ball valve housing (11) corresponds to the valve core (15). The pressure plate (8) presses down on the upper end of the ball valve housing (11), driving the guide column (7) downward to cooperate with the drive shaft of the valve core (15). The guide column (7) can rotate, thereby allowing the spline shaft (16) to cooperate with the plug (20). The drive column (22) drives the expansion column (14) through the inclined surface (24). Open, then correct and fix the position of the valve core (15), insert the telescopic positioning column (10) into the transverse pipe, then correct and fix the position of the ball valve body (11), press the valve core (15) and the dynamic sealing ring (17) into the predetermined position inside the ball valve body (11) by moving seat (21), and take out the pre-assembled parts of the four components of valve core (15), ball valve body (11), shaft seal (18) and dynamic sealing ring (17) by robot arm.

2. The automatic positioning ball valve installation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, Multiple guide blocks (23) are arranged around the drive column (22) on the movable seat (21), and a groove (25) is formed between two adjacent guide blocks (23). The elastic ring (28) is fitted around the expansion column (14) and the guide block (23).

3. The automatic positioning ball valve installation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The guide post (7) is coaxially arranged with the expansion post (14), and the end of the guide post (7) is provided with a plug (20) that cooperates with the drive shaft of the valve core (15). A buffer device is also provided between the lifting seat and the lifting drive device.

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