A positioning and control device for precision welding of torque converter

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of arc welding technology and discloses a positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter. The device comprises a slide rail, a slider slidably connected to the top of the slide rail, and a clamping cylinder for clamping the torque converter assembly. A flat bearing is provided at the output end of the clamping cylinder, a positioning plate is fixedly mounted at the bottom end of the flat bearing, a bowl-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the positioning plate, a pressure plate movable relative to the positioning plate is provided in the groove, and a detection device is provided in the groove for detecting whether the pressure plate is centered and pressing against the positioning plate. The present invention provides a preliminary guarantee for the stability of the distance between the weld seam and the welding gun of the torque converter assembly during the welding process by detecting the positioning of the slider and the centering of the clamping cylinder. At the same time, through combined detection, a mutual self-check is formed for two abnormal working conditions, making it easier for operators to determine where the problem occurs. Completing positioning before welding and testing after positioning can reduce the welding defect rate caused by inaccurate positioning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of arc welding, in particular to a positioning and control device for precision welding of a hydraulic torque converter. Background Art

[0002] The torque converter consists of a pump wheel, a turbine and a guide wheel. It transmits kinetic energy through liquid and is mostly used between the engine and gearbox of household cars, engineering vehicles, etc.

[0003] Torque converter assembly welding typically uses tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) for spot positioning, followed by mixed gas arc welding (MAG) for circumferential welding of the assembly. The end faces of the connecting blocks are then milled to ensure flatness after welding. During MAG welding, four welding torches are evenly spaced in a circle, and a servo motor drives the torque converter assembly to slowly rotate 90°. For details, see Chinese Patent No. CN 112276309A, which describes a four-gun automatic welding device for torque converter assemblies.

[0004] During welding, the torque converter assembly, after spot welding, is mounted on a support. The support is then moved directly below the clamping cylinder. The welding gun position is adjusted (adjustment is only required for the first time), the welding gun is driven to the weld, and the welding gun and the servo motor that drives the torque converter assembly to rotate are started synchronously. During this process, the precise positioning of the support and its alignment with the axis of the clamping cylinder must be strictly controlled. At the same time, the axis of the torque converter assembly must be aligned with the clamping cylinder. Otherwise, during rotational welding, the distance between the local weld and the welding gun may change due to eccentric rotation, affecting the welding quality. Furthermore, during the process of the screw driving the support, the wear of the screw or the accumulation of weld dust at the screw positioning point may cause errors in the alignment of the support and the clamping cylinder, which may also affect the welding quality. To address this issue, a positioning control device for arc welding is proposed to address the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the shortcomings of the existing torque converter welding equipment mentioned in the background technology during use, the present invention provides a positioning and control device for precision welding of torque converters, which has the advantages of stable welding positioning and self-inspection of weld alignment, thereby solving the above-mentioned background technology problems.

[0006] The present invention provides the following technical solution: a positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter, comprising a slide rail, a slider slidably connected to the top of the slide rail, and a clamping cylinder for clamping the torque converter assembly, the slider being used to send the torque converter assembly to a welding positioning point, a contact switch being provided on the top of the slide rail, the contact switch being used to control the stroke positioning of the slider; a plane bearing being provided at the output end of the clamping cylinder, the plane bearing being used to clamp the central axis of the torque converter assembly and provide a fixed support point for the rotation of the torque converter assembly, a positioning plate being fixedly mounted on the bottom end of the plane bearing, a bowl-shaped groove being provided at the bottom of the positioning plate, a pressure plate movable relative to the positioning plate being provided in the groove, a detection device being provided in the groove for detecting whether the pressure plate is centered and pressing toward the positioning plate.

[0007] Preferably, symmetrically arranged slide grooves are provided on the left and right sides of the pressure plate, and a limit slide bar is slidably connected in the slide groove, and the limit slide bar is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the groove of the positioning plate. The detection device is a pressure sensor fixedly installed at the bottom center of the positioning plate. When the pressure plate slides to the top of the groove of the positioning plate, the pressure on the pressure sensor by the pressure plate reaches the maximum only in the centered state.

[0008] Preferably, there is vertical movement space between the sliding groove and the limiting sliding bar.

[0009] Preferably, the top of the pressure plate is adapted to the bottom of the positioning plate and the shape of the groove, and a positioning spring is fixedly installed on the edge horizontal platform of the positioning plate and the pressure plate. The detection device is a pressure sensor fixedly installed at the center of the bottom of the positioning plate. When the pressure plate slides to the top of the groove of the positioning plate, the pressure on the pressure sensor by the pressure plate reaches the maximum only in the centered state.

[0010] Preferably, the pressure sensors are provided in plurality and arranged in an annular array on the inclined surface of the groove.

[0011] Preferably, the positioning spring is arranged at the inclined surface of the groove, and the axial arrangement of the positioning spring is inclined toward the rotation direction of the pressure plate.

[0012] Preferably, the top of the pressure plate is adapted to the bottom of the positioning plate and the shape of the groove, and a positioning spring is fixedly installed on the edge horizontal platform of the positioning plate and the pressure plate. The detection device is a permanent magnet installed on the top of the pressure plate and an induction coil installed on the bottom of the positioning plate. The permanent magnet and the induction coil are arranged correspondingly. When the pressure plate slides to the top of the groove of the positioning plate, the induction coil does not generate an electrical signal only in the centered state.

[0013] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] 1. This invention proactively ensures the stability of the distance between the weld seam and the welding torch during the torque converter assembly welding process by detecting the positioning of the slider and the centering of the clamping cylinder. This combined detection also enables a mutual self-check of both abnormal operating conditions, making it easier for operators to identify the problem.

[0015] 2. The present invention can reduce the defective welding rate caused by inaccurate positioning by completing positioning before welding and testing after positioning.

[0016] 3. The present invention realizes a variety of centering detection methods through the arrangement and coordination of the slide groove, the limit slide bar, and the pressure sensor, or the positioning spring with the pressure sensor, or the positioning spring with the induction coil, for selection according to the needs of actual use scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the centering detection structure arrangement according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A is an enlarged schematic diagram;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the centering detection structure arrangement according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the centering detection structure arrangement of embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure: 1. Bracket; 2. Clamping cylinder; 3. Slide rail; 4. Slider; 5. Screw; 6. Feeding servo motor; 7. Welding servo motor; 8. Support; 9. Torque converter assembly; 10. Plane bearing; 11. Welding gun assembly; 12. Contact switch; 13. Positioning plate; 14. Pressure plate; 15. Slide; 16. Limiting slide; 17. Pressure sensor; 18. Positioning spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] See also Figure 1A positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter includes a bracket 1. A pressing cylinder 2 and a slide rail 3 are respectively provided on the upper and lower parts of the bracket 1. A slider 4 is slidably connected to the top of the slide rail 3. A screw rod 5 is connected to the inner thread of the slider 4. One end of the screw rod 5 is connected to the feeding servo motor 6 through a coupling. The other end of the screw rod 5 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the bracket 1 through a bearing. The screw rod 5 is arranged horizontally. The feeding servo motor 6 is installed on the inner bottom of the bracket 1 through bolts. The feeding servo motor 6 drives the screw rod 5 to rotate forward and reverse to drive the slider 4 to move back and forth. A welding servo motor is fixedly installed on the top of the slider 4. Motor 7, the output shaft of the welding servo motor 7 is fixedly connected to the support 8, and the top of the support 8 is used to clamp the central axis of the fixed torque converter assembly 9, so that the torque converter assembly 9 can be vertically installed on the support 8, and the welding servo motor 7 drives the support 8 and the torque converter assembly 9 to rotate synchronously with the fixed axis. A plane bearing 10 is provided at the output end of the clamping cylinder 2. The plane bearing 10 is used to clamp the central axis of the torque converter assembly 9 and provide a fixed support point for the rotation of the torque converter assembly 9. Four groups of welding gun assemblies 11 are provided in a circular array around the clamping cylinder 2, and the welding gun assembly 11 can be adjusted up and down. After the slider 4 is adjusted to the position directly below the clamping cylinder 2 by the feeding servo motor 6, the output end of the clamping cylinder 2 is extended and downward to align the top of the central axis of the torque converter assembly 9 and clamp the torque converter assembly 9. The welding gun assembly 11 is adjusted to the vicinity of the weld of the torque converter assembly 9, and the welding servo motor 7 and the welding gun assembly 11 are started at the same time, and rotated 90° at the rated angular velocity. Considering the butt joint of the weld, the rotation angle can be appropriately increased.

[0025] A contact switch 12 is provided at the top of the slide rail 3. This switch is used to control the start and stop of the feed servo motor 6. When one side of the slider 4 contacts the switch 12, the central axis of the support 8 above the slider 4 becomes collinear with the central axis of the clamping cylinder 2. Thus, in addition to ensuring stable operating spacing control for the feed servo motor 6 itself, the contact switch 12 can also provide precise control of the operating position of the slider 4.

[0026] Example 1, see Figure 2 and Figure 3The plane bearing 10 consists of an upper bearing seat, a support roller, and a lower bearing seat. The upper bearing seat is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the compression cylinder 2. The outer ring of the lower bearing seat is fixedly installed with a positioning plate 13 through a flange. A bowl-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the positioning plate 13. A pressure plate 14 is provided in the groove. Slide grooves 15 are provided on the left and right sides of the pressure plate 14. The two slide grooves 15 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the pressure plate 14. A limiting slide bar 16 is slidably connected in the slide groove 15. The limiting slide bar 16 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the groove of the positioning plate 13. The two limiting slide bars 16 are also symmetrically arranged on both sides of the positioning plate 13. A pressure sensor 17 is fixedly installed at the bottom center of the positioning plate 13. When the pressure plate 14 slides to the top of the groove of the positioning plate 13, the pressure of the pressure sensor 17 received by the pressure plate 14 reaches the maximum.

[0027] To ensure the installation of the pressure plate 14, in addition to maintaining a relatively sliding state, the slide groove 15 and the limiting slide bar 16 must also be locked with the limiting slide bar 16 to prevent the pressure plate 14 from falling completely. That is, there is vertical space for movement between the slide groove 15 and the limiting slide bar 16, and the space height must be controlled at 2-5mm.

[0028] When the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 are in contact and pressurized with centering positive pressure, the pressure sensor 17 can reach its maximum rated detection pressure value after tightening. When the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 are in contact and pressurized with eccentric positive pressure, after tightening, the pressure plate 14 slides eccentrically and misaligns, pressing against the pressure sensor 17. This causes the positive pressure applied to the pressure sensor 17 to be less than the rated maximum detection pressure value, thereby determining whether the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 are in contact and pressurized with eccentric pressure. At the same time, combined with the position control of the contact switch 12, it is possible to accurately determine whether the positioning is normal.

[0029] Example 2, see Figure 4 The top of the pressure plate 14 is adapted to the bottom and groove shape of the positioning plate 13. A positioning spring 18 is fixedly installed on the horizontal platform of the bottom edge of the positioning plate 13. There are several positioning springs 18 and a circular array at the bottom of the positioning plate 13. One end of the positioning spring 18 is fixedly connected to the horizontal part of the top edge of the pressure plate 14. The positioning spring 18 controls the initial distance between the pressure plate 14 and the positioning plate 13 to be within 1 cm.

[0030] By replacing the chute 15 and the limiting slide 16 in the first embodiment with the positioning spring 18, the contact point restriction between the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 is removed, improving adaptability and making it easier to implement in practice. Specifically, when the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 are aligned and positively pressurized, all the positioning springs 18 are simultaneously compressed, and the pressure sensor 17 reaches its maximum rated detection value. Due to the poor radial resistance of the positioning spring 18, when the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 make eccentric contact, the pressure sensor 17 will not be able to receive the perfect positive pressure of the pressure plate 14, that is, it will not reach the maximum rated detection value, thus obtaining a judgment result.

[0031] Taking into account the detection accuracy of the pressure sensor 17, multiple pressure sensors 17 can be provided, and the annular array can be arranged on the inclined surface of the groove. In this way, the offset pressure plate 14 can always make the local pressure sensor 17 preferentially subjected to a larger pressure, and the judgment result can be obtained through the uneven distribution of the pressure detection value.

[0032] Example 3, see Figure 5 On the basis of the second embodiment, considering that the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 need to rotate synchronously after being pressed against each other, in order to prevent the pressure plate 14 and the positioning plate 13 from generating an excessively large relative rotation angle, the positioning spring 18 is arranged on the inclined surface of the groove, and the axial arrangement of the positioning spring 18 is inclined toward the direction of the pressure plate 14, so that when the pressure plate 14 rotates relative to the positioning plate 13, the positioning spring 18 can be subjected to axial pressure to prevent the pressure plate 14 from rotating relative to the positioning plate 13.

[0033] In Example 4, based on Examples 2 and 3, the pressure sensor 17 is eliminated. Instead, a permanent magnet is installed on the top of the pressure plate 14, and an induction coil is installed on the bottom of the positioning plate 13, with the permanent magnet and the induction coil arranged in a corresponding manner. If the torque converter assembly 9 and the pressure plate 14 are not aligned and pressed together, the torque converter assembly 9 will rotate synchronously with the pressure plate 14, resulting in periodic relative translation between the pressure plate 14 and the positioning plate 13, which can generate an induced current or induced electromotive force. The detection result can be obtained through an amplifier. Specifically, after the pressure plate 14 presses the torque converter assembly 9, before welding is initiated, the welding servo motor 7 is used to drive the torque converter assembly 9 at the rated speed to detect the presence of the amplified induced current or induced electromotive force.

[0034] The second, third and fourth embodiments can all be determined by the combined contact switch 12 to eliminate the factors affecting the movement of the slider 4 due to wear or dust accumulation of the screw rod 5.

[0035] Considering the wiring problem of the rotating body, an electric slip ring is connected to the outer ring of the positioning plate 13 or an avoidance groove is opened at the central axis of the positioning plate 13, and the relevant structure is suspended and installed at the bottom center position of the clamping cylinder 2 by passing through the plane bearing 10.

[0036] The control method of the first embodiment is as follows:

[0037] S1. After installing the torque converter assembly 9, Figure 1 As shown in the dotted line portion, the feeding servo motor 6 is started to drive the slider 4 to move to the contact switch 12. When the contact switch 12 is triggered, the feeding servo motor 6 stops running and locks the slider 4 at the current position;

[0038] S2. Start the compression cylinder 2 downward, driving the plane bearing 10 to compress the top of the torque converter assembly 9. After the pressure plate 14 is pressed against the torque converter assembly 9, determine whether the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 17 is within the rated value range. If it is, proceed to step S3.

[0039] S3, start the welding gun assembly 11 downward, and then start the welding servo motor 7 synchronously.

[0040] The control method of the second embodiment is as follows:

[0041] S1. After installing the torque converter assembly 9, Figure 1 As shown in the dotted line portion, the feeding servo motor 6 is started to drive the slider 4 to move to the contact switch 12. When the contact switch 12 is triggered, the feeding servo motor 6 stops running and locks the slider 4 at the current position;

[0042] S2. Start the pressing cylinder 2 downward, driving the plane bearing 10 to press the top of the torque converter assembly 9. After the pressure plate 14 is pressed against the torque converter assembly 9, determine whether the pressure values ​​detected by the multiple pressure sensors 17 are approximately equal within the error range or whether the pressure value distribution is balanced; if so, proceed to step S3.

[0043] S3, start the welding gun assembly 11 downward, and then start the welding servo motor 7 synchronously.

[0044] The control method of the third embodiment is as follows:

[0045] S1. After installing the torque converter assembly 9, Figure 1 As shown in the dotted line portion, the feeding servo motor 6 is started to drive the slider 4 to move to the contact switch 12. When the contact switch 12 is triggered, the feeding servo motor 6 stops running and locks the slider 4 at the current position;

[0046] S2. Start the compression cylinder 2 downward, driving the plane bearing 10 to compress the top of the torque converter assembly 9. After the pressure plate 14 is pressed against the torque converter assembly 9, determine whether the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 17 is within the rated value range. If it is, proceed to step S3.

[0047] S3, start the welding gun assembly 11 downward, and then start the welding servo motor 7 synchronously.

[0048] The control method of the fourth embodiment is as follows:

[0049] S1. After installing the torque converter assembly 9, Figure 1 As shown in the dotted line portion, the feeding servo motor 6 is started to drive the slider 4 to move to the contact switch 12. When the contact switch 12 is triggered, the feeding servo motor 6 stops running and locks the slider 4 at the current position;

[0050] S2. Start the pressing cylinder 2 downward to drive the plane bearing 10 to press the top of the torque converter assembly 9. After the pressure plate 14 is pressed against the torque converter assembly 9, start the welding servo motor 7 to drive the torque converter assembly 9 to rotate at the rated speed. Determine whether there is an induced current or induced electromotive force in the induction coil. If no induced current or induced electromotive force exists, the condition is met. If so, proceed to step S3.

[0051] S3, start the welding gun assembly 11 downward, and then synchronously start the welding servo motor 7;

[0052] S4. During the welding process, the induction coil is monitored in real time to determine whether there is an abnormal electrical signal to determine whether the distance between the weld and the welding gun is abnormal during the welding process.

[0053] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0054] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter, comprising a slide rail (3), a slider (4) slidably connected to the top of the slide rail (3), and a pressing cylinder (2) for pressing the torque converter assembly (9), wherein the slider (4) is used to deliver the torque converter assembly (9) to a welding positioning point, and is characterized in that: A contact switch (12) is provided on the top of the slide rail (3), and the contact switch (12) is used to control the stroke positioning of the slider (4); a plane bearing (10) is provided at the output end of the pressing cylinder (2), and the plane bearing (10) is used to press the central axis of the torque converter assembly (9) and provide a fixed support point for the rotation of the torque converter assembly (9); a positioning plate (13) is fixedly installed on the bottom end of the plane bearing (10), and a bowl-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the positioning plate (13), and a pressure plate (14) that can move relative to the positioning plate (13) is provided in the groove, and a detection device for detecting whether the pressure plate (14) is centered and presses the positioning plate (13) is provided in the groove; The top of the pressure plate (14) is adapted to the bottom of the positioning plate (13) and the shape of the groove. A positioning spring (18) is fixedly installed on the edge horizontal platform of the positioning plate (13) and the pressure plate (14). The detection device is a permanent magnet installed on the top of the pressure plate (14) and an induction coil installed on the bottom of the positioning plate (13). The permanent magnet and the induction coil are arranged correspondingly. When the pressure plate (14) slides to the top of the groove of the positioning plate (13), the induction coil does not generate an electrical signal only in the centered state.

2. A positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter, comprising a slide rail (3), a slider (4) slidably connected to the top of the slide rail (3), and a pressing cylinder (2) for pressing the torque converter assembly (9), wherein the slider (4) is used to deliver the torque converter assembly (9) to a welding positioning point, and is characterized in that: A contact switch (12) is provided on the top of the slide rail (3), and the contact switch (12) is used to control the stroke positioning of the slider (4); a plane bearing (10) is provided at the output end of the pressing cylinder (2), and the plane bearing (10) is used to press the central axis of the torque converter assembly (9) and provide a fixed support point for the rotation of the torque converter assembly (9); a positioning plate (13) is fixedly installed on the bottom end of the plane bearing (10), and a bowl-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the positioning plate (13), and a pressure plate (14) that can move relative to the positioning plate (13) is provided in the groove, and a detection device for detecting whether the pressure plate (14) is centered and presses the positioning plate (13) is provided in the groove; The left and right sides of the pressure plate (14) are provided with symmetrically arranged sliding grooves (15), and a limited sliding bar (16) is slidably connected in the sliding groove (15). The limited sliding bar (16) is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the groove of the positioning plate (13). The detection device is a pressure sensor (17) fixedly installed at the bottom center of the positioning plate (13). When the pressure plate (14) slides to the top of the groove of the positioning plate (13), the pressure on the pressure plate (14) of the pressure sensor (17) reaches the maximum only in the centered state.

3. The positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter according to claim 2, characterized in that: There is vertical movement space between the slide groove (15) and the limiting slide bar (16).

4. A positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter, comprising a slide rail (3), a slider (4) slidably connected to the top of the slide rail (3), and a pressing cylinder (2) for pressing the torque converter assembly (9), wherein the slider (4) is used to deliver the torque converter assembly (9) to a welding positioning point, and is characterized in that: A contact switch (12) is provided on the top of the slide rail (3), and the contact switch (12) is used to control the stroke positioning of the slider (4); a plane bearing (10) is provided at the output end of the pressing cylinder (2), and the plane bearing (10) is used to press the central axis of the torque converter assembly (9) and provide a fixed support point for the rotation of the torque converter assembly (9); a positioning plate (13) is fixedly installed on the bottom end of the plane bearing (10), and a bowl-shaped groove is provided at the bottom of the positioning plate (13), and a pressure plate (14) that can move relative to the positioning plate (13) is provided in the groove, and a detection device for detecting whether the pressure plate (14) is centered and presses the positioning plate (13) is provided in the groove; The top of the pressure plate (14) is adapted to the bottom and groove shape of the positioning plate (13), and a positioning spring (18) is fixedly installed on the edge water platform of the positioning plate (13) and the pressure plate (14). The detection device is a pressure sensor (17) fixedly installed at the center of the bottom of the positioning plate (13). When the pressure plate (14) slides to the top of the groove of the positioning plate (13), the pressure on the pressure sensor (17) by the pressure plate (14) reaches the maximum only in the centered state.

5. The positioning and control device for precision welding of a torque converter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning spring (18) is arranged on the inclined surface of the groove, and the axial arrangement of the positioning spring (18) is inclined toward the rotation direction of the pressure plate (14).

Images