Assembly system and assembly method of double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer

Abstract

The invention discloses an assembly system and an assembly method for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer, and the assembly system comprises a gathering and distributing mechanism for positioning steel balls, a steel ball assembly detection mechanism for detecting the positions of the steel balls after ball distribution, and a retainer clamping mechanism for taking out the retainer and installing the retainer from the upper part or the bottom of the bearing, the pressure supplementing detection mechanism is used for detecting the mounting state of the retainer, and the supporting transmission mechanism is used for conveying a to-be-assembled bearing to switch positions among corresponding stations; according to the gathering and ball distributing mechanism, gathering and ball distributing tasks of the steel balls are completed through one station, efficient assembling of bearings at a single assembling position is achieved through coherent cooperation of the gathering and ball distributing mechanism and the steel balls, the risks of falling and damage of the steel balls possibly caused in traditional multi-station transferring are reduced, meanwhile, air cylinder configuration is optimized, air cylinder losses are remarkably reduced, and the assembling efficiency is improved; and the steel balls and the raceway are effectively protected, and the damage probability in the assembling process is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of bearing assembly, and in particular relates to an assembly system and an assembly method for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer. Background Art

[0002] Bearings are crucial components in modern machinery. The quality of bearing installation affects the precision, lifespan, and performance of the bearings, and thus the precision, lifespan, and performance of the machinery in which they are installed. The bearing assembly process is extremely complex and places strict demands on assembly techniques. Bearings in the machinery industry are typically installed manually by hammering or pressing them in with a press. High force damages the bearing's internal metal structure, reducing its service life. Low force can prevent assembly requirements from being met, leading to a high failure rate during use.

[0003] Chinese patent CN106224396A discloses a bearing assembly production line, including a robotic arm mechanism, a loading mechanism, a roller assembly mechanism and a retainer riveting mechanism arranged in sequence in the horizontal direction below the robotic arm mechanism. The roller assembly mechanism includes a roller positioning core, a retainer positioning disk, a roller lifting mold, a lifting mechanism and a support frame. The lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the support frame, the roller positioning core is lifted and lowered on the lifting mechanism, the roller lifting mold is lifted and lowered on the lifting mechanism, the roller positioning core is located above the roller lifting mold, and the retainer positioning disk is arranged on the support frame. In actual use, the roller is grabbed by the robotic arm and placed on the roller positioning core, and the retainer is grabbed by the robotic arm and placed on the retainer positioning disk. The roller lifting mold is acted on by the lifting mechanism to make the roller and the retainer cooperate. After the assembly is completed, the quality of the bearing can be controlled within a certain error, thereby improving the quality of the assembled bearing and realizing automation.

[0004] Although the above patents have achieved automated assembly of bearings to a certain extent, for double-row angular contact ball bearings, due to their unique structure and performance, the precise and efficient assembly of the retainer during their manufacturing process has become one of the key factors restricting production efficiency and quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide an assembly system and method for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer, which effectively improves the assembly automation level of the bearing retainer and ensures reliable assembly of the retainer.

[0006] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: An assembly system for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer, comprising: The gathering and distributing mechanism for positioning the steel balls, Steel ball assembly detection mechanism to detect the position of the steel balls after ball separation, The retainer is taken out and installed from the top or bottom of the bearing. A pressure-compensating detection mechanism for detecting the installation status of the retainer. and a support and transfer mechanism for transporting bearings to be assembled and switching positions between corresponding workstations; The gathering and ball distribution mechanism includes a translation platform, a gathering sub-mechanism that is driven to move back and forth to gather the steel balls of the bearing to be assembled positioned at the workstation, and a ball distribution sub-mechanism that divides the steel balls into evenly spaced groups. The retainer mounting mechanism includes a first accumulator and a first transfer mounting actuator for mounting the upper retainer, and a second accumulator and a second transfer mounting actuator for mounting the bottom retainer. The pressure compensation detection mechanism comprises a pressure compensation block driven to move up and down and a position sensor for detecting the vertical displacement of the upper retainer relative to the bottom after assembly when under pressure.

[0007] As one of the preferred methods, the steel ball assembly detection mechanism includes a scanning probe and a pre-tightening block driven to move up and down, and the pre-tightening block applies a predetermined pressure to the inner ring to generate a predetermined pressure between the steel ball and the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0008] As one of the preferred methods, the first accumulator and the second accumulator respectively include a rotating table that is driven to rotate, a plurality of storage sections fixedly arranged on the rotating table for storing the retainers to be assembled, a discharge mechanism corresponding to the storage sections, and a preheating mechanism corresponding to the bottom of the storage sections.

[0009] As one of the preferred methods, the first transfer clamping actuator includes a first material conveying mechanism that receives the upper retainer from the bottom of the storage part of the first material storage device and transfers it to a predetermined position, a first movable table that is driven to move back and forth above the first material conveying mechanism and the bearing to be assembled, and a first pressing head that is arranged on the upper part of the first movable table and is driven to clamp the upper retainer and rotate to adjust its pressing angle and then press it into the upper part of the bearing to be assembled.

[0010] As one of the preferred methods, the second transfer clamping actuator includes a second material conveying mechanism that receives the bottom retainer from the bottom of the storage part of the second material storage device and moves it to a predetermined position, a second movable table that is driven to move back and forth under the second material conveying mechanism and the bearing to be assembled, and a second pressing head that is arranged at the lower part of the second movable table and is driven to clamp the bottom retainer and rotate to adjust its pressing angle and then press it into the bottom of the bearing to be assembled.

[0011] As one of the preferred embodiments, the first pressing head and the second pressing head respectively include claws that are driven to expand outwards to position with the inner ring of the upper retainer or the bottom retainer.

[0012] As one of the preferred methods, two spaced-apart support positioning plates constitute the supporting bottom surface of multiple workstations, and the support transmission mechanism includes a plurality of clamping seats that are driven to move up and down synchronously between the support positioning plates, and a translation platform that drives the clamping seats to move left and right synchronously. The clamping seat includes a positioning column that matches and is inserted from the inner ring of the bearing, and a clamping claw that is driven to clamp the outer ring of the bearing.

[0013] An assembly method of an assembly system for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer comprises the following steps: 1) After gathering the steel balls, separate them at the same station, and then move the bearings to the next station; 2) Check the position of the steel ball and apply a predetermined pressure to the inner ring. Bearings that fail the test will be eliminated, and those that pass the test will enter the next station; 3) Drive the first hopper to discharge an upper retainer and drive the first pressing head to move downward to press it into the predetermined position on the upper part of the bearing and hold it for a predetermined time before resetting, positioning the upper surface of the bearing to be assembled, drive the second hopper to discharge a bottom retainer and drive the second pressing head to move upward to press it into the predetermined position on the bottom of the bearing and hold it for a predetermined time before resetting, and then move the bearing to the next station; 4) Squeeze the upper and bottom retainers, detect and judge the relationship between the change in their spacing and the applied pressure to determine whether they are qualified.

[0014] As one of the preferred embodiments, a detection step is further included after the pressing action of the first pressing head is completed and before the bottom retainer is pressed in.

[0015] The advantages and beneficial effects of the present invention are: The traditional ball-gathering and ball-distributing device occupies two workstations in its design, which not only increases the energy loss of the cylinder, but also affects the accuracy of the assembly position. Especially for nylon retainers, although they have many advantages such as light weight and excellent wear resistance, during the assembly process, the retainer needs to be flipped over, which makes it more susceptible to external forces, resulting in deformation or damage, further affecting the overall performance and service life of the bearing. The gathering and ball-distributing mechanism of the present invention completes the steel ball gathering and ball-distributing tasks through one workstation. The two work together to achieve efficient assembly of the bearing in a single assembly position, reducing the risk of steel balls falling off and damage that may be caused by traditional multi-station transfer. At the same time, it optimizes the cylinder configuration, significantly reduces cylinder loss, improves assembly efficiency, and effectively protects the steel balls and raceways, reducing the probability of damage during the assembly process.

[0016] The steel ball assembly detection mechanism for detecting steel balls is driven by a servo system. By real-time detection of stroke volume and pressing force changes, it can accurately determine the position of the retainer to be pressed and whether there is a lack of balls. Defective products can be screened in advance, avoiding the process challenges of difficult disassembly due to missing balls after subsequent assembly is completed, further improving production yield and efficiency.

[0017] The assembly sequence is to install the front retainer (i.e., upper retainer) first and then the rear retainer (i.e., bottom retainer). Combined with the lightweight and flexible characteristics of nylon material, the assembly method combines front pressing with rear cylinder pushing. This not only optimizes the assembly benchmark and improves assembly accuracy and efficiency, but also effectively reduces assembly errors caused by retainer deformation or external forces, while reducing the risk of damage to the steel balls and retainers, further improving the quality stability of the bearing assembly.

[0018] The pressure-compensation detection mechanism utilizes the deadweight of the pressure-compensation block to precisely compress the nylon retainer. A displacement sensor dynamically detects press-fit height, ensuring real-time quality control during the assembly process. Compared to traditional forced pressure-compensation methods, this invention significantly reduces the risk of deformation and damage to the nylon retainer. It also achieves a high degree of integration between assembly and detection functions, significantly improving production efficiency and product consistency, providing an innovative solution for efficient and reliable bearing assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the hidden retainer conveying device and the clamp of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a front view of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a top view of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a side view of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the nylon retainer assembled in the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a partial schematic diagram of the bottom retainer assembled by the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the present invention when the press head clamp retainer is opened.

[0027] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the inner ring of the pressure head clamp when it is assembled according to the present invention and shrinks.

[0028] For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on the above drawings without any creative work. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention are further described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0030] The present invention provides a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer assembly system, comprising a gathering and separating mechanism for positioning the steel balls, a steel ball assembly detection mechanism for detecting the position of the steel balls after separation, a retainer clamping mechanism for removing the retainer and inserting it from the upper and lower parts of the bearing, a pressure compensation detection mechanism for detecting the installation status of the retainer, and a support and transmission mechanism for transporting the bearing to switch positions between various workstations. Among them, the gathering and ball distribution mechanism includes a translation table, and a gathering sub-mechanism that is driven to move back and forth to respectively gather the steel balls of the bearings to be assembled positioned on the workstations, and a ball distribution sub-mechanism that divides the steel balls into evenly spaced intervals; the gathering and ball distribution mechanism first gathers the steel balls and then distributes the balls through one workstation, and the two work together to place the bearings in one assembly position, reducing the loss caused by the traditional production line bearing transfer process to the next workstation. The integrated design reduces cylinder loss, improves assembly efficiency, and protects the steel balls and raceways, reducing the risk of damage.

[0031] like Figure 1-7 As shown, as one of the specific embodiments, the retainer gathering and ball separation mechanism 1 includes a translation platform 14, and the translation platform 14 is equipped with a ball separation lifting cylinder 16 and a gathering lifting cylinder 17. The gathering sub-mechanism 15 is fixed on the gathering lifting cylinder 17, and the ball separation sub-mechanism 18 is fixed on the ball separation lifting cylinder 16. The ball separation lifting cylinder 16 and the gathering lifting cylinder 17 respectively control the lifting and lowering of the gathering device and the ball separation sub-mechanism to better complete the switching and gathering and ball separation tasks. The specific gathering sub-mechanism and ball separation sub-mechanism are similar to the prior art and will not be repeated here.

[0032] A single workstation requires more coordinated operations than two, requiring higher levels of coordination and precision from both the equipment and the system. First, combining the ball gathering and ball sorting operations into a single station reduces the number of workstations and simplifies the overall process. Second, it reduces transfer steps: Since both gathering and ball sorting are performed at the same station, workpieces are transported between multiple stations, minimizing the risk of damage or misalignment caused by impact or mishandling during transportation. If steel balls are transported between two stations, they are concentrated on one side during transportation because they are gathered first, subjecting them to unnecessary disturbances. For example, gripping by the robotic arm or friction from the conveyor belt can cause the steel balls to roll, collide, or deviate from their trajectory. These impacts and misalignments can cause damage to the steel balls (such as surface scratches or deformation), which can affect bearing performance. In contrast, when gathering and ball sorting are performed at the same station, the steel balls require virtually no additional movement. This means the steel balls remain in a stable position throughout the entire process, avoiding damage caused by unstable transport. At the same time, when the gathering and ball separation operations are performed at the same workstation, the steel balls will not be displaced violently, and the ball separation process will be smoother, which helps to reduce the collision between the steel balls and the raceway and protect the integrity of the raceway.

[0033] Among them, the ball-dividing sub-mechanism is also provided with a ball-dividing pre-pressing head. The ball-dividing pre-pressing head is an annular structure or a dot-shaped distribution to form an annular structure, and is fixedly arranged at the root or the middle of the root of the ball-dividing rod of each ball-dividing sub-mechanism. In this way, after the steel balls are separated by the ball-dividing rod, a certain force of extrusion can be formed as it continues to descend. When it is driven to descend to perform the ball-dividing action, the ball-dividing pre-pressing head contacts the top surface of the inner ring of the bearing to be assembled and applies a certain small pressure. When the outer ring of the bearing is supported and limited by the bottom, the force between the two will press the steel balls after ball separation relative to the inner and outer rings of the bearing. In order to avoid excessive force, the ball-dividing pre-pressing head contacts the top surface of the inner ring only after the ball separation is completed, and in order to avoid excessive pressure, the ball-dividing pre-pressing head is made of elastic material or a floating block design, that is, it can move freely up and down relative to the piston rod end of the ball-dividing lifting cylinder 16, that is, it applies pressure to the inner ring of the bearing only by its gravity, and excessive pressure can be effectively avoided by controlling the limit stroke of the lifting cylinder.

[0034] After the balls are gathered and transferred, a scanning probe, such as an infrared sensor, included in the steel ball assembly inspection mechanism rapidly scans the steel ball positions. If no light signal is detected, it indicates that a ball may be missing from a socket, and the unqualified workstation is then removed. The rejection mechanism includes a pusher block driven by a pneumatic cylinder. When the cylinder extends, the pusher block pushes the bearing on the workstation into the scrap collection.

[0035] Specifically, the steel ball assembly detection mechanism 3 is equipped with a detection lifting cylinder 31, and the detection lifting cylinder 31 controls the lifting of the scanning probe 32 to determine whether there is a missing ball in the pressing position of the subsequent retainer. The scanning probe 32 can be quickly scanned by an infrared sensor, and its specific structure is similar to the prior art and will not be described in detail here. Among them, this embodiment also includes a servo system drive: the scanning probe is driven by the servo system, so while it performs infrared scanning, it can also control the application of a certain pressure to the inner ring of the bearing or the steel ball. The servo system determines whether the pressure head has pressed the steel ball into the predetermined position by the change in stroke and pressure. If the pressing force does not increase as expected during the pressing process, or the increase is too small, this can be used as a prompt that the steel ball is missing. While configuring the scanning probe, adding contact parts for extrusion detection to detect the relative position of the steel ball, the dual detection method effectively improves the detection accuracy.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment, the steel ball assembly detection mechanism includes an infrared scanning probe and a preload block that is driven to move up and down. After passing the inspection, the preload block reapplies a predetermined pressure to the inner ring. The basic process is similar to that of the ball separation preload head and will not be elaborated here. The steel ball detection device is driven by a servo system. It determines the retainer's pressed position and whether there are missing balls based on changes in stroke and pressure, and reapplies a predetermined preload force to ensure the relative stability of the steel ball position. This allows for the early screening of products with missing balls to prevent difficulty in disassembly after retainer assembly.

[0037] In the design scheme provided by the present invention, the rejection device 13 includes a rejection cylinder 131, and a push block 132 is fixed to the end of the piston rod of the rejection cylinder 131. The rejection cylinder 131 uses the telescopic function to extend the push block 132 to reject unqualified materials and enter the waste port.

[0038] When the ball-dividing mold is pressed down, the present invention presses the inner ring and generates a small pre-tightening force, which will be "stored" until the next workstation steel ball detection. The steel ball detection will also press down and provide a small predetermined pre-tightening force again, which can be "stored" to ensure the assembly of the retainer, effectively improving the assembly accuracy and smoothness of the entire process.

[0039] The retainer mounting mechanism includes a first accumulator and a first transfer mounting actuator for mounting the upper retainer, and a second accumulator and a second transfer mounting actuator for mounting the bottom retainer. Among them, the first accumulator and the second accumulator respectively include a rotating table that is driven to rotate, on which are fixedly arranged a plurality of storage parts for storing the upper retainers and bottom retainers to be assembled (collectively referred to as retainers, which have the same structure but different postures when stored), a discharge mechanism corresponding to the storage device, and a preheating mechanism corresponding to the bottom of the storage part.

[0040] By setting up multiple storage sections on the rotating table, long-term automatic operation can be achieved. Combined with counting settings, etc., the assembly rhythm and switching between the retainer storage sections and refill reminders can be realized. The upper retainer and the bottom retainer have the same structure. The first storage tank and the second storage tank are set separately and the installation sides of the corresponding retainers are facing downward and upward respectively, avoiding operations such as flipping during the transfer process and ensuring a smooth transfer process.

[0041] The discharge mechanism can adopt an air clamp design, cooperate with the pressure ring on the top of the storage part, control the opening of the air clamp and the action of the bottom receiving table to realize automatic feeding one by one, and perform preheating at the bottom. The preheating can adopt an electric heating ring or other design to preheat the retainer to be assembled at the bottom. In the present invention, a retainer made of nylon material is used. In order to avoid damage during the clamping, it is heated. Especially for the two-step assembly of the upper retainer and the bottom retainer of the double-row roller, the first step will inevitably cause confusion to the position of the bottom steel ball. Under the premise that the retainer is preheated, its flexible deformation is increased, thereby improving the smoothness of the subsequent assembly of the retainer.

[0042] The first transfer and mounting actuator includes a first material conveying mechanism that receives the retainer from the bottom of the first material storage section and transfers it to a predetermined position on one side of the bearing to be assembled, a first movable platform that is driven to move back and forth between the first material conveying mechanism and above the bearing, and a first pressing head disposed above the first movable platform that is driven to clamp the upper retainer and rotate to adjust the retainer's pressing angle before pressing it into the bearing to be assembled. The second transfer and mounting actuator includes a first material conveying mechanism that receives the retainer from the bottom of the second material storage section and transfers it to a predetermined position on the lower side of the bearing to be assembled, a second movable platform that is driven to move back and forth between the second material conveying mechanism and below the bearing, and a second pressing head disposed below the second movable platform that is driven to clamp the retainer and rotate to adjust the retainer's pressing angle before pressing it into the bottom of the bearing to be assembled. The first pressing head and the second pressing head each include a clamping claw that is driven to expand outward to position itself against the inner ring of the retainer. A photoelectric sensor uses infrared reflection to detect the position of the retainer's crown branches. An encoder is used to read the retainer's rotation angle and calculate the relative angle with the steel ball. After clamping, the first or second pressing head is rotated to precisely adjust the alignment. At the same time, each of the first and second pressing heads is equipped with a pressure sensor. For example, a strain gauge force sensor is used to sense the force applied by the head to press the upper or bottom retainer in place. This data is collected in real time to set a force threshold range. If the pressure exceeds the predetermined range, the press is stopped and an error message is issued, or the product is directly disposed of as scrap.

[0043] In the design scheme provided by the present invention, the first accumulator 5 includes a first rotating table 51, and the first rotating table 51 is equipped with six first storage rods 52 serving as the storage part of the first accumulator 5. The second accumulator 6 includes a second rotating table 61 and is equipped with six second storage rods 62 of the bottom retainer accumulator 6 serving as the storage part of the second accumulator 6. The first and second storage rods in the first accumulator 5 and the second accumulator 6 are respectively equipped with a first extrusion device 53 and a second extrusion device 63. The first extrusion device 53 and the second extrusion device 63 press the upper retainer or the bottom retainer made of nylon material downward into the lower end of the first or second storage rod to send it to the material conveying track. The first extrusion device and the second extrusion device are generally implemented by counterweight blocks.

[0044] The first material conveying mechanism 10 of the first transfer and clamping actuator includes a first telescopic cylinder 101 fixedly connected to the conveyor platform 9 and controlled by a pneumatic cylinder to move closer to or further from the bearing to be assembled. The first telescopic cylinder 101 is equipped with a material push plate 102, whose end is configured with a material positioning port 114. The material positioning port 114 is used to receive the retainer dropped from the first accumulator and transport it to the side of the bearing to be assembled, i.e., below the workstation of the first movable platform 4, for clamping by the first pressing head. The first movable platform 4 includes a telescopic platform 44 that reciprocates between the material push plate and the bearing to be assembled. The lower portion of the telescopic platform 44 is equipped with a first lifting cylinder 47 to control the lifting of the first pressing head 45 to complete the assembly task of the upper retainer. Specifically, the telescopic platform 44 is fixedly connected to the sliding platform 43 fixedly connected to the slide rail 46 to realize its driven position switching, and the front slide rail side platform 41 and the rear slide rail side platform 42 fixedly connected at the end of the slide rail 46 realize the work station switching positioning, that is, the telescopic platform 44 is driven by the sliding platform 43 to move back and forth between the front slide rail side platform 41 and the rear slide rail side platform 42 to realize switching between the material picking station and the assembly station, and assembly can be realized when the first pressing head 45 of the clamping retainer descends.

[0045] The second material conveying mechanism 11 of the second transfer card-mounted actuator includes a material table 93, on which are mounted a longitudinal telescopic cylinder 111 and a transverse telescopic cylinder 116. The longitudinal telescopic cylinder 111 is equipped with a longitudinal push plate 113, and the transverse telescopic cylinder 116 is equipped with a transverse push plate 112. The two vertically arranged longitudinal and transverse telescopic cylinders and push plates can achieve linear material conveying and transfer through the material guide trough. Of course, the material guide trough provided on the material table can also achieve the above-mentioned material conveying and transfer through the bottom transmission. In other words, the retainer dropped from the second accumulator is horizontally conveyed at right angles. This right-angle conveying method effectively ensures the optimization of the spatial layout of the entire device. Specifically, a material placement port 115 is provided at the conveying end of the transverse telescopic cylinder 116. The downward pressure of the push-lift cylinder 92 pushes the retainer at the material placement port 115 into the second pressing head 95. The material placement port 115 is equal to or slightly larger than the shape of the retainer. The pressing is to ensure smooth entry into the second pressing head. The material table 93 is equipped with a transfer head 94 controlled by the push-lift cylinder 92. Directly below the transfer head 94 is a second pressing head 95 controlled by the second telescopic cylinder 96 and the second lifting cylinder 97 to achieve the assembly task of the bottom retainer. The bottom retainer assembly action is symmetrically arranged and is basically the same, but the second transfer clamping actuator of the bottom retainer also includes the action of pressing the upper end face of the bearing to position it as a reference surface. Then, the lower end face begins to assemble the retainer. The positioning of the upper end face of the bearing can be achieved by circumferential clamping of the bearing.

[0046] Furthermore, in order to improve the smoothness of the movement of the first pressing head and the second pressing head, as Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, it is a chuck claw design, which is divided into several cylindrical petal-shaped bodies 201. The number of petal-shaped structures matches the number of steel balls to be assembled into the bearing. The end of each cylindrical petal-shaped body is constructed with an arc-shaped sheet-shaped claw 202. The height and thickness of the arc-shaped sheet-shaped claw 202 correspond to the bearing. It is driven by a driving mechanism at the tail end, such as a motor, to expand or retract in the circumferential direction. This driving method is similar to the three-jaw chuck in the prior art and will not be described in detail here. Figure 8 As shown, after the drive expansion, the retainer can be clamped and inserted between the inner and outer rings of the bearing. At the same time, the arc-shaped sheet-like claws and the stepped structure of the cylindrical petal pile body form a pressing surface 203. The circular pressing surface is used to ensure the smoothness of the pressing process, so that the assembly action of the upper retainer or the bottom retainer can be completed. In addition, in order to avoid interference between the arc-shaped sheet-like claws and the steel ball, a semicircular notch 204 can be opened on it. While avoiding interference, it can also assist in positioning and avoid damage to the retainer caused by excessive force. After the above-mentioned infrared reflection detection position, the angles of the first pressing head and the second pressing head can be driven first and then clamped. In this way, each arc-shaped sheet-like claw corresponds to the shape of the retainer to ensure accurate insertion position.

[0047] At the same time, the first pressing head at the upper part is retracted, as shown in FIG. Figure 9 As shown, it can also play the role of positioning the upper end face of the bearing, that is, after the upper retainer is assembled, the arc-shaped sheet claws are reset and contracted to change their effective diameters, so that they can be inserted into the inner ring of the bearing in a matching manner. Similarly, the inner ring is pressed and positioned by using the clamping surface 203, so that the lower retainer has a stable reference surface when installed, which reduces the setting of the positioning head, reduces the station switching and improves the assembly efficiency.

[0048] In traditional assembly methods, a mechanical arm typically locates the inner ring into the hole and inserts the retainer. During this process, the retainer and the steel ball may experience slight displacement or friction, affecting assembly accuracy. However, the present invention secures the bearing relative to the workbench, ensuring more stable positioning of the bearing and retainer. This method ensures that the upper and lower end faces of the bearing are fully secured, allowing the retainer to more accurately enter the hole from below. This also effectively prevents movement during the flipping process, thereby reducing assembly errors caused by vibration or looseness, eliminating adjustments and handling, and significantly improving work efficiency.

[0049] Specifically, nylon material has a certain degree of flexibility and plasticity, so during the assembly process, the action of flipping the bearing and retainer may cause deformation or damage to the nylon material, thereby affecting the accuracy and quality of the assembly; 1. Avoid deformation and unstable position: If the bearing is flipped during assembly, the retainer and balls may shift due to uneven forces or gravity, causing misalignment between the retainer and the bearing. Using a top-down push method, by applying even pressure from both sides, the retainer and balls remain stable, avoiding ball shift and retainer deformation that may occur during flipping.

[0050] 2. Bearing stability: If the bearing needs to be flipped, this involves a reversal process. Because the steel balls and retainer within the bearing are subject to friction, gravity, and mechanical forces, reversal can cause irregular movement of the steel balls. This is especially true for angular contact bearings (e.g., those with combined radial and axial loads). Instability during reversal can lead to uneven contact between the steel balls and the retainer, affecting assembly accuracy. By avoiding reversal, the assembly process can maintain greater stability and consistency.

[0051] 3. When assembling the upper retainer, the retainer is positioned more accurately and can be pressed in by pressing down, avoiding possible misalignment of the steel ball or damage to the retainer during flipping. For the bottom retainer, pressing up further ensures the consistency of the retainer's upper and lower positioning without requiring complex flipping steps during assembly.

[0052] By adopting an up-and-down pushing method, the retainer is subjected to more uniform pressure, avoiding deformation caused by excessive local pressure. In particular, the downward push-type assembly can prevent external force from being concentrated in a single location on the retainer through its own weight or uniform downward pressure, thereby reducing the possibility of deformation. Moreover, in the up-and-down pushing design, the upward and downward pressure forces are symmetrical, which avoids the offset, deformation, and instability that may be caused by unilateral pressure. In this way, the retainer can better withstand uniform pressure during the assembly process, and the retainer's deformation is effectively controlled, thereby ensuring assembly accuracy.

[0053] A pneumatic or electrically driven expanding clamp is used to hold the nylon retainer. The pneumatic system, through the coordination of a cylinder and gripping jaws, holds the retainer. The pneumatic system controls the downward movement of the cylinder, which drives the first pressing head downward or the second pressing head upward, pressing the front of the retainer. The stroke and pressure of the cylinder can be adjusted to ensure a smoother and more controllable press-in process. During the press-in process, pressure sensors and stroke sensors are used to monitor the assembly progress. The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback on changes in the press-in force. If the force exceeds the set value, the system stops and issues an alarm to prevent damage to the retainer or steel ball. The stroke sensor ensures that the press-in force is completed within the predetermined stroke.

[0054] Specifically, if the retainer or steel ball is subjected to excessive pressure or uneven pressure distribution during assembly, the steel ball may become stuck in the retainer's mounting hole. Especially under high loads, excessive pressure can cause dents, scratches, or cracks on the steel ball surface. Nylon, as a relatively soft material, easily deforms during the pressing process, potentially causing localized extrusion deformation, leading to an improper fit between the retainer and the steel ball and increasing the risk of damage.

[0055] Angular contact bearings require a high level of precision in the fit between the balls and the retainer. Because the balls and retainer in angular contact bearings experience a certain amount of axial and radial forces under load, accurate retainer positioning is crucial during assembly. Misalignment or uneven pressure between the balls and retainer during assembly can lead to ball imbalance and even adversely affect bearing performance.

[0056] In the present invention, the pressure-compensating detection mechanism includes a pressure-compensating block that is driven to move up and down and a position sensor for detecting the vertical displacement or vertical position of the pressure-compensating block when under pressure. The sensor is used to detect the height of the upper retainer. The pressure-compensating block that moves up and down uses a ring-shaped structure to compress the upper retainer. The position sensor linked to the pressure-compensating block realizes position judgment by sensing the displacement of the pressure-compensating block, which will not be described in detail here. After assembly is completed, there is still a certain gap or interval between the retainer, steel ball and raceway. This residual gap may be due to uneven pressure or operational errors during the assembly process, resulting in the retainer and other components not being fully fitted.

[0057] Re-pressing refers to the final adjustment of the pressure on the assembled retainer during the assembly process by applying a certain amount of pressure. The pressure applied during re-pressing is usually relatively light and will not cause significant deformation or damage, but it helps ensure a precise fit between the retainer and the steel balls (or raceways). By gently adding pressure, the retainer's positioning is fine-tuned to ensure it is fully in place.

[0058] As a specific embodiment, the pressure-compensating detection mechanism 7 is equipped with a pressure-compensating lifting cylinder 71, and the pressure-compensating lifting cylinder 71 controls the lifting and lowering of the pressure-compensating head 72 to complete the pressure-compensating detection task, wherein the pressure-compensating head 72 is configured with a pressure-compensating block that can slide freely up and down relative to the main body of the pressure-compensating head to realize self-weight-type clamping and pressure-compensating. At the same time, a bottom support ring can also be provided on the support part of the work station to support the bottom retainer, so that the self-weight of the pressure-compensating block and the bearing can be used as the pressure-compensating pressure between the two retainers to achieve fine-tuning. The detection can use a position sensor to sense the position of the pressure-compensating block to determine the final spacing measurement, and finally the installation quality can be directly judged.

[0059] A non-contact displacement sensor is used to detect the height of the retainer. By determining the vertical displacement of the retainer during the pressurization process, the retainer's pressing status can be monitored in real time. For example, because the bottom retainer is supported and positioned, the displacement sensor mainly detects the surface height of the upper retainer. During the pressurization process, the system can automatically detect and evaluate whether the retainer has reached the expected installation position or whether there is any poor assembly. The sensor can capture the position changes of the pressurization block during the pressurization process and provide instant feedback to the control system. Based on real-time data feedback, the system can identify whether the retainer is in the ideal press-fitting position. If there is a problem, the system can dynamically adjust the operation steps, such as stopping the pressurization. This helps to verify whether the retainer is accurately assembled in place and ensure product quality standards.

[0060] The pressure-compensating detection mechanism precisely compresses the nylon retainer through the deadweight of the compensating block and, in conjunction with a displacement sensor, indirectly detects the retainer's height in real time, enabling dynamic identification of the press-fit state and quality confirmation. This significantly improves assembly accuracy, ensures a close fit between the retainer, the steel balls, and the raceway, and effectively reduces residual clearance during assembly. Compared to traditional methods, the pressure-compensating detection mechanism reduces the risk of deformation and damage to the nylon retainer through non-forced pressure, while integrating assembly and detection functions to significantly improve production efficiency and product consistency.

[0061] Among them, two spaced support positioning plates constitute the support bottom surface of the multiple workstations 91. The support transmission mechanism includes multiple clamping seats that are driven to move up and down synchronously between the support positioning plates, and a translation platform that drives the clamping seats to move synchronously left and right. The clamping seat includes a clamping seat plate, a positioning column fixed on the clamping seat plate that can be matched and inserted into the inner ring of the bearing, and multiple groups of clamping jaws 8 set on the clamping seat plate and driven to clamp the outer ring of the bearing, which include a synchronously driven left clamping jaw 81 and a right clamping jaw 82. Multiple groups of clamping jaws are synchronously driven to achieve step-by-step transmission. The material base plate 2 is fixed with four loading platforms 22. The base plate lifting cylinder 21 controls the lifting and lowering of the material base plate 2 and cooperates with the conventional production line conveyor belt reciprocating mechanism to complete the material transportation work.

[0062] The present invention also includes an image defect detection device 12, which comprises a lift 121, a CCD camera 122, and a light source stand 123. The lift 121 controls the height of the CCD camera 122, and the light source stand 123 is located directly below the CCD camera 122. The CCD camera is connected to a computer to output relevant data. The final assembly quality assessment is performed by visually capturing the appearance of the assembled bearings. Any defects are also classified as scrap. The height control of the lift 121 allows for the loading of bearings of varying specifications.

[0063] At the same time, the present invention also discloses an assembly method of an assembly system for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer, comprising the following steps: 1) After gathering the steel balls, separate them at the same station, and then move the bearings to the next station; 2) Check the position of the steel ball and apply a predetermined pressure to the inner ring. Bearings that fail the test will be eliminated, and those that pass the test will enter the next station; 3) Drive the first accumulator to discharge an upper retainer and drive the first pressing head to move downward to press it into the predetermined position on the upper part of the bearing and hold it for a predetermined time before resetting, positioning the upper surface of the bearing; drive the second accumulator to discharge an upper retainer and drive the second pressing head to move upward to press it into the predetermined position on the bottom of the bearing and hold it for a predetermined time before resetting, and then move the bearing to the next station; 4) Squeeze the upper and lower retainers, detect and judge the change in their spacing and the prescribed relationship of the applied pressure to determine whether they are qualified.

[0064] Among them, the above four steps are carried out in sequence between workstations and constitute the rhythm of the entire production line.

[0065] The assembly sequence of first installing the upper retainer and then installing the bottom retainer is adopted. Based on the characteristics of the nylon material retainer, a method of combining the front-side clamping and pressing assembly with the back-side cylinder pushing assembly is used to effectively improve the assembly accuracy and efficiency. This design fully utilizes the lightweight characteristics of the nylon material, optimizes the assembly reference, reduces assembly errors caused by deformation or external force damage, and reduces the risk of damage to the steel ball and retainer.

[0066] The method of the present invention includes a monitoring step at each stage, including a position detection step after the first pressing head completes the pressing action.

[0067] During the pressurization step, real-time feedback is first provided: the displacement sensor transmits the detected height data to the control system, which compares the actual height with the target height to determine whether the retainer is properly pressed. Next, compensation adjustments are made: If the pressurization depth is insufficient, the control system adjusts parameters such as the position, weight, or pressure of the pressurization block to continue applying appropriate pressurization pressure. When the height reaches the target value and the pressurization depth meets the requirements, the system confirms that the retainer is properly pressed, and the pressurization process ends.

[0068] For ease of explanation, spatial relative terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are used in the embodiments to illustrate the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figures and another element or feature. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, spatial terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is inverted, the element described as being "under" other elements or features will be positioned "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "under" can include both upper and lower orientations. The device can be positioned in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used here can be interpreted accordingly.

[0069] Moreover, relational terms such as “first” and “second” are merely used to distinguish one component from another having the same name, but do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these components.

[0070] The above is an exemplary description of the present invention. It should be noted that, without departing from the core of the present invention, any simple deformation, modification or other equivalent replacement that can be made by other skilled in the art without expending creative labor falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An assembly system for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer, characterized by: include, The gathering and distributing mechanism for positioning the steel balls, Steel ball assembly detection mechanism to detect the position of the steel balls after ball separation, The retainer is taken out and installed from the top or bottom of the bearing. A pressure-compensating detection mechanism for detecting the installation status of the retainer. and a support and transfer mechanism for transporting bearings to be assembled and switching positions between corresponding workstations; The gathering and ball distribution mechanism includes a translation platform, a gathering sub-mechanism that is driven to move back and forth to gather the steel balls of the bearing to be assembled positioned at the workstation, and a ball distribution sub-mechanism that divides the steel balls into evenly spaced groups. The retainer mounting mechanism includes a first accumulator and a first transfer mounting actuator for mounting the upper retainer, and a second accumulator and a second transfer mounting actuator for mounting the bottom retainer. The pressure compensation detection mechanism comprises a pressure compensation block driven to move up and down and a position sensor for detecting the vertical displacement of the upper retainer relative to the bottom after assembly when under pressure.

2. The assembly system for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steel ball assembly detection mechanism includes a scanning probe and a pre-tightening block driven to move up and down. The pre-tightening block applies a predetermined pressure to the inner ring to generate a predetermined pressure between the steel ball and the inner ring and the outer ring.

3. The assembly system for a double row angular contact ball bearing retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first accumulator and the second accumulator respectively include a rotating table driven to rotate, a plurality of storage parts fixedly arranged on the rotating table for storing the retainers to be assembled, a discharge mechanism corresponding to the storage parts, and a preheating mechanism corresponding to the bottom of the storage parts.

4. The assembly system for a double-row angular contact ball bearing retainer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first transfer clamping actuator includes a first material conveying mechanism that receives the upper retainer from the bottom of the storage part of the first material storage device and transfers it to a predetermined position, a first movable platform that is driven to move back and forth above the first material conveying mechanism and the bearing to be assembled, and a first pressing head that is arranged on the upper part of the first movable platform and is driven to clamp the upper retainer and rotate to adjust its pressing angle and then press it into the upper part of the bearing to be assembled.

5. The assembly system of a double row angular contact ball bearing retainer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second transfer clamping actuator includes a second material conveying mechanism that receives the bottom retainer from the bottom of the storage part of the second material storage device and moves it to a predetermined position, a second movable platform that is driven to move back and forth under the second material conveying mechanism and the bearing to be assembled, and a second pressing head that is arranged at the lower part of the second movable platform and is driven to clamp the bottom retainer and rotate to adjust its pressing angle and then press it into the bottom of the bearing to be assembled.

6. The assembly system for a double row angular contact ball bearing retainer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first pressing head and the second pressing head respectively include claws driven to expand outwards to be positioned with the inner ring of the upper retainer or the bottom retainer.

7. The assembly system for a double row angular contact ball bearing retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two spaced-apart support positioning plates constitute the supporting bottom surface of multiple workstations. The support transmission mechanism includes multiple clamping seats that are driven to move up and down synchronously between the support positioning plates, and a translation platform that drives the clamping seats to move left and right synchronously. The clamping seat includes a positioning column that matches the inner ring of the bearing and a clamping claw that is driven to clamp the outer ring of the bearing.

8. An assembly method for an assembly system of a double row angular contact ball bearing retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are included: 1) After gathering the steel balls, separate them at the same station, and then move the bearings to the next station; 2) Check the position of the steel ball and apply a predetermined pressure to the inner ring. Bearings that fail the test will be eliminated, and those that pass the test will enter the next station; 3) Drive the first hopper to discharge an upper retainer and drive the first pressing head to move downward to press it into the predetermined position on the upper part of the bearing and hold it for a predetermined time before resetting, positioning the upper surface of the bearing to be assembled, drive the second hopper to discharge a bottom retainer and drive the second pressing head to move upward to press it into the predetermined position on the bottom of the bearing and hold it for a predetermined time before resetting, and then move the bearing to the next station; 4) Squeeze the upper and bottom retainers, detect and judge the relationship between the change in their spacing and the applied pressure to determine whether they are qualified.

9. The assembly method according to claim 8, wherein: After the first pressing head completes the pressing action and before the bottom retainer is pressed in, a detection step is also included.

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