Automobile hub bearing detection equipment and method based on optical ranging technology

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of size detection, in particular to an automobile hub bearing detection device and method based on the optical ranging technology, and the device comprises a positioning assembly and a detection assembly, the positioning assembly comprises a placement plate and a positioning column, the placement plate is fixed at the top of a supporting frame, and the positioning column is arranged on the placement plate and is used for positioning a detected bearing; the detection assembly comprises a gear ring, a gear, a guide ring, a driver, a laser detection head, a data processing module and a power supply, the gear ring is fixed on the placement plate, the guide ring is slidably arranged on the gear ring, the gear is rotatably connected with the guide ring and engaged with the gear ring, the output end of the driver is connected with the gear, and the laser detection head is arranged on the guide ring and engaged with the data processing module. The data processing module is connected with the laser detection head, and the power supply is arranged on the guide ring, so that contact with the bearing is not needed in the detection process, and the measurement precision is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dimensional inspection technology, and in particular to an inspection device and method for automotive wheel hub bearings based on optical ranging technology. Background Technology

[0002] Automotive wheel bearing dimensional inspection equipment is a tool specifically designed for accurately measuring the key dimensions of wheel bearings to ensure they meet the manufacturer's specified standards and tolerances. Utilizing high-precision sensors and advanced measurement technology, this equipment can quickly and accurately detect parameters such as the inner diameter, outer diameter, width, and geometry of wheel bearings, guaranteeing the quality of the bearings before assembly and thus improving vehicle safety and stability.

[0003] There is a bearing testing device that uses a motor to drive the rotation of an automotive wheel hub bearing. When the testing rod contacts an uneven point on the automotive wheel hub bearing, the testing pen moves to the left or right under the action of the connecting component. When the flatness of the automotive wheel hub bearing is high, the mark on the testing paper is a dot; when the flatness of the automotive wheel hub bearing is very poor, the mark on the testing paper is a line segment.

[0004] The above method of testing requires contact with the bearing, which can easily cause the bearing to change position during the testing process due to contact, thereby reducing the testing accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automotive wheel hub bearing testing device and method based on optical ranging technology, which aims to improve measurement accuracy by eliminating the need for contact with the bearing during the testing process.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an automotive wheel hub bearing inspection device based on optical ranging technology, comprising a base and a support frame, wherein the support frame is fixedly connected to the base and located on top of the base, and further comprising a positioning component and a detection component. The positioning component comprises a placement plate and a positioning post, wherein the placement plate is fixed on top of the support frame, and the positioning post is disposed on the placement plate for positioning the bearing to be inspected; the detection component comprises a gear ring, a gear, a guide ring, a driver, a laser detection head, a data processing module, and a power supply, wherein the gear ring is fixed on the placement plate, the guide ring is slidably disposed on the gear ring, the gear is rotatably connected to the guide ring and meshes with the gear ring, the output end of the driver is connected to the gear, the laser detection head is disposed on the guide ring, the data processing module is connected to the laser detection head, and the power supply is disposed on the guide ring.

[0007] The positioning post includes a pressure rod, a first spring, multiple sliding rods, a control block, and a control cylinder. The control block is slidably disposed on the placement plate, the multiple sliding rods are slidably disposed around the control block, the pressure rod is disposed on the top of the control block, the first spring is disposed between the pressure rod and the control block, and the output end of the control cylinder is connected to the pressure rod. The control cylinder drives the pressure rod and the control block to move down synchronously, so that the control block pushes the multiple sliding rods to slide outward to fit the bearing.

[0008] The positioning column further includes multiple connecting blocks and multiple pressure pads. The multiple connecting blocks are slidably disposed around the pressure rod and slidably connected to the multiple sliding rods. After the control block and the sliding rod work together to press against the bearing, the power of the control cylinder is increased to compress the first spring, thereby driving the pressure rod to move downward relative to the control block. At this time, the connecting blocks and the pressure pads press downward on the bearing to limit the bearing.

[0009] The guide ring includes a guide ring body, balls, a support plate, and a second screw. The guide ring body is slidably disposed on one side of the gear ring, the support plate is slidably disposed on one side of the guide ring body, the second screw is threadedly connected to the support plate, and the balls are rotatably disposed on the support plate and close to the gear ring.

[0010] The laser detection head includes a laser head body, an adjustment block, and an adjustment screw. The adjustment block is slidably disposed on the guide ring body. The adjustment screw is threadedly connected to the adjustment block and rotatably connected to the guide ring body. The laser head body is disposed on the adjustment block.

[0011] The data processing module includes a data acquisition unit, a data processing unit, and a judgment unit. The data acquisition unit is used to acquire the time difference data between laser emission and reception. The data processing unit is used to calculate the outer diameter data of the bearing based on the time difference data. The judgment unit is used to judge whether the bearing is qualified based on the outer diameter data.

[0012] The automotive wheel hub bearing inspection equipment based on optical ranging technology also includes a loading and unloading assembly, which is used to automatically place or remove bearings.

[0013] The loading and unloading assembly includes multiple top plates, a support ring, and a second cylinder. The multiple top plates are slidably disposed on the placement plate. The support ring is fixedly connected to the multiple top plates and is located below the placement plate. The output end of the second cylinder is connected to the support ring.

[0014] The loading and unloading assembly also includes multiple protrusions, which are respectively disposed on multiple top plates for limiting the bearing.

[0015] Secondly, the present invention also provides a method for detecting automobile wheel hub bearings based on optical ranging technology, comprising: placing the automobile wheel hub bearing on the placement plate, and adjusting and positioning the automobile wheel hub bearing by means of the positioning pin; Start the laser detection head for calibration; After the laser detection head is calibrated, the driver is activated to drive the gear to rotate, so that the gear, supported by the gear ring, drives the guide ring to move along the gear ring, and the laser detection head collects detection data. The data processing module processes the detection data and determines whether the automotive wheel hub bearings are qualified.

[0016] The present invention relates to an automotive wheel hub bearing testing device and method based on optical ranging technology. The base, serving as the fundamental load-bearing structure of the entire device, possesses excellent rigidity and stability, effectively reducing vibration and ensuring accuracy during the testing process. The support frame, fixedly connected to the top of the base, is made of high-strength metal materials (such as aluminum alloy or stainless steel) to ensure the overall structural robustness and durability. The vertical configuration of the support frame provides a reliable support platform for the installation of the various functional components above.

[0017] The positioning assembly is used to fix and center the bearing to be tested, ensuring its stable position and axial alignment during the testing process. The positioning assembly includes a placement plate and a positioning post. The placement plate is horizontally fixed to the top of the support frame, with a flat surface and reference lines for easy and rapid alignment. The positioning post is vertically positioned in the center of the placement plate, and its outer diameter is designed according to the inner ring size of a standard wheel hub bearing, allowing it to be inserted into the bearing's inner bore for rapid positioning and radial alignment.

[0018] The gear ring is fixedly mounted on the placement plate and surrounds the positioning post. Its inner ring has a precision toothed structure, serving as the basis for guidance and transmission. The guide ring is mounted on the outer or inner circumference of the gear ring via a sliding fit, allowing it to move smoothly along the circumference of the gear ring under drive. The gear is rotatably connected to the guide ring and meshes with the gear ring. When the driver is activated, it drives the gear to rotate, thereby driving the guide ring to move circumferentially along the gear ring, achieving precise control of the scanning path.

[0019] The driver (which can be a stepper motor or a servo motor) is fixed on the guide ring, and its output shaft is directly or via a coupling connected to the gear, providing precise and controllable rotational power. The driver's speed and angle are adjusted by the control system, supporting multi-turn scanning or multi-point positioning detection modes.

[0020] The laser detection head is mounted on the guide ring and faces the bearing surface under test, which is located at the center of the placement plate. This laser detection head uses a high-precision laser displacement sensor, based on the principles of triangulation or time-of-flight (ToF), to acquire distance data in real time from the bearing's outer ring, end face, or other key components. As the guide ring rotates, the laser detection head can perform a 360° continuous scan around the bearing to obtain its contour information.

[0021] The power module is integrated into the guide ring, providing a stable power supply to components such as the laser detection head and driver. It can utilize rechargeable lithium batteries or supercapacitors, avoiding the tangling problems of traditional cables and improving operational flexibility and reliability. Furthermore, the power module is equipped with power monitoring and low-power management functions to ensure continuous operation over extended periods.

[0022] The data processing module is connected to the laser detection head wirelessly or via a wired connection (if wireless transmission is used, a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module can be integrated) to receive, store, and analyze the raw distance signals collected by the laser detection head. This unit has a built-in microprocessor and dedicated algorithm software, capable of reconstructing a one-dimensional distance sequence into a two-dimensional / three-dimensional profile, calculating key parameters such as the bearing's roundness, coaxiality, runout, and diameter deviation, and determining whether they exceed tolerance ranges. This allows for inspection without contact with the bearing, improving measurement accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the right side of the automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a first cross-sectional structural diagram of the automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of detail A.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a second cross-sectional view of the automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the data processing module of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the automobile wheel hub bearing detection method based on optical ranging technology of the present invention.

[0031] Base 101, support frame 102, placement plate 103, positioning post 104, gear ring 105, gear 106, guide ring 107, driver 108, laser detection head 109, data processing module 110, power supply 111, pressure rod 112, first spring 113, sliding rod 114, control block 115, control cylinder 116, connecting block 117, pressure pad 118, guide ring body 119, ball bearing 120, support plate 121, second screw 122, laser head body 123, adjusting block 124, adjusting screw 125, data acquisition unit 126, data processing module 127, judgment unit 128, top plate 129, support ring 130, second cylinder 131, protrusion 132. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0033] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0034] First Embodiment Please see Figures 1-6This invention provides an automotive wheel hub bearing testing device based on optical ranging technology, including a base 101 and a support frame 102. The support frame 102 is fixedly connected to the base 101 and located on top of the base 101. It also includes a positioning component and a testing component. The positioning component includes a placement plate 103 and a positioning post 104. The placement plate 103 is fixed to the top of the support frame 102, and the positioning post 104 is disposed on the placement plate 103 for positioning the bearing to be tested. The testing component includes a gear ring 105, a gear 106, a guide ring 107, and... The system includes a driver 108, a laser detection head 109, a data processing module 110, and a power supply 111. The gear ring 105 is fixed on the placement plate 103. The guide ring 107 is slidably disposed on the gear ring 105. The gear 106 is rotatably connected to the guide ring 107 and meshes with the gear ring 105. The output end of the driver 108 is connected to the gear 106. The laser detection head 109 is disposed on the guide ring 107. The data processing module 110 is connected to the laser detection head 109. The power supply 111 is disposed on the guide ring 107.

[0035] In this embodiment, the base 101 serves as the fundamental load-bearing structure of the entire device, possessing excellent rigidity and stability, effectively reducing vibration and ensuring accuracy during the testing process. The support frame 102 is fixedly connected to the top of the base 101 and is made of high-strength metal materials (such as aluminum alloy or stainless steel) to ensure the overall structural robustness and durability. The vertical configuration of the support frame 102 provides a reliable support platform for the installation of the various functional components above.

[0036] The positioning assembly is used to fix and center the bearing to be tested, ensuring its stable position and axial alignment during the testing process. The positioning assembly includes a placement plate 103 and a positioning post 104. The placement plate 103 is horizontally fixed to the top of the support frame 102, with a flat surface and reference lines for easy and rapid alignment. The positioning post 104 is vertically positioned in the central area of ​​the placement plate 103, and its outer diameter is designed according to the inner ring size of a standard wheel hub bearing, allowing it to be inserted into the bearing's inner bore for rapid positioning and radial alignment.

[0037] The gear ring 105 is fixedly mounted on the placement plate 103 and surrounds the positioning post 104. Its inner ring has a precision tooth structure, serving as the basis for guidance and transmission. The guide ring 107 is mounted on the outer or inner circumference of the gear ring 105 through a sliding fit, and can move smoothly along the circumference of the gear ring 105 under drive. The gear 106 is rotatably connected to the guide ring 107 and meshes with the gear ring 105. When the driver 108 is started, it drives the gear 106 to rotate, thereby driving the guide ring 107 to move circumferentially along the gear ring 105, realizing precise control of the scanning path.

[0038] The driver 108 (which can be a stepper motor or a servo motor) is fixed on the guide ring 107, and its output shaft is directly or via a coupling connected to the gear 106, providing precise and controllable rotational power. The speed and angle of the driver 108 are adjusted by the control system, supporting multi-turn scanning or multi-point positioning detection modes.

[0039] The laser detection head 109 is mounted on the guide ring 107 and faces the bearing surface under test, which is centered on the placement plate 103. The laser detection head 109 employs a high-precision laser displacement sensor, based on the principles of triangulation or time-of-flight (ToF), to acquire distance data in real time from the bearing's outer ring, end face, or other critical components. As the guide ring 107 rotates, the laser detection head 109 can perform a 360° continuous scan around the bearing to obtain its contour information.

[0040] The power supply module 111 is integrated on the guide ring 107, providing a stable power supply to electrical components such as the laser detection head 109 and the driver 108. It can use a rechargeable lithium battery or a supercapacitor, avoiding the problem of traditional cable tangling and improving operational flexibility and reliability. Furthermore, the power supply module 111 is equipped with power monitoring and low-power management functions to ensure continuous operation over extended periods.

[0041] The data processing module 110 is connected to the laser detection head 109 wirelessly or via a wired connection (if wireless transmission is used, a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module can be integrated). It receives, stores, and analyzes the raw distance signals collected by the laser detection head 109. This unit has a built-in microprocessor and dedicated algorithm software, capable of reconstructing a one-dimensional distance sequence into a two-dimensional / three-dimensional profile, calculating key parameters such as the bearing's roundness, coaxiality, runout, and diameter deviation, and determining whether they exceed tolerance ranges. This allows for inspection without contact with the bearing, improving measurement accuracy.

[0042] The positioning post 104 includes a pressure rod 112, a first spring 113, multiple sliding rods 114, a control block 115, and a control cylinder 116. The control block 115 is slidably disposed on the placement plate 103, and the multiple sliding rods 114 are slidably disposed around the control block 115. The pressure rod 112 is disposed on the top of the control block 115, and the first spring 113 is disposed between the pressure rod 112 and the control block 115. The output end of the control cylinder 116 is connected to the pressure rod 112. The control cylinder 116 drives the pressure rod 112 and the control block 115 to move downward synchronously, so that the control block 115 pushes the multiple sliding rods 114 to slide outward to fit the bearing.

[0043] The control block 115 has a disc-shaped structure and is slidably disposed in a guide hole or guide rail on the placement plate 103, and can move up and down in the vertical direction. A plurality of sliding rods 114 are symmetrically distributed around the control block 115 (preferably three to six, evenly arranged in a circle). Each sliding rod 114 is slidably connected to the control block 115 through a radially arranged groove or guide hole, so that it can slide radially outward or inward under the push of the control block 115 to realize expansion and contraction actions.

[0044] The pressure rod 112 is vertically disposed on the top of the control block 115, passes through the central through hole of the placement plate 103, and slides with it. The first spring 113 is sleeved on the lower part of the pressure rod 112 or disposed in the annular space between the pressure rod 112 and the control block 115, with one end abutting the stepped part of the pressure rod 112 and the other end abutting the upper surface of the control block 115, providing an upward elastic restoring force. The control cylinder 116 is fixedly installed below the placement plate 103, and its output end (piston rod) is fixedly connected to the top end of the pressure rod 112, used to drive the lifting and lowering action of the entire positioning column 104.

[0045] When the bearing is positioned and clamped, the control cylinder 116 is activated first, driving the pressure rod 112 and the control block 115 rigidly connected to it to move downwards synchronously. Since the inner end of the sliding rod 114 engages with the control block 115, as the control block 115 moves downwards, its sidewall pushes the inner end of the sliding rod 114 downwards along the inclined plane, thereby forcing the outer end of the sliding rod 114 to slide out radially outwards. Multiple sliding rods 114 expand outwards synchronously, eventually pressing against the inner wall of the inner ring of the wheel hub bearing, achieving initial centering and radial clamping of the bearing.

[0046] The positioning post 104 also includes multiple connecting blocks 117 and multiple pressure pads 118. The multiple connecting blocks 117 are slidably disposed around the pressure rod 112 and are slidably connected to the multiple sliding rods 114. After the control block 115 and the sliding rods 114 work together to press against the bearing, the power of the control cylinder 116 is increased to compress the first spring 113, thereby driving the pressure rod 112 to move downward relative to the control block 115. At this time, the connecting blocks 117 and the pressure pads 118 press downward on the bearing to limit the bearing.

[0047] To further enhance clamping stability and prevent slight vibrations or displacement of the bearing during high-speed scanning, this invention also includes a two-stage clamping mechanism. This mechanism comprises multiple connecting blocks 117 and multiple pressure pads 118. The connecting blocks 117 are also circumferentially distributed and slidably disposed around the pressure rod 112. Each connecting block 117 is slidably or interlockedly connected to the corresponding sliding rod 114 via a connecting rod, hinge, or slide rail structure. Preferably, the connecting block 117 can be disposed in the upper middle part of the sliding rod 114, moving radially synchronously with the sliding rod 114.

[0048] After the sliding rod 114 completes its radial expansion and comes into contact with the inner wall of the bearing, the system further increases the output power of the control cylinder 116 (i.e., increases the air pressure or current), causing the pressure rod 112 to continue moving downward relative to the control block 115 while overcoming the elastic force of the first spring 113. At this time, the control block 115 stops moving downward due to the reaction force of the bearing, while the pressure rod 112 moves downward independently. The further downward movement of the pressure rod 112 drives the connecting block 117 to move downward through mechanical linkage, thereby driving the pressure pad 118 to move downward synchronously.

[0049] The pressure pad 118 is located below the connecting block 117, and its contact surface is made of a soft, wear-resistant material (such as polyurethane, nylon, or rubber) to ensure smooth contact with the upper end face of the wheel hub bearing or the flange edge. As the pressure rod 112 continues to move downward, multiple pressure pads 118 gradually press against the upper surface of the bearing, applying a vertical clamping force, thereby achieving axial limiting and dual fixation of the bearing—that is, radial clamping by the sliding rod 114 and axial clamping by the pressure pads 118. This composite fixing method of "radial clamping + axial clamping" greatly improves the overall rigidity and positioning accuracy during the testing process.

[0050] After the test is completed, the control cylinder 116 retracts, the pressure rod 112 is lifted, and under the reset action of the first spring 113, the pressure rod 112 drives the connecting block 117 and the pressure pad 118 to disengage from the bearing surface. At the same time, the control block 115 moves upward, and the sliding rod 114 retracts to its original position under the action of the reset spring, releasing the bearing and facilitating the loading and unloading of the workpiece.

[0051] The guide ring 107 includes a guide ring body 119, a ball bearing 120, a support plate 121, and a second screw 122. The guide ring body 119 is slidably disposed on one side of the gear ring 105, and the support plate 121 is slidably disposed on one side of the guide ring body 119. The second screw 122 is threadedly connected to the support plate 121, and the ball bearing 120 is rotatably disposed on the support plate 121 and close to the gear ring 105.

[0052] The guide ring body 119 has a ring structure and is preferably made of lightweight, high-strength materials (such as aluminum alloy or engineering plastics) to reduce the inertial mass of the overall rotating component and improve dynamic response performance. The guide ring body 119 is slidably disposed on one side of the gear ring 105. Specifically, it forms a sliding fit with the outer or inner circumference of the gear ring 105 through guide grooves on its inner or outer side, achieving smooth movement along the circumferential direction of the gear ring 105. To reduce friction and improve operational smoothness, the contact area between the guide ring body 119 and the gear ring 105 is provided with a wear-resistant liner or a built-in linear guide structure.

[0053] The support plate 121 is disposed on one side of the guide ring body 119 and can be slidably adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the guide ring body 119. The support plate 121 is mainly used to install the ball bearings 120 and connect auxiliary components such as the laser detection head 109. Its sliding connection can be achieved through dovetail grooves, T-slots, or linear guides to ensure that it remains directionally stable during adjustment and does not deflect or wobble.

[0054] The second screw 122 is threadedly connected to the support plate 121, and one end of it can extend to the outside of the guide ring body 119, and is equipped with an adjustment handle or servo drive device. By rotating the second screw 122, the support plate 121 can be pushed or pulled to move laterally along the guide ring body 119, thereby achieving fine adjustment of the position of the ball 120. This design allows for precise control of the contact pressure between the ball 120 and the gear ring 105 during equipment assembly or maintenance to accommodate gear rings 105 of different sizes or manufacturing tolerances, ensuring that the guide ring 107 will not increase the driving torque due to being too tight, nor will it produce radial runout or wobble due to being too loose during operation.

[0055] The ball bearings 120 are rotatably mounted on the support plate 121 and close to the side or outer edge of the gear ring 105. The ball bearings 120 are typically made of high-hardness stainless steel or ceramic material, exhibiting excellent wear resistance and rotational accuracy. Their rotation axis is parallel to the radial direction of the guide ring body 119, allowing the outer surface of the ball bearings 120 to make close contact with the sidewall (or guide surface) of the gear ring 105, providing auxiliary support and guidance as the guide ring body 119 moves along the gear ring 105. Multiple ball bearings 120 can be symmetrically distributed on the upper and lower or inner and outer sides of the guide ring body 119, forming a multi-point support structure, effectively suppressing possible swaying, vibration, or tilting of the guide ring 107 during high-speed operation, significantly improving motion stability and trajectory consistency.

[0056] The laser detection head 109 includes a laser head body 123, an adjustment block 124, and an adjustment screw 125. The adjustment block 124 is slidably disposed on the guide ring body 119. The adjustment screw 125 is threadedly connected to the adjustment block 124 and rotatably connected to the guide ring body 119. The laser head body 123 is disposed on the adjustment block 124.

[0057] The laser head body 123 is a high-precision laser displacement sensor, preferably employing triangulation or laser interferometry principles, possessing micron-level or even sub-micron-level resolution, and capable of outputting the distance signal between the measured surface and the sensor in real time. The laser beam emitted by the laser head body 123 can be perpendicular to the bearing surface to be measured (such as the outer cylindrical surface or end face), or a certain tilt angle can be set according to measurement requirements to obtain specific contour information.

[0058] The adjustment block 124 is a movable mounting base that is slidably disposed on the outer or inner surface of the guide ring body 119. Its sliding direction is usually along the radial or axial direction of the guide ring body 119, depending on the position of the measurement target.

[0059] The adjusting screw 125 is threadedly connected to the adjusting block 124. One end of the adjusting screw passes through a through hole or bearing seat structure on the guide ring body 119 and is rotatably connected to it (e.g., supported by a rolling bearing or bushing). The other end can be exposed and configured with an adjusting knob or servo drive interface. When the adjusting screw 125 is rotated, since it has a threaded transmission relationship with the adjusting block 124, and the guide ring body 119 restricts the axial movement of the adjusting screw 125, the rotational movement of the adjusting screw 125 will be converted into the linear sliding of the adjusting block 124 along the guide ring body 119, thereby achieving precise fine-tuning of the spatial position of the laser head body 123.

[0060] With this structure, users can pre-adjust the initial distance (i.e., the measurement working distance) between the laser head body 123 and the surface being measured according to the outer diameter, flange height, or detection area position of different models of wheel hub bearings, ensuring that the laser beam is always within the optimal measurement range of the sensor.

[0061] The data processing module 110 includes a data acquisition unit 126, a data processing unit, and a judgment unit 128. The data acquisition unit 126 is used to acquire the time difference data between laser emission and reception. The data processing module 110 is used to calculate the outer diameter data of the bearing based on the time difference data. The judgment unit 128 is used to judge whether the bearing is qualified based on the outer diameter data.

[0062] The data acquisition unit 126 is responsible for real-time acquisition of the raw ranging signal generated by the laser detection head 109 during the scanning process. In this invention, the laser detection head 109 uses the time-of-flight (ToF) method or phase difference ranging principle for non-contact distance measurement. When the laser beam irradiates the outer surface of the wheel hub bearing, the system records the time difference (Δt) between the laser emission and the return of the reflected light signal. The data acquisition unit 126 captures this time difference information through a high-precision timer or time-to-digital converter (TDC) and converts it into a digital signal. At the same time, the unit also synchronously acquires the rotation angle position signal of the guide ring 107 (from the encoder or stepper motor pulse count), establishes the correspondence between "time difference and spatial angle", and forms a complete circumferential scanning data sequence. To ensure data integrity and real-time performance, the data acquisition unit 126 has high-speed sampling capability (up to thousands to tens of thousands of points per second) and supports data caching and anti-interference filtering processing to effectively eliminate abnormal values ​​caused by ambient light interference or signal jitter.

[0063] The data processing unit receives time difference data from the data acquisition unit 126 and calculates the distance based on the principle of the constancy of the speed of light. d=2cΔt Where d is the real-time distance from the laser head to the bearing surface, c is the speed of light, and Δt is the measured time difference. Based on the mounting position reference of the laser head body 123 (which has been calibrated), the system can deduce the radial distance of each sampling point on the outer surface of the bearing relative to the rotation center. As the guide ring 107 drives the laser head to complete a 360° continuous scan, the data processing module 110 fits all radial distance data into a contour curve in polar coordinates and further converts it into a two-dimensional point cloud map in a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0064] Based on this, the data processing unit performs multiple geometric parameter calculations, including: Outer diameter calculation: The maximum outer diameter of the bearing outer ring can be obtained by statistically analyzing the maximum value among all radial distances and multiplying it by 2; alternatively, the average outer diameter can be obtained by fitting the outer circle profile using the least squares method. Roundness assessment: Calculate the distance deviation from each measuring point to the center of the fitted circle, and evaluate the roundness error using the minimum area method or Fourier analysis method; Coaxiality analysis: If combined with axial movement or multi-point scanning, the center positions of different cross sections can be compared to evaluate the overall coaxiality; Runout detection: Analyze the maximum fluctuation value of the end face or outer circle during rotation.

[0065] The judgment unit 128 is a key module for realizing automated quality judgment. It receives the outer diameter data and other key parameters output by the data processing module 110 and compares them with preset standard values ​​or tolerance ranges (such as ISO, GB, or internal control standards). For example, if the standard outer diameter of a certain type of wheel hub bearing is Φ200±0.05mm, the judgment unit 128 will perform a logical judgment between the measured outer diameter value and this range. If the outer diameter is within the range of [199.95, 200.05] mm, it is considered "qualified"; If it exceeds this range, it is judged as "unqualified" and can be further classified as "too large" or "too small".

[0066] In addition, the judgment unit 128 can also make a composite judgment based on multiple indicators. For example, even if the outer diameter is qualified, if the roundness error exceeds 0.02mm or the end face runout exceeds the standard, the system can still judge it as unqualified, ensuring comprehensive control of product quality.

[0067] The judgment results can be output in multiple ways: displaying a "PASS / FAIL" status light and audible and visual alarm prompts on the local human-machine interface (HMI); generating and printing a test report; or uploading it to the MES (Manufacturing Execution System) or SCADA system through industrial communication interfaces (such as RS485, Ethernet, Profinet, etc.) to achieve production data traceability and quality statistical analysis.

[0068] The automotive wheel hub bearing inspection equipment based on optical ranging technology also includes a loading and unloading assembly, which is used to automatically place or remove bearings. The loading and unloading assembly is located near the testing station of the equipment. Its main function is to automatically and accurately place the wheel hub bearing to be tested onto the positioning column 104 before the testing process begins, and to remove the tested bearing from the testing position and send it into the unloading channel or conveyor belt after testing. The introduction of this assembly not only reduces the labor intensity of operators but also effectively avoids positioning deviations caused by improper manual placement or uneven force, thereby ensuring the consistency and repeatability of the test results. The loading and unloading assembly includes multiple top plates 129, a support ring 130, and a second cylinder 131. The multiple top plates 129 are slidably disposed on the placement plate 103. The support ring 130 is fixedly connected to the multiple top plates 129 and is located below the placement plate 103. The output end of the second cylinder 131 is connected to the support ring 130.

[0069] The top plates 129 are preferably three to four in number, evenly distributed around the circumference, and slidably disposed below the placement plate 103, and can move upwards through the through holes on the placement plate 103 in a vertical direction. The top plates 129 are made of high-strength wear-resistant material, and their upper surfaces are designed with an arc or bevel structure to facilitate stable contact with the bottom of the inner or outer ring of the bearing. In the non-working state, the top plates 129 are located below the placement plate 103, without interfering with the installation and inspection of the bearing; when performing loading or unloading operations, the top plates 129 rise synchronously under the action of the drive mechanism, gently lifting or sending the bearing into the positioning area.

[0070] The support ring 130 is a ring-shaped connection structure located below the placement plate 103 and is fixedly connected to the bottom of multiple top plates 129 (e.g., by bolts or welding) to play a role in overall linkage and force transmission.

[0071] The second cylinder 131 serves as the power source for the loading and unloading assembly. Its cylinder body is fixed to the lower structure of the base 101 or support frame 102, and its output end (piston rod) points vertically upward and is connected to the support ring 130. When the control system issues a loading or unloading command, the second cylinder 131 starts, pushing the support ring 130 and the multiple top plates 129 connected to it to move upward synchronously, lifting the bearing to be tested from the conveyor line and sending it into the positioning column 104 area; or after the test is completed, the bearing that has completed the test is smoothly pushed out from the positioning column 104, making it easy for the robot or slide to transfer it to the next process.

[0072] The loading and unloading assembly also includes a plurality of protrusions 132, which are respectively disposed on a plurality of top plates 129 for limiting the bearing.

[0073] To further improve the positioning accuracy and stability during the loading and unloading process, the loading and unloading assembly also includes multiple protrusions 132. The protrusions 132 are respectively disposed on the top or outer edge of multiple top plates 129, with their number corresponding to each top plate 129. When the top plate 129 rises and lifts the bearing to the detection position, the protrusions 132 rise accordingly and partially extend into the gap between the inner ring of the bearing and the positioning post 104, or lightly touch the inner side of the outer ring of the bearing, serving as a radial auxiliary limiting function.

[0074] Second Embodiment Please see Figure 7 The present invention also provides a method for detecting automotive wheel hub bearings based on optical ranging technology, comprising: S201 Places the car wheel bearing onto the placement plate 103 and adjusts and positions the car wheel bearing using the positioning pin 104. The wheel hub bearing to be tested is smoothly placed in the center area of ​​the placement plate 103 of the testing equipment using manual or automated loading and unloading components (such as a robotic arm, conveyor line, and lifting mechanism). The inner ring of the bearing is fitted into the initial guide section of the positioning post 104 to achieve preliminary alignment.

[0075] Subsequently, the control system activates the clamping mechanism of the positioning column 104: the control cylinder 116 drives the pressure rod 112 and the control block 115 to move downwards synchronously, causing multiple sliding rods 114 to expand radially outwards until their outer end faces are tightly against the inner wall of the bearing inner ring, completing radial centering and clamping. Based on this, the cylinder output force is further increased, causing the pressure rod 112 to overcome the elastic force of the first spring 113 and move further downwards relative to the control block 115. This, in turn, drives the pressure pad 118 to press vertically downwards through the connecting block 117, pressing the pressure pad 118 against the upper end face of the bearing or the flange, achieving axial limiting. This dual clamping mechanism ensures that the bearing remains stable and does not shift during subsequent high-speed scanning, and that the rotation center coincides with the reference height of the detection system, laying the foundation for high-precision measurement.

[0076] S202 activates the laser detection head 109 for calibration; After the bearing is positioned and clamped, the system calibration stage before testing begins. This step aims to eliminate the influence of factors such as ambient temperature drift, optical system zero-point drift, and installation errors on measurement accuracy, ensuring that the laser detection head 109 is in optimal working condition.

[0077] The control system issues a calibration command, and the laser detection head 109 emits a reference laser beam to a standard reference ring of known size or a built-in calibration target (which can be integrated into the equipment or temporarily installed at the detection station), acquiring the return time difference or displacement signal. The data acquisition unit 126 records the reference signal and compares it with the theoretical value to calculate the system deviation. Subsequently, the data processing module 110 dynamically corrects the measurement parameters of the laser head (such as zero-point offset, gain coefficient, temperature compensation coefficient, etc.) and writes the correction parameters into the system database.

[0078] After the S203 laser detection head 109 is calibrated, the driver 108 is started to drive the gear 106 to rotate, so that the gear 106 drives the guide ring 107 to move along the gear ring 105 under the support of the gear ring 105, and the laser detection head 109 collects detection data. After calibration, the control system starts the driver 108 (such as a servo motor or stepper motor), whose output shaft drives the gear 106 to rotate. Since the gear 106 meshes with the gear ring 105 fixed on the placement plate 103, the gear 106 rolls circumferentially along the gear ring 105 during rotation, thereby driving the guide ring 107 rotatably connected to it to make uniform circular motion around the gear ring 105.

[0079] The laser detection head 109 integrated on the guide ring 107 rotates synchronously with it, and the laser beam continuously irradiates the outer ring surface or end face of the wheel hub bearing. The laser head body 123, based on the time-of-flight (ToF) method or triangulation principle, collects the time difference or spot displacement between laser emission and reflected light reception in real time and converts it into a distance signal. At the same time, the system synchronously records the rotation angle of the guide ring 107 (through motor pulse counting or angle encoder), constructs "angle-distance" data pairs, and forms a complete 360° contour scan data sequence.

[0080] To improve data density and detection accuracy, the driver 108 can control the guide ring 107 to perform multi-turn scans or segmented fine scans (such as deceleration sampling in critical areas). The laser detection head 109 can measure at a frequency of thousands to tens of thousands of points per second, ensuring the capture of minute surface deformations or geometric deviations. All raw ranging data is transmitted in real time to the data processing module 110 for caching and preprocessing via wired or wireless means.

[0081] The data processing module 110 described in S204 processes the detection data and determines whether the automobile wheel hub bearing is qualified.

[0082] Filter and denoise the original signal (such as by using algorithms like moving average or wavelet transform) to remove outliers or environmental interference signals and improve data quality. The polar coordinate system "angle-distance" data is converted into a rectangular coordinate system point cloud; the least squares method is used to fit the outer circle profile, and the average outer diameter and maximum / minimum outer diameter are calculated; the distance deviation from each point to the fitted circle center is calculated, and the roundness error is evaluated; if end face scanning is performed, the axial runout is analyzed; coaxiality is evaluated by combining multi-section scanning data; pass / fail judgment: the judgment unit 128 compares the calculated parameters with preset tolerance standards (such as ISO 492, GB / T 24605, etc.). For example: Is the outer diameter within the range of Φ200±0.05 mm? Is the roundness less than 0.02 mm? Check if the end face runout exceeds 0.03 mm. Only if all parameters meet the requirements is it judged as "qualified"; if any parameter exceeds the standard, it is judged as "unqualified", and a specific defect type report is generated (such as "outer diameter is too large", "roundness is out of tolerance", etc.). Results Output and Traceability: The test results are displayed through a human-machine interface (such as a green PASS / red FAIL indicator light), and an electronic test report is generated, which includes measurement data, deviation charts, judgment conclusions, etc. It can be uploaded to the MES system or cloud database through industrial communication protocols to achieve traceable management of quality data.

[0083] The above description discloses only one preferred embodiment of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes of the above embodiments can be implemented, and equivalent changes made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An automotive wheel hub bearing testing device based on optical ranging technology, comprising a base and a support frame, wherein the support frame is fixedly connected to the base and located on top of the base, characterized in that, It also includes a positioning component and a detection component. The positioning component includes a placement plate and a positioning post. The placement plate is fixed to the top of the support frame, and the positioning post is disposed on the placement plate for positioning the bearing to be detected. The detection assembly includes a gear ring, a gear, a guide ring, a driver, a laser detection head, a data processing module, and a power supply. The gear ring is fixed on the placement plate, the guide ring is slidably disposed on the gear ring, the gear is rotatably connected to the guide ring and meshes with the gear ring, the output end of the driver is connected to the gear, the laser detection head is disposed on the guide ring, the data processing module is connected to the laser detection head, and the power supply is disposed on the guide ring.

2. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning post includes a pressure rod, a first spring, multiple sliding rods, a control block, and a control cylinder. The control block is slidably disposed on the placement plate, and the multiple sliding rods are slidably disposed around the control block. The pressure rod is disposed on the top of the control block, and the first spring is disposed between the pressure rod and the control block. The output end of the control cylinder is connected to the pressure rod. The control cylinder drives the pressure rod and the control block to move downward synchronously, so that the control block pushes the multiple sliding rods to slide outward to fit the bearing.

3. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning column also includes multiple connecting blocks and multiple pressure pads. The multiple connecting blocks are slidably arranged around the pressure rod and slidably connected to the multiple sliding rods. After the control block and the sliding rod work together to press against the bearing, the power of the control cylinder is increased to compress the first spring, thereby driving the pressure rod to move downward relative to the control block. At this time, the connecting blocks and the pressure pads press downward on the bearing to limit the bearing.

4. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The guide ring includes a guide ring body, balls, a support plate, and a second screw. The guide ring body is slidably disposed on one side of the gear ring, the support plate is slidably disposed on one side of the guide ring body, the second screw is threadedly connected to the support plate, and the balls are rotatably disposed on the support plate and close to the gear ring.

5. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The laser detection head includes a laser head body, an adjustment block, and an adjustment screw. The adjustment block is slidably disposed on the guide ring body. The adjustment screw is threadedly connected to the adjustment block and rotatably connected to the guide ring body. The laser head body is disposed on the adjustment block.

6. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The data processing module includes a data acquisition unit, a data processing unit, and a judgment unit. The data acquisition unit is used to acquire the time difference data between laser emission and reception. The data processing unit is used to calculate the outer diameter data of the bearing based on the time difference data. The judgment unit is used to judge whether the bearing is qualified based on the outer diameter data.

7. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The automotive wheel hub bearing inspection equipment based on optical ranging technology also includes a loading and unloading assembly, which is used to automatically place or remove bearings.

8. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The loading and unloading assembly includes multiple top plates, a support ring, and a second cylinder. The multiple top plates are slidably disposed on the placement plate. The support ring is fixedly connected to the multiple top plates and is located below the placement plate. The output end of the second cylinder is connected to the support ring.

9. The automotive wheel hub bearing testing equipment based on optical ranging technology as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The loading and unloading assembly also includes multiple protrusions, which are respectively disposed on multiple top plates for limiting the bearing.

10. A method for detecting automotive wheel hub bearings based on optical ranging technology, using an automotive wheel hub bearing detection device based on optical ranging technology as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that... include: The car wheel bearing is placed on the placement plate, and its position is adjusted and positioned using the positioning pin. Start the laser detection head for calibration; After the laser detection head is calibrated, the driver is activated to drive the gear to rotate, so that the gear, supported by the gear ring, drives the guide ring to move along the gear ring, and the laser detection head collects detection data. The data processing module processes the detection data and determines whether the automotive wheel hub bearings are qualified.

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