A no-retreating groove upper turning shaft spline machining device and machining method

Abstract

This invention relates to a non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device and machining method, belonging to the field of automotive steering shaft manufacturing. This invention includes a feeding conveying mechanism, a machining lathe, a gear rolling mechanism, and a discharging conveying mechanism; its features include: an outer diameter detection mechanism and a spline detection mechanism. The outer diameter detection mechanism includes a positioning support, a measuring support, a guide rail, an upper plate, and a lower plate. The positioning support is mounted on the upper plate, and the upper plate is mounted on the lower plate via the guide rail. The measuring support is mounted in a positioning groove. It also includes a back plate, which is fixed to the machine frame, and the lower plate is fixed to the back plate. The gear rolling mechanism includes a machine body, an upper gear rolling plate, a lower gear rolling plate, and a gear rolling feeding mechanism. The upper and lower gear rolling plates are mounted inside the machine body. The gear rolling feeding mechanism is assembled on the feeding side of the machine body and includes a protective cover, a servo booster cylinder, and a guide support. The guide support is mounted on the servo booster cylinder, and a drag chain is provided inside the protective cover. It also includes a robotic arm and a discharging robotic arm. The robotic arm is mounted between the machining lathe and the feeding conveying mechanism, and the discharging robotic arm is mounted on the discharging conveying mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device and machining method, belonging to the field of automotive steering shaft manufacturing. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the machining of steering shaft splines generally adopts traditional step-by-step processing technology, which is fragmented and has a low degree of automation. The existing processing technology has the following defects: First, the traditional processing steps are fragmented, with the outer diameter machining, spline forming, and inspection processes being independent of each other. Workpiece transfer relies on manual labor, which is prone to errors and damage, causing surface scratches and coaxiality deviations. Second, there is no precise inspection and screening of the outer diameter before machining. If the outer diameter of the blank is too large, it will directly enter the gear rolling process, which can easily cause quality defects such as gear breakage, spline deformation, and out-of-tolerance tooth profile. Third, there is a lack of integrated inspection process for finished products, resulting in lagging quality control and defective products flowing into the next process, causing waste of processing resources. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings in the prior art and to provide a non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device and machining method with reasonable structural design, high machining efficiency and high degree of automation.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is as follows: The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device includes a feeding conveying mechanism, a machining lathe, a gear rolling mechanism, and a discharging conveying mechanism; its characteristic is that it further includes an outer diameter detection mechanism and a spline detection mechanism. The outer diameter detection mechanism includes a positioning support, a measuring support, a guide rail, an upper plate, and a lower plate. The positioning support is mounted on the upper plate, and the upper plate is mounted on the lower plate via the guide rail. The measuring support is installed in a positioning groove. It also includes a back plate, which is fixed to the frame, and the lower plate is fixed... The tooth rolling processing mechanism includes a machine body, an upper tooth rolling plate, a lower tooth rolling plate, and a tooth rolling feeding mechanism. The upper and lower tooth rolling plates are installed inside the machine body, and the tooth rolling feeding mechanism is assembled on the feeding side of the machine body. The tooth rolling feeding mechanism includes a protective cover, a servo booster cylinder, and a guide support. The guide support is installed on the servo booster cylinder, and a drag chain is provided inside the protective cover. The mechanism also includes a robotic arm and a discharge robotic arm. The robotic arm is installed between the processing lathe and the feeding conveyor mechanism, and the discharge robotic arm is installed on the discharge conveyor mechanism.

[0005] Furthermore, the upper steering shafts on the outer circle detection mechanism, gear rolling mechanism, and spline detection mechanism of the present invention are transported by a dual-station robotic arm assembly.

[0006] Furthermore, the measuring support of the present invention is provided with a measuring head, which pneumatically detects the outer diameter.

[0007] Furthermore, the positioning support on the outer circle detection mechanism of the present invention has a V-shaped receiving groove on its top, and an anti-slip and wear-resistant soft pad is pasted on the inner side of the V-shaped receiving groove.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention also includes a control cabinet, which is electrically connected to the feeding and conveying mechanism, the machining lathe, the external diameter detection mechanism, the gear rolling mechanism, the spline detection mechanism, the robotic arm, and each robotic hand.

[0009] Furthermore, the upper and lower toothed plates of the present invention are a pair of toothed molds with matched tooth profiles. The two plates are arranged staggered from each other in the horizontal direction and can slide in the horizontal direction.

[0010] Furthermore, the tooth-rolling feeding mechanism of the present invention also includes an oil injector assembly, which is mounted on the machine body.

[0011] Furthermore, the positioning support described in this invention can be slidably adjusted along the upper plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the machining lathe described in this invention is a CNC precision lathe.

[0013] A method for machining a non-recessed upper steering shaft spline, characterized by comprising the following steps: S1: The robotic arm removes the upper steering shaft from the feeding conveyor and places it into the machining lathe for machining the outer diameter of the spline position; S2: After processing, the robotic arm sends the upper steering shaft to the outer diameter detection mechanism to pneumatically detect the outer diameter of the spline position; S3: After passing the inspection, the upper steering shaft is placed on the guide support of the gear rolling mechanism by the dual-station robot arm group. The guide support is pushed by the servo booster cylinder, and the spline position of the upper steering shaft enters the gear rolling mechanism to start processing. The upper and lower gear rolling plates slide synchronously in opposite directions to form the external spline. S4: After the spline machining is completed, the servo booster cylinder is reset, one of the grippers of the dual-station robot arm group picks up the machined upper steering shaft, and the other places the next upper steering shaft to be machined on the guide support. S5: The dual-station robotic arm delivers the machined upper steering shaft to the spline inspection mechanism for inspection; S6: After passing the inspection, the unloading robot will send the upper steering shaft to the unloading conveyor mechanism, thus completing one processing cycle.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and effects: 1. This invention adopts a fully automated transfer system using a robotic arm, integrating the entire process of outer diameter machining, outer diameter inspection, gear rolling, spline inspection, and material conveying. It eliminates the need for manual handling and reduces human error, thereby lowering labor production costs. 2. An additional pre-processing external diameter inspection step is added to reject workpieces with out-of-tolerance external diameters, preventing unqualified blanks from entering the gear rolling mechanism and causing mold damage and poor tooth profile; finished products undergo multi-dimensional spline inspection to ensure the accuracy of outgoing products and significantly reduce the defect rate. 3. The dual-station robotic arm assembly is adopted to complete the loading of blanks while removing finished products, eliminating equipment idle waiting time, reducing processing cycle time, improving the overall capacity of the production line, and adapting to large-scale mass production. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the outer circle detection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the outer circle detection mechanism from another angle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gear rolling mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the upper steering shaft structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Feeding conveyor mechanism; 2. Robotic arm; 3. Machining lathe; 4. External diameter inspection mechanism; 5. Gear rolling mechanism; 6. Spline inspection mechanism; 7. Discharge conveyor mechanism; 8. Main control cabinet; Positioning support 41; Measuring support 42; Guide rail 43; Back plate 44; Positioning groove 45; Upper plate 46; Lower plate 47; Frame 48; Machine body 51; upper toothed plate 52; lower toothed plate 53; toothed feeding mechanism 54; Fuel injector assembly 511; Protective cover 541; Servo booster cylinder 542; Guide support 543; 71. Unloading robot. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are explanations of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0023] See Figures 1 to 6The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings of this specification are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Similarly, the use of terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" in this specification is solely for clarity and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any changes or adjustments to these relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0024] The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device in this embodiment includes a feeding conveying mechanism 1, a machining lathe 3, a gear rolling machining mechanism 5, and a discharging conveying mechanism 7; it also includes an outer diameter detection mechanism 4 and a spline detection mechanism 6. The outer diameter detection mechanism 4 includes a positioning support 41, a measuring support 42, a guide rail 43, an upper plate 46, and a lower plate 47. The positioning support 41 is mounted on the upper plate 46, and the upper plate 46 is mounted on the lower plate 47 via the guide rail 43. The measuring support 42 is mounted in a positioning groove 45. It also includes a back plate 44, which is fixed to a frame 48. The gear rolling machining mechanism 5 includes a machine body 51. The machine includes an upper toothed plate 52, a lower toothed plate 53, and a toothed feeding mechanism 54. The upper and lower toothed plates 52 are installed inside the machine body 51, and the toothed feeding mechanism 54 is assembled on the feeding side of the machine body 51. The toothed feeding mechanism 54 includes a protective cover 541, a servo booster cylinder 542, and a guide support 543. The guide support 543 is installed on the servo booster cylinder 542, and a drag chain is provided inside the protective cover 541. The machine also includes a robotic arm 2 and a discharge robotic arm 71. The robotic arm 2 is installed between the machining lathe 3 and the feeding conveyor 1, and the discharge robotic arm 71 is installed on the discharge conveyor 7.

[0025] Preferably, the upper steering shafts on the outer circle inspection mechanism 4, the gear rolling mechanism 5, and the spline inspection mechanism 6 are transported by a dual-station robotic arm assembly.

[0026] Preferably, the measuring support 42 is equipped with a measuring head to pneumatically detect the outer diameter.

[0027] Preferably, a V-shaped receiving groove is provided on the top of the positioning support 41 on the outer circle detection mechanism 4, and an anti-slip and wear-resistant soft pad is pasted on the inner side of the V-shaped receiving groove.

[0028] Preferably, the control cabinet 8 is electrically connected to the feeding conveyor mechanism 1, the machining lathe 3, the outer diameter detection mechanism 4, the gear rolling mechanism 5, the spline detection mechanism 6, the robotic arm 2, and each robotic hand.

[0029] Preferably, the upper toothed plate 52 and the lower toothed plate 53 are a pair of toothed molds with matching tooth profiles. The two plates are staggered in the horizontal direction and can slide in the horizontal direction.

[0030] Preferably, the toothed feeding mechanism 54 further includes an oil injector assembly 511, which is mounted on the machine body 51.

[0031] Preferably, the positioning support 42 can be slidably adjusted along the upper plate 46. Preferably, the machining lathe 3 is a CNC precision lathe.

[0032] A method for machining a non-recessed upper steering shaft spline includes the following steps: S1: The robotic arm 2 removes the upper steering shaft from the feeding conveyor 1 and places it into the machining lathe 3 for machining the outer diameter of the spline position; S2: After processing, the robotic arm 2 sends the upper steering shaft to the outer diameter detection mechanism 4 to perform pneumatic detection on the outer diameter of the spline position; S3: After passing the inspection, the upper steering shaft is placed on the guide support 543 of the gear rolling mechanism 5 by the dual-station robot group. The guide support 543 is pushed by the servo booster cylinder 542, and the spline position of the upper steering shaft enters the gear rolling mechanism 5 to start processing. The upper gear rolling plate 52 and the lower gear rolling plate 53 slide synchronously in opposite directions to form the external spline. S4: After the spline machining is completed, the servo booster cylinder 542 is reset, one of the grippers of the dual-station robot arm group picks up the machined upper steering shaft, and the other places the next upper steering shaft to be machined on the guide support 543. S5: The dual-station robotic arm delivers the machined upper steering shaft to the spline inspection mechanism 6 for inspection; S6: After passing the inspection, the unloading robot 71 will send the upper steering shaft to the unloading conveying mechanism 7 to enter the next cycle.

[0033] Specifically, when the equipment starts, the robotic arm 2 clamps the upper steering shaft on the feeding conveyor 1 and sends it to the machining lathe 3 for spline outer diameter machining. After machining, the robotic arm 2 clamps the upper steering shaft onto the positioning support 41 on the outer diameter detection mechanism 4. The robotic arm 2 then resets and repeats the above actions. The positioning support 41 moves down along the guide rail 43 with the upper plate 46, causing the spline of the upper steering shaft to fall into the measuring support 42. The spline diameter is measured by pneumatic detection. After the measurement is qualified, the positioning support 41 resets. The dual-station robotic arm assembly (not shown in the figure) clamps the upper steering shaft and sends it to the guide support 543 of the gear rolling mechanism 5. The servo booster cylinder 542 starts, driving the cable chain and moving itself and the guide support into the machine body 51. The fuel injector assembly 511 begins fuel injection. The upper and lower rubbing plates 52 and 53 slide synchronously in opposite directions. While applying radial extrusion force to the steering shaft, the outer circle of the steering shaft is plastically deformed by relative rubbing to form the external spline. The servo booster cylinder 542 resets, and the upper and lower rubbing plates 52 and 53 also reset. The dual-station robot group transports the upper steering shaft on the outer circle detection mechanism 4 to the rubbing processing mechanism 5. First, the upper steering shaft on the guide support 543 is clamped. Then, the upper steering shaft with the spline to be processed is placed into the guide support 543. Subsequently, the processed upper steering shaft is sent to the spline detection mechanism 6 for inspection. After the inspection is completed, the unloading robot 71 transports the upper steering shaft to the unloading conveying mechanism 7. This completes one processing cycle. The above steps are repeated.

[0034] Furthermore, it should be noted that the specific embodiments described in this specification may differ in the shape and name of their components, etc. The above description is merely illustrative of the structure of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of the present invention or exceed the scope defined by the claims, all of which should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spline machining device for a non-grooving upper steering shaft, comprising a feeding conveying mechanism (1), a machining lathe (3), a gear rolling mechanism (5), and a discharging conveying mechanism (7); characterized in that: It also includes an outer diameter detection mechanism (4) and a spline detection mechanism (6). The outer diameter detection mechanism (4) includes a positioning support (41), a measuring support (42), a guide rail (43), an upper plate (46), and a lower plate (47). The positioning support (41) is installed on the upper plate (46), and the upper plate (46) is installed on the lower plate (47) via the guide rail (43). The measuring support (42) is installed in the positioning groove (45). It also includes a back plate (44), which is fixed on the frame (48), and the lower plate is fixed on the back plate (44). The gear rolling processing mechanism (5) includes a machine body (51), an upper gear rolling plate (52), a lower gear rolling plate (53), and a spline rolling mechanism. Toothed feeding mechanism (54); the upper toothed plate (52) and the lower toothed plate (52) are installed inside the machine body (51), the toothed feeding mechanism (54) is assembled on the feeding side of the machine body (51), the toothed feeding mechanism (54) includes a protective cover (541), a servo booster cylinder (542) and a guide support (543), the guide support (543) is installed on the servo booster cylinder (542), and a drag chain is provided inside the protective cover (541); it also includes a robotic arm (2) and a discharge robotic arm (71), the robotic arm (2) is installed between the machining lathe (3) and the feeding conveyor (1), and the discharge robotic arm (71) is installed on the discharge conveyor (7).

2. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steering shafts on the outer circle detection mechanism (4), the gear rolling mechanism (5), and the spline detection mechanism (6) are transported by a dual-station robotic arm assembly.

3. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measuring support (42) is equipped with a measuring head, which pneumatically detects the outer diameter.

4. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning support (41) on the outer circle detection mechanism (4) has a V-shaped receiving groove on its top, and an anti-slip and wear-resistant soft pad is pasted on the inner side of the V-shaped receiving groove.

5. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control cabinet (8), which is electrically connected to the feeding conveyor mechanism (1), the machining lathe (3), the outer diameter detection mechanism (4), the gear rolling mechanism (5), the spline detection mechanism (6), the robotic arm (2), and each robotic hand.

6. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper toothed plate (52) and the lower toothed plate (53) are a pair of toothed molds with matching tooth profiles. The two plates are staggered in the horizontal direction and can slide in the horizontal direction.

7. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tooth-rolling feeding mechanism (54) also includes an oil injector assembly (511), which is mounted on the machine body (51).

8. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning support (42) can be slidably adjusted along the upper plate (46).

9. The non-grooving upper steering shaft spline machining device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The machining lathe (3) is a CNC precision lathe.

10. A method for machining a non-grooved upper steering shaft spline as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1: The robotic arm (2) takes the steering shaft off the feeding conveyor (1) and puts it into the machining lathe (3) to process the outer diameter of the spline position; S2: After processing, the robotic arm (2) sends the steering shaft to the outer diameter detection mechanism (4) to perform pneumatic detection on the outer diameter of the spline position; S3: After passing the inspection, the dual-station robot group places the steering shaft onto the guide support (543) of the gear rolling mechanism (5). The servo booster cylinder (542) pushes the guide support (543), and the steering shaft spline enters the gear rolling mechanism (5) to start processing. The upper gear rolling plate (52) and the lower gear rolling plate (53) slide synchronously in opposite directions to form the external spline. S4: After the spline machining is completed, the servo booster cylinder (542) is reset, one of the grippers of the dual-station robot arm group picks up the machined steering shaft, and the other places the next steering shaft to be machined on the guide support (543); S5: The dual-station robotic arm delivers the machined steering shaft to the spline inspection mechanism (6) for inspection; S6: After passing the inspection, the discharge robot (71) sends the steering shaft to the discharge conveyor (7) to enter the next cycle.

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