Quick change mechanism, probe clamp and flaw detection equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of weld flaw detection, in particular to a quick-change mechanism, a probe clamp and flaw detection equipment, and the quick-change mechanism comprises a connector clip and a connector clip, one of the inserting piece and the inserting piece is provided with N telescopic clamping pieces, each clamping piece is provided with a clamping part, and the other one of the inserting piece and the inserting piece is provided with N clamping groove parts which are used for being matched with the clamping parts and are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the clamping parts; wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. According to the utility model, the telescopic movement of the clamping piece can realize the locking and separation between the clamping part and the clamping groove part without depending on an external power source device, the structure does not consume extra energy, the connection and separation can be realized only depending on the self structure, the connection is stable, the connection strength is high, and the operation is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of weld flaw detection, in particular to a quick-change mechanism, a probe fixture and a flaw detection device. Background Art

[0002] The bogie is the running gear of a rail vehicle. Just like a person's legs, it is one of the most core components of a rail vehicle. As the skeleton of the bogie, the frame is used to connect the various components of the bogie, and plays roles such as bearing and transmitting loads. Its structural quality directly determines the dynamic performance and safety of the rail vehicle.

[0003] To ensure the safety of rail vehicles during operation, the bogie frame needs to be inspected during production and major vehicle overhauls, especially for flaw detection of a large number of welds. Therefore, some devices dedicated to flaw detection of the frame welds have emerged. They use a robotic arm to manipulate a rod-shaped probe to detect along the weld, so as to collect image data of the internal structure of the weld for analysis. However, there are many welds on the frame and the structure is complex. It is difficult to use a single probe to detect all positions. Therefore, multiple types of probes with different shapes are often designed as spares, and different probes are assembled during detection to detect welds at different parts.

[0004] The existing end-effector changing devices of robotic arms mainly use external intervention methods, such as pneumatic quick change and electromagnetic quick change. It is necessary to add power source devices such as air sources, pipelines or wire harnesses. Moreover, when there are faults in the air source, air circuit, power source or circuit, the tool may become loose or even fall off, which is not stable enough. And more structures will occupy the load of the robotic arm, resulting in limitations on the end effector. Content of the Utility Model

[0005] In view of this, the utility model provides a quick-change mechanism, a probe fixture and a flaw detection device, aiming to complete the connection and separation of the quick-change mechanism by relying on its own structure without external intervention, without adding additional power source devices, and without consuming additional energy.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the technical solutions adopted by the utility model are as follows:

[0007] A quick-change mechanism includes a plug-in part and a mating part; one of the plug-in part and the mating part has N retractable clamping parts with engaging parts thereon, and the other has N slot parts for mating with the engaging parts and arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the engaging parts; where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0008] In some embodiments, it further includes N resilient members arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the clamping parts; the resilient members are arranged between the clamping parts and the plug-in part or the mating part where the clamping parts are located; the resilient members are used to provide elastic force to the clamping parts to make them extend.

[0009] In some embodiments, one of the plug-in member and the mating member has M positioning pins, and the other has M positioning holes that are used in cooperation with the positioning pins and are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the positioning pins; where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0010] In some embodiments, one of the plug-in member and the mating member has a fixed-end electrical connector, and the other has a free-end electrical connector that is used in cooperation with the fixed-end electrical connector.

[0011] A probe fixture includes a connection mechanism, a clamping mechanism, and the quick-change mechanism as described above; wherein, one of the plug-in member and the mating member is connected to the connection mechanism, and the other is connected to the clamping mechanism; the connection mechanism is used to mount the entire probe fixture onto other mechanisms; the clamping mechanism is used to clamp the probe.

[0012] A flaw detection device includes a flaw detection device main body, a multi-axis robot, a probe, and the probe fixture as described above; the multi-axis robot is mounted on the flaw detection device main body; the probe fixture is connected to the multi-axis robot through the connection mechanism; the probe is mounted on the clamping mechanism of the probe fixture.

[0013] In some embodiments, it further includes at least one placement rack; the placement rack is mounted on the flaw detection device main body; the placement rack is used to place an assembly composed of a probe, a clamping mechanism, and a plug-in member or a mating member connected to the clamping mechanism.

[0014] In some embodiments, the placement rack has a chamber for storing the assembly; one side of the placement rack has an opening communicating with the chamber for the assembly to enter and exit the chamber; the placement rack also has a card slot that gradually contracts from the opening towards the chamber; the clamping member also has a support portion that protrudes outside the plug-in member or the mating member where it is located; during the process of the assembly entering the chamber, the support portion is squeezed by the card slot and contracts inward and supports on the card slot, so that the clamping portion disengages from the card slot portion, and further enables the plug-in member and the mating member to be separated.

[0015] In summary, compared with the prior art, the present utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects: When it is necessary to connect the plug-in part and the mating part, first, the two clamping parts are contracted inward so that their clamping parts are contracted inward. Then, the plug-in part and the mating part are butted together so that the clamping part is aligned with the card slot part. Then, the two clamping parts are extended outward so that their clamping parts extend outward into the card slot part to form a locking structure. In this way, the plug-in part and the mating part are locked and connected through the clamping part and the card slot part. If it is necessary to separate the plug-in part and the mating part, the above operations are performed in the reverse order, and the clamping part is withdrawn from the card slot part, and the separation of the plug-in part and the mating part can be achieved. The telescopic movement of the clamping part can achieve the locking and separation between the clamping part and the card slot part without relying on an external power source device. This structure does not consume additional energy and can achieve connection and separation only by its own structure, and the connection is stable, the connection strength is high, and the operation is convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the flaw detection device according to the present utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the probe fixture and the probe of the present utility model when assembled together.

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure shown.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the mating part and the connection mechanism of the present utility model when assembled together, Figure 4 highlighting the structure of the mating part.

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mating part and the connection mechanism of the present utility model when assembled together.

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly composed of the plug-in part, the clamping mechanism and the probe of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure of the shown assembly.

[0023] Figure 8 mainly shows a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the plug-in part and the placement rack.

[0024] Figure 9 is Figure 8 a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure shown.

[0025] The definitions of the reference numerals in the figure are as follows: the flaw detection equipment main body 1, the placement rack 2, the opening 21, the card slot 22, the chamber 23, the multi-axis robot 3, the probe fixture 4, the probe 5, the connection mechanism 41, the quick-change mechanism 42, the clamping mechanism 43, the plug-in member 421, the positioning pin 4211, the clamping member 4212, the clamping portion 42121, the supporting portion 42122, the resilient member 4213, the mating member 422, the positioning jack 4221, the card slot portion 4222, the electrical connector 423, the fixed-end electrical connector 4231, and the free-end electrical connector 4232. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the specific implementation manners.

[0027] In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0028] In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "a number of" is one or more, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, "greater than", "less than", "exceeding", etc. are understood as not including the present number, and "above", "below", "within", etc. are understood as including the present number. If terms such as first, second, etc. are described only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, they should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the sequence relationship of the indicated technical features.

[0029] In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined, words such as "set", "installed", "connected", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above words in the present utility model in combination with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0030] Embodiment 1

[0031] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, a quick-change mechanism 42 described in an embodiment of the present application includes a plug-in member 421 and a mating member 422 used in cooperation. One of the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 has N retractable clamping members 4212, and the clamping member 4212 has a clamping portion 42121, and the other has N card slot portions 4222 used in cooperation with the clamping portion 42121 and arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the clamping portion 42121. Among them, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0032] Here, an example is given where the clamping member 4212 is provided on the plug-in member 421 and the slot portion 4222 is provided on the mating member 422. Due to the same structure and working principle, for the sake of saving space, the situation where the clamping member 4212 is provided on the mating member 422 and the slot portion 4222 is provided on the plug-in member 421 will not be separately described hereinafter.

[0033] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, two clamping members 4212 are relatively arranged on both sides of the end of the plug-in member 421. At the position corresponding to the clamping member 4212 on the plug-in member 421, a sliding groove is also provided to accommodate the clamping member 4212 and allow it to reciprocate telescopically. The clamping member 4212 has a wedge-shaped engaging portion 42121.

[0034] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, two slot portions 4222 are relatively arranged on both sides of the end of the mating member 422. It can be that the end edge of the mating member 422 protrudes inward to form the slot portion 4222.

[0035] As Figure 3 shown, when it is necessary to connect the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422, first, make the two clamping members 4212 contract inward so that their engaging portions 42121 contract inward. Then, dock the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 together so that the engaging portion 42121 is aligned with the slot portion 4222. Then, make the two clamping members 4212 extend outward so that their engaging portions 42121 extend outward into the slot portion 4222 to form a locking structure. In this way, the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 are locked and connected through the engaging portion 42121 and the slot portion 4222. If it is necessary to separate the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422, the above operations are carried out in the reverse order, so that the engaging portion 42121 withdraws from the slot portion 4222, and the separation of the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 can be achieved. The telescopic movement of the clamping member 4212 can realize the locking and separation between the engaging portion 42121 and the slot portion 4222 without relying on an external power source device. This structure does not consume extra energy, can realize connection and separation only by its own structure, and has stable connection, high connection strength and convenient operation.

[0036] Although the above embodiments only illustrate the action principle with two clamping members 4212 and two slot portions 4222 as examples, obviously, when the clamping member 4212 and the slot portion 4222 are designed to be three or more, as long as they are relatively dispersedly arranged, the same technical effects can be achieved.

[0037] As an alternative embodiment, as Figure 7As shown in the figure, the elastic member 4213 can be used to realize the automatic extension of the clamping member 4212 after being compressed in the plug-in member 421. A corresponding elastic member 4213 can be provided for each clamping member 4212. A blind hole can be formed in the plug-in member 421 to place the elastic member 4213, so that one end of the elastic member 4213 contacts the blind hole and the other end contacts the clamping member 4212, that is, the elastic member 4213 is located between the clamping member 4212 and the plug-in member 421. The elastic member 4213 can be a spring or an elastic rubber column, which is always in a compressed state, so it always provides an elastic force to the clamping member 4212, making the clamping member 4212 always have a tendency to move outwards. When the clamping member 4212 is compressed to complete the connection between the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422, the elastic force provided by the elastic member 4213 at this time causes the clamping portion 42121 to extend outwards into the card slot portion 4222 to form a lock. Obviously, this process does not need to rely on an external power source device and does not consume additional energy.

[0038] As Figure 3 shown, to improve the convenience and accuracy when the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 are docked, M positioning pins 4211 protruding a certain distance from the end face of the plug-in member 421 or the mating member 422 can be provided on one of the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422, and M positioning holes 4221 that are used in cooperation with the positioning pins 4211 and are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the positioning pins 4211 can be provided on the other. Wherein, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0039] When docking the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422, as long as the positioning pin 4211 is inserted into the positioning hole 4221, it means that the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 are docked in place. Correspondingly, the clamping portion 42121 and the card slot portion 4222 can also be aligned, which can effectively improve the convenience of alignment between the two.

[0040] And to make the structure of the whole mechanism more compact, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the number of the positioning pins 4211 can be made the same as the number of the clamping members 4212. And a long through hole can be formed in the clamping member 4212 for the positioning pin 4211 to pass through. The length direction of the through hole is the same as the telescopic direction of the clamping member 4212, so as to facilitate the telescopic movement of the clamping member 4212 without interfering with the positioning pin 4211.

[0041] If it is also necessary to connect or disconnect the circuit between the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422, as Figures 3 - 7As shown, an electrical connector 423 including a fixed-end electrical connector 4231 and a free-end electrical connector 4232 can also be provided between the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422. Among them, one of the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 has the fixed-end electrical connector 4231, and the other has the free-end electrical connector 4232 that is used in cooperation with the fixed-end electrical connector 4231. When the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 are docked, the fixed-end electrical connector 4231 and the free-end electrical connector 4232 are also connected. Conversely, if the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 are separated, the fixed-end electrical connector 4231 and the free-end electrical connector 4232 are also separated.

[0042] In addition, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the clamping member 4212 can also have a support portion 42122. The support portion 42122 is longer in length than the engaging portion 42121 and extends a certain distance outside the plug-in member 421 or the mating member 422, so that the engaging portion 42121 and the support portion 42122 form a shape similar to the left half or the right half of the "I" shape. The support portion 42122 can be used as an operating portion for pressing the clamping member 4212 to make the clamping member 4212 contract inward.

[0043] Embodiment 2

[0044] Based on Embodiment 1, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, this embodiment of the present application also introduces a probe fixture 4. The probe fixture 4 includes a connection mechanism 41, a clamping mechanism 43, and the quick-change mechanism 42 described in Embodiment 1. Among them, one of the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 is connected to the connection mechanism 41, and the other is connected to the clamping mechanism 43.

[0045] The connection mechanism 41 is used to install the entire probe fixture 4 onto other mechanisms, such as installing it onto a robotic arm. A connection structure for connecting the robotic arm, such as a flange, can be correspondingly provided on the connection mechanism 41.

[0046] The clamping mechanism 43 is used to clamp the probe 5. Different types of clamping mechanisms, such as a clamping type clamping mechanism, may need to be designed for different probes 5 to achieve the clamping of the probe 5.

[0047] Here, still taking the example that the insert fitting 422 is connected to the robotic arm through the connection mechanism 41 and the plug-in fitting 421 is connected to the probe 5 through the clamping mechanism 43, the technical effects will be described. Through the probe fixture 4 described in the embodiments of the present application, the quick connection and replacement of the probe 5 with other mechanisms (such as the robotic arm) can be achieved. For example, when it is necessary to replace different types of probes 5, the assembly composed of the probe 5, the clamping mechanism 43, and the plug-in fitting 421 connected to the clamping mechanism 43 can be removed from the insert fitting 422, and then other types of probes 5 and the assembly composed of the probe 5, the clamping mechanism 43, and the plug-in fitting 421 can be connected to the insert fitting 422. In this way, the speed of replacing different types of probes 5 will be very fast, and the efficiency will be significantly improved.

[0048] Embodiment III

[0049] As Figure 1 shown, on the basis of the contact in Embodiment II, the embodiments of the present application also introduce a flaw detection device, including a flaw detection device main body 1, a multi-axis robot 3, a probe 5, and the probe fixture 4 as described in Embodiment II. The multi-axis robot 3 is installed on the flaw detection device main body 1; the probe fixture 4 is connected to the multi-axis robot 3 through the connection mechanism 41; the probe 5 is installed on the clamping mechanism 43 of the probe fixture 4.

[0050] The flaw detection device introduced in the embodiments of the present application can achieve the quick replacement of different types of probes 5, and can effectively improve the efficiency when detecting different welds. The multi-axis robot 3 mentioned here is also called a single-axis manipulator, an industrial robotic arm, an electric cylinder, etc. It is a robot system based on the XYZ rectangular coordinate system as the basic mathematical model, with single-axis robotic arms driven by servo motors and stepper motors as the basic working units, and commonly using ball screws, synchronous belts, and gear racks as the transmission methods. It can complete the arrival at any point in the XYZ three-dimensional coordinate system and follow a controllable motion trajectory. The multi-axis robot uses a motion control system to drive and program control it. The generation of motion trajectories such as straight lines and curves is in the form of multi-point interpolation, and the operation and programming methods are the teaching programming method by guidance or the coordinate positioning method.

[0051] In addition, as Figure 1 shown, in order to facilitate the replacement of different types of probes 5, several placement racks 2 can be installed on the flaw detection device main body 1 to place the assembly composed of the probe 5, the clamping mechanism 43, and the plug-in fitting 421 or the insert fitting 422 connected to the clamping mechanism 43.

[0052] As an optional implementation manner, as Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the placement rack 2 has a chamber 23 for storing the assembly. One side of the placement rack 2 has an opening 21 communicating with the chamber 23 for the assembly to enter and exit the chamber 23. The placement rack 2 also has a card slot 22 that gradually contracts from the opening 21 towards the chamber 23. As described above, the clamping member 4212 also has a support portion 42122 that protrudes beyond the plug-in member 421 or the mating member 422 where it is located. During the process of the assembly entering the chamber 23, the support portion 42122 is squeezed by the card slot 22 and contracts inwardly to support on the card slot 22 to achieve the storage of the assembly, so that the clamping portion 42121 disengages from the card slot portion 4222, and then the plug-in member 421 and the mating member 422 can be separated.

[0053] When the probe 5 needs to be replaced, the multi-axis robot 3 manipulates the assembly composed of the probe 5, the clamping mechanism 43 and the plug-in member 421 or the mating member 422 connected to the clamping mechanism 43 and moves it to the opening 21 of the placement rack 2, and then gradually moves into the chamber 23 along the card slot 22. During this process, the support portion 42122 is squeezed by the gradually contracting card slot 22 and contracts inwardly, driving the clamping portion 42121 to disengage from the card slot portion 4222, so that the assembly can be separated from the multi-axis robot 3. Then the multi-axis robot 3 moves to another placement rack 2 and docks with another assembly composed of the probe 5, the clamping mechanism 43 and the plug-in member 421 or the mating member 422 placed at this placement rack 2, and then gradually moves out of the chamber 23 along the card slot 22. During this process, the clamping portion 42121 extends outwardly into the card slot portion 4222 under the elastic force of the elastic member 4213 to complete the connection of the assembly and the multi-axis robot 3.

[0054] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope described in this specification.

[0055] The above preferred embodiments should not be regarded as limiting the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the scope defined by the claims. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, several improvements and refinements can also be made, and these improvements and refinements should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A quick-change mechanism, characterized in that: It comprises a plug connector (421) and a plug-in component (422); one of the plug connector (421) and the plug-in component (422) has N retractable card connectors (4212) and the card connector (4212) has a card-in portion (42121); the other has N card slot portions (4222) for use with the card-in portion (42121) and arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the card-in portion (42121); wherein N is an integer ≥2.

2. A quick-change mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes N resilient members (4213) arranged one-to-one corresponding to the clamping member (4212); the resilient member (4213) is arranged between the clamping member (4212) and the plug-in member (421) or the plug-in member (422) where the clamping member (4212) is located; the resilient member (4213) is used to provide elastic force to the clamping member (4212) to make it extend.

3. A quick-change mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the connector (421) and the plug-in component (422) has M positioning pins (4211), and the other has M positioning holes (4221) used in conjunction with the positioning pins (4211) and arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the positioning pins (4211); wherein M is an integer ≥1.

4. A quick-change mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the plug-in component (421) and the plug-in component (422) has a fixed-end electrical connector (4231), and the other has a free-end electrical connector (4232) used in conjunction with the fixed-end electrical connector (4231).

5. A probe fixture, characterized in that: It comprises a connecting mechanism (41), a clamping mechanism (43) and a quick-change mechanism (42) as described in any one of claims 1 to 4; wherein, one of the connector (421) and the plug-in component (422) is connected to the connecting mechanism (41), and the other is connected to the clamping mechanism (43); the connecting mechanism (41) is used to install the entire probe fixture (4) on other mechanisms; and the clamping mechanism (43) is used to clamp the probe (5).

6. A flaw detection device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a flaw detection device body (1), a multi-axis robot (3), a probe (5) and a probe fixture (4) as claimed in claim 5; the multi-axis robot (3) is installed on the flaw detection device body (1); the probe fixture (4) is connected to the multi-axis robot (3) via a connecting mechanism (41); and the probe (5) is installed on a clamping mechanism (43) of the probe fixture (4).

7. A flaw detection device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes at least one placement rack (2); the placement rack (2) is installed on the flaw detection equipment body (1); the placement rack (2) is used to place an assembly consisting of a probe (5), a clamping mechanism (43) and a connector (421) or an insert (422) connected to the clamping mechanism (43).

8. A flaw detection device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The placement rack (2) has a chamber (23) for storing the assembly; One side of the placement rack (2) has an opening (21) in communication with the chamber (23) so as to allow the assembly to enter and exit the chamber (23); the placement rack (2) also has a slot (22) that gradually shrinks from the opening (21) toward the chamber (23); The clamping member (4212) also has a supporting portion (42122) protruding beyond the plug-in member (421) or the plug-in member (422) where the clamping member (4212) is located; During the process of the assembly body entering the chamber (23), the support portion (42122) is squeezed by the card slot (22) to shrink inward and be supported on the card slot (22), so that the card-in portion (42121) can be disengaged from the card slot portion (4222), thereby enabling the connector (421) to be separated from the plug-in component (422).

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