Automatic clamping device for oil pump

Abstract

The utility model relates to an automatic clamping device for an oil pump. The automatic clamping device mainly comprises a main bottom plate, a motor, a transmission mechanism, a rotating air cylinder, a pressing plate, a front supporting plate, a positioning column, a reset spring and the like. The motor is installed on the main bottom plate, and an output shaft of the motor is connected with an input shaft of the oil pump through a transmission mechanism and used for driving the oil pump to rotate. The transmission mechanism is composed of a coupler and a linear coupler, and the coupler and the linear coupler can be disconnected through floating fit with taper. The rotating cylinder is installed on the main bottom plate, a piston rod of the rotating cylinder is connected with the pressing plate through an extension rod, and the pressing plate makes contact with an oil pump shell and is used for automatically clamping or loosening the oil pump. A plurality of positioning columns are arranged on the front supporting plate and used for accurately positioning the oil pump. The reset spring is installed on the coupler and is responsible for ejecting the oil pump out when the oil pump is loosened and allowing the coupler to generate axial floating or position adjustment when the size of the oil pump changes. The device is compact in structure, clear in gradation and suitable for efficiently and stably clamping and releasing the oil pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of mechanical fixtures, in particular to a fixture for elastic self-adaptive automatic clamping of an oil pump. Background Art

[0002] The continuous advancement of engine and fuel injection technology is placing higher demands on the precision and efficiency of oil pumps (especially injection or high-pressure oil pumps) during assembly, testing, and maintenance. Oil pumps must withstand significant pressure and torque during operation. Failure to securely clamp them during testing or machining can lead to instabilities such as vibration and misalignment, distorting test results or increasing oil pump wear. Therefore, achieving stable, reliable, and adaptive dimensional tolerance clamping of oil pumps in a short period of time has become a critical challenge facing the industry.

[0003] In the prior art, the clamping fixtures of oil pumps are mostly fixed manually, for example, by tightening bolts, nuts or using threaded structures. The manual clamping operation process is cumbersome, and each time the clamping or unclamping is performed, the bolts need to be tightened or loosened one by one, which is not only time-consuming but also requires a high level of proficiency from the operator. On production lines or test platforms where oil pumps are frequently loaded and unloaded, this manual clamping method greatly reduces production efficiency. In addition, manual clamping makes it difficult to ensure uniform force at each clamping point. If you are not careful, the clamping force may be too large or too small, resulting in uneven force on the oil pump, displacement or additional wear. Especially under test conditions, uneven force will distort the performance data of internal components, thereby affecting subsequent analysis and judgment.

[0004] On the other hand, traditional clamping fixtures are mostly rigid structures that cannot effectively accommodate dimensional deviations that occur during the oil pump manufacturing or assembly process. If the oil pump's outer diameter is slightly larger than the design value, over-clamping may damage the pump housing or internal components. Conversely, if the oil pump's outer diameter is slightly smaller, it may become loose and fail to provide sufficient stable support, causing vibration or displacement during operation. These problems are particularly prominent in scenarios requiring precise testing or high-intensity work.

[0005] In summary, existing technologies have shortcomings in terms of rapid assembly and disassembly of oil pumps, uniform and controllable clamping force, and adaptability to component tolerances. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a tooling structure that can achieve automatic and rapid clamping while maintaining stable contact and uniform clamping force even with slight changes in oil pump dimensions. This can improve the overall efficiency and accuracy of assembly and testing, thereby meeting the application requirements for efficient oil pump production and precise testing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an elastic automatic clamping fixture for oil pumps to overcome the shortcomings of existing manual clamping technologies, such as low efficiency, uneven clamping force, and lack of dimensional adaptability. By organically combining a rotary cylinder, a return spring, a slotted coupling, a coupling, and a pump positioning column, the fixture can achieve rapid clamping and release of the oil pump, and maintain a stable and uniform clamping force even when the oil pump undergoes minor dimensional variations due to manufacturing or assembly tolerances, thereby ensuring the safety and accuracy of the oil pump during performance testing or operation. Specifically:

[0007] The oil pump elastic automatic clamping fixture of the present invention includes a motor, a rotary cylinder and a front support plate installed on the main base plate, on which a positioning column for positioning the oil pump is provided. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the oil pump in sequence through a spline shaft, a flywheel, a coupling and a straight coupling, thereby driving the oil pump to rotate. The piston rod of the rotary cylinder is connected to the pressure plate, and the pressure plate contacts the oil pump housing through an extension rod to achieve automatic clamping or loosening. At the same time, a return spring is provided at the coupling to push the oil pump away from the pressure plate position when loosening, and to adapt to the slight dimensional deviation of the oil pump during assembly or operation.

[0008] The rotary cylinder is connected to the pressure plate via a retractable piston rod, which can be quickly extended or retracted according to the electronic control system's instructions, enabling rapid, automatic tightening and loosening of the oil pump. Compared to traditional manual bolt / nut clamping methods, this significantly reduces operation time. Furthermore, the electronic control system precisely sets the thrust or torque output of the rotary cylinder, ensuring that the pressure plate maintains an appropriate and uniform clamping force during the clamping process, preventing oil pump deviation or test distortion caused by uneven clamping force.

[0009] The pressure plate can be a two-piece or multi-piece structure. Such a design is conducive to maintaining uniform contact with the oil pump (11) housing in multiple directions during the clamping process, further improving the stability of clamping and the uniformity of force distribution.

[0010] Between the oil pump housing and the contact surface of the front support plate or pressure plate, a gasket or elastic element can be added as needed to reduce vibration, cushion and protect the surface of the oil pump housing, making the oil pump safer under intense operation and frequent testing conditions, and reducing housing wear and testing errors.

[0011] The slotted coupling features a tapered floating fit, allowing for axial movement on the spline shaft. Combined with a return spring installed on the coupling or slotted coupling, this pushes the oil pump away from the pressure plate when released, facilitating its removal and replacement. During re-clamping, if the oil pump's manufacturing or assembly tolerances cause minor dimensional changes, the return spring will push the slotted coupling to automatically find the optimal fit, ensuring it's neither too loose nor too tight.

[0012] The front support plate is fixed to the main base plate and features pump locating posts, which can be securely fixed with locating pins or fasteners as needed. This positioning structure allows the oil pump to be quickly and accurately aligned with the drive axis and clamping position during installation, minimizing assembly deviations and improving coaxiality between the oil pump and transmission components, as well as overall operational reliability.

[0013] The motor is mounted on the main baseplate via a motor support plate. The output shaft sequentially connects to the flywheel, spline shaft, coupling, and slotted coupling, ultimately connecting to the slotted coupling to transmit power from the motor to the oil pump. This multi-stage transmission layout not only creates a compact structure but also allows for adaptive adjustment of the floating fit and return spring, ensuring a smooth and reliable clamping and driving process.

[0014] The bottom of the main base plate can be equipped with support adjustment members or fixed bases to facilitate horizontal adjustment or quick fixation of the tooling, making it more versatile and portable across different test platforms or production lines. This allows for rapid installation and commissioning when frequently changing work environments or production line layouts, meeting diverse working conditions.

[0015] In summary, the present invention solves the problems of time-consuming and labor-intensive frequent clamping of oil pumps, uneven clamping force, and difficulty in adapting to dimensional tolerances by introducing key technologies such as automatic clamping of rotary cylinders, adaptive adjustment of return springs, and floating fit into traditional clamping structures. Precise positioning is performed by the front support plate and the pump-positioning column to ensure the coaxiality of the oil pump installation; the taper floating of the slotted-spline drive head and the slotted coupling and the elastic force of the return spring enable the clamping process to be completed in a very short time and remain stable and reliable at all times. The present invention has a compact structure, is easy to assemble and disassemble, clamps quickly, and has high stability. It can be widely used in various occasions such as oil pump testing, performance testing, and production assembly, providing effective guarantees for improving work efficiency and product quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 The overall structure of the oil pump automatic clamping device is displayed, including a schematic layout of the main base plate, motor, rotary cylinder, front support plate and major connecting components.

[0017] Figure 2 The detailed structure of the motor and its transmission mechanism is shown, including the connection method of the flywheel, spline shaft and coupling.

[0018] Figure 3 A side view of the connection between the motor and the transmission mechanism is provided, further showing the specific installation positions of the transmission connector and the spline shaft sleeve.

[0019] Figure 4 The tapered floating fit structure between the coupling and the slotted coupling, as well as the installation method of the return spring are described in detail.

[0020] Figure 5 The structural features of the slotted coupling are shown, including the design details of the central circular through-hole and the symmetrical slotted drive head.

[0021] Figure 6 The connection structure between the rotary cylinder and the pressure plate and the predetermined angle of their rotational motion are demonstrated to achieve the clamping and yielding functions of the pressure plate.

[0022] Figure 7 The motion of the pressure plate in the clamping and releasing states of the rotary cylinder is shown, illustrating the process of the pressure plate rotating from the clamping position to the yielding position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following, combined with the accompanying drawings and examples, further details the automatic clamping device for the oil pump 800 according to the present invention. For ease of explanation, the accompanying drawings may refer to the exemplary structural diagrams in the technical briefing document, but do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art may adjust or replace the component layout and connection method, and so on. As long as they do not deviate from the basic concept of the present invention, they are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] Please refer to Figure 1 The automatic clamping device 100 for the oil pump 800 is used as testing equipment for the oil pump 800. In this embodiment, the main base plate 200 serves as the basic mounting platform for the entire device. The main base plate 200 is provided with a number of through-holes 210 and threaded holes to facilitate securing various functional components (such as the motor 300, rotary cylinder 400, and front support plate 500) in place. Adjustable support members or mounting brackets can also be added to the bottom of the main base plate 200 as needed to adjust the device's installation level or facilitate quick fixation and movement between production lines.

[0025] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the output shaft end of the motor 300 is sequentially connected to the flywheel 340 and the spline 350, and then to the coupling 360, which transmits the power of the motor 300 to the straight-line coupling 360 and ultimately to the oil pump 800. The motor 300 and transmission mechanism 310 are secured to the main base plate 200 via the motor support plate 320. The end of the output shaft 330 is first connected to the flywheel 340, and then to the coupling 360 via the spline 350. The coupling 360 mates with the straight-line coupling 370 and finally connects to the straight-line coupling 370, completing the drive of the input shaft 390 of the oil pump 800. This design enables the power of the motor 300 to be efficiently and stably transmitted to the input shaft 390 of the oil pump 800 after a series of transmissions through the flywheel 340, spline shaft 350, coupling 360 and flat coupling 370, ensuring that the oil pump 800 obtains the required speed and torque during testing or operation.

[0026] Furthermore, the flywheel disc 340 is used to increase the moment of inertia, smooth the torque fluctuation during the transmission process, ensure the smooth operation of the oil pump, and reduce the resistance impact of the cam structure of the oil pump 800 that affects the motor and causes irregular load on the motor.

[0027] Furthermore, the end of the flywheel disc 340 is connected to a transmission connector, which includes a first connector 351 provided on the flywheel disc 340 and connected to the flywheel disc via bolts 352. The transmission connector also includes a second connector 353, which is connected to the first connector 351 via a bottom connecting piece 354 and bolts 355. The second connector 353 includes a spline bushing 356, which is used to drive the spline shaft 350 to rotate.

[0028] A return spring 600 is provided on one side of the splined sleeve and is positioned between the coupling 360 and the second connector 353. This spring 600 is used to axially push the oil pump 800 away from the pressure plate 410 after the rotary cylinder 400 is released, thereby facilitating the removal of the oil pump 800 and preparing it for the next re-clamping. When re-clamping, the return spring 600 provides axial elastic force to the flat coupling 370, automatically aligning it with the tapered surface of the flat coupling 370. This prevents damage to the oil pump 800 from over-clamping and also prevents vibration and loosening caused by over-loosening.

[0029] Furthermore, a connecting flange 361 is provided on the surface of the second connector 353 and the coupling 360 , and a return spring 600 is sleeved on the flange 361 .

[0030] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism includes a coupling 360 and a straight coupling 370 , wherein the coupling 360 is connected to the motor output shaft, and the straight coupling 370 is detachably connected to the coupling 360 .

[0031] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The coupling 360 is cylindrical in shape as a whole, and is elastically abutted against the second connector 353 via a flange 361, and fixes the reset spring 600. The interior of the coupling 360 is designed with evenly distributed spline grooves 363, which precisely mesh with the spline shaft 350 to ensure efficient power transmission. At the same time, a central through hole 364 is also provided inside to accommodate the spline shaft and ensure the coaxiality of the shaft. The coupling 360 also includes a straight-line notch 362, which is used to connect to the straight-line coupling 370. The straight-line notch 362 is used to transmit rotational torque and facilitates the axial connection or disconnection of the straight-line coupling with the coupling 360.

[0032] Further, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The flat coupling 370 is a block-shaped design with a central circular hole for accommodating the oil pump's drive shaft. Symmetrical flat drive heads 371 are located on either side. The tapered flat surfaces of these drive heads 371 mate tightly with the drive heads, ensuring coaxiality and stability during power transmission.

[0033] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The slotted notch 362 on coupling 360 utilizes a tapered floating fit with the slotted coupling 370, allowing for a certain amount of axial play on spline shaft 350 to accommodate dimensional tolerances during manufacturing and assembly of oil pump 800, as well as minor displacements during operation. This floating fit not only prevents meshing shock or eccentric wear caused by excessive rigidity but also maintains relatively stable transmission characteristics during high-speed testing of oil pump 800, improving measurement and operational accuracy. The slotted notch 362 ensures a stable connection between coupling 360 and other components during high-speed rotation, preventing loosening or slippage.

[0034] Continued reference Figure 4 and Figure 6, the front support plate 500 and the positioning column 510. The front support plate 500 is fixedly connected to the main base plate 200 by bolts or pins, and a number of positioning columns 510 are installed on the front support plate 500 to provide precise positioning for the oil pump 800 in the horizontal and vertical directions. When the oil pump 800 is installed, the positioning surface of the outer casing or pump body is aligned with the positioning column 510, so that the straight coupling 370 and the coupling 360 can remain coaxial or approximately coaxial, thereby reducing eccentric wear and vibration. If oil pumps 800 of different models or sizes need to be replaced, they can be adapted by replacing or fine-tuning the specifications and layout of the positioning columns 510, further improving the versatility of the device.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Rotating cylinder 400 and pressure plate 410 (clamping mechanism) The rotating cylinder 400 is also fixed to the main base plate 200, and its piston rod 420 is connected to the pressure plate 410; the pressure plate 410 is usually made of metal material, and a gasket 430 can be added to the contact surface between the pressure plate 410 and the oil pump 800 housing as needed. The pressure plate 410 is in direct contact with the oil pump 800 housing to achieve automatic clamping or loosening of the oil pump 800. The output force or torque of the rotating cylinder 400 is set by the electronic control system, so that the pressure plate 410 applies appropriate and uniform pressure to the oil pump 800 housing during the clamping process; once the release command is received, the piston rod 420 quickly extends, and the pressure plate 410 leaves the oil pump 800 housing, thereby greatly improving work efficiency and avoiding uneven force problems caused by human errors.

[0036] Furthermore, the electronic control system controls the rotary cylinder 400 to rotate to a predetermined angle in the loose state, so that the pressure plate 410 rotates from the clamping position of the oil pump 800 housing to the yield position. The electronic control system includes a sensor for determining the extension or contraction time of the pressure plate 410. Under the control of the electronic control system, the rotary cylinder 400 can rotate to a certain angle (for example, 90° or 180°, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown), thereby making pressing plate 410 give way when oil pump is assembled. After oil pump pre-positioning is completed, rotating cylinder 400 resets pressing plate 410 and retracts to realize the pressing and fixing of oil pump.

[0037] Furthermore, the sensors include position sensors, pressure sensors, photoelectric sensors, etc., ensuring that the sensors can cover different detection needs and provide multi-dimensional monitoring data.

[0038] Pressure plate 410 can be constructed of two or more pieces, expanding its contact area with the oil pump 800 housing and further improving the uniformity of clamping force distribution. A gasket 430 or elastic element can be added between the contact surface of the oil pump 800 housing and the front support plate 500 or pressure plate 410 to reduce vibration during high loads or frequent testing, while also protecting the oil pump 800 housing surface from wear caused by hard contact.

[0039] The following is a further detailed description of the clamping and testing process

[0040] Before using the device, first align the positioning surface of the oil pump 800 to be tested with the positioning column 510 on the front support plate 500, align the center position of the flat coupling 370 of the oil pump 800 with the center position of the coupling 360, align the positioning hole on the oil pump 800 with the positioning column 510 and insert it, and pre-connect the flat coupling 370 and the coupling 360.

[0041] After the electronic control system senses the pre-position of the oil pump 800, it issues a clamping command to the rotary cylinder 400, which rotates the pressure plate to the clamping position (e.g. Figure 7 As shown, the piston rod 420 of the rotating cylinder 400 retracts and pushes the pressure plate 410 into contact with the oil pump 800 housing. When the electronic control system senses that the clamping force applied by the pressure plate 410 on the oil pump 800 housing has reached a preset value or the clamping stroke has reached a specified position, the electronic control system stops the cylinder 400 from retracting further, completing the clamping.

[0042] Compared with the manual tightening method of bolts, this automatic clamping only takes a few seconds to more than ten seconds, and can ensure that the clamping force value is accurately controllable, avoiding deformation of the oil pump 800 housing due to over-tightening or shaking due to over-loosening. The uniform clamping force of multiple pressure plates can ensure that the oil pump 800 is evenly stressed.

[0043] Subsequently, motor 300 is started, driving the input shaft 390 of oil pump 800 to rotate via flywheel 340, first connector 351, second connector 352, coupling 360, and slotted coupling 370. Combined with testing equipment (such as a pressure sensor, flowmeter, or torque measurement device), the actual performance parameters of oil pump 800 (such as pressure, flow, sealing, and noise) can be monitored and recorded at various speeds and operating conditions. If multi-condition testing is required, the speed, output torque, or other process parameters of motor 300 can be varied within the electronic control system, while real-time performance data of oil pump 800 can be collected to facilitate analysis of its operational stability and durability.

[0044] After the test is complete, the electronic control system first stops motor 300 and then rotates cylinder 400 to issue a release command. Piston rod 420 extends, driving pressure plate 410 away from the oil pump 800 housing. Pressure plate 410 then rotates out of position. Simultaneously, return spring 600 activates at coupling 370 and the slotted coupling 370, pushing the oil pump 800 and drive head axially outward a certain distance, facilitating manual or robotic removal of the oil pump 800. This "ejection" function effectively avoids the additional wear and ergonomic inconvenience of forcibly extracting the oil pump 800 under tight conditions.

[0045] To test multiple pumps 800 from the same batch, simply load each pump 800 and repeat the above process. The combination of automatic clamping and return spring 600 greatly improves loading and unloading efficiency, reducing manual fatigue and the probability of error.

[0046] The present invention has many advantages over the prior art:

[0047] High-speed clamping and loosening utilizes a rotary cylinder 400 to replace traditional bolt tightening methods, completing the clamping or loosening of the oil pump 800 in seconds. This is particularly suitable for frequent testing and large-scale operations on the assembly line.

[0048] The clamping force is uniform and controllable. The output pressure or thrust of the rotating cylinder 400 is set by the electronic control system. The clamping force applied by the pressure plate 410 to the oil pump 800 is more uniform and controllable, avoiding the problems of uneven force or overtightening that are prone to occur in manual operation.

[0049] The tapered floating fit between the slotted coupling 370 and the coupling 360 with adaptive compensation capability, as well as the elastic force of the return spring 600, ensure that the dimensional tolerance of the oil pump 800 or slight deviation during operation does not affect the clamping stability, thereby protecting the oil pump 800 housing from pressure damage and preventing eccentricity or vibration caused by excessive looseness.

[0050] High Positioning Accuracy The front support plate 500 and the positioning column 510 can quickly and accurately define the position of the oil pump 800 and align it with the transmission axis, simplifying the alignment steps before testing and improving transmission efficiency and data measurement accuracy.

[0051] Wide range of applications: The pressure plate 410 can adopt a multi-piece or detachable structure, the front support plate 500 and the positioning column 510 can also be replaced or adjusted in size, and an adjustment mechanism can be set at the bottom of the main base plate 200, so the device can adapt to oil pumps 800 of different models and sizes.

[0052] In summary, this embodiment fully demonstrates the core innovations and operating process of the automatic clamping device for oil pump 800 described herein. Through the organic combination of multiple components, including the main base plate 200, motor 300 (and transmission mechanism 310), rotary cylinder 400 (and pressure plate 410), front support plate 500 (and positioning column 510), and return spring 600 (and floating engagement with the slotted coupling 370), a fast, stable, and elastically adaptable clamping method is achieved, thus meeting the requirements for efficient testing and production of oil pump 800. The above embodiments are merely preferred versions of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may, based on this, replace, modify, or optimize the specific structure and combination of the various components without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic clamping device for an oil pump, characterized in that: include: The main base plate is used for overall installation and fixing of various components; A motor is mounted on the main base plate, the output shaft of which is connected to the input shaft of the oil pump through a transmission mechanism, for driving the oil pump to rotate; A rotary cylinder mounted on the main base plate, the piston rod of which is connected to a pressure plate, the pressure plate being in contact with the oil pump housing via an extension rod, for automatically clamping or loosening the oil pump; A front support plate mounted on the main base plate, wherein a positioning column is provided on the front support plate for positioning the oil pump; The transmission mechanism includes a coupling and a straight coupling, the coupling is connected to the motor output shaft, and the straight coupling is detachably connected to the coupling; A return spring is installed on the coupling and is used to push the oil pump out when it is loosened, and to cause the coupling to float axially or adjust its position through elastic force when there is a slight size change in the oil pump.

2. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The straight coupling and the coupling adopt a tapered floating fit, and the coupling can produce axial movement on the spline shaft to adapt to the tolerance of the oil pump during manufacturing or assembly and the displacement during operation.

3. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: After the rotary cylinder is released, the return spring uses its own elastic force to push the straight coupling and the oil pump axially away from the pressure plate position.

4. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 3, characterized in that: The output shaft end of the motor is connected to the flywheel and the spline shaft in sequence and then to the coupling, so as to transmit the power of the motor to the straight coupling and finally to the oil pump.

5. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is connected to the flywheel disc through bolts, and the second connector is connected to the first connector through a connecting plate and bolts. The second connector is provided with a spline sleeve for driving the spline shaft.

6. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 5, characterized in that: The utility model further comprises an electric control system, wherein the electric control system controls the rotary cylinder to rotate to a predetermined angle in a loose state, so that the pressure plate rotates from a clamping position of the oil pump housing to a yielding position.

7. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 6, characterized in that: The output force or torque of the rotary cylinder is set by the electronic control system, so that the pressure plate applies a clamping force to the oil pump housing during the clamping process.

8. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 7, characterized in that: A plurality of positioning columns are provided on the front support plate for positioning the oil pump in the horizontal and vertical directions.

9. The automatic clamping device for an oil pump according to claim 8, characterized in that: The flywheel is mounted on the output shaft end of the motor to increase the moment of inertia of the system and smooth out torque fluctuations during transmission.

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