Device for testing performance of ratchet wheel, ratchet and pawl in fuel tank cover

Abstract

The utility model discloses a device for testing the performance of a ratchet wheel, a ratchet and a pawl in a fuel tank cover. Comprising a base, a control cabinet arranged on the base, a durability testing mechanism and a torque testing mechanism which are arranged on the front side of the control cabinet, an operation display which is arranged on the control cabinet and is used for controlling the durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism and displaying data, and a positioning chuck tool which is arranged on the base and is used for fixing a fuel tank cover to be detected, the durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism are respectively provided with a rotating disc tool. The durability and the torque of the ratchet wheel, the ratchet and the pawl of the fuel tank cover can be tested, so that the problem that the service life and the locking degree of the fuel tank cover cannot be measured is solved, the structure is simple, and the operation is simple and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of fuel tank cap testing equipment, specifically to a device for testing the performance of ratchet teeth and pawls inside a fuel tank cap. Background Technology

[0002] Automotive fuel tank caps typically contain a ratchet and pawl assembly to determine if the cap is tightened. When the ratchet and pawl engage, the cap is considered tightened. Therefore, the ratchet and pawl mechanism allows operators to precisely determine if the fuel tank cap is properly tightened. However, existing fuel tank caps lack the capability to test the durability and torque of the internal ratchet and pawl assembly. This makes it impossible to test the lifespan of the ratchet and pawl in newly developed fuel tank caps with different materials, shapes, and structures, hindering future maintenance assessments. Furthermore, it's impossible to test the torque of the ratchet and pawl in the early prototype stage. If the torque is too low, the fuel tank cap may not be fully locked onto the fuel tank opening, leading to fuel leakage. Conversely, if the torque is too high, it requires excessive force during operation, resulting in a poor user experience. Therefore, a device is needed to test the durability and torque of the ratchet and pawl in fuel tank caps during the development phase. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve one or more technical problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide a performance testing device for the ratchet teeth and pawl inside the fuel tank cap, which can test the durability and torque of the ratchet teeth and pawl of the fuel tank cap, thereby solving the problem that the service life and locking degree of the fuel tank cap cannot be calculated. The device has a simple structure and is easy to operate.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] A performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawls inside a fuel tank cap includes a base, a control cabinet mounted on the base, a durability testing mechanism and a torque testing mechanism located on the front side of the control cabinet, an operation display mounted on the control cabinet for controlling the durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism and displaying data, and a positioning clamp fixture mounted on the base for fixing the fuel tank cap to be tested. Each of the durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism is equipped with a turntable fixture. The fuel tank cap to be tested, fixed on the positioning clamp fixture, is driven to rotate by the turntable fixture. The durability of the ratchet teeth and pawls inside the fuel tank cap is tested by rotation using the durability testing mechanism, and the torque of the ratchet teeth and pawls inside the fuel tank cap is tested by rotation using the torque testing mechanism.

[0006] Preferably, the positioning clamping fixture is provided with a T-shaped slot for fixing the fuel tank cap, and the turntable fixture includes a quadrilateral connecting post and a retaining ring at one end of the connecting post. The turntable fixture is detachably mounted on the durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism via the connecting post.

[0007] Preferably, the control cabinet is further provided with a switching mechanism, through which the position of the turntable fixture on the durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism relative to the positioning chuck fixture is moved laterally.

[0008] Preferably, the switching mechanism includes a slide rail arranged laterally on the control cabinet, a slide block slidably arranged on the slide rail, and a horizontal cylinder arranged on one side of the slide block. The durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism are both arranged on the slide block, and the slide block slides laterally through the horizontal cylinder.

[0009] Preferably, the durability testing mechanism includes a first lifting mechanism mounted on the slide, a first motor mounted on the first lifting mechanism, and the turntable fixture mounted on the shaft of the first motor.

[0010] Preferably, the torque testing mechanism includes a second lifting mechanism mounted on the slide, a second motor mounted on the second lifting mechanism, and a torque sensor mounted on the shaft of the second motor. The turntable fixture is controlled to rotate by the second motor.

[0011] Preferably, both the first lifting mechanism and the second lifting mechanism include two vertically arranged guide rods, a lifting seat sleeved on the guide rods, and a driver provided on the slide to slide the lifting seat up and down. Both the first motor and the second motor are mounted on the lifting seat.

[0012] Preferably, the actuator employs a cylinder structure, and the piston rod of the actuator is connected to the lifting seat.

[0013] Preferably, a linkage shaft is provided between the turntable fixture and the first motor.

[0014] Preferably, the turntable fixture is provided with a linkage shaft between itself and both the durability testing mechanism and the torque testing mechanism.

[0015] Preferably, the lower end of the linkage shaft is provided with a magnetic suction hole, and the connecting column is detachably disposed in the magnetic suction hole.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] When testing fuel tank caps, durability testing and torque testing mechanisms can be used to perform basic durability analysis on the ratchet teeth or pawls within the fuel tank cap. This allows R&D personnel to make timely adjustments to the ratchet teeth and pawls in the fuel tank cap based on the corresponding analysis data. This ensures that the ratchet teeth and pawls in the fuel tank caps produced meet the service life requirements while also allowing for torque testing. This avoids problems such as insufficient service life or excessive torque required for tooth adjustment due to design flaws in the ratchet teeth and pawls, resulting in lower production costs, a more rational structure, and a better user experience for the fuel tank caps. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the turntable fixture, the central turntable fixture, and the positioning chuck fixture in this invention.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Torque sensor; 3. Control cabinet; 4. Second motor; 5. Horizontal cylinder; 6. Guide rod; 7. Torque testing mechanism; 8. Slide rail; 9. Slide seat; 10. Second lifting mechanism; 11. Driver; 12. Switching mechanism; 13. Operation display; 14. First motor; 15. Durability testing mechanism; 16. First lifting mechanism; 17. Lifting seat; 18. Turntable fixture; 19. Positioning chuck fixture; 20. Linkage shaft; 21. T-shaped slot; 22. Magnetic suction hole; 23. Connecting column; 24. Snap ring; 30. Ratchet; 40. Pawl. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present application will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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 this application.

[0023] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class, without limiting the number of objects; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawls inside a fuel tank cap includes a base 1, a control cabinet 3 mounted on the base 1, a durability testing mechanism 15 and a torque testing mechanism 7 mounted on the front side of the control cabinet 3, an operation display 13 mounted on the control cabinet 3 for controlling the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 and displaying data, and a positioning clamping fixture 19 mounted on the base 1 for fixing the fuel tank cap to be tested. Both the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 are equipped with a turntable fixture 18. The fuel tank cap to be tested, fixed on the positioning clamping fixture 19, is driven to rotate by the turntable fixture 18. The durability of the ratchet teeth and pawls inside the fuel tank cap is tested by rotation through the durability testing mechanism 15, and the torque of the ratchet teeth and pawls inside the fuel tank cap is tested by rotation through the torque testing mechanism 7.

[0025] Once the fuel tank cap is developed and finalized, since there is currently no dedicated device for testing its durability and torque, it is usually produced by referring to existing structures and ensuring normal use. As a result, the service life of existing fuel tank caps can only be judged by experience, and targeted and relatively accurate testing is not possible. This leads to problems such as premature replacement, excessive material usage, or sudden tooth breakage during use. For fuel tank caps with new structures, problems such as insufficient service life or excessive torque are also prone to occur. When controlling the torque of a fuel tank cap, excessive torque often occurs, requiring excessive force from the user and resulting in a poor user experience. This problem cannot be perfectly solved by simply testing a single indicator in existing technologies. Improvements based on existing technologies often result in sufficient durability but excessive torque, while new structures may suffer from either insufficient or excessive torque, and their service life is difficult to control. Therefore, to test the durability and torque of the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 in the newly developed fuel tank cap, a performance testing device for the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 in the fuel tank cap was developed. This device consists of a control cabinet 3 with an operation display 13, and a durability testing mechanism 15 and a torque testing mechanism 7 that can test torque and durability respectively. During fuel tank cap testing, one of the ratchet teeth 30 or pawl 40 in the fuel tank cap is fixed to a positioning chuck fixture 19, and then subjected to durability tests. The turntable fixture 18 on mechanism 15 and torque testing mechanism 7 respectively fixes the ratchet teeth 30 or pawl 40 of the other half of the fuel tank cap. After the torque testing mechanism 7 is rotated by the operation display 13, the magnitude of the torque generated when the teeth skip can be accurately judged. After the durability testing mechanism 15 is rotated by the operation display 13, the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 in the fuel tank cap can be judged by the number of rotations of the durability testing mechanism 15. A basic durability analysis is conducted to enable R&D personnel to make timely adjustments to the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 inside the fuel tank cap based on the corresponding analytical data. This ensures that the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 inside the fuel tank cap in production meet both service life and torque requirements. This avoids problems such as insufficient service life or excessive torque required for tooth adjustment due to design defects in the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 inside the fuel tank cap. As a result, the production cost of the fuel tank cap is lower, the structure is more reasonable, and the user experience is better.

[0026] A further improvement is that the positioning clamp 19 is provided with a T-shaped slot 21 for fixing the fuel tank cap, and the turntable 18 includes a quadrilateral connecting post 23 and a retaining ring 24 at one end of the connecting post 23. The turntable 18 is detachably mounted on the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 through the connecting post 23.

[0027] The T-shaped slot 21 allows the hand-held drive unit at the outer end of the fuel tank cap to be engaged and limited, preventing the pawl from rotating and making it easier and more convenient to remove and insert the fuel tank cap. A closed section is formed on the inner side of the T-shaped slot 21 to prevent misalignment during installation. The turntable fixture 18 consists of a quadrilateral connecting post 23 and a retaining ring 24. The quadrilateral connecting post 23 allows the turntable fixture 18 to be inserted and fixed to the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7, preventing relative rotation. The retaining ring 24 limits the pawl 40, facilitating its rotation control.

[0028] A further improvement is that the control cabinet 3 is also provided with a switching mechanism 12, and the position of the turntable fixture 18 on the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 relative to the positioning chuck fixture 19 is moved laterally through the switching mechanism 12.

[0029] During the research and development process, it was discovered that when each turntable fixture 18 corresponds to a positioning chuck fixture 19, the fuel tank cap needs to be installed on different positioning chuck fixtures 19 to test different performance characteristics. However, during the fuel tank cap inspection, only the ratchet turntable and pawl 40 need to be tested. Therefore, the operation is cumbersome during station changes, and the ratchet turntable and pawl 40 are easily separated and reassembled, affecting the test performance. This is especially true when testing torque again after durability testing, which can cause a certain deviation in test accuracy. Therefore, a switching mechanism 12 was added to the control cabinet 3 to switch the positions of the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7. When testing the torque and durability of the fuel tank cap, the position of the turntable fixture 18 on the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 relative to the positioning clamp fixture 19 can be moved laterally by the switching mechanism 12. This allows only one positioning clamp fixture 19 on the base 1 to be used for operation. During operation, there is no need to repeatedly disassemble and reassemble the fuel tank cap to be tested, making the operation more convenient, the manufacturing cost lower, the testing efficiency higher, the operation difficulty lower, and the accuracy higher.

[0030] A further improvement is made to the switching mechanism 12, which includes a slide rail 8 horizontally arranged on the control cabinet 3, a slide block 9 slidably arranged on the slide rail 8, and a horizontal cylinder 5 arranged on one side of the slide block 9. The durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 are both arranged on the slide block 9, and the slide block 9 slides horizontally through the horizontal cylinder 5.

[0031] When switching between the turntable fixture 18 on the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7, the switching can be achieved quickly by controlling the extension and retraction of the piston rod of the horizontal cylinder 5 through the operation display 13. The relative position of the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 is exactly at the limit extension and retraction position of the piston rod of the horizontal cylinder 5, which makes the operation simpler and more efficient and precise than motor control.

[0032] A further improvement is made to the durability testing mechanism 15, which includes a first lifting mechanism 16 mounted on the slide 9, a first motor 14 mounted on the first lifting mechanism 16, and a turntable fixture 18 mounted on the shaft of the first motor 14.

[0033] When the durability of the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 in the fuel tank cap is tested by the durability testing mechanism 15, after the parameters are set, the first lifting mechanism 16 can quickly move the first motor 14 and the turntable fixture 18 downward, so that the turntable fixture 18 fixes the upper end of the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40. Then, by starting the first motor 14, the turntable fixture 18 can be driven to rotate, so that the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 can achieve relative rotation and skip teeth. The whole operation is simple and convenient and has low manufacturing cost.

[0034] A further improvement is made to the torque testing mechanism 7, which includes a second lifting mechanism 10 mounted on the slide block 9, a second motor 4 mounted on the second lifting mechanism 10, and a torque sensor 2 mounted on the rotating shaft of the second motor 4. The turntable fixture 18 is controlled to rotate by the second motor 4.

[0035] When testing the torque of the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 in the fuel tank cap using the torque testing mechanism 7, after setting the parameters, the second lifting mechanism 10 can quickly move the second motor 4 and the turntable fixture 18 downwards, thereby fixing the upper end of the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 in the turntable fixture 18. Then, by starting the second motor 4, the turntable fixture 18 can be driven to rotate. During the rotation, the torque sensor 2 can transmit the real-time torque detection data to the controller. When the ratchet teeth 30 and pawl 40 skip teeth during rotation, their torque will drop instantly. The magnitude of the torque can be detected by multiple skipping teeth. The whole operation is simple and convenient, with low manufacturing cost and accurate detection data.

[0036] A further improvement is that both the first lifting mechanism 16 and the second lifting mechanism 10 include two vertically arranged guide rods 6, a lifting seat 17 sleeved on the guide rods 6, and a driver 11 mounted on the slide 9 to slide the lifting seat 17 up and down. The first motor 14 and the second motor 4 are both mounted on the lifting seat 17. The driver 11 adopts a cylinder structure, and the piston rod of the driver 11 is connected to the lifting seat 17.

[0037] The actuator 11 can slide up and down along the guide rod 6 via the lifting seat 17, thereby ensuring its operating trajectory and avoiding coaxiality deviation. The actuator 11 adopts a cylinder structure, and the piston rod of the actuator 11 is connected to the lifting seat 17. The structure is simpler, the operation is easier, the manufacturing cost is lower, and it can also prevent the actuator 11 from wobbling radially.

[0038] A further improvement is that a linkage shaft 20 is provided between the turntable fixture 18 and the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7; the lower end of the linkage shaft 20 is provided with a magnetic suction hole 22, and the connecting column 23 is detachably disposed in the magnetic suction hole 22.

[0039] To prevent the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7 from being too close to the oil tank cap and increasing operational difficulty during rotation control via the turntable fixture 18, a linkage shaft 20 is added between the turntable fixture 18 and the driver 11 of the durability testing mechanism 15 and the torque testing mechanism 7. The turntable fixture 18 is mounted on the linkage shaft 20, thus providing sufficient operating and visual space for the driver 11 and the oil tank cap during operation. Simultaneously, a magnetic suction hole 22 is formed at the lower end of the linkage shaft 20. When the connecting post 23 is inserted into the magnetic suction hole 22, a secure connection is achieved, preventing it from falling off. Furthermore, when replacement is needed, it can be easily pulled out, making operation simpler and more convenient, and simplifying the replacement of the turntable fixture 18.

[0040] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art based on this application shall fall within the scope of protection claimed by this application.

Claims

1. A device for testing the performance of ratchet teeth and pawls inside a fuel tank cap, characterized in that: The device includes a base (1), a control cabinet (3) mounted on the base (1), a durability testing mechanism (15) and a torque testing mechanism (7) mounted on the front side of the control cabinet (3), an operation display (13) mounted on the control cabinet (3) for controlling the durability testing mechanism (15) and the torque testing mechanism (7) and displaying data, and a positioning clamping fixture (19) mounted on the base (1) for fixing the fuel tank cap to be tested. A turntable fixture (18) is provided on both the durability testing mechanism (15) and the torque testing mechanism (7).

2. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning clamp (19) is provided with a T-shaped slot (21) for fixing the fuel tank cap. The turntable (18) includes a quadrilateral connecting post (23) and a retaining ring (24) at one end of the connecting post (23). The turntable (18) is detachably mounted on the durability testing mechanism (15) and the torque testing mechanism (7) through the connecting post (23).

3. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control cabinet (3) is also provided with a switching mechanism (12), and the position of the turntable fixture (18) on the durability testing mechanism (15) and the torque testing mechanism (7) relative to the positioning chuck fixture (19) is moved laterally by the switching mechanism (12).

4. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 3, characterized in that: The switching mechanism (12) includes a slide rail (8) arranged laterally on the control cabinet (3), a slide block (9) slidably arranged on the slide rail (8), and a horizontal cylinder (5) arranged on one side of the slide block (9). The durability testing mechanism (15) and the torque testing mechanism (7) are both arranged on the slide block (9). The slide block (9) slides laterally through the horizontal cylinder (5).

5. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 4, characterized in that: The durability testing mechanism (15) includes a first lifting mechanism (16) mounted on the slide (9), a first motor (14) mounted on the first lifting mechanism (16), and a turntable fixture (18) mounted on the shaft of the first motor (14).

6. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 5, characterized in that: The torque testing mechanism (7) includes a second lifting mechanism (10) on the slide (9), a second motor (4) on the second lifting mechanism (10), and a torque sensor (2) on the shaft of the second motor (4). The turntable fixture (18) is controlled to rotate by the second motor (4).

7. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 6, characterized in that: Both the first lifting mechanism (16) and the second lifting mechanism (10) include two vertically arranged guide rods (6), a lifting seat (17) sleeved on the guide rods (6), and a driver (11) provided on the slide (9) to slide the lifting seat (17) up and down. The first motor (14) and the second motor (4) are both mounted on the lifting seat (17).

8. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 2, characterized in that: The turntable fixture (18) is connected to the durability testing mechanism (15) and the torque testing mechanism (7) by a linkage shaft (20).

9. The performance testing device for ratchet teeth and pawl inside a fuel tank cap according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lower end of the linkage shaft (20) is provided with a magnetic suction hole (22), and the connecting column (23) is detachably disposed in the magnetic suction hole (22).

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