Automatic welding device for combined shaft and vehicle manufacturing system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of welding, in particular to an automatic welding device for a combined shaft and a vehicle manufacturing system. An automatic welding device for a combined shaft comprises an assembling station suitable for connecting a first to-be-welded part and a second to-be-welded part in a sleeving mode to form the combined shaft; the welding station comprises a welding clamping jaw and a welding gun, the welding clamping jaw is suitable for clamping the combined shaft, and the welding gun is used for welding the sleeving position of the first to-be-welded part and the second to-be-welded part; and the mechanical arm is used for moving the combined shaft from the assembling station to the welding station. The utility model provides an automatic welding device for a combined shaft and a vehicle manufacturing system, and aims to solve the problems of potential safety hazards and low working efficiency of personnel due to the fact that manual carrying (carrying, welding and other links are carried out after manual assembly) is often adopted in the welding process of a middle shaft and a universal joint fork or a middle shaft sleeve and the universal joint fork.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of welding technology, specifically to an automatic welding device for combined shafts and a vehicle manufacturing system. Background Technology

[0002] In the vehicle manufacturing process, the intermediate shaft and tubing in the vehicle steering system are indispensable and crucial components, affecting vehicle driving safety. Currently, the welding process between the intermediate shaft and the universal joint fork, or between the intermediate shaft sleeve and the universal joint fork, often relies on manual handling (manual assembly followed by handling and welding), which poses safety hazards and reduces worker efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides an automatic welding device for combined shafts and a vehicle manufacturing system to solve the problems of safety hazards and low work efficiency caused by the manual handling (manual assembly followed by handling and welding) often used in the welding process of intermediate shafts and universal joint forks, or intermediate shaft sleeves and universal joint forks.

[0004] In a first aspect, this utility model provides an automatic welding device for combined shafts, comprising:

[0005] An assembly station, wherein the assembly station is adapted to fit a first part to be welded and a second part to be welded together to form a combined shaft;

[0006] A welding station, comprising welding jaws and a welding torch, wherein the welding jaws are adapted to clamp the combined shaft, and the welding torch is used to weld the joint between the first and second parts to be welded.

[0007] A robotic arm that moves a self-assembly station of a composite shaft to a welding station.

[0008] The assembly station is suitable for fitting the first and second parts to be welded together to form a combined shaft. The robotic arm moves the combined shaft from the assembly station to the welding station, and the welding torch welds the fitting of the first and second parts to be welded together, maintaining the consistency of welding quality and avoiding manual movement, thus reducing safety hazards.

[0009] In one optional embodiment, the system further includes a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first housing is provided with an assembly station and the second housing is provided with a welding station, and the robotic arm is located on the outside of the first housing or the second housing.

[0010] In one optional embodiment, the welding station includes a first vertical slide rail, a first horizontal slide rail, a first support base, a first power component, a first fixed base, and a second power component. The first support base is slidably connected to the first horizontal slide rail, and the first power component is connected to the first support base to drive the first support base to slide along the first horizontal slide rail. The first support base is provided with a first vertical slide rail, and the first fixed base is slidably connected to the first vertical slide rail. The second power component is connected to the first fixed base to drive the first fixed base to slide along the first vertical slide rail, and the welding torch is disposed on the first fixed base.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, the assembly station is equipped with a barcode scanner, which is located on the first housing.

[0012] In one optional embodiment, a testing station is also included, which is located on the first housing. The testing station includes a camera and a rotating table. A welded assembly shaft is placed on the rotating table, and the camera takes pictures of the assembly shaft.

[0013] In one optional embodiment, the detection station includes a second support base, a second horizontal slide rail, a second fixed base, a third power component, a fourth power component, and a second vertical slide rail. The second horizontal slide rail is mounted on a first housing, and the second support base is mounted on the second horizontal slide rail. The third power component is connected to the second support base to drive the second support base to move along the second horizontal slide rail. The second support base is mounted on the second vertical slide rail, and the second fixed base is slidably connected to the second vertical slide rail. The fourth power component is connected to the second fixed base to drive the second fixed base to slide along the second vertical rail. The camera is mounted on the second fixed base.

[0014] In one optional embodiment, a welding wire processing station is further included, the welding wire processing station including a wire cutting table disposed on the second housing.

[0015] In one optional embodiment, the welding wire processing station further includes a cleaning station connected to a wire cutting station.

[0016] Secondly, this utility model also provides a vehicle manufacturing system, including the aforementioned automatic welding device for combined shafts.

[0017] In one alternative implementation, a controller is also included, which is connected to the robotic arm circuitry. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic welding device for combined shafts according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic welding device for the combined shaft after removing the welding wire coil and protective frame according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly station and the testing station according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the testing station according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the welding station according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 This is another schematic diagram of the welding station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the welding wire processing station according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the welding wire processing station from another angle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. First housing; 101. First top plate; 2. Second housing; 201. Second top plate; 202. Slag collection shell; 3. Assembly station; 301. Code scanner; 302. Rotary table; 4. Welding station; 401. Welding gripper; 402. Welding torch; 403. First support base; 404. First horizontal slide rail; 405. First power component; 406. First vertical slide rail; 407. First fixed base; 408. 2. Power components; 409. Welding table; 5. Inspection station; 501. Rotary table; 502. Camera; 503. Second support base; 504. Second horizontal slide rail; 505. Second fixed base; 506. Second vertical slide rail; 507. Sliding column; 6. Combined shaft; 601. First part to be welded; 602. Second part to be welded; 7. Welding wire processing station; 701. Wire cutting table; 702. Cleaning table; 8. Welding wire coil; 9. Protective frame. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0029] The following is combined Figures 1 to 8 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automatic welding device for a combined shaft 6 is provided, comprising: an assembly station 3, which is adapted to fit a first workpiece 601 and a second workpiece 602 to be welded together to form a combined shaft 6; a welding station 4, which includes a welding gripper 401 and a welding torch 402, wherein the welding gripper 401 is adapted to clamp the combined shaft 6, and the welding torch 402 is used to weld the fitting of the first workpiece 601 and the second workpiece 602; and a robotic arm, which is used to move the combined shaft 6 from the assembly station 3 to the welding station 4.

[0031] Assembly station 3 is suitable for fitting the first component 601 and the second component 602 together to form a combined shaft 6. A robotic arm moves the combined shaft 6 from assembly station 3 to welding station 4, where a welding torch 402 welds the fitted joint of the first and second components 601, maintaining consistent welding quality, avoiding manual movement, reducing safety hazards, and improving work efficiency. Specifically, the first component 601 is an intermediate sleeve or intermediate shaft, and the second component 602 is a universal joint fork, with the intermediate shaft fitted to the universal joint fork, or the intermediate sleeve fitted to the universal joint fork.

[0032] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, it also includes a first housing 1 and a second housing 2. The first housing 1 is provided with an assembly station 3, and the second housing 2 is provided with a welding station 4. A robotic arm is located on the outside of the first housing 1 or the second housing 2. By setting up the first housing 1 and the second housing 2, different stations can be set on different housings, and the robotic arm can move the combined shaft 6 at different stations.

[0033] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, welding station 4 includes a first vertical slide rail 406, a first horizontal slide rail 404, a first support base 403, a first power component 405, a first fixed base 407, and a second power component 408. The first support base 403 is slidably connected to the first horizontal slide rail 404. The first power component 405 is connected to the first support base 403 to drive the first support base 403 to slide along the first horizontal slide rail 404. The first support base 403 is provided with the first vertical slide rail 406. The first fixed base 407 is slidably connected to the first vertical slide rail 406. The second power component 408 is connected to the first fixed base 407 to drive the first fixed base 407 to slide along the first vertical slide rail 406. The welding torch 402 is provided on the first fixed base 407. In this embodiment, the first horizontal slide rail 404 is disposed on the second top plate 201 of the second housing 2. A first power component 405 is provided to allow the first support base 403 to move relative to the first horizontal slide bar. A first vertical slide bar is disposed on the first support base 403. A second power component 408 is provided to allow the first fixed base 407 to move up and down along the first vertical slide rail 406 of the first support base 403, thereby enabling the welding torch 402 to move along the direction of the first horizontal slide rail 404 or the first vertical slide rail 406, facilitating the adjustment of the position of the welding torch 402. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the specific structures of the first support base 403 and the first horizontal slide rail 404, and the first fixed base 407 and the first vertical slide rail 406 are not specifically limited, and the specific structures of the first power component 405 and the second power component 408 are not specifically limited; they can be linear motion modules driven by a telescopic motor or by a cylinder.

[0034] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 As shown, it also includes a welding table 409, on which welding jaws 401 and a fifth power component are provided. The fifth power component drives the welding jaws 401 to perform circular motion, and the welding jaws 401 themselves have a clamping function. Specifically, the fifth power component is a rotary motor. In this embodiment, the specific structure of the welding jaws 401 is not specifically set; it only needs to have a clamping function. Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the surface of the second housing 2 is also provided with a recessed slag collection shell 202 to collect the welding slag generated during the welding process. It should be noted that the tops of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 in this embodiment are respectively provided with protective frames 9 to protect each workstation.

[0035] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, assembly station 3 is equipped with a barcode scanner 301 and a rotating table 302. The barcode scanner 301 is mounted on the first housing 1, and the rotating table 302 is suitable for placing the combined shaft 6. The barcode scanner 301 scans the combined shaft 6 to achieve automated recording. It should be noted that the rotating table 302 is set to rotate automatically. The barcode scanner 301 scans the first part to be welded 601 and the second part to be welded 602 respectively. The combined shaft 6 on the rotating table 302 is in the unwelded state, that is, the first part to be welded 601 and the second part to be welded 602 are fitted together, and the rotating table 302 rotates according to the scanning result of the barcode scanner 301. It should be noted that the rotary table 302 has two positions: one is the position where the intermediate shaft and the universal joint fork are fitted together, and the other is the position where the intermediate sleeve and the universal joint fork are fitted together. The intermediate sleeve and the universal joint fork cannot be fitted together at the position where the intermediate shaft and the universal joint fork are fitted together. If a situation arises where they cannot be fitted together, the rotary table 302 will rotate.

[0036] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, it also includes an inspection station 5, which is located on the first housing 1. The inspection station 5 includes a camera 502 and a rotating table 501. The welded assembly shaft 6 is placed on the rotating table 501, and the camera 502 takes pictures of the assembly shaft 6. The rotation of the rotating table 501 causes the welded assembly shaft 6 to rotate, and the camera 502 takes pictures of the weld of the assembly shaft 6 and determines whether it meets the quality standards.

[0037] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the testing station 5 includes a second support base 503, a second horizontal slide rail 504, a second fixed base 505, a third power component, a fourth power component, and a second vertical slide rail 506. The second horizontal slide rail 504 is mounted on the first housing 1, and the second support base 503 is mounted on the second horizontal slide rail 504. The third power component is connected to the second support base 503 to drive the second support base 503 to move along the second horizontal slide rail 504. The second vertical slide rail 506 is mounted on the second support base 503. The second fixed base 505 is slidably connected to the second vertical slide rail 506. The fourth power component is connected to the second fixed base 505 to drive the second fixed base 505 to slide along the second vertical rail. The camera 502 is mounted on the second fixed base 505. A third power component drives the second support base 503 to move along the second horizontal slide rail 504, causing the second support base 503 to move. Since the second support base 503 is equipped with a second vertical slide rail 506, and the second fixed base 505 is slidably connected to the second vertical slide rail 506, a fourth power component drives the second fixed base 505 to slide up and down along the second vertical slide rail 506, allowing the camera 502 to capture weld seams at different heights. To limit arbitrary shaking of the camera 502, a sliding column 507 is also included, with the camera 502 slidably connected to the sliding column 507, allowing the camera 502 to slide along the sliding column 507.

[0038] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, it also includes a welding wire processing station 7, which includes a wire cutting table 701, which is located on the second housing 2. It should be noted that in this embodiment, both the welding wire processing station 7 and the welding station 4 are located on the second housing 2. The wire cutting table 701 is used to cut the welding wire in the welding gun 402. The welding gun 402 is connected to the welding wire roll 8. This application does not impose specific structural limitations on the wire cutting table 701; any device that can cut the wire is acceptable. The welding wire roll 8 is provided with an outer side of a protective frame 9.

[0039] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the welding wire processing station 7 also includes a cleaning table 702, which is connected to the wire cutting table 701. It should be noted that the cleaning table 702 and the wire cutting table 701 are integrally formed, and the welding wire processing station 7 is located on the side of the first horizontal slide rail 404, and is positioned on the same side as the welding torch 402. This allows for adjustment of the position of the welding torch 402 via the first horizontal slide rail 404 and the first vertical slide rail 406, moving the welding torch 402 to the welding wire processing station 7 for wire cutting and cleaning of the welding points on the welding torch 402. This embodiment does not limit the specific structure of the cleaning table 702; it can be used to clean the welding points and slag on the welding torch 402.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present invention, another aspect provides a vehicle manufacturing system, including the above-mentioned automatic welding device for the combined axle 6, and a controller, which is respectively connected to the first power component 405, the second power component 408, the third power component, the fourth power component, the barcode scanner 301, the camera 502, the cleaning table 702, the welding gripper 401, the welding torch 402 and the wire cutting table 701.

[0041] A method of using an automatic welding device for a combined shaft 6 includes the following steps:

[0042] (1) The first part to be welded 601 and the second part to be welded 602 that came down from the previous process are assembled by the robotic arm on the rotating table 302 to form a combined shaft 6.

[0043] (2) The robotic arm moves the combined shaft 6 to the welding gripper 401 at the welding station 4. The welding gripper 401 clamps the combined shaft 6, and the welding gun 402 begins to weld the sleeve joint. The welding gripper 401 will rotate until the welding is completed.

[0044] (3) The robotic arm moves the welded combined shaft 6 to the inspection station 5. The rotary table 501 drives the welded combined shaft 6 to rotate. The camera 502 takes pictures of the weld of the combined shaft 6 and determines whether it meets the quality standards. If it meets the standards, the next process is carried out. If it does not meet the standards, the recycling process is carried out.

[0045] It is important to note that for combined shafts 6 of the same size and specifications, the position of the clamping jaws on the combined shaft 6 should be consistent with the position of the welding torch 402 to ensure consistent welding quality. When the welding torch 402 has been in operation for the preset time or a combined shaft 6 that does not meet quality standards is found, the welding torch 402 needs to be trimmed and then cleaned. Specifically, the first power component 405 drives the first support base 403 to move relative to the first horizontal slide bar, and the second power component 408 allows the first fixed base 407 to move along the first support base 403. The vertical slide rail 406 moves up and down, thereby enabling the welding torch 402 to move along the first horizontal slide rail 404 or the first vertical slide rail 406, so that the welding torch 402 moves to the wire cutting position, and the wire cutting table 701 cuts the wire; the first power component 405 and the second power component 408 cooperate to make the welding torch 402 reach the cleaning table 702, and the cleaning table 702 removes the welding slag and other substances on the welding torch 402. After the wire cutting and cleaning are completed, the first power component 405 and the second power component 408 cooperate to move the welding torch 402 to the welding position.

[0046] The automatic welding device for the combined shaft 6 provided by this utility model has the following advantages: (1) A robotic arm is provided to realize the transportation of the combined shaft 6 to be welded between different workstations, and to realize the automation of "assembly → welding → inspection"; (2) A rotating table 302 is provided at the assembly workstation 3 to realize the connection between the intermediate sleeve and the universal joint fork, and between the intermediate shaft and the universal joint fork, so as to meet different design requirements; (3) A welding workstation 4 is provided, and the combined shaft 6 is driven to rotate at a uniform speed through the welding gripper 401. The relative position of the gripper holding the combined shaft 6 and the gripper is consistent each time, ensuring the stability of the welding effect; (4) An inspection workstation 5 is provided to realize the automated inspection of the weld, avoiding the errors that may occur during manual inspection; (5) A wire cutting table 701 and a cleaning table 702 are provided to facilitate the processing of welding wire and welding gun 402.

[0047] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automatic welding device for combined shafts, characterized in that, include: Assembly station (3), which is adapted to fit the first part to be welded (601) and the second part to be welded (602) together to form a combined shaft (6); Welding station (4), the welding station (4) includes welding jaws (401) and welding gun (402), the welding jaws (401) are adapted to clamp the combined shaft (6), and the welding gun (402) is used to weld the joint of the first workpiece to be welded (601) and the second workpiece to be welded (602); A robotic arm that moves the assembly shaft (6) from the self-assembly station (3) to the welding station (4).

2. The automatic welding device for combined shafts according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first box (1) and a second box (2), the first box (1) is provided with an assembly station (3), the second box (2) is provided with a welding station (4), and the robotic arm is located on the outside of the first box (1) or the second box (2).

3. The automatic welding device for combined shafts according to claim 2, characterized in that, The welding station (4) includes a first vertical slide rail (406), a first horizontal slide rail (404), a first support base (403), a first power component (405), a first fixed base (407), and a second power component (408). The first support base (403) is slidably connected to the first horizontal slide rail (404). The first power component (405) is connected to the first support base (403) to drive the first support base (403) to slide along the first horizontal slide rail (404). The first support base (403) is provided with the first vertical slide rail (406). The first fixed base (407) is slidably connected to the first vertical slide rail (406). The second power component (408) is connected to the first fixed base (407) to drive the first fixed base (407) to slide along the first vertical slide rail (406). The welding torch (402) is provided on the first fixed base (407).

4. The automatic welding device for combined shafts according to claim 2, characterized in that, The assembly station (3) is equipped with a barcode scanner (301), which is located on the first housing (1).

5. The automatic welding device for combined shafts according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, It also includes a testing station (5), which is located on the first housing (1). The testing station (5) includes a camera (502) and a rotating table (501). The welded assembly shaft (6) is placed on the rotating table (501), and the camera (502) takes pictures of the assembly shaft (6).

6. The automatic welding device for combined shafts according to claim 5, characterized in that, The detection station (5) includes a second support base (503), a second horizontal slide rail (504), a second fixed base (505), a third power component, a fourth power component, and a second vertical slide rail (506). The second horizontal slide rail (504) is mounted on the first housing (1). The second support base (503) is mounted on the second horizontal slide rail (504). The third power component is connected to the second support base (503) to drive the second support base (503) to move along the second horizontal slide rail (504). The second vertical slide rail (506) is mounted on the second support base (503). The second fixed base (505) is slidably connected to the second vertical slide rail (506). The fourth power component is connected to the second fixed base (505) to drive the second fixed base (505) to slide along the second vertical rail. The camera (502) is mounted on the second fixed base (505).

7. The automatic welding device for combined shafts according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, It also includes a welding wire processing station (7), which includes a wire cutting table (701) located on the second housing (2).

8. The automatic welding device for combined shafts according to claim 7, characterized in that, The welding wire processing station (7) also includes a cleaning station (702), which is connected to the wire cutting station (701).

9. A vehicle manufacturing system, characterized in that, The automatic welding device for the combined shaft (6) as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The vehicle manufacturing system according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a controller, which is connected to the robotic arm's wiring.

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