Ultrasonic detection tool for welding seam of automobile hub
By introducing telescopic components and a turntable design into the ultrasonic testing device, the problem of the limited detection range of the robotic arm was solved, enabling efficient and economical testing of different wheel hubs and improving the flexibility and accuracy of the testing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ANHUI WORLD WIDE WELDING CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, when ultrasonic phased array inspection devices inspect welds of different models of automobile wheel hubs, they cannot effectively inspect small-sized wheel hubs due to the limitation of the working range of the robotic arm. Furthermore, replacing the robotic arm with one with a larger working range is costly and not easy to promote.
Design an ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds. By connecting a telescopic component with a self-locking function to a robotic arm, the ultrasonic probe is connected to the end effector of the robotic arm. The telescopic function of the component allows for adjustment of the ultrasonic probe position. Combined with a turntable and adjustable clamping area on the worktable, the testing range and adaptability are expanded.
It enables the expansion of the inspection range, improvement of inspection flexibility and accuracy, reduction of equipment upgrade costs, adaptation to the inspection needs of different types and sizes of wheel hubs, and improvement of inspection efficiency and accuracy without changing the type of robotic arm.
Smart Images
Figure CN224231712U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of product testing technology, specifically to ultrasonic testing fixtures for automotive wheel hub welds. Background Technology
[0002] Ultrasonic phased array technology utilizes multiple independent ultrasonic elements, precisely controlling the transmission and reception time (delay) of each element to achieve beam deflection, focusing, and scanning. This flexibility allows it to adapt to the complex geometry of wheel hub welds and achieve high-precision detection of internal weld defects.
[0003] Due to the complexity of welds in automotive wheel hub structures, existing technologies typically employ ultrasonic phased array testing devices to inspect these welds (generally at the junction of the rim and spokes). Specifically, a conventional ultrasonic phased array testing device includes a water tank, a fixture housed within the tank, a robotic arm positioned beside the tank, and an ultrasonic probe mounted on the robotic arm. In operation, the wheel hub is fixed to the fixture, and the robotic arm adjusts the position of the ultrasonic probe until it is positioned correctly to inspect the wheel hub weld, thus enabling subsequent inspection.
[0004] However, in actual use, due to the different models of wheel hubs from different batches, the distance between the weld seam on the wheel hub and the ultrasonic probe in its initial state will vary when different models of wheel hubs are placed on the fixture inside the water tank. In this case, the robotic arm needs to be adjusted accordingly so that the ultrasonic probe can be accurately aligned with the weld seam. However, due to the limitations of the robotic arm's working range, the adjustment position of the ultrasonic probe also has certain limitations. When the wheel hub to be inspected is small, the distance between the weld seam on the wheel hub and the ultrasonic probe in its initial state may be large. If this distance exceeds the adjustment range of the robotic arm, it is impossible to effectively inspect such small-sized wheel hubs. The usual solution is to replace it with a robotic arm with a larger working range, but due to high purchase costs, complex maintenance, and limited factory space, this solution is difficult to promote and use on a large scale.
[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, we propose an ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds. This fixture is designed to maximize the testing range through optimized structural design without altering the type of robotic arm, thereby adapting to the testing needs of wheel hubs of different types and sizes. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds to address the problems in the prior art. This fixture uses a telescopic component to connect the ultrasonic probe to the end effector of a robotic arm, which not only improves the flexibility and applicability of the testing but also effectively reduces equipment upgrade costs, providing an efficient and economical technical solution for automotive wheel hub weld testing.
[0007] To solve the above problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0008] An ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds includes a water tank, a robotic arm located beside the water tank, an ultrasonic probe for testing wheel hub welds, and a telescopic component with a self-locking function. The two ends of the telescopic component are respectively connected to the end effector on the robotic arm and the ultrasonic probe, so that the distance between the ultrasonic probe and the robotic arm can be adjusted by relying on the telescopic function of the telescopic component.
[0009] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the telescopic member includes a rod with one end on the end effector and a cylinder with one end connected to the ultrasonic probe, the other ends of the rod and the cylinder are movably connected, and the position of the rod on the cylinder is adjustable.
[0010] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the cylindrical part is provided with a through groove communicating with its interior along its length direction, and the rod part is provided with a threaded hole at one end inside the cylindrical part, and the threaded hole is opposite to the through groove so that bolts can be connected sequentially.
[0011] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the telescopic component also includes a connecting plate installed on the end of the cylinder away from the rod, and the ultrasonic probe is disposed on the connecting plate.
[0012] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the connecting plate has a Z-shaped overall structure, which includes two parallel parts and a vertical part for connecting the two parallel parts. The two parallel parts are respectively used for connecting the supply cylinder and the ultrasonic probe, and the vertical part is used to avoid the top of the water tank.
[0013] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the testing fixture also includes a workbench, on which a turntable for supporting the water tank is rotatably arranged, and a drive source for driving the turntable to rotate is provided on the workbench.
[0014] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the outer circumference of the turntable is provided with scale markings.
[0015] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the interior of the water tank is provided with a plurality of clamping members evenly distributed, and the actuating end of the clamping members can extend toward the middle of the water tank, so that an adjustable clamping area is formed between the actuating ends of the plurality of clamping members.
[0016] As a further embodiment of this utility model: a positioning pin is provided at the position of the water tank within the clamping area, and the positioning pin is located at the middle position of the water tank.
[0017] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the bottom of the water tank is provided with a water outlet, and a drain pipe with a control valve is connected to the water outlet.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0019] 1. This tooling, through the design of the telescopic component, not only enables the installation of the ultrasonic probe on the robotic arm, but also allows for the adjustment of the ultrasonic probe's position by relying on the extension or retraction function of the telescopic component itself. While reducing the frequency of equipment upgrades and replacements, it can also further expand the detection path of the ultrasonic probe, improving the flexibility and accuracy of the detection.
[0020] 2. The telescopic component consists of a rod and a cylinder, which are connected by a movable insertion. The position of the rod on the cylinder is adjustable, further enhancing the position adjustment capability of the ultrasonic probe and ensuring the accuracy and adaptability of the test. The through groove on the cylinder is opposite to the threaded hole on the rod and is connected by bolts, making the length adjustment of the telescopic component more stable and precise, avoiding errors caused by loosening during the test.
[0021] 3. The Z-shaped connecting plate design not only realizes the connection between the ultrasonic probe and the telescopic component, but also optimizes space utilization and avoids interference between components by avoiding the top of the water tank through the vertical part;
[0022] 4. The turntable and drive source on the workbench allow the water tank to rotate, facilitating comprehensive inspection of the wheel hub and improving the inspection coverage and efficiency.
[0023] 5. The clamping components inside the water tank can form an adjustable clamping area to accommodate wheel hubs of different sizes, enhancing the versatility and applicability of the equipment; at the same time, the design of the positioning pin ensures accurate positioning of the wheel hub during the testing process, reducing testing errors caused by positional offset. Attached Figure Description
[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of this utility model. Figure 1 ;
[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of this utility model. Figure 2 ;
[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the telescopic component and connecting plate in this utility model.
[0028] In the diagram: 1. Water tank; 2. Robotic arm; 3. Ultrasonic probe; 4. Telescopic component; 401. Rod; 402. Cylinder; 5. Through groove; 6. Threaded hole; 7. Connecting plate; 8. Worktable; 9. Turntable; 10. Drive source; 11. Clamping component; 12. Positioning pin; 13. Water outlet; 14. Drain pipe; a. Hub. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0030] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds includes a base with wheels, a robotic arm 2 and a worktable 8 mounted on the base, a turntable 9 rotatably mounted on the worktable 8, and a water tank 1 fixedly mounted on the turntable 9. The water tank 1 contains a clamp for holding and limiting the wheel hub a. The end effector of the robotic arm 2 is connected to a telescopic component 4 with a self-locking function. An ultrasonic probe 3 for testing the weld of the wheel hub a is mounted on the telescopic component 4. When the wheel hub a is limited by the clamp inside the water tank 1, the robotic arm 2 can move the ultrasonic probe 3 to a designated position on the weld of the wheel hub a for testing. When the type of wheel hub a exceeds the range that the robotic arm 2 can move the ultrasonic probe 3 to, the telescopic component 4 can be used to extend and adjust the position of the ultrasonic probe 3 on the robotic arm 2, and the self-locking function of the telescopic component 4 fixes the position of the ultrasonic probe 3.
[0031] This application uses a telescopic component 4 to mount the ultrasonic probe 3 onto the robotic arm 2. Within a certain range of the robotic arm 2's own working range, the adjustment activities applied by the robotic arm 2 to the ultrasonic probe 3 are further extended. This simple addition of the telescopic component 4 can achieve maximum positional adjustment of the ultrasonic probe 3. Compared with the use of high-precision and high-specification robotic arms in the prior art, this application greatly saves production costs.
[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the telescopic component 4 can be any conventional telescopic component in the prior art, but this application is designed based on the actual application scenario of the robot 2, as follows: The telescopic component 4 includes a rod 401 with one end on the end effector and a cylinder 402 with one end connected to the ultrasonic probe 3. The other ends of the rod 401 and the cylinder 402 are movably inserted and connected. The cylinder 402 has a through groove 5 that communicates with its interior along its length direction. The end of the rod 401 located inside the cylinder 402 has a threaded hole 6, and the threaded hole 6 is opposite to the through groove 5. A bolt (not shown in the figure) can pass through the through groove 5 and the threaded hole 6 in sequence to fix the position of the rod 401 on the cylinder 402, that is, to lock the rod 401 after its position on the cylinder 402 is adjusted. When the position of the ultrasonic probe 3 needs to be adjusted later, the bolt can be loosened first so that the rod 401 can move along the length of the cylinder 402 until the ultrasonic probe 3 is driven to the corresponding designated position. Then the bolt can be tightened again to fix the rod 401 on the cylinder 402.
[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, in order to facilitate the quick assembly and disassembly of the ultrasonic probe 3, a connecting plate 7 is provided on the end of the cylindrical part 402 away from the rod part 401 in this embodiment. The ultrasonic probe 3 is detachably mounted on the connecting plate 7. The disassembly method can be threaded connection, snap-fit or snap-fit, etc. Compared with the complicated installation method of the ultrasonic probe 3 on the cylindrical part 402, the flat connecting plate 7 provided in this embodiment can provide a stable and convenient carrier for the assembly and disassembly of the ultrasonic probe 3.
[0034] Furthermore, based on the design of the connecting plate 7 connecting the cylindrical part 402 and the ultrasonic probe 3, the presence of the water tank 1 restricts the range of motion of the connecting plate 7, thereby synchronously restricting the movement of the ultrasonic probe 3 located on the connecting plate 7; therefore, in this embodiment, the connecting plate 7 is designed with a Z-shaped overall structure, such as... Figure 3 As shown, it includes two parallel parts and a vertical part for connecting the two parallel parts. The two parallel parts are respectively used for connecting the supply cylinder 402 and the ultrasonic probe 3, and the vertical part is used to avoid the top of the water tank 1. The state during use can be determined by... Figure 1 This embodiment utilizes a connecting plate 7 of this shape to further expand the range of motion of the ultrasonic probe 3, thereby broadening the adaptability of this detection work.
[0035] For example Figure 1As shown, in order for the water tank 1 to drive the hub a to rotate automatically, this application provides a drive source 10 on the worktable 8 to drive the turntable 9 to rotate. The drive source 10 can be selected as a servo motor, etc. After the hub a is fixed by the clamp in the water tank 1, the drive source 10 can be used to drive the water tank 1 to rotate, and then the hub a can rotate relative to the ultrasonic probe 3 to realize circumferential detection. In order to know the angle and number of rotations of the hub a, this embodiment provides a scale mark on the circumferential array of the outer circumference of the turntable 9.
[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, specifically, this application designs a fixture with the following structure based on the workpiece being a wheel hub a: The fixture includes multiple clamping members 11 evenly distributed within the water tank 1. The actuating ends of the clamping members 11 can extend towards the center of the water tank 1, so that an adjustable clamping area is formed between the actuating ends of the multiple clamping members 11. The wheel hub a can be clamped and limited within the clamping area. Preferably, in order to limit different wheel hubs a to designated positions within the water tank 1, a positioning pin 12 can be provided at the position of the water tank 1 within the clamping area, and the positioning pin 12 is located at the center of the water tank 1. The positioning pin 12 can pass through the through hole in the middle of the wheel hub a. After the wheel hub a is limited by the positioning pin 12 and fixed by the multiple clamping members 11, the positioning pin 12 will be coaxially arranged with the wheel hub a.
[0037] The coupling agent required during the testing process is preferably water. The bottom of the water tank 1 is provided with a water outlet 13, and a drain pipe 14 with a control valve is connected to the water outlet 13. When the test is completed or the water needs to be replaced, the control valve on the drain pipe 14 can be opened to drain the water.
[0038] This application is based on the integrated design of the above-mentioned components, and the specific testing process is as follows:
[0039] The position of the ultrasonic probe 3 on the robotic arm 2 is pre-adjusted using the telescopic component 4 according to the type of wheel hub a to be inspected. Then, the wheel hub a is positioned in the clamping area using the positioning pin 12. Subsequently, multiple clamping components 11 are driven to work, causing the wheel hub a to be limited and fixed. Next, water is injected into the water tank 1 until the water completely submerges the weld seam to be inspected on the wheel hub a. Then, the robotic arm 2 drives the ultrasonic probe 3 below the water surface until it reaches the designated position of the outer weld seam of the wheel hub a and performs the inspection. At this time, the drive source 10 drives the water tank 1 to rotate, thereby causing the outer weld seam to rotate circumferentially relative to the ultrasonic probe 3, realizing the circumferential inspection of the outer weld seam. After the inspection is completed, the robotic arm 2 drives the ultrasonic probe 3 to return to the initial position. When it is necessary to inspect the inner weld seam of the wheel hub a, it is only necessary to use the robotic arm 2 to drive the ultrasonic probe 3 to the designated position of the inner weld seam, and then drive the water tank 1 to rotate circumferentially to realize the circumferential inspection of the inner weld seam.
[0040] It should be noted that although the above description describes the inspection method as outer side first and then inner side, in the actual inspection process, there is no distinction between the two. It is also possible to inspect the inner side first and then the outer side. This article does not restrict the inspection order.
[0041] The above description provides a detailed account of one embodiment of the present invention. However, this description is merely a preferred embodiment and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent variations and improvements made within the scope of the claims of the present invention should still fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.
Claims
1. An ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds, characterized in that, It includes a water tank (1), a robotic arm (2) located next to the water tank (1), an ultrasonic probe (3) for detecting the weld seam of the wheel hub (a), and a telescopic component (4) with a self-locking function. The two ends of the telescopic component (4) are respectively connected to the end effector on the robotic arm (2) and the ultrasonic probe (3), so that the distance between the ultrasonic probe (3) and the robotic arm (2) can be adjusted by relying on the telescopic function of the telescopic component (4).
2. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to claim 1, characterized in that, The telescopic component (4) includes a rod (401) with one end on the end effector and a cylinder (402) with one end connected to the ultrasonic probe (3). The other ends of the rod (401) and the cylinder (402) are movably connected, and the position of the rod (401) on the cylinder (402) is adjustable.
3. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cylindrical part (402) has a through groove (5) connected to its interior along its length direction. The rod part (401) has a threaded hole (6) at one end inside the cylindrical part (402), and the threaded hole (6) is opposite to the through groove (5) so that bolts can pass through and connect in sequence.
4. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to claim 3, characterized in that, The telescopic component (4) also includes a connecting plate (7) installed on the end of the cylinder (402) away from the rod (401), and the ultrasonic probe (3) is mounted on the connecting plate (7).
5. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connecting plate (7) has a Z-shaped structure, which includes two parallel parts and a vertical part for connecting the two parallel parts. The two parallel parts are used for connecting the supply cylinder (402) and the ultrasonic probe (3), respectively, and the vertical part is used to avoid the top of the water tank (1).
6. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to claim 5, characterized in that, The testing fixture also includes a workbench (8), on which a turntable (9) for supporting the water tank (1) is rotatably mounted, and a drive source (10) for driving the turntable (9) to rotate is provided on the workbench (8).
7. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer circumferential array of the turntable (9) is provided with scale markings.
8. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The water tank (1) is provided with a plurality of clamping members (11) evenly distributed inside, and the actuating end of the clamping member (11) can extend toward the middle of the water tank (1) so that an adjustable clamping area is formed between the actuating ends of the plurality of clamping members (11).
9. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to claim 8, characterized in that, The water tank (1) is provided with a positioning pin (12) in the clamping area, and the positioning pin (12) is located in the middle of the water tank (1).
10. The ultrasonic testing fixture for automotive wheel hub welds according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The bottom of the water tank (1) is provided with a water outlet (13), and a drain pipe (14) with a control valve is connected to the water outlet (13).