A device for testing pressure of automobile pipe fitting
By using upper and lower fixed columns and annular expansion airbag sealing structure in the automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device, combined with conical air nozzle locking and protective cover, the problems of insufficient sealing and external protection are solved, and high-precision and safe pressure testing operation is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JINGZHOU JINMA AUTOMOBILE PARTS MFG
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
Smart Images

Figure CN224341185U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive pipe pressure testing, and in particular to an automotive pipe pressure testing device. Background Technology
[0002] Automotive pipe pressure testing is a testing method conducted at pressures exceeding normal operating pressure (typically 1.3 to several times the standard operating pressure). Its main technical purpose is to accurately identify and eliminate potential defects: by applying high pressure and holding it for a specified time (e.g., 30 seconds), microcracks, pores, and pinholes in the pipe wall, as well as defects such as incomplete welding, lack of fusion, and poor sealing at welds or connections, and insufficient strength of the material itself or assembly errors, can be forcibly exposed. These defects are difficult to detect under low pressure or static conditions, but may develop into leaks or even sudden bursts under actual operating conditions such as vibration, temperature cycling, or pressure shocks, leading to brake failure (brake pipes), fuel leaks and fires (fuel pipes), insufficient cooling causing overheating (water pipes), or abnormal system function (air conditioning / power steering pipes). Therefore, pressure testing is a key technical verification step to ensure the structural integrity and sealing reliability of pipes under dynamic pressure loads throughout the vehicle's entire life cycle.
[0003] To test automotive pipe fittings, existing technology has proposed a device for pressure testing of automotive pipe fittings, such as the pressure testing device for automotive pipe fittings with application number CN202422136513.7. This device includes a worktable, a clamping mechanism, an air pump, a top sealing mechanism, and a rubber sealing sleeve. The worktable has a through hole, the air pump is fixed below the worktable, and the air pump has an air outlet pipe that passes through the through hole and is located on the upper surface of the worktable. The rubber sealing sleeve is fitted and fixed outside the air outlet pipe. The clamping mechanism includes fixed jaws and movable jaws located on both sides of the air outlet pipe. The top sealing mechanism can automatically rise and fall. In this invention, the jaws of both the movable and fixed jaws are arc-shaped, resulting in more stable clamping and avoiding damage to the pipe fitting caused by line contact. Furthermore, the movable jaw can automatically reciprocate, thus cooperating with the fixed jaw to clamp or release the pipe fitting, avoiding the inconvenience of manually opening and lowering the clamping plates required in existing pressure testing devices.
[0004] The existing technology similar to the above-mentioned patent has the following problems: the rubber sealing sleeve does not seal the pipe fitting well enough. Relying solely on the rubber sealing sleeve to hold one end of the pipe fitting, it is difficult to ensure good airtightness, which will lead to falsely high pressure values measured on the pipe fitting, affecting the accuracy of the measurement. Furthermore, there are no external protective measures when measuring air pressure.
[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a pressure testing device for automotive pipe fittings to enhance the sealing performance during pressure testing and to strengthen external protection measures. Utility Model Content
[0006] To address the shortcomings in sealing and external protection of existing pressure testing devices, this utility model proposes a pressure testing device for automotive pipe fittings, the technical solution of which is as follows:
[0007] An automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device includes a horizontally arranged base and a fixedly arranged top frame above the base. A pair of fixed columns, including an upper fixed column and a lower fixed column, are arranged above the base. The lower fixed column, extending upwards, is fixedly installed on the base, and a lower sealing plate is provided at the connection between the lower end of the lower fixed column and the top surface of the base. A liftable upper sealing plate is provided on the lower side of the top frame, and the upper fixed column is fixedly connected to the bottom of the upper sealing plate. The upper and lower fixed columns are coaxially and vertically opposite each other, and both have air nozzles on their outer walls. Several annular grooves are coaxially formed on the outer circumference of the upper and lower fixed columns, in which annular expansion airbags are fitted. The inflation head of the expansion airbag is inserted into the corresponding air nozzle through a locking mechanism. Openable and closable protective covers are provided on both sides of the base. At least one of the upper and lower fixed columns integrates an air outlet pipe for pressurization. The pipes connecting the air outlet pipe and the air nozzle extend through the base to the outside and are respectively connected to a pressurization system and an inflation system.
[0008] Furthermore, the cross-section of the annular groove is semi-circular to accommodate the annular inflatable airbag, and one side of the arc edge of the semi-circle faces the axis of the fixed column.
[0009] Furthermore, each of the upper and lower fixed columns is provided with at least two annular grooves.
[0010] Furthermore, the edge of the annular groove is connected to the outer wall of the fixed column by a smooth, rounded arc surface.
[0011] Furthermore, the locking mechanism includes a blind hole opened on the inner wall of the annular groove, the inner wall of the blind hole is provided with an internal thread, and a conical air nozzle is built into the blind hole. The diameter of the air nozzle gradually decreases from the radial direction of the fixed column to the outer wall; the air inlet of the inflation head is set as a conical air inlet that matches the conical air nozzle.
[0012] Furthermore, several rubber sealing rings are coaxially arranged on the outer wall of the conical air nozzle.
[0013] Furthermore, a circumferential annular groove is formed on the outer wall of the inflation head, and a protruding key is fixed on the inner wall of the threaded sleeve. The protruding key is embedded in the circumferential annular groove, so that the threaded sleeve can rotate freely relative to the inflation head while undergoing axial synchronous displacement.
[0014] Furthermore, the protective cover includes a first half-cover and a second half-cover arranged facing each other. The first half-cover is slidably disposed on the base. A driving device is provided on the side of the first half-cover away from the pipe. The driving device drives the first half-cover to move horizontally and linearly away from the second half-cover on the opposite side. The second half-cover is detachably installed on the base.
[0015] Furthermore, the driving device is a pneumatic push rod, with its piston rod end fixedly connected to the first half-cover.
[0016] Furthermore, the upper sealing plate is driven to rise and fall by an electric push rod, and the upper sealing plate is installed at the end of the push rod of the electric push rod.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model effectively improves the sealing performance and safety of automotive pipe pressure testing: the annular expansion airbag with upper and lower opposing fixed columns adaptively compresses the pipe wall, and the annular groove guides the airbag to expand in a directional manner to enhance the fit. The conical air nozzle locking mechanism and multi-layer rubber seals achieve double leakage prevention. At the same time, the pneumatically openable and closeable protective cover system quickly closes during testing to form a closed isolation zone, blocking the risk of high-pressure medium splashing. The lifting component and the protective device work together to further optimize operational safety, greatly reducing safety hazards while ensuring testing accuracy. The overall structure is compact and efficient. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged schematic diagram of the disassembled state of the annular inflatable airbag at point a;
[0020] Figure 3 This is a top view of the annular inflatable airbag structure.
[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lower fixed column.
[0022] Figure 5 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the inflation head structure of the annular inflatable airbag.
[0023] In the above-mentioned attached figures: base 1, top frame 2, lower fixed column 3, upper fixed column 4, annular expansion airbag 5, lower sealing pressure plate 6, upper sealing pressure plate 7, air nozzle 8, inflation head 9, threaded sleeve 10, first half cover 11, second half cover 12, pneumatic push rod 13, electric push rod 14, air outlet pipe 15, annular groove 16, rubber sealing ring 17, pipe fitting 18, circumferential annular sliding groove 19, protruding key 20, blind hole 21. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0025] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, an automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device includes a horizontally arranged base 1 and a fixedly arranged top frame 2 above the base 1. A pair of fixed columns are arranged above the base 1, including an upper fixed column 4 and a lower fixed column 3. The lower fixed column 3 extending upward is fixedly installed on the base 1, and a lower sealing pressure plate 6 is provided at the connection between the lower end of the lower fixed column 3 and the top surface of the base 1. An adjustable upper sealing pressure plate 7 is provided on the lower side of the top frame 2, and the upper fixed column 4 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the upper sealing pressure plate 7.
[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the upper fixing column 4 and the lower fixing column 3 are arranged coaxially and vertically opposite each other, and both of them are provided with air nozzles 8 on their outer walls. The upper fixing column 4 and the lower fixing column 3 are provided with several annular grooves on their outer circumferences. Preferably, the upper and lower fixing columns 3 are each provided with two annular grooves. By providing multiple annular grooves, the airtightness and the stability of the pipe fitting 18 are enhanced.
[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, preferably, the cross-section of the annular groove is semi-circular to accommodate the annular inflatable airbag 5. Preferably, the edge of the annular groove 16 is connected to the outer wall of the fixed column by a smooth transition arc surface to reduce the wear of the annular inflatable airbag 5, and one side of the semi-circular arc edge faces the axis of the fixed column. The annular inflatable airbag 5 is fitted in the annular groove 16; the inflation head 9 of the inflatable airbag is inserted into the corresponding air nozzle 8 through a locking mechanism; the base 1 is provided with openable and closable protective covers on both sides; at least one of the upper fixed column 4 and the lower fixed column 3 integrates an air outlet pipe 15 for pressurization. The pipes connecting the air outlet pipe 15 and the air nozzle 8 extend through the base 1 to the outside and are respectively connected to the pressurization system and the inflation system (how to connect the pressurization system and the inflation system and how to install the pressure relief valve are easy to implement by those skilled in the art, so they will not be described in detail here).
[0028] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, preferably, the locking mechanism includes a blind hole 21 formed on the inner wall of the annular groove 16. The inner wall of the blind hole 21 is provided with internal threads. A conical air nozzle 8 is placed inside the blind hole 21. The diameter of the air nozzle 8 gradually decreases radially towards the outer wall of the fixed column. The air inlet of the inflation head 9 is set as a conical air inlet that matches the conical air nozzle 8. A threaded sleeve 10 is coaxially rotatably provided on the outer side of the inflation head 9. The threaded sleeve 10 is screwed into the blind hole 21, driving the inflation head 9 to move axially, thereby inserting the air nozzle 8 into the air inlet. Preferably, several rubber sealing rings 17 are coaxially provided on the outer wall of the conical air nozzle 8 to further enhance the sealing between the air nozzle 8 and the air inlet.
[0029] like Figure 5As shown, preferably, a circumferential annular groove 19 is formed on the outer wall of the inflation head 9, and a protruding key 20 is fixed on the inner wall of the threaded sleeve 10. The protruding key 20 is embedded in the circumferential annular groove 19, so that the threaded sleeve 10 can rotate freely relative to the inflation head 9 while undergoing axial synchronous displacement.
[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, preferably, the protective cover includes a first half-cover 11 and a second half-cover 12 arranged opposite to each other. The first half-cover 11 is slidably mounted on the base 1. A driving device is provided on the side of the first half-cover 11 away from the pipe fitting 18. The driving device drives the first half-cover 11 to move horizontally and linearly away from the second half-cover 12 on the opposite side, thereby opening the pressure test area. The second half-cover 12 is detachably mounted to the base 1 by bolts. Preferably, the driving device is a pneumatic push rod 13, the piston rod end of which is fixedly connected to the first half-cover 11.
[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, preferably, the upper sealing plate 7 is driven to rise and fall by the electric push rod 14. The upper sealing plate 7 is installed at the end of the push rod of the electric push rod 14, and the upper sealing plate 7 integrates a pressure sensor (which is a conventional application in the prior art and is not shown in the figure, so it will not be described in detail here). The electric push rod 14 integrates displacement distance feedback and adjustment functions, and most commercially available electric push rods 14 can achieve the above functions.
[0032] In addition, the pneumatic push rod 13, electric push rod 14, and solenoid valves and pressure sensors used in the air circuit used in this embodiment all need to be controlled by PLC. This includes the timing logic of coordinating the lifting assembly, airbag inflation and deflation, and protective cover opening and closing, receiving feedback from displacement pressure sensors to achieve closed-loop control. The pressure of the air circuit connected by the two air nozzles 8 is adjusted by the proportional valve to ensure that the upper and lower airbags expand simultaneously and fit against the pipe wall. When overpressure occurs, the solenoid valve releases pressure in conjunction. The above contents are all applications of existing technology and will not be described in detail here.
[0033] Overview of the overall operation process and principles:
[0034] The core of the device is to achieve the sealing and fixing of the pipe fitting 18 by inflating the annular expansion airbag 5, and to coordinate the timing logic of the opening and closing of the protective cover, the lifting and lowering of the upper fixed column 4, the inflation and depressurization of the annular expansion airbag 5, and the pressure test through the PLC.
[0035] First, the piston rod of the pneumatic push rod 13 pushes the first half-cover 11 to move horizontally backward away from the pipe fitting 18, thereby separating it from the second half-cover 12 and opening the pressure test area (the space above the base 1). After the protective cover is opened, the pipe fitting 18 is manually (or through a device such as a robotic arm) vertically and coaxially fitted onto the lower fixed column 3.
[0036] Subsequently, the electric push rod 14 pushes the upper sealing plate 7 and the upper fixing column 4 downwards. During the descent, the upper fixing column 4 inserts into the upper end of the pipe fitting 18, at which point the pipe fitting 18 is initially positioned between the upper fixing column 4 and the lower fixing column 3.
[0037] After positioning, the PLC starts the inflation system, which injects compressed air into the annular expansion bladder 5 through the air nozzle 8. The annular expansion bladder 5 inflates and fills the annular groove 16, tightly adhering to the inner wall of the pipe fitting 18. The expansion of the annular expansion bladder 5 fixes the pipe fitting 18 axially and radially. Once the internal air pressure of the annular expansion bladder 5 and the pressure on the upper sealing plate 7 reach the set value, the protective cover closes. The pressurization system injects test gas into the pipe fitting 18 through the air outlet pipe 15 integrated in the lower fixed column 3. An integrated pressure sensor in the air circuit transmits real-time pressure data to the PLC. The pressure value is controlled by the PLC, and the pressure gradient is adjusted via a proportional valve. After pressurizing to the set value, it is maintained for a certain period (depending on the test standard of the pipe fitting 18), and the real-time pressure data is used to determine if there is any pressure leakage.
[0038] After the test is completed, the PLC sends a command to the inflation system (controlled by a solenoid valve) to release the pressure in the annular inflation bladder 5, causing the annular inflation bladder 5 to contract and release the fixation to the pipe fitting 18. The internal pressure of the pipe fitting 18 is released through the pressure relief valve (the pressure relief valve is installed in the air line, and the PLC automatically triggers the pressure relief solenoid valve according to the pressure sensor data and program settings).
[0039] After the pressure is released, the PLC controls the pneumatic push rod 13 to retract, opening the pressure test area. The push rod of the electric push rod 14 rises and disengages from the port of the pipe fitting 18. The operator can then manually (or via a separately installed robotic arm) remove the tested pipe fitting 18.
[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A pressure testing device for automotive pipe fittings, comprising a horizontally arranged base (1) and a fixedly arranged top frame (2) above the base (1), characterized in that: A pair of fixed columns are provided above the base (1), including an upper fixed column (4) and a lower fixed column (3); the lower fixed column (3) extending upward is fixedly installed on the base (1), and a lower sealing pressure plate (6) is provided at the connection between the lower end of the lower fixed column (3) and the top surface of the base (1); a liftable upper sealing pressure plate (7) is provided on the lower side of the top frame (2), and the upper fixed column (4) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the upper sealing pressure plate (7); the upper fixed column (4) and the lower fixed column (3) are coaxially and vertically opposite each other, and both of them are provided with air nozzles (8) on their outer walls. The upper fixed column (4) and the lower fixed column (3) are coaxially provided with several annular grooves (16), in which annular expansion airbags (5) are fitted; the inflation head (9) of the expansion airbag (5) is inserted into the corresponding air nozzle (8) through a locking mechanism; the base (1) is provided with openable and closable protective covers on both sides; at least one of the upper fixed column (4) and the lower fixed column (3) is integrated with an air outlet pipe (15) for pressurization, and the pipes connected to the air outlet pipe (15) and the air nozzle (8) extend through the base (1) to the outside and are respectively connected to the pressurization system and the inflation system.
2. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular groove (16) has a semi-circular cross-section and is used to accommodate the annular inflatable airbag (5).
3. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper fixed column (4) and the lower fixed column (3) are each provided with at least two annular grooves (16).
4. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The groove edge of the annular groove (16) is connected to the outer wall of the fixed column by a smooth transition arc surface.
5. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking mechanism includes a blind hole opened on the inner wall of the annular groove (16), the inner wall of the blind hole is provided with an internal thread, and a conical air nozzle (8) is built into the blind hole. The diameter of the air nozzle (8) gradually decreases from the radial direction of the fixed column to the outer wall. The air inlet of the air head (9) is set as a conical air inlet that matches the conical air nozzle (8).
6. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Several rubber sealing rings (17) are coaxially arranged on the outer wall of the conical air nozzle (8).
7. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer wall of the inflation head (9) has a circumferential annular groove (19), and the inner wall of the threaded sleeve (10) is fixed with a protruding key (20). The protruding key (20) is embedded in the circumferential annular groove (19), so that the threaded sleeve (10) can rotate freely relative to the inflation head (9) and undergo axial synchronous displacement.
8. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective cover includes a first half cover (11) and a second half cover (12) arranged opposite to each other. The first half cover (11) is slidably arranged on the base (1). A driving device is provided on the side of the first half cover (11) away from the pipe. The driving device drives the first half cover (11) to move horizontally and linearly away from the second half cover (12) on the opposite side. The second half cover (12) is detachably installed on the base (1).
9. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The driving device is a pneumatic push rod (13), the end of which is fixedly connected to the first half cover (11).
10. The automotive pipe fitting pressure testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper sealing plate (7) is driven to rise and fall by an electric push rod (14), and the upper sealing plate (7) is installed at the end of the push rod of the electric push rod (14).