A water pump assembly line thread mistake proofing device
By combining stepped probes and using a cross slide design, efficient and accurate detection and automated error correction of the threads on the water pump assembly line are achieved. This adapts to the thread positions of different water pump models, improving production efficiency and flexibility while reducing manual intervention.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BIQIN AUTOMATION EQUIP (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
The existing thread error prevention device in the water pump assembly line relies on a single sensor, which cannot accurately distinguish between threads of different specifications and directions of rotation, resulting in low production efficiency and the need for manual intervention to correct them. Furthermore, the fixed structure is difficult to adapt to the diversity of thread positions of different water pump models, increasing the time and labor costs for changing tooling.
A stepped probe combination, including short and long needles, combined with a pressure sensor and a Hall sensor, is used to detect the presence, specification, and direction of the thread. An erroneous process is forcibly stopped by a stop cylinder. The cross slide design allows for floating adjustment of the probe to adapt to different thread types and positions.
It improves the accuracy and automation level of thread inspection, reduces the mis-installation rate, reduces the need for manual intervention, improves production efficiency, realizes automatic compensation for different types of threads, solves problems that have not been solved in the prior art, and addresses the technical challenges existing in the prior art.
Smart Images
Figure CN224406896U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water pump assembly technology, and in particular to a thread error prevention device for water pump assembly lines. Background Technology
[0002] In the process of assembling a water pump, threaded connections, such as inlet and outlet flange bolts and sealing end cap screws, are key assembly steps.
[0003] Traditional thread error prevention devices typically rely on a single type of sensor (such as photoelectric or contact sensors) to detect the presence of threads, failing to accurately distinguish between different thread specifications (e.g., M6, M8) or thread direction (left-hand or right-hand). This single detection mode reduces the efficiency and accuracy of assembly lines, especially in large-scale production. Once a problem is detected, manual intervention is often required, and the process cannot be automatically terminated, leading to low production efficiency. Existing equipment's error correction mechanisms are also relatively passive, relying on manual inspection and intervention to correct assembly errors, lacking the ability to proactively stop the assembly process. This not only increases the workload of operators but may also increase product quality risks. Therefore, reducing human intervention and improving the automation level of the assembly process is an urgent problem to be solved. To address these limitations, existing thread error prevention devices often adopt a fixed structural design. While this design facilitates processing and installation, it is difficult to adapt to the diverse thread positions of different water pump models. Due to the lack of flexible adjustment, each change of water pump model requires readjustment of tooling, increasing the time and labor costs of disassembling and installing tooling, reducing the overall flexibility and efficiency of the assembly line. Therefore, we propose a thread error prevention device for water pump assembly lines. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies. Traditional thread error prevention devices typically rely on a single type of sensor (such as a photoelectric sensor or a contact sensor) to detect the presence of threads, failing to accurately distinguish between different thread specifications (such as M6, M8) or thread direction (left-hand or right-hand). This single detection mode reduces the efficiency and accuracy of assembly lines, especially in large-scale production. Once a problem is detected, manual intervention is often required, and the process cannot be automatically terminated, leading to low production efficiency. The error correction mechanisms of existing equipment are also relatively passive, relying on manual inspection and intervention to correct assembly errors, lacking the ability to proactively stop the assembly process. This not only increases the workload of operators but may also increase the risk to product quality. Therefore, how to reduce human intervention and improve the automation level of the assembly process is an urgent problem to be solved. To address these limitations, existing thread error prevention devices often adopt a fixed structural design. While this design facilitates processing and installation, it is difficult to adapt to the diverse thread positions of different water pump models. Due to the lack of flexible adjustment, each time a different water pump model is changed, the tooling needs to be readjusted, increasing the time and labor costs for disassembling and installing tooling, and reducing the overall flexibility and efficiency of the assembly line.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line includes a conveying platform and an assembly device. The assembly device is installed on one side of the conveying platform. A sprocket is installed on the conveying platform, and a placement plate is engaged on the sprocket. A stop cylinder is provided at the bottom end of the conveying platform. A robotic arm is provided on the assembly device. A floating mounting base is provided at the end of the robotic arm. A stepped probe is provided at the middle position of the bottom end of the floating mounting base.
[0007] Furthermore, the floating mounting base consists of a base, a cross slide, and a floating plate. The cross slide is mounted on the base, and the floating plate is mounted on the cross slide.
[0008] Furthermore, the top of the slider of the cross slide is provided with an anti-loosening screw, the top of the floating plate is connected to the anti-loosening screw at the top of the slider of the cross slide, and a stepped probe is installed at the center of the bottom end of the floating plate.
[0009] Furthermore, the bottom end of the stepped probe is provided with a sleeve, the top end of the sleeve is provided with a short needle and a long needle, a short needle spring and a long needle spring are installed inside the sleeve, the other end of the short needle spring is connected to the short needle, and the other end of the long needle spring is connected to the long needle.
[0010] Furthermore, the distance between the short needle and the long needle is 8mm, the length of the long needle is 5mm longer than the length of the short needle, and the length of the long needle spring is 5mm longer than the length of the short needle spring.
[0011] Furthermore, the detection end of the short needle is set to be conical, the detection end of the long needle is equipped with a magnetic groove, a neodymium magnet is embedded in the end of the long needle with the N pole of the neodymium magnet facing outward, a Hall sensor is threaded to the bottom of the sleeve, and pressure sensors are provided at the ends of the long needle spring and the short needle spring.
[0012] Furthermore, the pressure sensor inside the stepped probe is electrically connected to the assembly equipment, and the assembly equipment is equipped with a reset button.
[0013] Furthermore, the stop cylinder is a telescopic cylinder, the diameter of the stop cylinder is smaller than the tooth clearance of the sprocket, and the stop cylinder is electrically connected to the assembly equipment.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0015] 1. Employing a stepped probe group, it can simultaneously detect the presence, specification, and direction of threads, avoiding the limitation of traditional single sensors that can only detect the presence or absence of threads, thus significantly reducing the misassembly rate. The differentiated design of short and long needles, combined with a pressure sensor, accurately determines the thread specification through the difference in compression. The mechanical detection method has strong anti-interference capabilities and is suitable for oily and vibrating environments. At the same time, magnets and Hall sensors are used to detect the direction of thread rotation, which is faster and more stable than visual or manual identification. When a thread error is detected, the device blocks the conveyor chain with a stop cylinder, forcibly stopping the assembly process and preventing erroneous workpieces from flowing into the next process.
[0016] 2. The cross slide design allows the probe group to float in both X and Y directions, automatically compensating for the thread position deviation of different water pump models. When changing models, only simple adjustments are needed, without changing tooling, thus shortening the changeover time. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line provided by this utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a floating mounting base structure for a thread error prevention device in a water pump assembly line provided by this utility model;
[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a stepped probe structure for a thread error prevention device in a water pump assembly line provided by this utility model;
[0020] Figure 4A schematic diagram of the cylindrical structure of the stop block of a thread-proof device for a water pump assembly line provided by this utility model.
[0021] Legend: 1. Conveying platform; 2. Assembly equipment; 3. Floating mounting base; 101. Sprocket; 102. Placement plate; 103. Stop cylinder; 201. Robotic arm; 202. Stepped probe; 203. Sleeve; 204. Short needle; 205. Long needle; 206. Short needle spring; 207. Long needle spring; 208. Reset button; 301. Base; 302. Cross slide; 303. Floating plate; 304. Anti-loosening screw. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0023] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more comprehensive description of this utility model will be provided below with reference to relevant embodiments, and several embodiments of this utility model will be given. However, this utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of this utility model more thorough and complete.
[0024] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.
[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0026] Example 1
[0027] like Figure 1-4As shown, this utility model provides a technical solution: a thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line, including a conveying platform 1 and an assembly equipment 2. The assembly equipment 2 is installed on one side of the conveying platform 1. A sprocket 101 is installed on the conveying platform 1, and a placement plate 102 is snapped onto the sprocket 101. A stop cylinder 103 is provided at the bottom end of the conveying platform 1. When energized according to a detection signal, the stop cylinder 103 extends and pops out, snapping into the tooth gap of the assembly line conveying sprocket 101, forcibly pausing the conveying. A robotic arm 201 is provided on the assembly equipment 2. A floating mounting base 3 is provided at the end of the robotic arm 201. A stepped probe 202 is provided at the middle position of the bottom end of the floating mounting base 3. The stepped probe 202 is composed of two elastic probes with different strokes. The probe ends are connected to pressure sensors, and the thread specification is determined by the pressure difference.
[0028] Example 2
[0029] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the floating mounting base 3 consists of a base 301, a cross slide 302, and a floating plate 303. The cross slide 302 is mounted on the base 301, and the floating plate 303 is mounted on the cross slide 302. The top of the slider of the cross slide 302 is provided with an anti-loosening screw 304. The top of the floating plate 303 is connected to the anti-loosening screw 304 at the top of the slider of the cross slide 302. The cross slide 302 can be adjusted in both X and Y directions to adapt to different deviations in the threaded hole positions of water pumps. A stepped probe 202 is installed at the center of the bottom end of the floating plate 303.
[0030] The bottom end of the stepped probe 202 is provided with a sleeve 203, and the top end of the sleeve 203 is provided with a short needle 204 and a long needle 205. A short needle spring 206 and a long needle spring 207 are installed inside the sleeve 203. The other end of the short needle spring 206 is connected to the short needle 204, and the other end of the long needle spring 207 is connected to the long needle 205. The short needle spring 206 and the long needle spring 207 are used to prevent the probe from being excessively pressed down and damaging the threads or sensor. They also ensure consistent contact pressure when detecting threads of different specifications. The distance between the short needle 204 and the long needle 205 is 8mm, the length of the long needle 205 is 5mm longer than the length of the short needle 204, and the length of the long needle spring 207 is greater than the short needle 205. The spring 206 is 5mm long. The detection end of the short needle 204 is set to be conical. The detection end of the long needle 205 is equipped with a magnetic groove. A neodymium magnet is embedded in the end of the long needle 205, and the N pole of the neodymium magnet faces outward. A Hall sensor is threaded to the bottom of the sleeve 203. When the probe is screwed into the thread, it drives the magnet to rotate. The Hall sensor determines the rotation direction by the frequency and direction of the magnetic field change. Pressure sensors are set at the ends of the long needle spring 207 and the short needle spring 206. The stepped probe 202 is pressed down synchronously by two probes with a length difference of 5mm. The thread specification is determined by the difference in compression. For example, for M6 thread, only the short needle 204 touches the bottom, and for M8 thread, both needles touch the bottom.
[0031] The pressure sensor inside the stepped probe 202 is electrically connected to the assembly equipment 2. The assembly equipment 2 is equipped with a reset button 208. The stop cylinder 103 is a telescopic cylinder. The diameter of the stop cylinder 103 is smaller than the tooth clearance of the sprocket 101. The stop cylinder 103 is electrically connected to the assembly equipment 2. When a thread error, specification mismatch, or incorrect rotation direction is detected, the device automatically telescopically extends and locks the stop cylinder 103 into the tooth clearance of the sprocket 101 through the detection signal transmitted by the pressure sensor, forcibly stopping the assembly process and preventing the erroneous workpiece from flowing into the next process.
[0032] The working process of this utility model is as follows: When using a thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line, the water pump workpiece is first moved to the inspection station by the sprocket 101 of the conveying platform 1. The placement plate 102 ensures that the workpiece is stably docked. The robotic arm 201 drives the floating mounting base 3 to the top of the water pump workpiece. Then, the floating mounting base 3 is manually fine-tuned in the X / Y direction by the cross slide 302 so that the stepped probe 202 is aligned with the center of the threaded hole. The short needle spring 206 and the long needle spring 207 are pre-compressed to ensure that the pressure is constant when the probe contacts the workpiece.
[0033] The robotic arm 201 drives the stepped probe 202 to press down. The conical head of the short needle 204 contacts the threaded hole first. If the thread is M6, only the short needle 204 touches the bottom, compressing the short needle spring 206. The pressure sensor reads the pressure of the short needle 204, while the long needle 205 is suspended and the long needle spring 207 maintains its original length. If the thread is M8, both the short needle 204 and the long needle 205 touch the bottom, compressing both springs. The pressure sensor reads the total pressure.
[0034] The neodymium magnet at the end of the long needle 205 rotates with the direction of the thread. The Hall sensor determines whether the thread is left-handed or right-handed by the direction of the change in the magnetic field. The assembly equipment 2 analyzes the data from the pressure sensor and the Hall sensor in real time to determine whether the thread specification and direction of rotation meet the preset values.
[0035] If an error is detected, assembly equipment 2 sends an electrical signal to the stop cylinder 103, which extends instantly and engages with the teeth of sprocket 101, forcibly stopping the conveyor chain and simultaneously triggering an audible and visual alarm to prompt the operator to handle the situation. If the detection is normal, the conveyor chain continues to operate, and the workpiece enters the next process.
[0036] After the operator confirms the error, he presses the reset button 208, the stop cylinder 103 retracts, the sprocket 101 is unlocked, the robotic arm 201 lifts the step probe 202, the conveyor chain restarts, and the next workpiece enters the inspection process.
[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A water pump assembly line thread mistake proofing device, comprising a conveying platform (1) and an assembly device (2), the assembly device (2) is installed on one side of the conveying platform (1), characterized in that: A sprocket (101) is installed on the conveying platform (1), and a placement plate (102) is snapped onto the sprocket (101). A stop cylinder (103) is provided at the bottom end of the conveying platform (1). A robotic arm (201) is provided on the assembly equipment (2). A floating mounting base (3) is provided at the end of the robotic arm (201). A stepped probe (202) is provided at the middle position of the bottom end of the floating mounting base (3).
2. The thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The floating mounting base (3) consists of a base (301), a cross slide (302) and a floating plate (303). The cross slide (302) is mounted on the base (301) and the floating plate (303) is mounted on the cross slide (302).
3. The thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top of the slider of the cross slide (302) is provided with an anti-loosening screw (304), the top of the floating plate (303) is connected to the anti-loosening screw (304) at the top of the slider of the cross slide (302), and a stepped probe (202) is installed at the center of the bottom end of the floating plate (303).
4. The thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom end of the stepped probe (202) is provided with a sleeve (203), and the top end of the sleeve (203) is provided with a short needle (204) and a long needle (205). A short needle spring (206) and a long needle spring (207) are installed inside the sleeve (203). The other end of the short needle spring (206) is connected to the short needle (204), and the other end of the long needle spring (207) is connected to the long needle (205).
5. A thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line according to claim 4, characterized in that: The distance between the short needle (204) and the long needle (205) is 8mm. The length of the long needle (205) is 5mm longer than the length of the short needle (204). The length of the long needle spring (207) is 5mm longer than the length of the short needle spring (206).
6. The thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line according to claim 4, characterized in that: The detection end of the short needle (204) is set to be conical, the detection end of the long needle (205) is equipped with a magnet groove, the end of the long needle (205) is embedded with a neodymium magnet with the N pole of the neodymium magnet facing outward, the bottom of the sleeve (203) is threaded with a Hall sensor, and the ends of the long needle spring (207) and the short needle spring (206) are provided with pressure sensors.
7. A thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressure sensor inside the stepped probe (202) is electrically connected to the assembly equipment (2), and the assembly equipment (2) is provided with a reset button (208).
8. A thread error prevention device for a water pump assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stop cylinder (103) is a telescopic cylinder, the diameter of the stop cylinder (103) is smaller than the tooth gap of the sprocket (101), and the stop cylinder (103) is electrically connected to the assembly equipment (2).