A four-axis flexible adapter
By designing a four-axis flexible adapter, the problem of misalignment in precision product inspection is solved by utilizing the flexible swing and movement of the upper and lower guide shafts, achieving efficient and accurate inspection results.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HANGZHOU BAISIHE TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
In the process of precision product manufacturing, the product manufacturing error and fixture positioning error lead to misalignment between the product to be tested and the detection head, which affects the detection accuracy and causes false detection and misjudgment. The existing manual adjustment is inefficient and the high-precision fixture is expensive and has poor versatility.
A four-axis flexible adapter is designed, including a core assembly, an elastic assembly, an upper flange assembly, and a lower flange assembly. Through the flexible swinging and movement of the upper and lower guide shafts, position compensation in the X and Y axis directions and angle compensation for axis parallelism are achieved, ensuring accurate alignment between the product to be tested and the testing head.
It improves detection accuracy and efficiency, reduces false detection and misjudgment rates, adapts to different types and error ranges of products, and is compact and flexible in movement.
Smart Images
Figure CN224464555U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automated flexible connection technology, and in particular to a four-axis flexible adapter. Background Technology
[0002] In the manufacturing process of precision products, online inspection and automated assembly processes are involved. In the inspection process, precise alignment between the product to be inspected and the inspection head is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring inspection accuracy. However, due to factors such as product manufacturing errors or fixture positioning errors, some products to be inspected may have certain dimensional or shape deviations. Furthermore, the fixtures used to hold the products to be inspected may also experience positioning errors such as misalignment of the positioning reference during processing and assembly. These errors directly lead to misalignment in the X-axis and Y-axis directions between the product to be inspected and the inspection head, or even the formation of non-parallel angles between them along the X-axis or Y-axis, thus affecting the product inspection accuracy or causing technical problems such as false detections and misjudgments.
[0003] Currently, the industry primarily addresses such error issues by manually adjusting the fixture position or replacing it with a high-precision fixture. However, manual adjustment is inefficient and has limited accuracy, making it difficult to meet the demands of high-volume, high-efficiency testing. High-precision fixtures, on the other hand, are expensive and lack versatility, failing to adapt flexibly to different types of products with varying error ranges. Therefore, improvements are needed. Utility Model Content
[0004] To overcome the problems existing in related technologies, this utility model provides a four-axis flexible adapter to solve the technical problems of misalignment, low detection accuracy, false detection and misjudgment caused by manufacturing errors and fixture positioning errors during product inspection.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a four-axis flexible adapter is provided, comprising:
[0006] The core assembly includes a central core, an upper guide shaft and a lower guide shaft that are plugged into the central core. Both the upper guide shaft and the lower guide shaft are rotatable and axially sliding relative to the central core. The axes of the upper guide shaft and the lower guide shaft are perpendicular to each other.
[0007] The upper and lower guide shafts are both fitted with elastic components at their ends extending beyond the central core.
[0008] An upper flange assembly is an elastic component connected to both ends of the upper guide shaft. A first movable space exists between the central core and the upper flange assembly, and the first movable space is located in the sliding direction of the upper guide shaft.
[0009] The lower flange assembly is an elastic component connected to both ends of the lower guide shaft. There is a second movable space between the central core and the lower flange assembly, which is located in the sliding direction of the lower guide shaft. There is a third movable space between the upper flange assembly and the lower flange assembly that swings relative to each other.
[0010] In one embodiment, the elastic component includes an elastic element, a spring seat and an end cap respectively connected to both ends of the elastic element, the spring seat being mounted on the central core, and the end cap being mounted on the upper flange assembly.
[0011] In one embodiment, the upper flange assembly includes an upper flange seat, the upper flange seat includes a recessed upper groove and a first hole intersecting the upper groove, a portion of the central core extends into the upper groove, the first movable space is formed between the central core and the inner wall of the upper groove, and the upper guide shaft passes through the first hole and is connected to the elastic component.
[0012] In one embodiment, the upper flange assembly includes a mounting groove disposed in the first hole, the upper flange assembly includes an upper retaining ring mounted in the mounting groove, and the elastic component abuts against the upper retaining ring.
[0013] In one embodiment, the surface of the upper flange seat facing the lower flange assembly is provided as a convex curved surface.
[0014] In one embodiment, the lower flange assembly includes a lower flange seat, the lower flange seat includes a recessed lower groove and a second hole intersecting the lower groove, a portion of the central core extends into the lower groove, a second movable space is formed between the central core and the inner wall of the lower groove, and the lower guide shaft is inserted and connected to the second hole.
[0015] In one embodiment, the surface of the lower flange seat facing the upper flange assembly is provided as a convex curved surface.
[0016] In one embodiment, the four-axis flexible adapter further includes a plurality of axial reset components spaced apart around the central core, the axial reset components being mounted on one of the upper flange assembly and the lower flange assembly, and the output end of the axial reset components being elastically abutted against the other of the upper flange assembly and the lower flange assembly.
[0017] In one embodiment, the axial reset assembly includes an abutment post slidably mounted on the upper flange assembly, a reset spring elastically pushing against the abutment post, and an abutment member mounted on the lower flange assembly, wherein the abutment post abuts against the abutment member under the elastic force of the reset spring.
[0018] In one embodiment, the core assembly includes a guide sleeve mounted on the middle core, and the upper guide shaft and the lower guide shaft are respectively assembled on the corresponding guide sleeve.
[0019] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of this utility model can include the following beneficial effects: the lower flange assembly is connected to the upper flange assembly through the core assembly. The lower flange assembly can achieve flexible swinging in the X and Y axes through the upper and lower guide shafts. Furthermore, the lower flange assembly can achieve flexible movement in the X and Y axes through the elastic component, thereby realizing the flexible swinging and movement of the four-axis flexible adapter, which is compact and flexible in movement. The four-axis flexible adapter realizes position compensation in the X and Y axes as well as angle compensation for the parallelism of the X and Y axis axes, ensuring accurate alignment between the product to be tested and the testing head, improving testing accuracy and efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a four-axis flexible adapter according to one embodiment.
[0022] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of a four-axis flexible adapter according to one embodiment.
[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the EE section.
[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the FF section.
[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the GG section.
[0026] In the figure, the upper flange assembly is 10; the upper flange seat is 11; the upper groove is 111; the first hole is 112; the upper guide shaft is 12; the lower guide shaft is 13; the first movable space is 14; the second movable space is 15; the third movable space is 16; the lower flange assembly is 20; the lower flange seat is 21; the lower groove is 211; the second hole is 212; the core assembly is 30; the middle core is 31; the lower hole is 32; the guide sleeve is 33; the upper hole is 34; the elastic assembly is 40; the spring seat is 41; the elastic element is 42; the end cap is 43; the axial reset assembly is 50; the abutment post is 51; the abutment element is 52; and the reset spring is 53. Detailed Implementation
[0027] In the accompanying drawings of this utility model, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this utility model. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0028] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this utility model provides a four-axis flexible adapter, which includes a core assembly 30, an elastic assembly 40, an upper flange assembly 10, and a lower flange assembly 20. The upper flange assembly 10 is used to connect the moving end of the device, and the lower flange assembly 20 is connected to the upper flange assembly 10 through the core assembly 30. The lower flange assembly 20 is used to connect the actuating end, which can be set as a mechanical gripper.
[0029] The core assembly 30 includes a central core 31, which is a block structure. The central core 31 has a through upper hole 34 and a lower hole 32. The upper hole 34 and the lower hole 32 are spaced apart along the length of the central core 31. The projections of the center lines of the upper hole 34 and the lower hole 32 on the horizontal plane are perpendicular to each other.
[0030] The core assembly 30 includes an upper guide shaft 12 and a lower guide shaft 13. The upper guide shaft 12 is inserted into the upper hole 34 of the middle core 31, and the lower guide shaft 13 is inserted into the lower hole 32 of the middle core 31. Both the upper guide shaft 12 and the lower guide shaft 13 can rotate and slide axially relative to the middle core 31. The axis of the upper guide shaft 12 and the axis of the lower guide shaft 13 are perpendicular to each other.
[0031] Preferably, the core assembly 30 includes a guide sleeve 33 mounted on the central core 31, with the upper guide shaft 12 and the lower guide shaft 13 respectively assembled on their corresponding guide sleeves 33. The guide sleeves 33 are made of wear-resistant or self-lubricating materials to reduce the sliding and rotational resistance of the upper guide shaft 12 and the lower guide shaft 13. For example, the guide sleeves 33 are made of materials such as copper alloy or engineering plastics.
[0032] Preferably, the guide sleeve 33 is fixed to the core 31 by interference fit or threaded connection. For example, one guide sleeve 33 is tightly fitted to the upper hole 34, and the inner hole of the guide sleeve 33 is in sliding and rotating fit with the upper guide shaft 12. The other guide sleeve 33 is tightly fitted to the lower hole 32, and the inner hole of the guide sleeve 33 is in sliding and rotating fit with the lower guide shaft 13.
[0033] The guide sleeve 33 reduces direct friction and wear between the upper guide shaft 12 and the middle core 31, and also reduces direct friction and wear between the lower guide shaft 13 and the middle core 31, thereby improving the service life of the middle core 31, increasing its operating accuracy, and enhancing the overall motion accuracy of the adapter.
[0034] The upper guide shaft 12 extends beyond the central core 31 at both ends. Elastic components 40 are respectively fitted onto both ends of the upper guide shaft 12. The elastic forces exerted on the central core 31 by the elastic components 40 on opposite sides are in opposite directions, and the elastic forces at both ends of the upper guide shaft 12 are essentially the same, thus ensuring the central core 31 is centrally balanced. The lower guide shaft 13 extends beyond the central core 31 at both ends. Elastic components 40 are respectively fitted onto both ends of the lower guide shaft 13. The elastic forces exerted on the central core 31 by the elastic components 40 on opposite sides are in opposite directions, and the elastic forces at both ends of the lower guide shaft 13 are essentially the same, thus ensuring the central core 31 is centrally balanced. In this application, the axial direction of the upper guide shaft 12 is defined as the X-axis direction, and the axial direction of the lower guide shaft 13 is defined as the Y-axis direction.
[0035] The upper flange assembly 10 is connected to the elastic components 40 at both ends of the upper guide shaft 12. A first movable space 14 exists between the central core 31 and the upper flange assembly 10, and the first movable space 14 is located in the sliding direction of the upper guide shaft 12. The lower flange assembly 20 is connected to the elastic components 40 at both ends of the lower guide shaft 13. A second movable space 15 exists between the central core 31 and the lower flange assembly 20, and the second movable space 15 is located in the sliding direction of the lower guide shaft 13. A third movable space 16 exists between the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20, allowing for relative swinging.
[0036] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the lower flange assembly 20 is connected to the upper flange assembly 10 via the core assembly 30. The lower flange assembly 20 can achieve flexible swinging in the X and Y axes via the upper guide shaft 12 and the lower guide shaft 13. Furthermore, the lower flange assembly 20 can achieve flexible movement in the X and Y axes via the elastic component 40, thereby realizing the flexible swinging and movement of the four-axis flexible adapter, which is compact and highly mobile. The four-axis flexible adapter achieves position compensation in the X and Y axes as well as angle compensation for the parallelism of the X and Y axis lines, ensuring precise alignment between the product to be inspected and the inspection head, thus improving inspection accuracy and efficiency.
[0037] The four-axis flexible adapter is used in testing scenarios where the product to be tested is matched with the testing head.
[0038] When there is an X-axis positional deviation between the product to be inspected and the inspection head, the force applied by the inspection head to the product to be inspected will be transmitted to the upper guide shaft 12 through the upper flange assembly 10. Under the elastic force support of the elastic component 40, the upper guide shaft 12 drives the core 31 to slide in the first movable space 14 along the X-axis direction until the product to be inspected and the inspection head are accurately aligned in the X-axis direction. The elastic component 40 plays a role in buffering and adaptive adjustment during this process. Similarly, when there is a Y-axis positional deviation, the force is transmitted to the lower guide shaft 13 through the lower flange assembly 20. The lower guide shaft 13 drives the core 31 to slide in the second movable space 15 along the Y-axis direction to achieve alignment compensation in the Y-axis direction.
[0039] When the product to be inspected is not parallel to the X-axis or Y-axis of the inspection head and there is an angle between them, the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 will tend to swing relative to each other. Since there is a third movable space 16 between the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20, the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 can swing relative to each other around the X-axis and Y-axis at a certain angle until their Z-axis is parallel, thus eliminating the angle deviation.
[0040] The four-axis flexible adapter achieves positional deviation compensation in the X and Y axes through the sliding of the upper guide shaft 12 and the lower guide shaft 13, and achieves angular deviation compensation for axis parallelism through the relative swing of the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20. The four-axis compensation function is comprehensive and can effectively eliminate the impact of product manufacturing errors and fixture positioning errors on detection accuracy, and significantly reduce the false detection and false judgment rate.
[0041] The elastic components 40 provide an elastic preload for automatic reset of the core 31. Four elastic components 40 are provided, distributed at both ends of the upper guide shaft 12 and both ends of the lower guide shaft 13. Each elastic component 40 includes an elastic element 42, a spring seat 41 connected to both ends of the elastic element 42, and an end cap 43. The spring seat 41 is installed on the core 31, and the end cap 43 is installed on the upper flange assembly 10.
[0042] The elastic element 42 can be a compression spring. The elastic element 42 is fixedly connected to the central core 31 through the spring seat 41, and the elastic element 42 is connected to the upper flange assembly 10 through the end cap 43, so as to realize the elastic support and reset function of the elastic element 40 for the relative movement between the central core 31 and the upper flange assembly 10. Based on the same principle, the central core 31 and the lower flange assembly 20 are connected through the elastic element 40.
[0043] The upper flange assembly 10 and the central core 31 are connected by the upper guide shaft 12 and the elastic component 40. The upper flange assembly 10 includes an upper flange seat 11, which includes an inwardly recessed upper groove 111 and a first hole 112 intersecting with the upper groove 111. A portion of the central core 31 extends into the upper groove 111, and a first movable space 14 is formed between the central core 31 and the inner wall of the upper groove 111. The upper guide shaft 12 passes through the first hole 112 and is connected to the elastic component 40.
[0044] The shape of the upper groove 111 is adapted to the shape of the part of the core 31 that extends into it. Optionally, the upper groove 111 is a rectangular groove, and the width of the upper groove 111 in the X-axis direction is greater than the width of the core 31, so that a first movable space 14 is formed between the core 31 and the upper flange assembly 10. The size of the first movable space 14 can be adaptively designed according to the compensation stroke of the core 31 in the X-axis direction, ensuring that the core 31 can drive the upper guide shaft 12 to slide flexibly in the X-axis direction within the first movable space 14, thereby achieving positional deviation compensation in the X-axis direction.
[0045] Based on the same principle, the lower flange assembly 20 includes a lower flange seat 21, which includes a recessed lower groove 211 and a second hole 212 intersecting with the lower groove 211. A portion of the central core 31 extends into the lower groove 211, and a second movable space 15 is formed between the central core 31 and the inner wall of the lower groove 211. The lower guide shaft 13 is inserted and connected to the second hole 212.
[0046] The shape of the lower groove 211 is adapted to the shape of the part of the core 31 that extends into it. Optionally, the lower groove 211 is a rectangular groove, and the width of the lower groove 211 in the Y-axis direction is greater than the width of the core 31, so that a second movable space 15 is formed between the core 31 and the lower flange assembly 20. The size of the second movable space 15 can be adaptively designed according to the compensation stroke of the core 31 in the Y-axis direction, ensuring that the core 31 can drive the lower guide shaft 13 to slide flexibly in the Y-axis direction within the second movable space 15, thereby achieving positional deviation compensation in the Y-axis direction.
[0047] Furthermore, the upper flange assembly 10 includes a mounting groove located in the first hole 112, the mounting groove being an inner concave annular groove coaxial with the first hole 112. The upper retaining ring is elastically abutted against the mounting groove and axially limits the end cap 43 of the elastic component 40, preventing the elastic component 40 from dislodging from the first hole 112 during operation. With the upper retaining ring fixed in position and the elastic component 40 abutting against it, the elastic component 40 can stably transmit elastic force to the central core 31 and the upper flange assembly 10, ensuring smooth relative movement.
[0048] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in one embodiment, the surface of the upper flange seat 11 facing the lower flange assembly 20 is provided as a convex curved surface. The surface of the lower flange seat 21 facing the upper flange assembly 10 is also provided as a convex curved surface. The convex curved surface configuration allows for an extended swinging space between the upper flange seat 11 and the lower flange seat 21, facilitating control of the swinging of the lower flange assembly 20 relative to the upper flange seat 11. This ensures smooth angle compensation and avoids component wear or jamming caused by rigid contact.
[0049] The convex curved surfaces of the upper flange seat 11 and the lower flange seat 21 are arranged opposite to each other and cooperate to form the boundary of the third active space 16. The curvature of the two surfaces can be designed according to the preset swing angle. The upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 swing relative to each other at a certain angle, thereby compensating for the angular deviation caused by the non-parallelism of the Z-axis axis between the product to be tested and the test head.
[0050] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the four-axis flexible adapter further includes a plurality of axial reset components 50 spaced apart around the central core 31. The axial reset components 50 are installed on one of the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20, and the output end of the axial reset components 50 is elastically abutted against the other of the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20.
[0051] The number of axial reset components 50 can be set to three or more, ensuring balanced force between the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 and maintaining the core 31 in a centered state. The gap between the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 is controllable and can be subjected to the elastic force for centered reset. The elastic preload of the axial reset component 50 can drive the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 back to their initial relative positions after the adapter completes deviation compensation, preparing for the next inspection.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the axial reset assembly 50 is mounted on the upper flange assembly 10, and the output end of the axial reset assembly 50 elastically abuts against the lower flange assembly 20. Specifically, the axial reset assembly 50 includes an abutment post 51 slidably mounted on the upper flange assembly 10, a reset spring 53 elastically pushing against the abutment post 51, and an abutment member 52 mounted on the lower flange assembly 20. The abutment post 51 abuts against the abutment member 52 under the elastic force of the reset spring 53.
[0053] The abutment post 51 is a rigid columnar structure. Preferably, the end of the abutment post 51 is spherical and extends out of the upper flange seat 11. The return spring 53 is installed in the upper flange seat 11 and elastically pushes against the other end of the abutment post 51, and the spherical surface of the abutment post 51 abuts against the abutment member 52.
[0054] Specifically, 3-4 guide holes are evenly machined in the circumferential direction of the upper flange seat 11. The abutment post 51 is inserted into the guide holes, and the return spring 53 is sleeved on the abutment post 51. One end of the return spring 53 abuts against the upper flange seat 11, and the other end of the return spring 53 abuts against the abutment post 51. The abutment member 52 is installed on the lower flange seat 21. The height and position of the abutment member 52 are adjustable to adapt to the position and range of motion of the abutment post 51.
[0055] When the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 are relatively displaced or swing, the abutment post 51 will slide along the guide hole, compressing or stretching the return spring 53. The elastic force generated by the return spring 53 will push the abutment post 51 to always abut against the abutment part 52. After the deviation is eliminated, the elastic force will drive the upper flange assembly 10 and the lower flange assembly 20 to return to their original positions.
[0056] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary technical means in the art that are not disclosed in this invention.
Claims
1. A four-axis flexible adapter, characterized in that, include: The core assembly includes a central core, an upper guide shaft and a lower guide shaft that are plugged into the central core. Both the upper guide shaft and the lower guide shaft are rotatable and axially sliding relative to the central core. The axes of the upper guide shaft and the lower guide shaft are perpendicular to each other. The upper and lower guide shafts are both fitted with elastic components at their ends extending beyond the central core. An upper flange assembly is an elastic component connected to both ends of the upper guide shaft. A first movable space exists between the central core and the upper flange assembly, and the first movable space is located in the sliding direction of the upper guide shaft. The lower flange assembly is an elastic component connected to both ends of the lower guide shaft. There is a second movable space between the central core and the lower flange assembly, which is located in the sliding direction of the lower guide shaft. There is a third movable space between the upper flange assembly and the lower flange assembly that swings relative to each other.
2. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic component includes an elastic element, a spring seat and an end cap respectively connected to both ends of the elastic element, the spring seat being installed on the central core, and the end cap being installed on the upper flange assembly.
3. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper flange assembly includes an upper flange seat, the upper flange seat includes a concave upper groove and a first hole intersecting the upper groove, a portion of the central core extends into the upper groove, the first movable space is formed between the central core and the inner wall of the upper groove, and the upper guide shaft passes through the first hole and is connected to the elastic component.
4. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper flange assembly includes a mounting groove disposed in the first hole, and the upper flange assembly includes an upper retaining ring mounted in the mounting groove, with the elastic component abutting against the upper retaining ring.
5. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The surface of the upper flange seat facing the lower flange assembly is designed as a convex curved surface.
6. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower flange assembly includes a lower flange seat, which includes a recessed lower groove and a second hole intersecting the lower groove. A portion of the central core extends into the lower groove, and a second movable space is formed between the central core and the inner wall of the lower groove. The lower guide shaft is inserted and connected to the second hole.
7. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The surface of the lower flange seat facing the upper flange assembly is designed as a convex curved surface.
8. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The four-axis flexible adapter also includes a plurality of axial reset components spaced apart around the central core. The axial reset components are installed on one of the upper flange assembly and the lower flange assembly, and the output end of the axial reset components is elastically abutted against the other of the upper flange assembly and the lower flange assembly.
9. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 8, characterized in that, The axial reset assembly includes an abutment post slidably mounted on the upper flange assembly, a reset spring elastically pushing against the abutment post, and an abutment member mounted on the lower flange assembly. The abutment post abuts against the abutment member under the elastic force of the reset spring.
10. The four-axis flexible adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The core assembly includes a guide sleeve installed in the middle core, and the upper guide shaft and the lower guide shaft are respectively assembled in the corresponding guide sleeve.