High-precision gauge for center height of automobile driving shaft bell housing raceway
By using a comparative method to detect the center height of the ball track, combined with an electric guide rail slider mechanism and a mechanically fixed probe, the problems of low detection efficiency, poor reliability, and high cost in existing technologies are solved, achieving efficient and accurate detection results. This method is suitable for detecting the center height of the ball track in bell-shaped shells of automotive drive shafts.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING INST OF MECHATRONIC TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, the detection method of the center height of the bell shell of the automotive drive shaft has the problems of low detection efficiency, poor reliability and high cost. In particular, it is difficult to ensure the consistency of measurement for each product when establishing the initial measurement benchmark and height plane.
The center height of the ball track is detected by comparison. The error value of the product is compared with that of the standard bell-shaped shell. The measurement is performed using a dial indicator. Combined with the electric guide rail slider mechanism and the mechanical fixed probe position, it is ensured that the measurement is performed at the same position on the ball track ring surface every time, which simplifies the operation process and improves the consistency of the test.
It significantly improves testing efficiency and reliability, reduces labor intensity and cost, is suitable for mass production, has high accuracy and repeatability of test results, and has a simple structure that is easy to maintain.
Smart Images
Figure CN224534954U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of measurement technology, and particularly to a high-precision inspection tool for the center height of the spherical raceway of an automotive drive shaft bell housing. Background Art
[0002] The automotive drive shaft bell housing is a key component of the transmission system. The accuracy of the center height of the spherical raceway of the bell housing directly affects the mating accuracy between the drive shaft and other components. Precise center height of the spherical raceway helps to ensure uniform stress on the drive shaft during operation, ensure the smoothness of power transmission, reduce component wear and fatigue, extend the service life of the drive shaft and related components, and thus improve the reliability and durability of the automotive transmission system.
[0003] The existing inspection method for the center height of the spherical raceway of the bell housing is to directly measure the center height value. A product is considered qualified within the center height tolerance range. For example, coordinate measuring machines, optical inspection measurements, etc. In this inspection method, the initial measurement reference and height plane need to be set for each piece during the inspection process. The spherical raceway of the bell housing is a complex curved surface, and it is difficult to ensure that the height plane at the same position of the spherical raceway ring surface is picked up for each piece, resulting in the inability to guarantee the measurement error, low inspection efficiency and inspection reliability. This measurement method also requires customized special positioning and clamping devices, resulting in higher inspection costs.
[0004] Therefore, developing a new inspection tool with lower inspection costs, higher inspection efficiency and reliability is a difficult problem urgently needed to be solved by those skilled in the art for the above problems. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention proposes a device for detecting whether the center height of the spherical raceway is qualified by using a comparison method. This solution does not require measuring the actual value of the center height of the spherical raceway of the bell housing. It only needs to compare the product with a standard part of the bell housing, and measure the error value between each product and the standard part through a dial indicator to determine whether the product is qualified. This method does not require establishing an initial measurement reference and height plane, and mechanically fixes the position of the probe head, which can effectively ensure that the center height error value at the same position of the spherical raceway ring surface is measured for each product. Moreover, the inspection method is simple, solving the problems of low inspection efficiency and low reliability. The designed inspection tool has a lower cost compared to other coordinate measuring machines and optical measurements.
[0006] The specific solution is as follows: A high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing of an automotive drive shaft includes a base, a vertical plate, a front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism, a vertical moving electric guide rail slider mechanism, a product positioning worktable mechanism, and a dial indicator inspection mechanism. The front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism is mounted on the base and drives the product positioning worktable mechanism to move back and forth. The vertical plate is vertically fixed on the base, and the vertical moving electric guide rail slider mechanism is mounted on the vertical plate and drives the dial indicator inspection mechanism to move up and down. The dial indicator inspection mechanism includes an inspection mechanism cantilever, a dial indicator, a dial indicator lever, a movable probe bracket, and a movable probe. One end of the inspection mechanism cantilever is horizontally fixed to the vertical moving electric guide rail slider mechanism, and the other end is rotatably mounted with the movable probe bracket. The dial indicator is fixedly mounted to the inspection mechanism cantilever, and the dial indicator lever is installed on the inner side, with the dial indicator lever in contact with the upper end of the movable probe bracket. The upper end of the movable probe bracket is also connected to the inspection mechanism cantilever through a movable probe bracket tension spring, and the lower end is equipped with a movable probe.
[0007] Furthermore, the dial indicator testing mechanism also includes a fixed probe; the fixed probe is installed below the cantilever of the testing mechanism via a fixed probe bracket, and is closer to the vertical plate than the movable probe.
[0008] Furthermore, the testing mechanism cantilever is also equipped with a dial indicator bracket and a tension spring fixing bracket, which are used to fix the dial indicator and the tension spring of the movable probe bracket, respectively; the testing mechanism cantilever has a bearing hole, and the movable probe bracket is installed in the bearing hole through the movable probe bracket bearing.
[0009] Furthermore, the forward and backward moving electric guide rail slider mechanism includes forward and backward linear guide rails and forward and backward electric sliders; the forward and backward linear guide rails are mounted on the base surface; the forward and backward electric sliders are installed in conjunction with the forward and backward linear guide rails; the up and down moving electric guide rail slider mechanism includes up and down linear guide rails and up and down electric sliders; the up and down linear guide rails are mounted on the vertical plate surface; the up and down electric sliders are installed in conjunction with the up and down linear guide rails.
[0010] Furthermore, the product positioning workbench mechanism includes a workbench base plate, workbench side plates, and a workbench plate; the workbench base plate is horizontally mounted on the front and rear electric sliders; the workbench side plates are vertically fixed to both sides of the workbench base plate, and the workbench side plates have vertically opened waist-shaped slots; the workbench plate is a U-shaped plate, fixed to the workbench side plates.
[0011] Furthermore, limit blocks are installed at both ends of the front and rear linear tracks and at both ends of the upper and lower linear guides.
[0012] Furthermore, the dial indicator testing mechanism also includes a movable probe replacement block and a fixed probe replacement block, which are respectively installed at the bottom of the movable probe bracket and the fixed probe bracket.
[0013] Furthermore, the base is a heat-treated steel base.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. Innovative testing methods improve testing efficiency and reliability. This invention employs a testing method that compares with standard parts, replacing the traditional method of directly measuring the center height of the fairway. It eliminates the need to establish an initial measurement reference and height plane, and mechanically fixes the probe position to ensure that each measurement is performed at the same position on the fairway ring surface, significantly improving the consistency and reliability of the test. At the same time, it simplifies the operation process and is suitable for rapid testing in mass production. 2. High degree of automation, significantly reducing labor intensity. The electric guide rail slider mechanism is used to automatically move the product worktable mechanism and the inspection mechanism, which reduces the labor intensity of inspection workers. Especially when inspecting a large number of products of the same model, it can greatly improve production efficiency. 3. The structure is reasonably designed and the measurement accuracy is high. The dial indicator testing mechanism uses a transmission method combining levers and tension springs, along with movable and fixed probes, to sensitively reflect minute deviations in the height of the ball track center, ensuring the accuracy and repeatability of the measurement results. 4. Highly adaptable, easy to maintain and replace The testing facility is equipped with movable probe replacement blocks and fixed probe replacement blocks, which facilitates the replacement of probes according to different product specifications, thereby enhancing the versatility and service life of the testing equipment. 5. Low cost and easy to promote Compared with coordinate measuring machines and optical inspection equipment, this invention has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and convenient maintenance, making it particularly suitable for use by small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises. It has good economic benefits and promotional value. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of the present invention.
[0016] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Vertical plate; 3. Front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism; 4. Up-and-down moving electric guide rail slider mechanism; 5. Product positioning workbench mechanism; 6. Dial indicator testing mechanism; 7. Fixed probe bracket; 8. Testing mechanism cantilever; 9. Dial indicator; 10. Movable probe bracket; 11. Movable probe; 12. Probe bracket tension spring; 13. Fixed probe; 14. Dial indicator bracket; 15. Tension spring fixed bracket; 16. Movable probe bracket bearing; 17. Front-to-back linear guide rail; 18. Front-to-back electric slider; 19. Up-and-down linear guide rail; 20. Up-and-down electric slider; 21. Workbench base plate; 22. Workbench side plate; 23. Workbench plate; 24. Limit block; 25. Movable probe replacement block; 26. Fixed probe replacement block; 27. Detailed Implementation
[0017] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific implementation methods of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention is a high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing of an automotive drive shaft, comprising a base 1, a vertical plate 2, a front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism 3, a vertical moving electric guide rail slider mechanism 4, a product positioning worktable mechanism 5, and a dial indicator testing mechanism 6; the front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism 3 is mounted on the base 1, driving the product positioning worktable mechanism 5 to move back and forth; the base 1 is a heat-treated steel base; the vertical plate 2 is vertically fixed on the base 1, and the vertical moving electric guide rail slider mechanism 4 is mounted on the vertical plate 2, driving the dial indicator testing mechanism 6 to move up and down.
[0019] The dial indicator testing mechanism 6 includes a testing mechanism cantilever 8, a dial indicator 9, a dial indicator lever 10, a movable probe bracket 11, and a movable probe 12. One end of the testing mechanism cantilever 8 is horizontally fixed to the up-and-down moving electric guide rail slider mechanism 4, and the other end is rotatably mounted with the movable probe bracket 11. The testing mechanism cantilever 8 is also equipped with a dial indicator bracket 15 and a tension spring fixing bracket 16, which are used to fix the dial indicator 9 and the movable probe bracket tension spring 13, respectively. The testing mechanism cantilever 8 has a bearing hole, and the movable probe bracket 11 is installed in the bearing hole through the movable probe bracket bearing 17. The dial indicator 9 is fixedly installed with the testing mechanism cantilever 8, and the dial indicator lever 10 is installed on the inner side, and the dial indicator lever 10 is in contact with the upper end of the movable probe bracket 11. The upper end of the movable probe bracket 11 is also connected to the testing mechanism cantilever 8 through the movable probe bracket tension spring 13, and the lower end is equipped with the movable probe 12.
[0020] The dial indicator testing mechanism 6 also includes a fixed probe 14, a movable probe replacement block 26, and a fixed probe replacement block 27. The fixed probe 14 is installed below the cantilever 8 of the testing mechanism via a fixed probe bracket 7 and is closer to the vertical plate 2 than the movable probe 12. The movable probe replacement block 26 and the fixed probe replacement block 27 are respectively installed at the bottom of the movable probe bracket 11 and the fixed probe bracket 7.
[0021] The front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism 3 includes front and back linear guide rails 18 and front and back electric sliders 19; the front and back linear guide rails 18 are mounted on the surface of the base 1; the front and back electric sliders 19 are installed in conjunction with the front and back linear guide rails 18; the up-and-down moving electric guide rail slider mechanism 4 includes up and down linear guide rails 20 and up and down electric sliders 21; the up and down linear guide rails 20 are mounted on the surface of the vertical plate 2; the up and down electric sliders 21 are installed in conjunction with the up and down linear guide rails 20; and limit blocks 25 are installed at both ends of the front and back linear guide rails 18 and at both ends of the up and down linear guide rails 20.
[0022] The product positioning workbench mechanism 5 includes a workbench base plate 22, a workbench side plate 23, and a workbench plate 24. The workbench base plate 22 is horizontally mounted on the front and rear electric sliders 19. The workbench side plate 23 is vertically fixed to both sides of the workbench base plate 22, and the workbench side plate 23 has a vertically opened waist-shaped slot. The workbench plate 24 is a U-shaped plate and is fixed to the workbench side plate 23.
[0023] In this invention, when inspecting the bell-shaped housing of an automotive drive shaft, firstly, the standard bell-shaped housing part is placed on the product inspection workbench. The up-and-down moving electric guide slide mechanism 4 is controlled, causing the up-and-down electric slide 21 to move downwards, driving the dial indicator testing mechanism 6 downwards until it reaches the center position of the bell-shaped housing's inner cavity. Then, the back-and-forth moving electric guide slide mechanism 3 is controlled, causing the back-and-forth electric slide 19 to move the product positioning workbench mechanism 5 backwards. The bell-shaped housing moves backwards with the product positioning workbench mechanism 5, and the movable probe 12... The spherical arc contact within the bell-shaped housing causes the lower part of the movable probe support bearing 17 to swing backward around the bearing with the movable probe 12, while the upper part of the movable probe support bearing 17 swings forward around the bearing with the movable probe. Since the dial indicator lever 10 is in contact with the upper end of the movable probe support 11, the dial indicator lever 10 will move back and forth, and the value on dial indicator 9 will change accordingly. When the standard bell-shaped housing moves backward and contacts the fixed probe 14, it cannot move further, at which point the value of dial indicator 9 is calibrated to 0. Next, the bell-shaped customer product is inspected. The bell-shaped housing is moved backward in the same way, causing the movable probe 12 to move backward, resulting in the dial indicator 9 value swinging until the spherical arc inside the bell-shaped housing hits the fixed probe 14 and cannot move further. The change in the value of dial indicator 9 is then observed to see if it is within the allowable tolerance range. If it is within the tolerance range compared to the standard part, it is a qualified product; otherwise, it is a non-qualified product.
[0024] The above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Although this invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of this invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this invention and should be covered within the scope of the claims of this invention.
Claims
1. A high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing of an automobile drive shaft, comprising a base (1), a vertical plate (2), a front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism (3), a vertical moving electric guide rail slider mechanism (4), a product positioning workbench mechanism (5), and a dial indicator testing mechanism (6); the front-to-back moving electric guide rail slider mechanism (3) is mounted on the base (1) and drives the product positioning workbench mechanism (5) to move back and forth; the vertical plate (2) is vertically fixed on the base (1), and the vertical moving electric guide rail slider mechanism (4) is mounted on the vertical plate (2) and drives the dial indicator testing mechanism (6) to move up and down, characterized in that: The dial indicator testing mechanism (6) includes a testing mechanism cantilever (8), a dial indicator (9), a dial indicator lever (10), a movable probe bracket (11), and a movable probe (12). One end of the testing mechanism cantilever (8) is horizontally fixed to the up-and-down moving electric guide rail slider mechanism (4), and the other end is rotatably mounted with the movable probe bracket (11). The dial indicator (9) is fixedly installed with the testing mechanism cantilever (8), and the dial indicator lever (10) is installed on the inner side, and the dial indicator lever (10) is in contact with the upper end of the movable probe bracket (11). The upper end of the movable probe bracket (11) is also connected to the testing mechanism cantilever (8) through the movable probe bracket tension spring (13), and the lower end is equipped with the movable probe (12).
2. The high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing ball track of an automobile drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dial indicator testing mechanism (6) also includes a fixed probe (14); the fixed probe (14) is installed below the cantilever (8) of the testing mechanism via a fixed probe bracket (7), and is closer to the upright plate (2) than the movable probe (12).
3. The high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing ball track of an automobile drive shaft according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cantilever (8) of the testing mechanism is also equipped with a dial indicator bracket (15) and a tension spring fixing bracket (16), which are used to fix the dial indicator (9) and the tension spring (13) of the movable probe bracket, respectively; the cantilever (8) of the testing mechanism has a bearing hole, and the movable probe bracket (11) is installed in the bearing hole through the movable probe bracket bearing (17).
4. The high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing ball track of an automobile drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front and rear moving electric guide rail slider mechanism (3) includes front and rear linear guide rails (18) and front and rear electric sliders (19); the front and rear linear guide rails (18) are mounted on the surface of the base (1); the front and rear electric sliders (19) are installed in conjunction with the front and rear linear guide rails; the up and down moving electric guide rail slider mechanism (4) includes up and down linear guide rails (20) and up and down electric sliders (21); the up and down linear guide rails (20) are mounted on the surface of the upright plate (2); the up and down electric sliders (21) are installed in conjunction with the up and down linear guide rails (20).
5. A high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing ball track of an automobile drive shaft according to claim 4, characterized in that: The product positioning workbench mechanism (5) includes a workbench base plate (22), a workbench side plate (23), and a workbench plate (24); the workbench base plate (22) is horizontally mounted on the front and rear electric sliders (19); the workbench side plate (23) is vertically fixed to both sides of the workbench base plate (22), and the workbench side plate (23) has a vertically opened waist-shaped slot; the workbench plate (24) is a U-shaped plate, fixed on the workbench side plate (23).
6. A high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing ball track of an automotive drive shaft according to claim 4, characterized in that: Limiting blocks (25) are installed at both ends of the front and rear linear guides (18) and at both ends of the upper and lower linear guides (20).
7. A high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing ball track of an automotive drive shaft according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dial indicator testing mechanism (6) also includes a movable probe replacement block (26) and a fixed probe replacement block (27), which are respectively installed at the bottom of the movable probe bracket (11) and the fixed probe bracket (7).
8. The high-precision inspection fixture for the center of a bell-shaped housing ball track of an automobile drive shaft according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base (1) is a heat-treated steel base.