Floating centering mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses a floating alignment mechanism for assisting in the automatic alignment of a press-fitting fixture and a workpiece. The floating alignment mechanism includes a connecting plate and a floating plate arranged vertically opposite each other along a central axis, and multiple elastic bodies disposed between the connecting plate and the floating plate. The multiple elastic bodies are arranged in a circular array around the central axis, and their axial extension direction is from bottom to top and outwards at an angle, so that the floating plate floats in space when subjected to external force. This invention, by setting elastic bodies with a specific tilt angle between the connecting plate and the floating plate, allows the floating plate to float and compensate for positioning deviations when subjected to external force, automatically aligning with the press-fitting center. Its structure is simple, highly reliable, and provides rapid alignment and reset, effectively improving the quality and efficiency of precision press-fitting. Furthermore, by setting limiting components to control the press-fitting depth, the consistency of the press-fitting effect is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of machining and automated assembly technology, specifically to a floating centering mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Press fitting is a common assembly process in fields such as mechanical manufacturing and electronic assembly, such as pressing bearings into bearing housings or pressing pins into circuit boards. In automated press fitting processes, the coaxiality requirements between the press head and the workpiece are extremely high.

[0003] Traditional press-fitting heads are mostly rigid connections. Even a slight deviation in positioning can easily damage or render the workpiece unusable under the enormous pressing force, or cause wear to the press-fitting head itself. To solve this problem, existing floating mechanisms use precision ball bearings or bearing structures to achieve floating alignment between workpieces. However, these floating mechanisms are complex in structure, have high assembly costs, and limited floating range and self-alignment capabilities, making it difficult to balance reliability and economy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the above-mentioned defects, this utility model provides a floating centering mechanism that is simple in structure, low in cost, and simultaneously reliable and economical.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: to provide a floating centering mechanism, which is set between the execution end of the pressing equipment and the pressing fixture, and is used to assist in the automatic centering between the pressing fixture and the workpiece. The end of the floating centering mechanism connected to the execution end is defined as the upper end, and the end connected to the pressing fixture is defined as the lower end. The floating centering mechanism has a central axis coaxial with the execution end. The floating centering mechanism includes a connecting plate and a floating plate arranged vertically opposite each other along the central axis, and a plurality of elastic bodies disposed between the connecting plate and the floating plate; the plurality of elastic bodies are arranged in a ring array around the central axis, and the axial extension direction of the plurality of elastic bodies is from bottom to top and outward obliquely, so that the floating plate floats in space when subjected to external force.

[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model, the elastomer is an integral cylindrical structure made of a metal main body and an elastic material through a mold forming process, and its two ends in the axial direction are detachably connected to the connecting plate and the floating plate respectively through fixing parts.

[0007] As a further improvement of this utility model, the metal main body includes an elastic support part and a connector head provided at both ends of the elastic support part along the axial direction. The elastic support part is composed of a plurality of metal plates arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction. Each metal plate has a through hole along the axial direction. The connector head is provided with a connecting hole that is adapted to the fixing member.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the angle between the axial extension direction of the elastomer and the central axis is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 45°.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, the floating centering mechanism also includes a limiting member, which is disposed between the connecting plate and the floating plate, with its upper end movably connected to the connecting plate and its lower end fixedly connected to the floating plate.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, the limiting member has a fixing part, a connecting part, and a support part integrally connected between the fixing part and the connecting part. The fixing part is positioned and connected to the center hole of the floating plate, and the connecting part passes through the movable hole opened in the center of the connecting plate.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, the support part and the connecting part are connected by a tapered part.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, the movable hole is a T-shaped hole composed of a limiting hole and a through hole; The connecting portion has a first connecting portion connected to the tapered portion and a second connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion. The first connecting portion passes through the through hole, and the second connecting portion is placed inside the limiting hole.

[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, both the connecting plate and the floating plate are provided with multiple mounting holes.

[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, the elastic body is provided in three parts, and the three elastic bodies are evenly distributed around the central axis at 120°.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: by setting an elastic body with a specific tilt angle between the connecting plate and the floating plate, the floating plate can float to compensate for positioning deviations when subjected to external forces, and automatically align with the pressing center; its structure is simple, reliable, and the centering and resetting are fast, which can effectively improve the quality and efficiency of precision pressing; in addition, by setting a limiting component to control the pressing depth, the consistency of the pressing effect is guaranteed. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastomer of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the metal sheet of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting part of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the connection between the limiting component and the connecting plate and the floating plate of this utility model.

[0017] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the following explanations are provided: O', Central axis; 1, Connecting plate; 11, Movable hole; 110, Limiting hole; 111, Through hole; 2, Floating plate; 21, Central hole; 3, Elastic body; 31, Elastic support part; 311, Metal sheet; 3111, Through hole; 32, Connector; 321, Connecting hole; 4, Fixing part; 5, Limiting part; 51, Fixing part; 52, Connecting part; 521, First connecting part; 522, Second connecting part; 53, Support part; 6, Mounting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] See Figures 1 to 4 The present invention provides a floating centering mechanism, which is located between the execution end of the pressing equipment and the pressing fixture, and is used to assist in the automatic centering between the pressing fixture and the workpiece. It has a simple structure, high reliability, and rapid centering and resetting, and can effectively improve the quality and efficiency of precision pressing.

[0020] For ease of description, the end of the floating centering mechanism connected to the actuator is defined as the upper end, and the end connected to the press-fitting fixture is defined as the lower end. The floating centering mechanism has a central axis O' coaxial with the actuator. It includes a connecting plate 1 and a floating plate 2 arranged vertically opposite each other along the central axis O', and multiple elastic bodies 3 positioned between the connecting plate 1 and the floating plate 2. These elastic bodies 3 are arranged in a ring array around the central axis O' to ensure that when the floating plate is subjected to external force, the force is evenly transmitted to each elastic body, avoiding localized overload. This also prevents stress concentration caused by uneven force distribution, thereby improving the overall stability and lifespan of the mechanism. The axial extension direction of the multiple elastic bodies 3 is from bottom to top and outwards at an angle, allowing the floating plate 2 to float in space when subjected to external force.

[0021] Specifically, the connecting plate 1 is fixed to the execution end of the pressing equipment (such as an existing three-dimensional pressing machine) through its mounting holes 6, and the floating plate 2 is connected to the pressing fixture through its mounting holes 6. When the pressing equipment drives the floating centering mechanism to make the pressing fixture contact the workpiece, if there is a centering deviation, the floating plate will bear a lateral force. With the assistance of the elastic body 3, this lateral force will drive the floating plate to make a slight translation or a small-angle tilt in the radial or axial direction, thereby driving the pressing fixture to adjust synchronously and achieve precise centering. After the external force disappears, the floating plate will automatically reset under the elastic restoring force of the elastic body 3. Since the elastic body has axial and radial deformation capabilities, the floating plate can move freely in three-dimensional space.

[0022] Furthermore, the elastomer 3 is an integral cylindrical structure made of a metal main body and an elastic material through a molding process. The elastic material is a non-metallic elastic material such as rubber or polyurethane. The elastomer adopts a metal-elastic material composite structure, which ensures that the elastomer has sufficient axial stiffness and load-bearing capacity, while also providing the necessary radial flexibility and axial resilience.

[0023] It is possible to use existing injection molding processes, placing the metal body in an injection mold, then injecting an elastic material (such as rubber), and curing the rubber with heat and pressure to form an elastomer.

[0024] Furthermore, the two ends of the inclined elastomer 3 are detachably connected to the connecting plate 1 and the floating plate 2 via fasteners 4, respectively. The metal main body includes an elastic support 31 and connectors 32 located at both ends of the elastic support 31. The elastic support 31 is composed of multiple metal sheets 311 arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction, and each metal sheet 311 has a through hole 3111 along the axial direction. Therefore, after injection molding, the gaps and through holes of the metal main body are filled with elastic material, and the outer peripheral surface is covered by elastic material, thereby forming an integral elastomer structure.

[0025] The connector 32 has a connecting hole 321 that matches the fixing member 4. The fixing member 4 can be a saucer-head bolt, and the connecting hole 321 can be a saucer-shaped hole, thus ensuring a reliable connection between the inclined elastic body and the connecting plate 1 and the floating plate 2. The angle between the axial extension direction of the elastic body 3 and the central axis O' is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 45°. The inclined elastic body 3 helps the floating plate 2 to respond quickly to compensate for alignment when subjected to external forces, and to rapidly reset after the external force disappears.

[0026] In this embodiment, three elastic bodies 3 are provided, and the three elastic bodies 3 are evenly distributed at 120° around the central axis O'. The three elastic bodies work together to provide stable support for the floating plate, enabling it to float smoothly in space, while also helping to maintain the alignment between the floating plate and the pressing fixture, improving the accuracy and reliability of the pressing process.

[0027] Of course, the number of elastomers 3 is not fixed at three; it can be set to more than three depending on the actual needs of the press-fit bearing capacity.

[0028] See Figure 1 and Figure 5The floating centering mechanism also includes a limiting member 5, which is columnar and positioned between the connecting plate 1 and the floating plate 2 along the central axis O'. Its upper end is movably connected to the connecting plate 1, and its lower end is fixedly connected to the floating plate 2. The limiting member provides rigid mechanical restraint for the floating centering mechanism to control the maximum pressing depth, preventing workpiece damage or deformation of the pressing fixture due to excessive pressure, and ensuring consistent pressing quality.

[0029] It should be noted that when the pressing force is very small, the axial support force of the elastic body is sufficient to achieve the pressing effect, and in this case, no limiting component is needed. Of course, when the pressing force is particularly large, multiple limiting components can be used. This is feasible; multiple limiting components can be arranged in a ring array around the central axis O' between the connecting plate and the floating plate, and staggered with the elastic body to ensure uniform support force. Based on the technical solution provided in this embodiment, those skilled in the art are capable of setting multiple limiting components between the connecting plate and the floating plate, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0030] Specifically, the limiting component is integrally molded to ensure the integrity of the limiting component structure and the consistency of its mechanical properties, avoiding stress concentration and structural weaknesses that may occur due to welding or other connection methods. The limiting component 5 has a fixing part 51, a connecting part 52, and a support part 53 integrally connected between the fixing part 51 and the connecting part 52. The fixing part 51 is positioned and connected to the center hole 21 of the floating plate 2. The connecting part 52 passes through the movable hole 11 opened in the center of the connecting plate 1. The movable hole 11 is a T-shaped hole composed of a limiting hole 110 and a through hole 111. The connecting part 52 has a first connecting part 521 connected to the tapered part 54, and a second connecting part 522 connected to the first connecting part 521. The first connecting part 521 passes through the through hole 111, and the second connecting part 522 is placed in the limiting hole 110. This ensures the flexible movement of the limiting component while preventing it from coming out. The support part 53 and the connecting part 52 are smoothly connected through the tapered part 54, enhancing the stability of the structure.

[0031] In summary, the operation process of the floating centering mechanism is as follows: Step 1, Start-up: When the pressing begins, the pressing equipment drives the entire floating centering mechanism to move the pressing fixture downwards. The pressing fixture contacts the workpiece and transmits the contact force to the floating plate.

[0032] Step 2, Automatic Alignment: If the workpiece has a positional or angular deviation, the floating plate will translate under the action of contact force, and the elastic body will produce uneven compression deformation. The inclined elastic body will generate a centering force, driving the floating plate to automatically adjust its posture, so that the pressing fixture and the workpiece can be put into contact to achieve self-alignment.

[0033] Step 3, Uniform Pressing: After alignment, the pressing equipment continues to apply force, the elastomer is compressed evenly, and the pressure is transmitted to the workpiece to complete the pressing.

[0034] Step 4, Precise Limiting: When the compression displacement reaches the limit value, the top of the limiting component touches the bottom surface of the execution end of the pressing equipment, so that the elastomer is no longer compressed, thereby avoiding damage to the elastomer. At the same time, the pressing force is transmitted through the limiting component to complete the pressing.

[0035] Step 5, Quick Reset: After pressing is completed, the pressing fixture moves upward, and the elasticity of the elastic body causes the floating plate to quickly reset to its initial state, ready for the next operation.

[0036] In summary, the floating centering mechanism provided by this utility model, by setting an elastic body with a specific tilt angle between the connecting plate and the floating plate, enables the floating plate to float and compensate for positioning deviations when subjected to external forces, automatically aligning with the pressing center; its structure is simple, highly reliable, and its centering and resetting are rapid, which can effectively improve the quality and efficiency of precision pressing; in addition, by setting a limiting component to control the pressing depth, the consistency of the pressing effect is ensured.

[0037] Many specific details have been set forth in the above description to provide a full understanding of this utility model. However, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model, and this utility model can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed above. Furthermore, any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solution of this utility model using the methods and techniques disclosed above, or modify it into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this utility model. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this utility model, without departing from the content of the technical solution of this utility model, shall still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of this utility model.

Claims

1. A floating alignment mechanism, disposed between the actuator end of a pressing device and a pressing fixture, for assisting in the automatic alignment between the pressing fixture and the workpiece, wherein the end of the floating alignment mechanism connected to the actuator end is defined as the upper end, and the end connected to the pressing fixture is defined as the lower end, characterized in that: The floating centering mechanism has a central axis (O') that is coaxial with the actuating end. The floating centering mechanism includes a connecting plate (1) and a floating plate (2) arranged vertically opposite each other along the central axis (O'), and a plurality of elastic bodies (3) disposed between the connecting plate (1) and the floating plate (2); the plurality of elastic bodies (3) are arranged in a ring array around the central axis (O'), and the axial extension direction of the plurality of elastic bodies (3) is from bottom to top and outward obliquely, so that the floating plate (2) floats in space when subjected to external force.

2. The floating centralizer of claim 1, wherein: The elastic body (3) is an integral cylindrical structure made of a metal body and an elastic material through a mold forming process. Its two ends in the axial direction are detachably connected to the connecting plate (1) and the floating plate (2) through fasteners (4).

3. The floating centralizer of claim 2, wherein: The metal main body includes an elastic support (31) and a connector (32) located at both ends of the elastic support (31) along the axial direction. The elastic support (31) is composed of a plurality of metal pieces (311) arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction. Each metal piece (311) has a through hole (3111) along the axial direction. The connector (32) is provided with a connecting hole (321) that is compatible with the fixing member (4).

4. The floating centralizer of claim 1, wherein: The angle between the axial extension direction of the elastic body (3) and the central axis (O') is greater than 0° and less than or equal to 45°.

5. The floating centralizer of claim 1, wherein: The floating centering mechanism also includes a limiting member (5), which is located between the connecting plate (1) and the floating plate (2), with its upper end movably connected to the connecting plate (1) and its lower end fixedly connected to the floating plate (2).

6. The floating centralizer of claim 5, wherein: The limiting member (5) has a fixing part (51), a connecting part (52), and a support part (53) integrally connected between the fixing part (51) and the connecting part (52). The fixing part (51) is positioned and connected to the center hole (21) of the floating plate (2), and the connecting part (52) passes through the movable hole (11) opened in the center of the connecting plate (1).

7. The floating centralizer of claim 6, wherein: The support part (53) and the connecting part (52) are connected by a tapered part (54).

8. The floating centralizer of claim 7, wherein: The movable hole (11) is a T-shaped hole composed of a limiting hole (110) and a through hole (111); The connecting part (52) has a first connecting part (521) connected to the tapered part (54) and a second connecting part (522) connected to the first connecting part (521). The first connecting part (521) passes through the through hole (111) and the second connecting part (522) is placed in the limiting hole (110).

9. The floating centralizer of claim 1, wherein: Both the connecting plate (1) and the floating plate (2) are provided with multiple mounting holes (6).

10. The floating centralizer of claim 1, wherein: The elastic body (3) is provided in three parts, and the three elastic bodies (3) are evenly distributed at 120° around the central axis (O').

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