An integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system.

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of steering system technology, specifically to an integrated mounting mechanism for an outer ball joint and a hexagonal nut in an automotive steering system. The integrated mounting mechanism for an outer ball joint and a hexagonal nut in an automotive steering system is characterized by: clamping claws connected to the left and right sides of the base plate sub-mechanism; a sliding body sub-mechanism sleeved on the rear side of the base plate sub-mechanism; a cover on the upper side of the sliding body sub-mechanism; a detection rod connected to the top of the cover; an upper plate connected above the lower plate; a back plate connected to the back of the upper and lower plates; a through hole at the front of the lower plate, through which a positioning sleeve and a positioning block pass; a base plate connected below the front of the lower plate; a gear connected to the base plate; and left and right claws respectively axled on the gear. Compared with the prior art, this design provides a tooling mechanism capable of simultaneously mounting both a hexagonal nut and an outer ball joint, and also accommodating different models of outer ball joint products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of steering system technology, specifically to an integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system. Background Technology

[0002] The original assembly mechanism could only install two types of ball joints, A and B, and could not simultaneously install hexagonal nuts and ball joints. The original assembly line's process flow was that the hexagonal nuts were pre-installed at the previous station, and the ball joints were then installed and tightened at the next station. This required two positioning operations, especially at the latter station. Errors in positioning and installation at the latter station resulted in product scrap, leading to low efficiency and inconsistent product quality, failing to meet customer requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this utility model provides an integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system. It can simultaneously install two parts, the hexagonal nut and the outer ball joint, and also accommodates tooling mechanisms for assembling different models of outer ball joint products. The entire mechanism is compactly designed, allowing the assembly that originally required two workstations to be completed in one workstation. Moreover, it makes the originally non-replaceable tooling suitable for replacement, making it flexible and replaceable.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, an integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system is designed, comprising a base plate sub-mechanism, clamping claws, a sliding body sub-mechanism, and a cover. The base plate sub-mechanism is characterized by clamping claws connected to its left and right sides, a sliding body sub-mechanism sleeved on its rear side, and a cover on its upper side, with a detection rod connected to the top of the cover. The base plate sub-mechanism includes a back plate, a base plate, an upper plate, a lower plate, a positioning sleeve, a positioning block, a left handle, a right handle, a left claw, a right claw, and a gear. The upper plate is connected above the lower plate, and a back plate is connected to the back of the upper and lower plates. A through hole is provided at the front of the lower plate, through which the positioning sleeve and positioning block pass. The base plate is connected below the front of the lower plate, and a gear is connected to the base plate, with the left and right claws respectively shafted onto the gear.

[0005] The lower plate has an L-shaped structure, with one end being a stepped module structure and the other end being a tapered panel structure.

[0006] A floating block and a spring are provided on the base plate located behind the gear.

[0007] The left and right jaws are L-shaped structures. One end of the left and right jaws is shaft-connected to the gear, and the other end of the left and right jaws is provided with a contour groove that mates with a hexagonal nut. The left handle and right handle are respectively connected to the sides of the left and right jaws.

[0008] The positioning sleeve is a conical positioning sleeve, with a conical positioning surface on the upper inner side and a cylindrical structure at the lower part of the positioning sleeve, and several light-transmitting holes at the lower part of the cylindrical structure.

[0009] The sliding body sub-mechanism includes a connecting plate, a clamping guide plate, a pressing roller mechanism, and a wedge-shaped pushing bearing. The connecting plate has a concave structure and is located on the outside of the upper and lower plates. The rear part of the connecting plate is connected to the back plate. A clamping guide plate is provided on the top of the connecting plate, and the top of the clamping guide plate is connected to the pressing roller mechanism through the wedge-shaped pushing bearing.

[0010] The clamping guide plate has raised structures on both sides, and the raised structures on both sides of the clamping guide plate are respectively provided with sliding grooves that connect with the clamping claws.

[0011] The clamping roller mechanism includes a clamping roller, a roller mounting base, and a clamping roller connecting plate. One end of the clamping roller connecting plate is connected to the top of the clamping guide plate through a wedge-shaped push bearing, and the other end of the clamping roller connecting plate is connected to the roller mounting base. The clamping roller is connected to the roller mounting base.

[0012] The clamping jaws include a left clamping jaw and a right clamping jaw. The left clamping jaw and the right clamping jaw have the same structure. The left clamping jaw includes a guide bearing, a jaw connecting block, and a jaw head. The top of the jaw connecting block is connected to the guide bearing, and the jaw connecting block is connected to the sliding groove on the clamping guide plate through the guide bearing. The front end of the jaw connecting block is connected to the jaw head.

[0013] Compared with existing technologies, this utility model designs a tooling mechanism that can simultaneously install two parts, a hexagonal nut and an outer ball head, and can also accommodate the assembly of different models of outer ball head products. The entire mechanism is compactly designed, which concentrates the assembly that originally required two stations into one station, and makes the originally non-changeable tooling suitable for changeover, making it flexible and interchangeable.

[0014] The overall design of this utility model aims to achieve the following effects: 1. The feeding of the outer ball head and hexagonal nut conforms to ergonomics, reducing the labor intensity of operators; 2. Quick changeover reduces changeover time; 3. Changeover tooling corresponding to different models of outer ball heads can prevent tooling errors during changeover; 4. Equipment stability when assembling outer ball heads and hexagonal nuts simultaneously. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom plate sub-mechanism of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a side view of the bottom plate sub-mechanism of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the positioning sleeve and the base plate sub-mechanism.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the outer ball joint being mounted on the base plate sub-mechanism.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning sleeve structure.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the positioning sleeve structure.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding body sub-mechanism in this utility model.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the clamping roller and the roller mounting base.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the large and small pressure rollers.

[0025] Figure 11 Schematic diagram showing the installation of different models of pressure rollers on a roller-customized plate.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping claw in this utility model.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the closed and open states of the bottom plate sub-mechanism of this utility model.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly state of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 12 As shown, clamping claws 2 are connected to the left and right sides of the base plate sub-mechanism 1, and a sliding body sub-mechanism 3 is sleeved on the rear side of the base plate sub-mechanism 1. A cover 4 is provided on the upper side of the sliding body sub-mechanism 3, and a detection rod 5 is connected to the top of the cover 4. The base plate sub-mechanism 1 includes a back plate, a base plate, an upper plate, a lower plate, a positioning sleeve, a positioning block, a left handle, a right handle, a left claw, a right claw, and a gear. The upper plate 1-2 is connected above the lower plate 1-3, and the back plate 1-1 is connected to the back of the upper plate 1-2 and the lower plate 1-3. A through hole is provided at the front of the lower plate 1-3, through which the positioning sleeve 1-9 and the positioning block 1-10 pass. The base plate 1-4 is connected below the front of the lower plate 1-3, and a gear 1-12 is connected to the base plate 1-4. The left claw 1-7 and the right claw 1-8 are respectively shafted on the gear 1-12.

[0031] The lower plate 1-3 has an L-shaped structure, with one end of the lower plate 1-3 being a stepped module structure and the other end being a tapered panel structure.

[0032] A floating block and a spring 1-11 are provided on the base plate 1-4 located behind the gear 1-12.

[0033] The left pawl 1-7 and the right pawl 1-8 are L-shaped structures. One end of the left pawl 1-7 and the right pawl 1-8 are respectively shaft-connected to the gear 1-12. The inner side of the other end of the left pawl 1-7 and the right pawl 1-8 is provided with a contour groove that mates with a hexagonal nut. The left handle 1-5 and the right handle 1-6 are respectively connected to the side of the left pawl 1-7 and the right pawl 1-8.

[0034] The positioning sleeve 1-9 is a conical positioning sleeve. The upper inner side of the positioning sleeve 1-9 is a conical positioning surface. The lower part of the positioning sleeve 1-9 is a cylindrical structure. Several light-transmitting holes 1-9-1 are provided at the lower part of the cylindrical structure.

[0035] The positioning sleeve 1-9 is installed on the positioning block 1-10 of the lower plate 1-3. The positioning block 1-10 defines the unique position of the positioning sleeve 1-9 in the circumferential direction. Finally, the positioning sleeve 1-9 is fixed in place by the set screw on the side. The function of the positioning sleeve 1-9 is to accurately position the outer ball head by engaging its tapered positioning surface with the tapered surface of the outer ball head part. Different models of ball heads have different tapered ball pin lengths. Therefore, when designing the corresponding positioning sleeve, as long as the design height of the tapered surface is adjusted, the installation height of the threaded hole of the outer ball head can be made to be on the same axis, achieving consistency in the assembly process. This positioning sleeve 1-9 uses the design of light-transmitting holes 1-9-1 with different layouts, in conjunction with photoelectric sensors illuminating the light-transmitting holes 1-9-1, to prevent errors.

[0036] The sliding body submechanism 3 includes a connecting plate, a clamping guide plate, a pressing roller mechanism, and a wedge-shaped pressing bearing. The connecting plate 3-1 has a concave structure and is located outside the upper plate 1-2 and the lower plate 1-3. The rear part of the connecting plate 3-1 is connected to the back plate 1-1. The top of the connecting plate 3-1 is provided with a clamping guide plate 3-2, and the top of the clamping guide plate 3-2 is connected to the pressing roller mechanism through the wedge-shaped pressing bearing 3-4.

[0037] The left and right sides of the clamping guide plate 3-2 are raised structures, and the raised structures on both sides of the clamping guide plate 3-2 are respectively provided with sliding grooves 3-2-1 that connect with the clamping claws 2.

[0038] The clamping roller mechanism includes a clamping roller, a roller mounting base, and a clamping roller connecting plate. One end of the clamping roller connecting plate 3-6 is connected to the top of the clamping guide plate 3-2 through a wedge-shaped push bearing 3-4, and the other end of the clamping roller connecting plate 3-6 is connected to the roller mounting base 3-5. The clamping roller 3-3 is connected to the roller mounting base 3-5.

[0039] The function of the clamping roller is to vertically press the outer ball head, ensuring a tight fit between its conical surface and the conical locating surface of the positioning sleeve, thus stabilizing the positioning of the outer ball head. For the three types of outer ball head parts, the natural height of the sleeve varies between short and long. When designing the clamping roller, two different diameter roller pressure heads need to be designed according to the height difference (e.g., Figure 10 As shown, large-diameter roller indenters are used for short-sleeved short / medium-sized outer ball joints, while small-diameter roller indenters are used for long-sleeved long outer ball joints.

[0040] The clamping roller is mounted eccentrically on the roller mounting base 3-5. To prevent reverse mounting during type changeovers, two pin positioning holes of different sizes are designed on the roller mounting base 3-5. Simultaneously, to detect and identify the large and small roller clamping fixtures, two pin positioning holes with different spacing are also designed on the side of the roller mounting base 3-5. Additionally, two positioning pins with different spacings are designed on the custom clamping roller plate. Only fixtures with the same pin hole spacing can be properly positioned. The position detection sensor at the bottom senses the fixture's position. Figure 11 As shown.

[0041] The clamping jaw 2 includes a left clamping jaw and a right clamping jaw. The left clamping jaw has the same structure as the right clamping jaw. The left clamping jaw includes a guide bearing, a jaw connecting block, and a jaw head. The top of the jaw connecting block 2-2 is connected to the guide bearing 2-1, and the jaw connecting block 2-2 is connected to the slide groove 3-2-1 on the clamping guide plate 3-2 through the guide bearing 2-1. The front end of the jaw connecting block 2-2 is connected to the jaw head 2-3.

[0042] like Figure 13 As shown, the base plate sub-mechanism is operated manually. The operator will first clamp and close the left jaw 1-7 and right jaw 1-8 using the left handle 1-5 and right handle 1-6, and then place the hexagonal nut part into the contour groove. After automatic installation is completed, the operator will then open the left jaw 1-7 and right jaw 1-8 using the left handle 1-5 and right handle 1-6.

[0043] The working principle of this utility model:

[0044] The operator places the outer ball end into the positioning sleeve 1-9 of the base plate sub-mechanism 1, and simultaneously closes the left chuck 1-7 and right chuck 1-8 using the left handle 1-5 and right handle 1-6. Then, the hexagonal nut part is placed into the contour groove, as shown below. Figure 14 As shown.

[0045] The start button activates the cylinder-driven push rod, which in turn pushes the wedge-shaped push bearing 3-4. The sliding sub-mechanism 3 moves to the right, and the clamping guide plate 3-2 on it moves to the right simultaneously. The sliding groove 3-2-1 on the clamping guide plate 3-2 drives the guide bearing 2-1 of the clamping claw 2. The clamping and opening of the clamping claw 2 is achieved by the movement of the guide bearing 2-1 within the sliding groove 3-2-1. When the guide bearing 2-1 reaches the limit position of the sliding groove 3-2-1, it can no longer move. At this time, the push rod continues to push the wedge-shaped push bearing 3-4, overcoming the spring force in the clamping roller mechanism. The clamping roller 3-3 swings downward to clamp and fix the ball head.

[0046] After the outer ball head is clamped, the external rotary motor drives the mechanism of this utility model to rotate, while the external cylinder drives it to move forward in a straight line. The rotation and linear motion are carried out synchronously to complete the screwing of the two parts into place.

[0047] This utility model features a compact and ingenious mechanism design. The sliding groove design transforms a linear motion into two actions: left-right swing clamping and up-down swing pressing, ensuring stable clamping and fixing of the ball head. A hexagonal nut manual clamping claw mechanism is added to the base plate sub-mechanism, allowing parts that previously required two workstations to be assembled on a single fixture, saving manufacturing costs. Simultaneously, the bottom conical sleeve and pressure roller are interchangeable, a clever design that facilitates disassembly and installation, greatly increasing the tooling's flexible assembly capabilities. The error-proofing design of the various tooling types is simple and ingenious, preventing the use of incorrect tooling during changes, thereby minimizing the probability of product quality complaints.

Claims

1. An integrated mounting mechanism for an outer ball joint and hexagonal nut in an automotive steering system, comprising a base plate sub-mechanism, clamping jaws, a sliding body sub-mechanism, and a cover, characterized in that: The left and right sides of the base plate sub-mechanism (1) are respectively connected to clamping claws (2), and a sliding body sub-mechanism (3) is sleeved on the rear side of the base plate sub-mechanism (1). A cover (4) is provided on the upper side of the sliding body sub-mechanism (3), and a detection rod (5) is connected to the top of the cover (4). The base plate sub-mechanism (1) includes a back plate, a base plate, an upper plate, a lower plate, a positioning sleeve, a positioning block, a left handle, a right handle, a left claw, a right claw, and a gear. The upper part of the lower plate (1-3) is connected to... The upper plate (1-2) is connected to the back plate (1-1) on the back of the upper plate (1-2) and the lower plate (1-3). The lower plate (1-3) has a through hole at the front, through which the positioning sleeve (1-9) and the positioning block (1-10) pass. The lower plate (1-4) is connected to the bottom plate at the front of the lower plate (1-3). The gear (1-12) is connected to the bottom plate (1-4). The left pawl (1-7) and the right pawl (1-8) are respectively shafted on the gear (1-12).

2. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower plate (1-3) has an L-shaped structure, with one end of the lower plate (1-3) being a stepped module structure and the other end of the lower plate (1-3) being a conical panel structure.

3. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A floating block and a spring (1-11) are provided on the base plate (1-4) located behind the gear (1-12).

4. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left pawl (1-7) and right pawl (1-8) are L-shaped structures. One end of the left pawl (1-7) and right pawl (1-8) is axially connected to the gear (1-12) respectively. The inner side of the other end of the left pawl (1-7) and right pawl (1-8) is provided with a contour groove that mates with a hexagonal nut. The left handle (1-5) and right handle (1-6) are respectively connected to the sides of the left pawl (1-7) and right pawl (1-8).

5. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning sleeve (1-9) is a conical positioning sleeve. The upper inner side of the positioning sleeve (1-9) is a conical positioning surface. The lower part of the positioning sleeve (1-9) is a cylindrical structure. Several light-transmitting holes (1-9-1) are provided in the lower part of the cylindrical structure.

6. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding body submechanism (3) includes a connecting plate, a clamping guide plate, a pressing roller mechanism, and a wedge-shaped push bearing. The connecting plate (3-1) has a concave structure and is located outside the upper plate (1-2) and the lower plate (1-3). The rear part of the connecting plate (3-1) is connected to the back plate (1-1). The top of the connecting plate (3-1) is provided with a clamping guide plate (3-2), and the top of the clamping guide plate (3-2) is connected to the pressing roller mechanism through the wedge-shaped push bearing (3-4).

7. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The clamping guide plate (3-2) has raised structures on both sides, and the raised structures on both sides of the clamping guide plate (3-2) are respectively provided with sliding grooves (3-2-1) that connect with the clamping claws (2).

8. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The clamping roller mechanism includes a clamping roller, a roller mounting base, and a clamping roller connecting plate. One end of the clamping roller connecting plate (3-6) is connected to the top of the clamping guide plate (3-2) through a wedge-shaped push bearing (3-4), and the other end of the clamping roller connecting plate (3-6) is connected to the roller mounting base (3-5). The clamping roller (3-3) is connected to the roller mounting base (3-5).

9. The integrated mounting mechanism for the outer ball joint and hexagonal nut of an automotive steering system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping jaw (2) includes a left clamping jaw and a right clamping jaw. The left clamping jaw and the right clamping jaw have the same structure. The left clamping jaw includes a guide bearing, a jaw connecting block, and a jaw head. The top of the jaw connecting block (2-2) is connected to the guide bearing (2-1), and the jaw connecting block (2-2) is connected to the sliding groove (3-2-1) on the clamping guide plate (3-2) through the guide bearing (2-1). The front end of the jaw connecting block (2-2) is connected to the jaw head (2-3).

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