A flaring device for an intercooler water pipe in an automobile

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flaring equipment for automobile intercooler water pipe, including the gantry type fixed frame of work table top and the positioning of inside integration, flaring drive, end face limiting assembly. Positioning assembly realizes water pipe automatic feeding through the inclination of feeding frame, jacking cylinder, and flaring drive assembly adopts taper adjustable extruding head and quick change mechanism adapts multi -specification water pipe, and end face limiting assembly is accurately positioned by the lead screw - slider structure of servo motor drive, and cooperation guide assembly ensures the movement accuracy, and controller cooperates and control each part. The equipment is high in degree of automation, flexible in type changing, accurate in positioning, effectively improves flaring quality and production efficiency, and is applicable to automobile intercooler water pipe efficient production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of intercooler water pipe production, and in particular to a flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes. Background Technology

[0002] In the automotive manufacturing industry, the intercooler, as a key component of the engine cooling system, requires its matching water pipes to be tightly assembled with the radiator core through a flaring process to ensure efficient coolant circulation and heat dissipation performance. Currently, the flaring process in the production of automotive intercooler water pipes mainly relies on traditional equipment, but existing technology has the following shortcomings: On the one hand, traditional flaring equipment is mostly semi-automated or manually operated, requiring manual feeding, positioning, and loading / unloading of water pipes. This is not only inefficient, but manual operation is also prone to positioning deviations, leading to inconsistent dimensions after flaring (such as flaring angle deviation or uneven end face), which seriously affects assembly quality. On the other hand, for intercooler water pipes of different specifications (such as outer diameter and length), traditional equipment requires changing the entire set of molds or making complex parameter adjustments. This results in long changeover times, poor flexibility, and difficulty in adapting to the production needs of multiple varieties and small batches. In addition, existing equipment lacks real-time monitoring and feedback control of the flaring process, making it impossible to detect abnormal flaring force or dimensional deviations in a timely manner, leading to a high scrap rate and increased production costs.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a highly automated, flexible, precise positioning, and intelligent monitoring device for expanding the water pipes of automotive intercoolers to meet the dual requirements of modern automobile manufacturing for production efficiency and product quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a flaring device for water pipes of automotive intercoolers.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution: This utility model discloses a flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes, comprising a workbench and a gantry-type fixed frame above the workbench, the fixed frame having a top crossbeam and two side columns; a positioning component, a flaring drive component, and an end face limiting component are provided inside the fixed frame; the positioning component includes: an inclined feeding rack with a feed port aligned with the flaring station at its lower end; a lifting cylinder installed at the bottom of the feeding rack; a lifting block hinged to the piston rod of the lifting cylinder; a flaring lower die fixed to the workbench, the working surface of which is a semi-circular groove matching the outer diameter of the water pipe; and a discharge slide connected to the side of the flaring lower die, the inclination direction of which is parallel to the feeding direction. The frame is identical; the top of the fixed frame is provided with an upper mold drive assembly, including: an upper flaring mold corresponding to the lower flaring mold; an upper mold drive cylinder for driving the upper flaring mold to rise and fall; two sets of guide assemblies symmetrically arranged, each set including a guide shaft and a linear bearing; a flaring drive assembly fixed to the left side of the fixed frame, including: a flaring extrusion head with adjustable taper; a flaring fixing seat connected to the flaring extrusion head through a quick-change mechanism; a flaring cylinder for driving the flaring fixing seat to move horizontally; the end face limiting assembly is fixed to the right side of the fixed frame, including: an axially adjustable end face limiting post; a servo motor for driving the end face limiting post to move; and a polyurethane buffer pad disposed at the front end of the end face limiting post.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the quick-change mechanism includes: a conical positioning sleeve disposed at the front end of the flaring fixing seat; a mating conical surface disposed at the tail end of the flaring extrusion head, wherein the taper of the mating conical surface is consistent with that of the conical positioning sleeve; and a locking bolt passing through the flaring fixing seat, wherein the front end of the locking bolt abuts against the tail end of the flaring extrusion head.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the end face limiting component further includes: a linear guide rail mounted on a fixed frame; a lead screw mounted in the middle of the linear guide rail and connected to the output end of a servo motor; a slider threadedly connected to the lead screw; and a position sensor mounted on the slider. The extension direction of the linear guide rail is parallel to the axis of the water pipe.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the position sensor is a photoelectric proximity switch, with its detection end facing the end face limiting post.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide assembly further includes: a limiting block disposed at the end of the guide shaft; and a shock-absorbing washer sleeved on the guide shaft, wherein the shock-absorbing washer is located between the linear bearing and the limiting block.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the top crossbeam of the fixed frame is provided with reinforcing ribs, the reinforcing ribs are symmetrically distributed along the center of the fixed frame, and the bottom of the two side columns is provided with adjustable feet, which are fixed to the workbench by threaded connection.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, a controller is provided on one side of the workbench; the controller is electrically connected to the upper mold drive cylinder, the flaring cylinder, the servo motor and the position sensor.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. High degree of automation and improved production efficiency: The automatic feeding and unloading of water pipes is achieved through the tilting feeding rack, lifting cylinder and discharge slide. Combined with the coordinated action of the upper mold drive component, the flaring drive component and the end face limiting component, the entire flaring process is automated, greatly reducing manual intervention and significantly improving production efficiency. 2. Quick-change structure design, strong adaptability to flexible production: The tapered flaring extrusion head and quick-change mechanism can quickly change extrusion heads of different specifications. It can adapt to intercooler water pipes of various outer diameters without complicated debugging, effectively shortening the changeover time and meeting the needs of multi-variety production. 3. High-precision positioning and stable flaring quality: The end face limiting component uses a servo motor to drive a screw-slider structure, combined with a position sensor for real-time monitoring, to achieve precise axial positioning of the end face limiting post, avoiding water pipe deviation during flaring; at the same time, the guide component ensures the vertical movement accuracy of the upper mold, and the shock-absorbing washer and limiting block reduce impact vibration, ultimately ensuring the consistency of flaring dimensions and reducing the scrap rate; 4. Intelligent control and reliable process monitoring: The controller is electrically connected to the upper mold drive cylinder, flaring cylinder, servo motor and position sensor, which can collect equipment operating parameters in real time and adjust the action through closed-loop control to ensure that all components work together; if an abnormality occurs, it can alarm and stop the machine in time, further improving production reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is the front view of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged view a1 of the end face limiting component of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged view a2 of the flaring drive assembly of this utility model; In the diagram: 1. Workbench; 2. Positioning assembly; 3. Upper die drive assembly; 4. Flaring drive assembly; 5. End face limit assembly; 6. Controller; 11. Fixing frame; 21. Feeding rack; 22. Lifting cylinder; 23. Lifting block; 24. Flaring lower die; 25. Discharge slide; 31. Flaring upper die; 32. Upper die drive cylinder; 33. Guide assembly; 41. Flaring extrusion head; 42. Flaring fixing seat; 43. Flaring cylinder; 44. Quick change mechanism; 51. End face limit. 52. Column; 53. Servo motor; 54. Polyurethane buffer pad; 55. Linear guide rail; 56. Lead screw; 57. Slider; 58. Position sensor; 111. Top crossbeam; 112. Side columns; 113. Reinforcing rib; 114. Adjustable foot; 211. Feed inlet; 241. Groove; 331. Guide shaft; 332. Linear bearing; 333. Limit block; 334. Shock-absorbing washer; 441. Conical positioning sleeve; 442. Mating conical surface; 443. Locking bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0015] In the attached diagram, all identical reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0016] Example 1: Flaring process for standard specification intercooler water pipes (outer diameter 50mm, length 250mm), such as... Figure 1-5 As shown, this embodiment uses the φ50mm×250mm water pipe commonly used in automotive intercoolers as an example to explain in detail the connection relationship and working process of each component of the equipment: The positioning component 2 includes an inclined feeding rack 21, a lifting cylinder 22, a lifting block 23, a flared lower die 24, and a discharge slide 25. The feeding rack 21 is at a 15° angle to the horizontal plane, with a length of 800mm. The lower end of the feeding port 211 is aligned with the flaring station (directly above the flaring lower die 24). The water pipe is placed on top of the feeding rack 21 manually or in an upstream process and slides down to the feeding port 211 by gravity. At this time, the lifting cylinder 22 (stroke 20mm, thrust 500N) is activated, and the piston rod extends to push the lifting block 23 to rotate upward around its hinge point with the cylinder piston rod, lifting the water pipe from the feed port 211 to above the semi-circular groove 241 of the flaring lower die 24; the lifting block 23 continues to rotate until the water pipe is completely in contact with the inner wall of the groove 241 (the inner diameter of the groove is 50.2mm, slightly larger than the outer diameter of the water pipe for easy guidance), completing the positioning of the water pipe at the flaring station. The discharge slide 25 is connected to the side of the flaring lower die 24, and its inclination direction is the same as that of the feeding frame 21.

[0017] The extrusion action of the flaring drive assembly 4: The flaring drive assembly 4 includes a tapered flaring extrusion head 41, a flaring fixing seat 42, a flaring cylinder 43, and a quick-change mechanism 44. The flaring fixing seat 42 is equipped with a flaring extrusion head 41 with a tapered angle of 1:10 (the outer diameter of the extrusion head gradually decreases from the front end to the rear end, with a maximum outer diameter of 60mm). When the flaring cylinder 43 is activated, it pushes the flaring fixing seat 42 to move horizontally to the left (towards the water pipe). The front end of the extrusion head 41 gradually inserts into the water pipe until the maximum outer diameter (60mm) of the extrusion head 41 contacts and expands the inner wall of the water pipe. At this time, the water pipe is stretched to the size that matches the upper flaring die 31 (the inner diameter of the working surface of the upper die is 50.5mm).

[0018] Clamping and pressure holding of the upper mold drive assembly 3: The upper mold drive assembly 3 includes a flared upper mold 31, an upper mold drive cylinder 32, and two sets of guide assemblies 33. The upper mold drive cylinder 32 starts synchronously, driving the flared upper mold 31 to move downward. Its semi-circular protrusion (inner diameter 50.5mm) cooperates with the groove 241 (inner diameter 50.2mm) of the flared lower mold 24, clamping the water pipe from both the top and bottom sides to ensure that the water pipe does not deform during the flaring process. The guide assembly 33 includes a guide shaft 331, a linear bearing 332, a limiting block 333, and a shock-absorbing washer 334. The guide shaft 331 is provided with a limiting block 333 at its end. The shock-absorbing washer 334 is sleeved on the guide shaft 331 and located between the linear bearing 332 and the limiting block 333, ensuring the vertical movement accuracy of the upper mold and reducing impact. After holding the pressure for 3 seconds, the flaring cylinder 43 retracts in the opposite direction, and the extrusion head 41 exits the water pipe; the upper mold drive cylinder 32 drives the upper mold 31 to lift, completing the flaring.

[0019] Please see Figure 4 The auxiliary positioning and discharge of the end-face limiting component 5: The end-face limiting component 5 includes an end-face limiting post 51, a servo motor 52, a polyurethane buffer pad 53, a linear guide rail 54, a lead screw 55, a slider 56, and a position sensor 57. The initial position of the end-face limiting post 51 (diameter 20mm, front end polyurethane buffer pad 53 thickness 5mm) is 100mm away from the flaring station (set by the servo motor 52 through the lead screw 55-slider 56 structure). During the flaring process, the limiting post 51 does not move; after the flaring is completed, the discharge slide 25 (inclination angle 10°, length 400mm) discharges the flared water pipe along the slide to the collection area.

[0020] Example 2: Precise end face positioning of a long water pipe (outer diameter 50mm, length 400mm) This embodiment focuses on the dynamic adjustment function of the end-face limiting component 5, which is designed for longer water pipes. The parameters of the end-face limiting component are set by the controller 6, which inputs the target water pipe length (400mm) according to process requirements. The controller calculates the distance the end-face limiting post 51 needs to move (distance from the flaring station to the front end of the limiting post 51 = water pipe length + 5mm allowance = 405mm). The servo motor 52 (500rpm, 10N·m torque) starts, driving the lead screw 55 (10mm lead) to rotate, which in turn moves the slider 56 to the right along the linear guide rail 54 (500mm length) until the position sensor 57 (photoelectric proximity switch, detection distance 0-600mm) on the slider 56 sends a signal to the controller 6, confirming that the polyurethane buffer pad 53 at the front end of the limiting post 51 is 405mm from the flaring station.

[0021] The flaring process of the long water pipe: After the water pipe slides down from the feeding rack 21 to the inlet 211, the lifting cylinder 22 lifts the water pipe into the groove 241 of the flaring lower mold 24 (the groove is 350mm long, which can accommodate the first 350mm of a 400mm water pipe, with the remaining 50mm extending out of the groove). At this time, the end face limiting post 51 is positioned. During the flaring process, the end face of the water pipe lightly touches the polyurethane buffer pad 53 of the limiting post 51 to avoid flaring deviation caused by the water pipe sagging under its own weight. After flaring is completed, the discharge slide 25 discharges the water pipe in an inclined direction (the same direction as the feeding rack 21). Due to the long length of the water pipe, support rollers are added to the bottom of the slide 25 to reduce sliding friction.

[0022] Example 3: Quick Changeover of Water Pipes with Different Outer Diameters (φ40mm and φ60mm) This embodiment verifies the adaptability of the quick-change mechanism 44 and demonstrates the replacement process and positioning accuracy of the extrusion head 41: Extrusion head replacement for φ40mm water pipes: The original extrusion head 41 has a taper of 1:10 and a maximum outer diameter of 60mm (suitable for φ50mm water pipes). When processing φ40mm water pipes, it needs to be replaced with an extrusion head 41 with a taper of 1:12 and a maximum outer diameter of 48mm. The operator loosens the locking bolt 443 (8mm diameter, 20mm thread length) and axially removes the original extrusion head 41 from the conical positioning sleeve 441 (taper of 1:10, inner diameter consistent with the original extrusion head's mating conical surface 442) of the flared fixing seat 42; subsequently, the mating conical surface 442 (taper of 1:12) of the new extrusion head 41 is aligned with the inner conical surface of the conical positioning sleeve 441, and pushed axially until it fits. The locking bolt 443 is then tightened to ensure no relative displacement between the extrusion head 41 and the flared fixing seat 42.

[0023] Verification of the flaring after the changeover: The flaring cylinder 43 pushes the new extrusion head 41 to move, and its maximum outer diameter of 48mm contacts and expands with the inner wall of the φ40mm water pipe, eventually expanding to an inner diameter of 40.5mm that mates with the upper flaring die 31. After flaring, the inner diameter (40.5±0.1mm) and angle (perpendicularity to the axis ≤0.5°) of the flared end of the water pipe are measured, which meet the process requirements, verifying the precise positioning function of the quick-change mechanism 44.

[0024] This utility model is a flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes. Through structural optimization and intelligent control, it effectively solves the problems of low efficiency, poor flexibility and unstable quality of traditional flaring devices. It is suitable for high-precision and high-efficiency production of automotive intercooler water pipes and has good promotion and application value.

[0025] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes, comprising a workbench (1), characterized in that: The gantry-type fixed frame (11) above the workbench (1) has a top crossbeam (111) and two side columns (112); the fixed frame (11) is provided with a positioning component (2), a flaring drive component (4) and an end face limiting component (5) on the inner side; the positioning component (2) includes: an inclined feeding rack (21) with a feed port (211) aligned with the flaring station at its lower end; a lifting cylinder (22) installed at the bottom of the feeding rack (21); a lifting block (23) hinged to the piston rod of the lifting cylinder (22); a flaring lower mold (24) fixed on the workbench (1) with a semi-circular groove (241) matching the outer diameter of the water pipe on its working surface; a discharge slide (25) connected to the side of the flaring lower mold (24) with the same inclination direction as the feeding rack (21); the top of the fixed frame (11) is provided with an upper The mold drive assembly (3) includes: an upper flaring mold (31) corresponding to the lower flaring mold (24); an upper mold drive cylinder (32) for driving the upper flaring mold (31) to rise and fall; two sets of guide assemblies (33) arranged symmetrically, each set including a guide shaft (331) and a linear bearing (332); a flaring drive assembly (4) fixed on the left side of the fixed frame (11) including: a tapered flaring extrusion head (41); a flaring fixing seat (42) connected to the flaring extrusion head (41) via a quick-change mechanism (44); and a flaring cylinder (43) for driving the flaring fixing seat (42) to move horizontally; the end face limiting assembly (5) fixed on the right side of the fixed frame (11) includes: an axially adjustable end face limiting post (51); a servo motor (52) for driving the end face limiting post (51) to move; and a polyurethane buffer pad (53) disposed at the front end of the end face limiting post (51).

2. The flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The quick-change mechanism (44) includes: a conical positioning sleeve (441) located at the front end of the flaring fixing seat (42); a mating conical surface (442) located at the tail end of the flaring extrusion head (41), wherein the taper of the mating conical surface (442) is consistent with that of the conical positioning sleeve (441); and a locking bolt (443) passing through the flaring fixing seat (42), wherein the front end of the locking bolt (443) abuts against the tail end of the flaring extrusion head (41).

3. The flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end face limiting component (5) further includes: a linear guide rail (54) mounted on a fixed frame (11); a lead screw (55) mounted in the middle of the linear guide rail (54) and connected to the output end of a servo motor (52); a slider (56) threadedly connected to the lead screw (55); and a position sensor (57) mounted on the slider (56). The extension direction of the linear guide rail (54) is parallel to the water pipe axis.

4. A flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes according to claim 3, characterized in that, The position sensor (57) is a photoelectric proximity switch, with its detection end facing the end face limiting post (51).

5. A flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide assembly (33) further includes: a limiting block (333) disposed at the end of the guide shaft (331); and a shock-absorbing washer (334) sleeved on the guide shaft (331), wherein the shock-absorbing washer (334) is located between the linear bearing (332) and the limiting block (333).

6. A flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top beam (111) of the fixed frame (11) is provided with reinforcing ribs (113), which are symmetrically distributed along the center of the fixed frame (11). The bottom of the two side columns (112) is provided with adjustable feet (114), which are fixed to the workbench (1) by threaded connection.

7. A flaring device for automotive intercooler water pipes according to claim 4, characterized in that, A controller (6) is provided on one side of the workbench (1); the controller (6) is electrically connected to the upper mold drive cylinder (32), the flaring cylinder (43), the servo motor (52) and the position sensor (57).

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