A kind of ball cage lateral hot extrusion forming equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of ball cage lateral hot extrusion forming equipment, comprising: mould, including upper die, lower die and the opening and closing mechanism for driving upper die and / or lower die opening and closing, upper die and lower die die form the die cavity compatible with the shape of ball cage appearance, die cavity is used to accommodate ball cage initial forging, on the side wall of upper die and / or lower die, corresponding the fork lug position of ball cage initial forging, extrusion passage is communicated with die cavity is opened;Extrusion device is set to mould outside, including multiple extrusion heads that are evenly distributed along the circumference of mould and the drive mechanism for driving extrusion head synchronous radial motion along mould, drive mechanism drives multiple extrusion heads synchronous through extrusion passage and extend into die cavity, to form lug hole to the fork lug lateral hot extrusion simultaneously force ball cage initial forging excess blank is filled in die cavity, form ball cage forging piece with lug hole.The utility model simultaneously completes the forming of lug hole and the final full filling of each part of ball cage in one forming action.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive parts manufacturing technology, specifically a ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Existing drive axle half-shaft connection assemblies for various automobiles, engineering vehicles, loaders, and special vehicles can meet the driving and turning angle requirements of vehicles during operation. The existing drive axle half-shaft assemblies generally include an outer half-shaft, an inner half-shaft, and a ball cage for connecting the outer and inner half-shafts. The ball cage is a cylindrical structure with open ends. The outer half-shaft is connected to the first axial end of the ball cage via a universal joint. A pair of opposing first forks protrude from the first axial end face of the ball cage. The inner half-shaft is connected to the second axial end of the ball cage via another universal joint. A pair of opposing second forks protrude from the second axial end face of the ball cage. High-precision ear holes need to be machined on the first and second forks to connect with the universal joint, allowing the universal joint to allow the outer and inner half-shafts to rotate laterally and longitudinally.

[0003] Traditional ball cage forging processes typically involve multi-pass forging. First, the general shape and lugs of the ball cage are forged, then subsequent machining processes, such as drilling, are used to create the lug holes. This traditional process has the following significant drawbacks:

[0004] The process is complex and the production efficiency is low: it requires multiple sets of molds and multiple heating processes, resulting in a long production cycle and high costs.

[0005] Low material utilization: Machining ear holes generates a large amount of metal scrap, wasting materials.

[0006] The fibrous structure is cut off: Machining can sever the continuous metal flow lines inside the forging, reducing the fatigue strength and load-bearing capacity of the fork lug.

[0007] Poor dimensional accuracy and consistency: Step-by-step molding may result in incomplete filling, affecting product quality.

[0008] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an integrated forging equipment that can simultaneously achieve the precision forming of the fork ear holes and the full filling of the ball cage body. Utility Model Content

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

[0011] The mold includes an upper mold, a lower mold, and an opening and closing mechanism for driving the upper mold and / or the lower mold to open and close. The upper mold and the lower mold close to form a mold cavity that is adapted to the shape of the ball cage. The mold cavity is used to accommodate the ball cage forging. On the side wall of the upper mold and / or the lower mold, corresponding to the fork lug position of the ball cage forging, an extrusion channel communicating with the mold cavity is opened.

[0012] An extrusion device, located on the outside of the mold, includes multiple extrusion heads evenly distributed along the circumference of the mold and a drive mechanism for driving the extrusion heads to move synchronously along the radial direction of the mold. The drive mechanism drives the multiple extrusion heads to pass through the extrusion channel and extend into the mold cavity simultaneously, so as to perform lateral hot extrusion on the fork lugs to form lug holes, while forcing the excess blank of the ball cage initial forging to be fully filled in the mold cavity, forming a ball cage forging with lug holes.

[0013] Furthermore, the driving mechanism includes a driving component, a rack, a gear, a turntable, and connecting rods equal in number to the extrusion heads; the output end of the driving component is connected to the rack, driving the rack to reciprocate in a straight line; the gear meshes with the rack, and the gear is coaxially and fixedly connected to the turntable, so as to drive the turntable to rotate with the movement of the rack; the turntable has multiple shaft holes evenly provided on its circumferential edge, and one end of each connecting rod is hinged to the shaft hole of the turntable through a pin, and the other end is hinged to the corresponding extrusion head through a pin, so that the rotational motion of the turntable is converted into the radial linear motion of the extrusion head.

[0014] Furthermore, the driving mechanism also includes a fixed block, on which a groove extending along the direction of rack movement is provided, and a slider is fixedly connected to the rack, the slider being slidably disposed in the groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the extrusion device also includes a mounting base for mounting the extrusion head, the mounting base having a hinge hole, and the end of the connecting rod away from the turntable being hinged to the hinge hole of the mounting base via a pin.

[0016] Furthermore, the extrusion device also includes a fixed base, which has a U-shaped frame structure and a radially extending slide rail on its inner sidewall. The mounting base slides in conjunction with the slide rail, and the extension direction of the slide rail is consistent with the movement direction of the extrusion head.

[0017] Furthermore, the extrusion device also includes a lifting mechanism connected to the extrusion head, which drives the extrusion head to move vertically to adjust the relative height position of the extrusion head and the extrusion channel.

[0018] Furthermore, the fork lugs include four, which are evenly distributed circumferentially and arranged in pairs opposite each other, with the center lines connecting any two opposite fork lugs perpendicular to each other; the extrusion heads include four, each corresponding to one of the fork lugs, and the included angle between any two adjacent extrusion heads is 90°.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model opens an extrusion channel communicating with the mold cavity at the fork lug position of the upper mold and the corresponding ball cage initial forging part. Multiple extrusion heads pass through the extrusion channel and extend into the mold cavity simultaneously. In one forming action, the forming of the lug hole and the final full filling of each part of the ball cage are completed simultaneously, ensuring the coaxiality of the lug hole. The metal fiber structure of the extruded lug hole is continuous and dense, and the streamline is completely distributed along the hole wall, which significantly improves the fatigue strength, wear resistance and load-bearing capacity of the ball cage, improves the quality of the ball cage product, and combines multiple processes into one step, which greatly improves production efficiency, reduces production costs, and avoids the generation of metal waste due to drilling. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ball cage structure;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the mold structure in the ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another view of the mold structure in the ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the fixed seat and mounting seat in the ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism and mounting base installation structure in the ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism in the ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment of this utility model;

[0027] In the diagram, 100-frame, 1-mold, 11-upper mold, 111-notch, 12-lower mold, 121-protrusion, 131-upper mold cavity, 132-lower mold cavity, 14-opening and closing mechanism, 141-hydraulic cylinder, 142-guide post, 15-extrusion channel, 2-extrusion device, 21-fixed seat, 211-upper fixed plate, 212-lower fixed plate, 213-side plate, 214-slide rail, 22-mounting seat, 221-guide rail, 222-slider, 223-second slider, 23-extrusion head, 241-driving component, 242-rack, 243-gear, 244-turntable, 245-connecting rod, 246-fixed block, 200-ball cage, 201-first fork lug, 202-second fork lug, 203-ear hole. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, the ball cage 200 has a columnar structure with open ends. A pair of opposing first fork lugs 201 are protruding from the first end face of the ball cage 200 in the axial direction, and a pair of opposing second fork lugs 202 are protruding from the second end face of the ball cage in the axial direction, for a total of four fork lugs. The four fork lugs are evenly distributed in the circumference. The center line connecting the second fork lugs 201 and the second fork lugs 202 is perpendicular to each other. Ear holes 203 are opened on the first fork lugs 201 and the second fork lugs 202. The ball cage initial forging has the general shape of the ball cage and the fork lugs.

[0030] like Figures 2-7 As shown, this embodiment provides a ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment, the equipment including a frame 100, and a mold 1 and an extrusion device 2 disposed on the frame 100;

[0031] The mold 1 includes an upper mold 11, a lower mold 12, and an opening and closing mechanism for driving the upper mold 11 to open and close. The upper mold 11 and the lower mold 12 close to form a mold cavity adapted to the shape of the ball cage. The mold cavity is used to accommodate the ball cage preliminary forging. To facilitate the removal of the formed ball cage, the mold cavity includes an upper mold cavity 1 opened in the upper mold 11 and a lower mold cavity 2 opened in the lower mold. On the side walls of the upper mold 11 and the lower mold 12, corresponding to the fork lug position of the ball cage preliminary forging, there are extrusion channels 15 communicating with the mold cavity. The opening and closing mechanism includes a hydraulic cylinder 141 and a lower mold cavity 12. Guide pillars 142 and hydraulic cylinders 141 are mounted on the frame 100. Their piston rods are connected to the upper mold 11 to drive the upper mold 11 to move up and down. There are four guide pillars 142, which are mounted on the frame 100 and vertically distributed along the four corners of the lower mold 12 to ensure accurate alignment and smooth movement of the upper mold 11 and the lower mold 12 during the mold closing process. In order to ensure the mold closing accuracy, the lower mold 12 is provided with protrusions 121, and the side wall of the upper mold 11 is provided with corresponding notches 111. When the upper mold 11 and the lower mold 12 are closed, the protrusions 121 are embedded in the notches 111.

[0032] The extrusion device 2 is located on the outside of the mold 1 and includes a fixed base 21, a mounting base 22, an extrusion head 23, a driving mechanism for driving the extrusion head 23 to move synchronously along the radial direction of the mold 1, and a lifting mechanism for driving the extrusion head to move vertically. The extrusion head 23 includes four, which correspond one-to-one with the fork lugs, and the included angle between any two adjacent extrusion heads 23 is 90°.

[0033] The fixed base 21 and mounting base 22 correspond one-to-one with the extrusion head 23, including four in total. The extrusion head 23 is mounted on the mounting base 22. The fixed base 21 has a U-shaped frame structure, and its inner side wall is provided with a radially extending slide rail 214. The mounting base 22 is fixedly connected to a second slider 223, which slides with the slide rail 214. The extension direction of the slide rail 214 is consistent with the movement direction of the extrusion head 23. The mounting base 22 is provided with a hinge hole. In this embodiment, the fixed base 21 includes an upper fixed plate 211, a lower fixed plate 212, and a side plate 213 fixed between the upper fixed plate 211 and the lower fixed plate 212. The slide rail 214 is provided on the inner side wall of the side plate 213. The four upper fixed plates 211 and lower fixed plates 212 are integrally formed in a cross shape. The upper fixed plate 211 is provided with a U-shaped groove corresponding to the installation position of the mounting base 22 to provide sliding space for the mounting base 22.

[0034] The driving mechanism includes a driving component 241, a rack 242, a gear 243, a turntable 244, connecting rods 245 (equal in number to the extrusion heads 23), and a fixing block 246. The driving component 241 can be a hydraulic cylinder, a drive motor, a pneumatic cylinder, etc., and its output end is connected to the rack 242, driving the rack 242 to reciprocate in a straight line. The gear 234 meshes with the rack 242 and is coaxially and fixedly connected to the turntable 244, so as to drive the turntable 244 to rotate with the movement of the rack 242. The turntable 244 has multiple shaft holes evenly provided on its circumferential edge, and one end of each connecting rod 245 is connected to the shaft of the turntable 244 through a pin. The hole is hinged, and the other end is hinged to the corresponding mounting base 22 through a pin, so that the rotational motion of the turntable 244 is converted into the radial linear motion of the extrusion head 23. In this way, the drive mechanism drives multiple extrusion heads 23 to simultaneously pass through the extrusion channel 15 and extend into the mold cavity, so as to perform lateral hot extrusion on the fork ear to form the ear hole, while forcing the excess blank of the ball cage initial forging to be fully filled in the mold cavity, forming a ball cage forging with ear hole. In order to improve the motion accuracy of the rack 242 and ensure the smoothness of the motion, the fixed block 246 is provided with a sliding groove extending along the motion direction of the rack 242. The rack 242 slides in the sliding groove to ensure smooth linear motion.

[0035] The inner wall of the mounting base 22 is provided with a guide rail 221 extending in the vertical direction. The extrusion head 23 is mounted on a slider 222, which slides within the guide rail 221. The lifting mechanism corresponds to the extrusion head 23, with one lifting mechanism corresponding to one extrusion head 23. The lifting mechanism includes a lifting motor, the output shaft of which is connected to the extrusion head 23 via the slider 222, driving the extrusion head 23 to move in the vertical direction to adjust the relative height position of the extrusion head 23 and the extrusion channel 15, adapting to ball cages of different heights. Moreover, the extrusion head 23 can be replaced as needed. The extrusion head 23 is detachably mounted on the slider 222 via a pin, and can be replaced by removing the pin.

[0036] When the ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment is working:

[0037] The ball cage forging is placed in the mold cavity, and the upper and lower molds are driven to close by the opening and closing mechanism, so that the mold cavity is closed.

[0038] The drive mechanism is activated, which drives all extrusion heads to move radially inward along the mold in sync. The extrusion heads pass through the extrusion channel and apply lateral extrusion force to the fork lugs of the ball cage forging. During this process, the metal in the fork lugs undergoes plastic flow under high temperature and pressure to form ear holes. At the same time, the excess billet on the ball cage forging flows to various parts of the mold cavity under three-dimensional pressure, so that the ball cage forging is fully filled in the mold cavity to form a ball cage forging with ear holes.

[0039] The opening and closing mechanism is activated to drive the mold to open. The driving mechanism reverses its movement, driving the extrusion head to exit the mold cavity radially in sync, and the formed ball cage forging with ear holes is taken out.

[0040] Specifically, after the ball cage forging is heated to 800~1200℃, it is placed in the mold cavity. The hydraulic cylinder 141 drives the upper mold 11 downward to close the mold and seal the mold cavity. The drive component 241 is activated, driving the rack 242 to move, which in turn drives the gear 243 to rotate, thereby driving the turntable 244 to rotate, which in turn drives the extrusion head 23 to move radially. Multiple extrusion heads 23 simultaneously pass through the extrusion channel 15 and extend into the mold cavity to perform lateral hot extrusion on the fork lug. During this process, the metal in the fork lug part is subjected to high temperature and lateral extrusion. Under the action of force, plastic flow is generated, and it is squeezed in the opposite direction into the annular closed space formed by the extrusion head 23 and the side wall of the mold cavity, forming the ear hole 203. At the same time, the excess blank of the ball cage forging is forced to flow into the unfilled area of ​​the mold cavity, so as to fill the mold cavity fully and form a ball cage forging with ear hole. The hydraulic cylinder 141 drives the upper mold 11 to move upward to open the mold. The drive mechanism moves in the opposite direction to drive the extrusion head 23 to exit the mold cavity radially at the same time. The formed ball cage forging with ear hole is taken out and sent to the next process for processing.

[0041] This invention features an extrusion channel connected to the die cavity at the fork lug position of the upper die and the corresponding ball cage forging. Multiple extrusion heads simultaneously pass through the extrusion channel and extend into the die cavity, completing the forming of the lugs and the final full filling of various parts of the ball cage in a single forming operation. This ensures the coaxiality of the lugs. The extruded lugs have a continuous and dense metal fiber structure, with streamlines distributed along the hole wall. This significantly improves the fatigue strength, wear resistance, and load-bearing capacity of the ball cage, enhancing the product quality. Furthermore, by combining multiple processes into one step, it greatly improves production efficiency, reduces production costs, and eliminates metal waste generated during drilling.

[0042] Although the present invention 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 the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment, characterized in that, The device includes: The mold includes an upper mold, a lower mold, and an opening and closing mechanism for driving the upper mold and / or the lower mold to open and close. The upper mold and the lower mold close to form a mold cavity that is adapted to the shape of the ball cage. The mold cavity is used to accommodate the ball cage forging. On the side wall of the upper mold and / or the lower mold, corresponding to the fork lug position of the ball cage forging, an extrusion channel communicating with the mold cavity is opened. An extrusion device, located on the outside of the mold, includes multiple extrusion heads evenly distributed along the circumference of the mold and a drive mechanism for driving the extrusion heads to move synchronously along the radial direction of the mold. The drive mechanism drives the multiple extrusion heads to pass through the extrusion channel and extend into the mold cavity simultaneously, so as to perform lateral hot extrusion on the fork lugs to form lug holes, while forcing the excess blank of the ball cage initial forging to be fully filled in the mold cavity, forming a ball cage forging with lug holes.

2. The ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism includes a driving component, a rack, a gear, a turntable, and a number of connecting rods equal to the number of extrusion heads. The output end of the driving component is connected to the rack, driving the rack to reciprocate in a straight line. The gear meshes with the rack and is coaxially and fixedly connected to the turntable, so as to drive the turntable to rotate with the movement of the rack. The turntable has multiple shaft holes evenly provided on its circumferential edge. One end of each connecting rod is hinged to the shaft hole of the turntable through a pin, and the other end is hinged to the corresponding extrusion head through a pin.

3. The ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving mechanism also includes a fixed block, on which a groove extending along the direction of rack movement is provided, and a slider is fixedly connected to the rack, the slider being slidably disposed in the groove.

4. The ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The extrusion device also includes a mounting base for mounting the extrusion head. The mounting base has a hinge hole, and the end of the connecting rod away from the turntable is hinged to the hinge hole of the mounting base via a pin.

5. The ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The extrusion device also includes a fixed base, which has a U-shaped frame structure and a radially extending slide rail on its inner side wall. The mounting base slides in conjunction with the slide rail, and the extension direction of the slide rail is consistent with the movement direction of the extrusion head.

6. The ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The extrusion device also includes a lifting mechanism, which is connected to the extrusion head and is used to drive the extrusion head to move in the vertical direction to adjust the relative height position of the extrusion head and the extrusion channel.

7. The ball cage lateral hot extrusion molding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fork lugs include four, which are evenly distributed circumferentially and arranged in pairs opposite each other, with the center lines connecting any two opposite fork lugs perpendicular to each other; the extrusion heads include four, each corresponding to one of the fork lugs, and the included angle between any two adjacent extrusion heads is 90°.

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