A multi-station automated inspection device for forks

Abstract

This utility model discloses a multi-station automated inspection device for forks, relating to the field of fork inspection technology. The device includes a cabinet with a support plate; at least one feeding component mounted on the support plate; a handling component on the support plate for multi-station fork handling; an inner diameter detection component for fork inner diameter detection; a flaw detection component integrated on the support plate for fork flaw detection; a marking component for marking fork sections after inspection; and several support components mounted on the operating table for fork placement. These support components support the fork sections during operation of the inner diameter detection component, flaw detection component, and marking component. By integrating feeding, handling, inner diameter detection, flaw detection, marking, and support components into one unit, the device eliminates the need for manual or machine handling of forks in multiple independent devices, shortening the overall inspection cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of fork joint detection technology, and more specifically, to a multi-station automated fork joint detection device. Background Technology

[0002] The sling fork is a key connecting component in mechanical transmission systems, widely used in drive shaft assemblies in automobiles, construction machinery, and rail transportation. Its main functions include transmitting torque, connecting different shaft segments, and compensating for axial and radial displacements. Its structural stability and transmission performance directly affect the operating efficiency and safety of the entire transmission system. During power transmission, the sling fork must withstand complex forces such as alternating loads and impact stresses over extended periods, making it one of the core components ensuring the normal operation of mechanical equipment.

[0003] Due to the complex working environment and harsh stress conditions of the transmission fork, its own quality is crucial to the reliability of the transmission system. If the transmission fork has problems such as out-of-tolerance inner diameter, surface or internal cracks, or material defects, stress concentration may occur during use, leading to failures such as breakage and deformation, causing equipment downtime or even safety accidents. Therefore, to ensure that the transmission fork meets design standards and usage requirements, its key dimensions, internal and surface quality must be strictly inspected to screen out qualified products and prevent unqualified parts from entering the assembly process.

[0004] Traditional forklift inspection often employs a decentralized operation model, where processes such as inner diameter inspection, flaw detection, and marking are completed on separate equipment or workstations, with forklifts moving between these workstations manually or using simple mechanical handling. This model has several drawbacks: Firstly, the dispersed layout of multiple workstations leads to a lengthy production process, and the forklifts are prone to secondary damage due to collisions and vibrations during handling. Furthermore, the high degree of manual intervention not only increases labor costs but may also affect inspection accuracy due to operational errors. Secondly, it is difficult to standardize inspection standards across workstations, and data cannot be linked in real time, leading to missed or false positives, increasing the risk of defective products being released. Additionally, the overall inspection efficiency is low, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale production.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary for the inventors to design a new automated multi-station detection device for forks to overcome the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The main purpose of this application is to provide a multi-station automated inspection device for toggle switches to solve the problem that processes such as internal diameter inspection, flaw detection, and marking are completed separately on independent equipment in the market.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an automated multi-station inspection device for forks, comprising a cabinet with a support plate; at least one feeding assembly disposed on the support plate; a handling assembly located on the support plate for multi-station handling of forks; an inner diameter detection assembly for detecting the inner diameter of forks; a flaw detection assembly integrated on the support plate for flaw detection of forks; a marking assembly for marking forks after inspection; and a plurality of support assemblies disposed on the support plate for placing forks, the plurality of support assemblies supporting the forks when the inner diameter detection assembly, the flaw detection assembly, and the marking assembly are in operation.

[0008] Preferably, the feeding assembly includes: a support frame fixed on the bearing plate and arranged along the Y-axis; a strip-shaped feeding frame disposed on the support frame for placing a plurality of forks; an electric telescopic rod disposed at the bottom of the strip-shaped feeding frame; a channel opened at the end of the strip-shaped feeding frame facing the conveying assembly; and a limiting block disposed at the output end of the electric telescopic rod and located inside the channel.

[0009] Preferably, the conveying assembly includes: a bracket fixed to the bearing plate and close to the feeding assembly; a first linear module disposed on the bracket and arranged along the X-axis; a first cylinder assembly disposed at the transmission end of the first linear module and arranged along the Z-axis; a connecting frame disposed at the output end of the first cylinder assembly; and a plurality of pneumatic grippers disposed on the connecting frame.

[0010] Preferably, the inner diameter detection assembly includes: an L-shaped support plate disposed on the drive end of the lead screw assembly facing the support assembly; a floating base disposed on the support plate and facing the support assembly; and a measuring rod disposed on the floating base for detecting the inner diameter of the fork.

[0011] Preferably, the floating base includes: a base plate; a first floating plate slidably connected to the base plate; and a second floating plate slidably connected to the first floating plate, wherein the measuring rod is disposed on the second floating plate.

[0012] Preferably, a first slide rail is provided laterally between the base plate and the first floating plate, and the first slide rail is slidably connected to the first floating plate; a second slide rail is provided vertically between the first floating plate and the second floating plate, and the second slide rail is slidably connected to the second floating plate.

[0013] Preferably, the L-shaped support plate has a vertical sliding groove, and the base plate is threaded with an adjusting bolt that passes through the sliding groove.

[0014] Preferably, the flaw detection assembly includes a second linear module disposed on the support plate; a height adjustment assembly disposed on the transmission end of the second linear module; a transmission part disposed on the height adjustment assembly; a flaw detection head disposed on the output end of the transmission part; and a drive motor for driving the transmission part to rotate the flaw detection head.

[0015] Preferably, the marking assembly includes a column mounted on a support plate; a lifting assembly disposed within the column; a second cylinder assembly horizontally mounted on the column and reciprocating vertically via the lifting assembly; a marking head disposed at the output end of the second cylinder assembly; and a third linear module disposed on the support plate and located below the marking head, wherein the transmission end of the third linear module is provided with a support assembly.

[0016] Preferably, the support assembly includes a support base; a double-ended cylinder disposed on the support base; a floating plate disposed at the output end of the double-ended cylinder; a clamping plate disposed on the inner side of the floating plate for fixing the fork; and a positioning post disposed on the support base for positioning the fork.

[0017] This utility model provides a multi-station automated inspection device for fork sections. Compared with existing technologies, its advantages are as follows: By integrating feeding, handling, inner diameter inspection, flaw detection, marking, and support functions into a single unit via a cabinet support plate, it replaces the traditional multi-station decentralized operation mode. This eliminates the manual or machine handling of fork sections on multiple independent devices, shortening the overall inspection cycle. Simultaneously, the orderly feeding of materials by the handling components in conjunction with the feeding components ensures continuous connection between processes, significantly increasing the inspection volume per unit time and meeting the needs of large-scale production. Through integrated and automated design, this device improves inspection efficiency, accuracy, and stability while reducing costs and damage risks, meeting the high-quality inspection requirements in mass production of fork sections. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the application and to make other features, objects, and advantages of the application more apparent. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain the application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the feeding assembly of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the strip feed frame of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the handling component of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the inner diameter detection component and the support component of this utility model; Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the inner diameter detection component of this utility model; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the flaw detection and testing component of this utility model; Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the marking component of this utility model.

[0019] The components include: 1. Cabinet; 11. Bearing plate; 2. Feeding assembly; 21. Support frame; 22. Strip feeding frame; 23. Electric telescopic rod; 24. Channel; 25. Limiting block; 3. Handling assembly; 31. Bracket; 32. First linear module; 33. First cylinder assembly; 34. Connecting frame; 35. Pneumatic gripper; 4. Inner diameter detection assembly; 41. L-shaped support plate; 42. Base plate; 43. First floating plate; 44. Second floating plate; 45. Measuring rod; 46. First slide rail. 47. Second slide rail; 48. Sliding groove; 49. Adjusting bolt; 5. Flaw detection assembly; 51. Second linear module; 52. Height adjustment assembly; 53. Transmission unit; 54. Drive motor; 55. Flaw detection head; 6. Marking assembly; 61. Column; 62. Lifting assembly; 63. Second cylinder assembly; 64. Marking head; 65. Third linear module; 7. Support assembly; 71. Support base; 72. Double-end cylinder; 73. Floating plate; 74. Clamping plate; 75. Positioning column. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0021] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be used interchangeably where appropriate for the embodiments of this application described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0022] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0023] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0024] In addition, the term "multiple" should mean two or more.

[0025] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0026] Example 1, as Figures 1-9 As shown, a multi-station automated inspection device for forks includes a cabinet 1, on which a support plate 11 is mounted as the mounting base for various components. The support plate 11 integrates a feeding assembly 2, a handling assembly 3, an inner diameter inspection assembly 4, a flaw detection assembly 5, a marking assembly 6, and several support components 7. Through a rational layout, these components achieve fully automated operation of the fork from feeding, handling, multi-station inspection to marking, effectively improving inspection efficiency and consistency.

[0027] The feeding assembly 2 is fixed to the support plate 11 and arranged along the Y-axis. It includes a support frame 21, a strip-shaped feeding frame 22, an electric telescopic rod 23, and a limiting block 25. The support frame 21 provides mounting support for the strip-shaped feeding frame 22, which is used to hold several forks. The electric telescopic rod 23 is located at its bottom, and its output end is connected to the limiting block 25 and located in the channel 24 at the end of the frame facing the conveying assembly 3. The electric telescopic rod 23 drives the limiting block 25 to reciprocate within the channel 24. By moving the limiting block 25, the position of the first sequence of forks is adjusted to adapt to the conveying assembly 3 and facilitate its gripping. This structure realizes the orderly feeding of the forks, ensuring a stable and controllable feeding process and providing a continuous and reliable material supply for subsequent testing processes.

[0028] The transport assembly 3 is positioned close to the feeding assembly 2 and includes a bracket 31, a first linear module 32, a first cylinder assembly 33, a connecting frame 34, and pneumatic grippers 35. The bracket 31 is fixed to the support plate 11. The first linear module 32 is mounted on the bracket 31 along the X-axis, with its transmission end connected to the first cylinder assembly 33. Its output end is connected to several pneumatic grippers 35 via the connecting frame 34. During transport, the first linear module 32 drives the cylinder assembly to move along the X-axis, and the cylinder assembly extends and retracts along the Z-axis, driving the pneumatic grippers 35 to clamp the fork segments, sequentially transporting them from the feeding assembly 2 to the support assembly 7 at the inner diameter detection, flaw detection, and marking positions. This transport structure achieves precise positioning and rapid transfer of the fork segments through multi-axis linkage. Combined with the stable clamping of the pneumatic grippers 35, it ensures that the fork segments do not deviate during transfer between workstations, improving the continuity of the inspection process.

[0029] The inner diameter detection component 4 includes an L-shaped support plate 41, a floating base, and a measuring rod 45. The L-shaped support plate 41 is connected to the transmission end of the lead screw assembly and can move horizontally with the lead screw, facing the support assembly 7. The floating base is mounted on the support plate and includes a base plate 42, a first floating plate 43, and a second floating plate 44. The base plate 42 and the first floating plate 43 are slidably connected by a horizontal first slide rail 46, and the first floating plate 43 and the second floating plate 44 are slidably connected by a vertical second slide rail 47. The measuring rod 45 is mounted on the second floating plate 44. The base plate 42 is connected to the sliding groove 48 of the support plate by an adjusting bolt 49, which allows for adjustment of the height of the floating base. During detection, the measuring rod 45 adaptively aligns with the inner diameter of the fork under the horizontal and vertical floating adjustment of the floating base. The lead screw assembly drives the support plate to move, and the measuring rod 45 simultaneously scans the inner diameter dimension. The floating structure effectively compensates for the positional deviation when the fork is placed, ensuring precise alignment of the measuring rod 45 with the inner diameter axis, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of the inner diameter detection.

[0030] The flaw detection assembly 5 includes a second linear module 51, a height adjustment assembly 52, a transmission unit 53, a flaw detection head 55, and a drive motor 54. The second linear module 51 is positioned along the support plate 11, with its transmission end connected to the height adjustment assembly 52, allowing adjustment of the vertical height of the flaw detection head 55. The transmission unit 53 is mounted on the height adjustment assembly 52, with its output end connected to the flaw detection head 55, which is driven to rotate by the drive motor 54. During detection, the second linear module 51 moves the flaw detection head 55 along the detection direction. The height adjustment assembly 52 adjusts the spacing between the flaw detection heads 55 according to the fork segment dimensions, and the drive motor 54 controls the rotation of the flaw detection head 55, enabling multi-angle flaw detection of surface and internal defects on the fork segment. This structure, through the cooperation of the linear module and the rotary drive, allows the flaw detection head 55 to fully cover the area to be inspected on the fork segment, improving the coverage and accuracy of flaw detection and effectively identifying defects such as material cracks and inclusions.

[0031] The marking assembly 6 includes a column 61, a lifting assembly 62, a second cylinder assembly 63, a marking head 64, and a third linear module 65. The column 61 is fixed to the support plate 11 and houses the lifting assembly 62, which drives the second cylinder assembly 63 to reciprocate vertically. The cylinder output is connected to the marking head 64. The third linear module 65 is located on the support plate 11, with a support assembly 7 installed at its transmission end, positioned below the marking head 64. During marking, the transport assembly 3 transports the fork section to the third linear module 65, which then moves the inspected fork section to the marking station. The lifting assembly 62 adjusts the height of the marking head 64 to a suitable position, and the second cylinder assembly 63 drives the marking head 64 downwards, printing marking information at the designated position on the fork section. This structure, through the coordinated action of the linear module and the lifting cylinder, achieves precise positioning and depth control of the marking position, ensuring clear and standardized markings and meeting the subsequent traceability and management needs of the fork section.

[0032] Support components 7 are distributed at each inspection and marking station, including a support base 71, a double-ended cylinder 72, a floating plate 73, a clamping plate 74, and a positioning post 75. The support base 71 is fixed to the bearing plate 11. The double-ended cylinder 72 is mounted on the base, with its output end connected to the floating plate 73. A clamping plate 74 is installed inside the floating plate 73, and a positioning post 75 is installed on the base for initial positioning of the fork section. During operation, the fork section is placed on the support base 71, the positioning post 75 determines its initial position, the double-ended cylinder 72 drives the floating plate 73 to move inward, and the clamping plate 74 clamps the fork section, providing stable support. The floating plate 73 can be slightly adjusted according to the size of the fork section to adapt to the clamping requirements of different fork section specifications. This support structure, through the dual functions of positioning and clamping, ensures that the fork section remains fixed during inspection and marking, avoiding inspection errors or marking deviations caused by shaking, and improving the stability of operations at each station. Through the coordinated work of the above components, this device realizes an automated process for fork inspection from feeding and multi-station detection to marking. The structural design and functional configuration of each component are closely matched, effectively improving inspection efficiency, accuracy and equipment reliability, and meeting the needs of batch inspection of forks in industrial production.

[0033] The workflow is as follows: First, the forks to be inspected are placed in batches within the strip-shaped feed frame 22 of the feeding assembly 2. The pneumatic gripper 35 of the transport assembly 3 clamps the forks, and through the cooperation of the first linear module 32 and the first cylinder assembly 33, the forks are transported to the support assembly 7 of the inner diameter detection assembly 4. The double-ended cylinder 72 of the support assembly 7 drives the clamping plate 74 to clamp the forks, and the positioning pin 75 positions the forks. The measuring rod 45 of the inner diameter detection assembly 4, under the action of the floating base and the lead screw assembly, detects the inner diameter of the forks. After the inner diameter detection is completed, the transport assembly 3 transports the forks to the area below the flaw detection assembly. The flaw detection assembly, through the coordinated work of the second linear module 51, the height adjustment assembly 52, and the drive motor 54, performs flaw detection on the forks. After the flaw detection is qualified, the transport component 3 transports the fork section to the support component 7 below the marking component 6. The third linear module 65 adjusts the position of the fork section, and the marking head 64 of the marking component 6 descends to mark the fork section, completing the multi-station automated inspection and marking process of the entire fork section.

[0034] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A multi-station automated inspection device for forks, characterized in that: The device includes a cabinet (1) on which a support plate (11) is provided; at least one feeding assembly (2) on the support plate (11); a handling assembly (3) on the support plate (11) for multi-station handling of the fork; an inner diameter detection assembly (4) for detecting the inner diameter of the fork; a flaw detection assembly (5) integrated on the support plate (11) for detecting flaws in the fork; a marking assembly (6) for marking the fork after the inspection is completed; and several support assemblies (7) on the support plate (11) for placing the fork, the several support assemblies (7) for supporting the fork when the inner diameter detection assembly (4), the flaw detection assembly (5) and the marking assembly (6) are working.

2. The fork multi-station automated inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The feeding assembly (2) includes: a support frame (21) fixed on the bearing plate (11) and arranged along the Y-axis; a strip feeding frame (22) provided on the support frame (21), the strip feeding frame (22) being used for placing a number of forks; an electric telescopic rod (23) provided at the bottom of the strip feeding frame (22); a channel (24) opened at the end of the strip feeding frame (22) facing the conveying assembly (3); and a limiting block (25) provided at the output end of the electric telescopic rod (23) and located inside the channel (24).

3. The fork multi-station automated inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The conveying assembly (3) includes: a bracket (31) fixed on the bearing plate (11) and close to the feeding assembly (2); a first linear module (32) disposed on the bracket (31) and arranged along the X-axis; a first cylinder assembly (33) disposed at the transmission end of the first linear module (32) and arranged along the Z-axis; a connecting frame (34) disposed at the output end of the first cylinder assembly (33); and a plurality of pneumatic grippers (35) disposed on the connecting frame (34).

4. The fork multi-station automated inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The inner diameter detection component (4) includes: an L-shaped support plate (41) disposed on the drive end of the lead screw assembly facing the support component (7); a floating base disposed on the support plate and facing the support component (7); and a measuring rod (45) disposed on the floating base for detecting the inner diameter of the fork.

5. The multi-station automated detection device for forks according to claim 4, characterized in that: The floating base includes: a base plate (42); a first floating plate (43) slidably connected to the base plate (42); and a second floating plate (44) slidably connected to the first floating plate (43), wherein the measuring rod (45) is disposed on the second floating plate (44).

6. The fork multi-station automated inspection apparatus of claim 5, wherein: A first slide rail (46) is provided horizontally between the base plate (42) and the first floating plate (43), and the first slide rail (46) is slidably connected to the first floating plate (43). A second slide rail (47) is provided vertically between the first floating plate (43) and the second floating plate (44), and the second slide rail (47) is slidably connected to the second floating plate (44).

7. The multi-station automated detection device for forks according to claim 6, characterized in that: The L-shaped support plate (41) has a vertical sliding groove (48), and the base plate (42) has an adjusting bolt (49) threaded through the sliding groove (48).

8. The multi-station automated detection device for forks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flaw detection component (5) includes a second linear module (51) disposed on the support plate (11); a height adjustment component (52) disposed on the transmission end of the second linear module (51); a transmission part (53) disposed on the height adjustment component (52); a flaw detection head (55) disposed on the output end of the transmission part (53); and a drive motor (54) for driving the transmission part (53) to rotate the flaw detection head (55).

9. The multi-station automated detection device for forks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The marking assembly (6) includes a column (61) mounted on a support plate (11); a lifting assembly (62) mounted inside the column (61); a second cylinder assembly (63) mounted horizontally on the column (61) and reciprocating vertically via the lifting assembly (62); a marking head (64) mounted at the output end of the second cylinder assembly (63); and a third linear module (65) mounted on the support plate (11) and located below the marking head (64), wherein the transmission end of the third linear module (65) is provided with a support assembly (7).

10. The multi-station automated detection device for forks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support assembly (7) includes a support base (71); a double-ended cylinder (72) disposed on the support base (71); a floating plate (73) disposed at the output end of the double-ended cylinder (72); a clamping plate (74) disposed inside the floating plate (73) for fixing the fork; and a positioning post (75) disposed on the support base (71) for positioning the fork.

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