QUICK-CHANGE DEVICE FOR A FILLING ADAPTER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a quick-change device for a filling adapter for filling vehicles on assembly lines in the automotive industry, where circuits and containers of the vehicles are filled with operating materials, which are fed from a filling system via hose packages with pneumatic and hydraulic lines and a filling adapter into the corresponding circuits and containers, wherein a separate connection plate is arranged at the separation point from the hose package to the filling system, to which all pneumatic and hydraulic lines are connected, which are connected to the filling system via bores and seals, wherein a connection block is designed as a functional counterpart to the connection plate on the filling system and wherein the connection plate and the connection block have a congruent hole pattern, so that in the assembled state, flow paths of the same contour are formed in the connection area between the connection plate and the connection block.

[0002] During vehicle production, circuits, containers, and similar vehicle assemblies must be filled with operating fluids for the first time on assembly lines in the automotive industry. The operating fluids, such as fuel, brake fluid, coolant, or refrigerant, are fed into the corresponding circuits and containers in largely automated processes from a filling station via hose assemblies with a multitude of pneumatic and hydraulic lines and filling adapters. The filling adapters are adapted to the corresponding interfaces on the vehicle manually by workers or automatically by robots. The principle of such assembly lines is known, for example, from US 2003 016 4200 A1.

[0003] Since the operating fluids vary depending on the specific vehicle type being filled, the filling adapters must be replaced as needed. To replace the filling adapters, a separate connection plate is preferably installed at the separation point between the hose package and the filling system. All pneumatic and hydraulic lines are connected to this connection plate, which are connected to the filling system via bores and seals. A connection block is provided on the filling system as a functional counterpart to the connection plate. The connection plate and the connection block have a congruent hole pattern, so that when assembled, flow paths of the same contour are formed in the connection area between these assemblies.

[0004] The connection plate can be easily attached to the connection block using a screw connection. However, since changing the filling adapters often requires immediate assembly during production and therefore inevitably requires time pressure, this type of screw connection inevitably presents disadvantages due to the time required for disconnecting or connecting the adapters. This has led to the increasing use of quick-change devices for attaching the connection plate to the connection block instead of screw connections.

[0005] Technical solutions in which one assembly must be temporarily clamped to another assembly are suitable for the design of such quick-change devices. Such clamping devices are known from toolmaking and are described, for example, in DE 10 2005 043 751 A1 and EP 2 818 596. This basic solution has also been used to date for quick-change devices for attaching the connecting plate to the connecting block. The connecting plate is attached to the connecting block using two clamping elements and two retractable nipples, each of which is operatively connected to manually operable hand levers. By pivoting the hand levers, the retractable nipples are retracted into the clamping element. This compresses the seals and fixes the connecting plate firmly in position on the connecting block.

[0006] Such quick-change devices have generally proven themselves and ensure a reliable connection between the connecting plate and the connecting block. However, the disadvantage is that they are entirely manual solutions. To change a filling adapter, the operator must manually loosen both clamping elements and remove the filling adapter. Automatic unclamping of the filling adapter is therefore not possible. Furthermore, if the hand levers are not operated synchronously, the two independently acting clamping elements often result in the connecting plate jamming, which can impair the functional reliability of the entire filling process. Furthermore, the manufacturer of such a filling system has to purchase the clamping elements as separate and costly assemblies from other manufacturers.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a quick-change device for a filling adapter which enables automatic clamping of the connection plate and connection block and which is structurally integrated into one of these two assemblies.

[0008] This object is achieved in that the connection block has a continuous channel structure along the central longitudinal axis, in which a pull rod is arranged, and in that an assembly with a pneumatic cylinder is arranged on the connection block on the end face opposite the connection plate, wherein the pull rod is enclosed in the channel structure on a section of its axial extent by a spring assembly, which is supported in a positionally fixed manner on the pull rod at its two end sections by a fastening element each, wherein the pneumatic cylinder has a piston surface with which the upper end face of the pull rod can be acted upon, wherein the pull rod has a receiving geometry in the form of a cylinder head screw at its end section opposite the pneumatic cylinder, and wherein the connection plate has a receiving geometry in the form of an elongated hole such that the connection plate can be suspended on the pull rod,in that this receiving geometry, relative to the longitudinal axis of the tie rod, transitions radially from a section with a first open cross-section in the form of the receiving geometry formed on the tie rod as a cylinder head screw into a section with a second open cross-section, which has a narrower contour opening than the first open cross-section and an undercut, and wherein the inner installation space of the undercut has a contour in the form of the cylinder head screw formed on the tie rod. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of subclaims, the technical features of which are described in more detail in an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] The essential feature of the quick-change device according to the invention for a filling adapter is therefore a spring assembly arranged centrally in the connection block, the operative connection of which with other components ensures precise fixing of the connection plate or the hose assembly to the connection block and reliable compression of the seals.

[0010] This offers advantages over the state of the art. For example, the replacement of a filling adapter can now be prepared automatically and carried out without the need for separate tools. The spring action ensures a seal between the connection block and the connection plate, even when the system is switched off and the power and / or compressed air supply is interrupted.

[0011] The quick-change device according to the invention is suitable both for the initial installation of a filling system at the manufacturer's site and for subsequent retrofitting by the user. The quick-change device can be used for filling vehicles with different operating fluids.

[0012] An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 the basic structure of the quick-change device in sectional view Fig. 2 the insertion of the drawbar into the connection plate in a first position Fig. 3 the insertion of the drawbar into the connection plate in a second position Fig. 4 the insertion of the drawbar into the connection plate in a third position

[0013] The quick-change system shown in the drawing is designed for a filling adapter (not shown here) for filling vehicles on automotive assembly lines, where circuits, reservoirs, and similar vehicle assemblies are filled with different operating fluids. These operating fluids (fuel, brake fluid, coolant, refrigerant, etc.) are fed from a filling station via hose assemblies with a variety of pneumatic and hydraulic lines and the filling adapter into the corresponding circuits and reservoirs.

[0014] At the point where the hose assembly meets the filling system, a separate connection plate 2 is located, to which all pneumatic and hydraulic lines are connected, which are connected to the filling system via bores and seals. A connection block 1 is designed on the filling system as a functional counterpart to the connection plate 2. The connection plate 2 and the connection block 1 have a congruent hole pattern, so that, when assembled, flow paths of the same contour are formed in the connection area between the connection plate 2 and the connection block 1.

[0015] Such a structure is generally known, so further explanation is unnecessary. However, the specific structural design is crucial in this case.

[0016] According to Fig. 1The connection block 1 has a continuous channel structure 6 along its central longitudinal axis. A pull rod 3 is arranged in the interior of the channel structure 6. An assembly 5 with a pneumatic cylinder 7 is arranged on the connection block 1 on the end face opposite the connection plate 2. The pneumatic cylinder 7 has a piston surface with which the upper end face of the pull rod 3 can be acted upon.

[0017] The pull rod 3 is enclosed by a spring assembly 4 over a portion of its axial extent. The spring assembly 4 is supported on the pull rod 3 at its two end sections, each with a fastening element 8, in a positionally fixed manner. Preferably, a washer or bushing resting on each end face of the spring assembly 4 and a screw movable on a threaded portion of the pull rod 3 are used for this purpose. Alternatively, a design with a washer or bushing resting on each end face of the spring assembly 4 and a split pin supportable in a radially extending bore in the pull rod 3 is possible. However, the fastening elements 8 can also be designed differently.

[0018] The drawbar 3 has at its end section opposite the pneumatic cylinder 7 a receiving geometry 11 in the form of a cylinder head screw, which consists of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be seen in an enlarged view.

[0019] The connection plate 2 has a receiving geometry 9, the structure of which primarily consists of Fig. 2 This receiving geometry 9 is designed such that the connecting plate 2 can be suspended from the pull rod 3. For this purpose, the receiving geometry 9 is designed in the form of an elongated hole and has - relative to the longitudinal axis of the pull rod 3 - a section "A" with a first open cross-section in the form of the cylinder head screw 11 formed on the pull rod 3. Section "A" transitions radially into a section "B" with a second open cross-section. Section "B" has a narrower contour opening than the first open cross-section in section "A." Section "B" also has an undercut. The inner installation space of the undercut has a contour in the form of the cylinder head screw 11 formed on the pull rod 3.

[0020] Due to these geometric configurations of the mounting geometries 9 and 11, the connecting plate 2 can be suspended from the tie rod 3. Consequently, a force-locking connection between the connecting plate 2 and the connecting block 1 can be achieved via the tie rod 3.

[0021] An advantageous embodiment provides that the connection block 1 and the connection plate 2 each have at least one step-shaped component section 10 that is congruent with one another and can be brought into operative connection with one another. Fig. 1 In the illustrated embodiment, two such component sections 10 can also be provided. Thus, in addition to the force-locking connection via the tie rod 3, a form-locking connection is achieved via the component sections 10, ensuring precise positional fixation of the connection block 1 and the connection plate 2.

[0022] The quick-change device shown in the drawing has the following functional sequence: Fig. 2 shows the assemblies in the released state of connection block 1 with the receiving geometry 11 designed as a cylinder head screw and connection plate 2 with the receiving geometry 9 designed as an elongated hole.

[0023] In order to mount the connection plate 2 together with the hose package on the connection block 1, the spring package 4 must first be pre-tensioned. To do this, the pneumatic cylinder 7 presses on the tie rod 3 from above and compresses the spring package 4. The receiving geometry 11 in the lower area of ​​the tie rod 3 in the form of a cylinder head screw is moved downwards when the spring package 4 is compressed, see Fig. 3 . By means of the special mounting geometry 9 on the connecting plate 2, this connecting plate 2 can be suspended on the pull rod 3.

[0024] As soon as the connection plate 2 is Fig. 4is suspended from the pull rod 3, the pneumatic cylinder 7 is retracted, allowing the spring assembly 4 to relax slightly. The pull rod 3 is pulled upward, simultaneously lifting the connecting plate 2 with it. As soon as the connecting plate 2 rests against the connecting block 1, the seals are compressed. The still preloaded spring assembly 4 pulls the connecting plate 2 against the connecting block 1, thus securing it.

[0025] This technical solution enables fully automatic preparation for changing a filling adapter. The system prepares for the adapter change in a special step by draining the hydraulic lines and depressurizing the control lines. Connection plate 2, including the hose package, is unlocked. After the change, the filling adapter can be connected automatically. The operator simply needs to remove connection plate 2 and the hose package and reattach it. Since the connection block 1 and connection plate 2 are secured via spring assembly 4, the position of connection block 1 and connection plate 2 is reliably secured even when the system is switched off and depressurized. List of reference symbols

[0026] 1Connection block 2Connection plate 3Tie rod 4Spring assembly 5Pneumatic assembly 6Channel structure in the connection block 7Pneumatic cylinder 8Fastening element 9Mounting geometry on the connection plate / slotted hole 10Stepped component section 11Mounting geometry on the connection block / cylinder head screw ASection with large cross-sectional opening on the mounting geometry of the connection plate BSection with undercut on the mounting geometry of the connection plate

Claims

1. A quick-change device for a filling adapter for filling vehicles on assembly lines in the automotive industry, on which assembly line circuits and tanks of the vehicles are filled with service fluids, which are fed into the corresponding circuits and tanks from a filling system through hose sets having pneumatic and hydraulic lines and through a filling adapter, wherein a separate connection plate is arranged at the point of separation of the hose set from the filling system, to which all pneumatic and hydraulic lines, which are connected to the filling system through bores and seals, are attached, wherein a connection block is formed on the filling system as a functional counterpart to the connection plate and wherein the connection plate and the connection block have a congruent bore pattern so that, in the assembled state, flow paths with the same contour are formed in the connection region of the connection plate and the connection block, characterized in that the connection block (1) has, along its central longitudinal axis, a channel structure (6) extending all the way through, in which a pull rod (3) is arranged, and in that an assembly (5) having a pneumatic cylinder (7) is positioned at the end of the connection block (1) opposite the connection plate (2), wherein the pull rod (3) is encased by a spring set (4), whose two ends are fixedly supported on the pull rod (3) over a portion of its axial extent in the channel structure (6) by means of one fastening element (8) in each case; wherein the pneumatic cylinder (7) has a piston surface by means of which the upper end of the pull rod (3) can be acted upon; wherein the pull rod (3) has, on its end opposite the pneumatic cylinder (7), a holding geometry (11) in the form of a cylinder screw; and wherein the connection plate (2) has a holding geometry (9) in the form of a slotted hole, such that the connection plate (2) can be hooked on the pull rod (3), since that holding geometry (9) transitions, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pull rod (3), from a portion (A) having a first open cross-section in the shape of the holding geometry (11) formed as a cylinder screw onto the pull rod (3), in the radial direction, into a portion (B) having a second open cross-section which has a narrower contour opening than the first open cross-section and has an undercut, and wherein the inner installation space of the undercut has a contour in the form of the cylinder screw (11) formed on the pull rod (3).

2. The quick-change device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection block (1) and the connection plate (2) each have at least one step-shaped component portion (10) which are congruent with one another and can be brought into operative connection with one another.

3. The quick-change device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening elements (8) for fixedly supporting the spring set (4) on the pull rod (3) each comprise a washer or bushing resting on the end of the spring set (4) and a screw movable on a threaded portion of the pull rod (3).

4. The quick-change device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening elements (8) for fixedly supporting the spring set (4) on the pull rod (3) each comprise a washer or bushing resting on the end of the spring set (4) and a split pin which can be supported in a radially extending bore of the pull rod (3).