Quick change device for filling adapters

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quick change device for a filling adapter for filling vehicles on an assembly line in the automotive industry, in which the circuits and containers of the vehicle are filled with a working material, which is supplied to the corresponding circuits and containers starting from a filling system via a hose assembly and a filling adapter with pneumatic and hydraulic lines, wherein a separate connecting plate is arranged at the separation point from the hose assembly to the filling system, and wherein a connecting block is designed in the filling system as a functional counterpart to the connecting plate. The object of the present invention is to provide a quick change device that allows automatic fastening of the connecting plate and the connecting block and is structurally integrated into one of these two assemblies. The challenges are as follows: The connecting block (1) has a channel structure (6) extending through it along its central longitudinal axis, and a pull rod (3) is disposed in the channel structure (6); In the connecting block (1), an assembly (5) equipped with a pneumatic cylinder (7) is disposed on the end face opposite to the connecting plate (2), In this case, the tension rod (3) in the channel structure (6) is surrounded by a spring assembly (4) over its axially extending section, and the spring assembly (4) is supported at its two end portions at a fixed position relative to the attachment position (8) of the tension rod (3); In this case, the pneumatic cylinder (7) has a piston surface that can act on the upper end surface of the tension rod (3), In this case, the drawbar (3) is provided with a receiving profile (11) in the form of a cylinder thread at the end face of the drawbar facing the pneumatic cylinder (7), The connecting plate (2) is then provided with a receiving shape (9) in the form of an elongated hole, The connecting plate (2) can be hooked onto the tension rod (3) in such a way that it transitions in the radial direction from a section (A) with a first open cross section in the form of a receiving shape (11) which, relative to the longitudinal axis of the tension rod (3), is formed on the tension rod (3) as a cylindrical thread, to a section (B) with a second open cross section which has a contour opening narrower than the first open cross section and an undercut, In this case, the internal structural space of the undercut is provided with a contour in the form of a cylinder thread (11) formed on the tension rod (3). This can also be solved by

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a quick change device for filling adapters for filling vehicles on an assembly line in the automotive industry, comprising: In this assembly line, the vehicle's circuits and reservoirs are filled with actuation material, The working material is supplied from the filling system via a hose assembly with pneumatic and hydraulic lines and a filling adapter to the corresponding circuits and containers, In this case, a separate connecting plate is arranged at the separation point from the hose assembly to the filling system, and all pneumatic and hydraulic lines connected to the filling system via bores and seals are connected to this connecting plate, In this case, as a functional counterpart to the connecting plates, the connecting blocks are designed into the filling system, The connecting plate and the connecting block then have matching bore patterns, so that in the assembled state, identical contours of the flow passages are formed in the connecting region of the connecting plate and the connecting block. [Background technology]

[0002] During the manufacture of a vehicle, the circuits, containers, and similar assemblies of the vehicle must be filled with working materials for the first time on an assembly line in the automotive industry. Working materials, such as fuel, brake fluid, coolant, or refrigerant, are supplied from a filling system into the respective circuits and containers of the vehicle via a hose assembly with numerous pneumatic and hydraulic lines and filling adapters in a largely automated process. The filling adapters are adapted to corresponding interfaces either manually by an operator or automatically by a robot on the vehicle. The principle of such an assembly line is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,649,499.

[0003] Since the working materials differ depending on the vehicle model to be filled, the filling adapter must be replaced as necessary. To replace the filling adapter, a separate connection plate is preferably arranged at the separation point from the hose assembly to the filling system. All pneumatic and hydraulic lines connected to the filling system via bores and seals are connected to this connection plate. As a functional counterpart to the connection plate, a connection block is provided in the filling system. The connection plate and the connection block have matching bore patterns, so that in the assembled state, the same contour of the flow passages is formed in the connection area of ​​the assembly.

[0004] The connecting plates can be attached to the connecting blocks in a simple manner by means of a screw connection. However, since the replacement of the filling adapter is often required directly in the production process and is therefore necessarily time-sensitive, such a screw connection has the disadvantage that it takes time to loosen and connect. For this reason, quick-change devices are increasingly being used instead of screw connections to fasten the connecting plates to the connecting blocks.

[0005] Such technical solutions, which require temporary fastening of one assembly to another, are suitable for the design of such quick-change devices. Clamping devices of this type are known from tool manufacturing and are described, for example, in patent document 2. This basic solution has also been used in quick-change devices for fastening connecting plates to connecting blocks. In this case, the connecting plate is attached to the connecting block by two clamping elements and two retractable nipples, each operatively connected to a manually operable hand lever. The retractable nipples are retracted into the clamping elements by pivoting the hand lever. This presses the seals together, firmly securing the connecting plate in place on the connecting block.

[0006] This type of quick-change device has proven its worth in principle, ensuring a functionally reliable connection between the connecting plate and the connecting block. However, its drawback is that it is a completely manual solution. To replace the filling adapter, the operator must manually loosen both clamping elements and remove the filling adapter. Therefore, automatic loosening of the filling adapter is not possible. Furthermore, if the hand levers are not operated synchronously, the two clamping elements acting independently of each other can often tilt the connecting plate, thereby compromising the functional reliability of the entire filling process. Furthermore, manufacturers of related filling systems have previously had to purchase the clamping elements separately from other manufacturers as costly assemblies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2003 / 164200 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102005043751 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a quick change device for a filling adapter which allows automatic fastening of the connecting plate and the connecting block and which is structurally integrated into one of these two assemblies. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This problem is solved by the fact that the connecting block has a channel structure passing through it along its central longitudinal axis, a tension rod is arranged in this channel structure, and an assembly with a pneumatic cylinder is arranged on the connecting block at its end face opposite the connecting plate, in which the tension rod in the channel structure is surrounded over its axially extending section by a spring assembly, and the spring assembly is supported in a fixed position on the tension rod by means of one mounting element each at its two end parts, In this case, the pneumatic cylinder has a piston surface that can act on the upper end surface of the tension rod, At that time, the air cylinder faces Tensile At the end face of the tension rod, the tension rod is provided with a receiving shape in the form of a cylinder thread, The connecting plate then comprises a receiving shape in the form of an elongated hole, and the connecting plate can be hooked onto the tension rod in such a way that it transitions in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the tension rod from a section with a first open cross section in the form of a receiving shape, which receiving shape is formed on the tension rod as a cylindrical thread, to a section with a second open cross section with a contour opening narrower than the first open cross section and an undercut, The problem is also solved in that the internal structural space of the undercut has a contour in the form of a cylindrical thread formed on the tension rod. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the technical features of which are explained in more detail in the examples.

[0010] Therefore, the essential feature of the quick change device for the filling adapter according to the invention is a spring assembly arranged in the center of the connecting block, which, by its operational connection with the other components, accurately fixes the connecting plate or hose assembly to the connecting block and achieves functional and reliable compression of the seal.

[0011] This offers an advantage over the prior art: the replacement of the filling adapter is now automatically prepared and can be carried out without the need for separate tools. The spring action ensures a tight seal between the connecting block and the connecting plate even when the current supply and / or compressed air supply are interrupted in the switched-off state.

[0012] The quick change device according to the invention is suitable both for initial installation of the filling system by the manufacturer and for subsequent retrofitting by the user, in which case the quick change device can be used to load the vehicle with various operating materials.

[0013] An embodiment of the invention is explained below on the basis of the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] The basic structure of the quick change device is shown in cross section. [Figure 2] 1 shows the insertion of the pull rod into the connecting plate in a first position. [Figure 3] 10 shows the insertion of the pull rod into the connecting plate in a second position. [Figure 4] 10 shows the insertion of the pull rod into the connecting plate in a third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The quick change device depicted in the drawings is designed for a fill adapter (not depicted in more detail here) that fills vehicles in an assembly line in the automotive industry, where the circuits, containers and similar assemblies of the vehicle are filled with different working materials, which are supplied from the filling system to the corresponding circuits and containers (fuel, brake fluid, coolant, refrigerant, etc.) via a hose assembly with multiple pneumatic and hydraulic lines and the fill adapter.

[0016] A separate connecting plate 2 is arranged at the separation point from the hose assembly to the filling system, to which all pneumatic and hydraulic lines connected to the filling system are connected via bores and seals. As a functional counterpart to the connecting plate 2, a connecting block 1 is designed into the filling system. The connecting plate 2 and the connecting block 1 have matching bore patterns, so that in the assembled state, identical contours of flow channels are formed in the connection area of ​​the connecting plate 2 and the connecting block 1.

[0017] Such structures are basically known and do not require further detailed description, but what is important in the present context is the specific design configuration.

[0018] According to Fig. 1, the connecting block 1 has a channel structure 6 passing through it along a central longitudinal axis. A tension rod 3 is arranged inside the channel structure 6. An assembly 5 with a pneumatic cylinder 7 is arranged on the end face of the connecting block 1 opposite the connecting plate 2. The pneumatic cylinder 7 has a piston surface that can act on the upper end face of the tension rod 3.

[0019] The drawbar 3 is surrounded over its axially extending section by a spring assembly 4. The spring assembly 4 is supported in a fixed position on the drawbar 3 at each of its two end portions by means of one mounting element 8. Preferably, a washer or bushing resting on each end face of the spring assembly 4 and a screw movable on the threaded portion of the drawbar 3 are used for this purpose. Alternatively, spring It is possible to design the assembly 4 with washers or bushings resting on each end face of the assembly 4 and with a split pin that can be supported in a radially extending bore in the drawbar 3. However, the mounting element 8 can also be designed differently.

[0020] Opposite the pneumatic cylinder 7 Tensile At the end face portion of the drawbar, the drawbar 3 is provided with a receiving profile 11 in the form of a cylinder thread which can be seen in enlarged view in FIGS.

[0021] The connecting plate 2 has a receiving profile 9, the structure of which can be seen primarily in FIG. 2. This receiving profile 9 is designed so that the connecting plate 2 can be hooked onto the tension rod 3. For this purpose, the receiving profile 9 is designed in the form of an elongated hole and comprises a section "A" with a first open cross section in the form of a cylindrical thread 11 formed on the tension rod 3 (relative to the longitudinal axis of the tension rod 3). Section "A" merges in the radial direction into section "B" with a second open cross section. Section "B" comprises a contoured opening that is narrower than the first open cross section in section "A". In addition, section "B" comprises an undercut, the internal structural space of which comprises a contour in the form of a cylindrical thread 11 formed on the tension rod 3.

[0022] These geometrical shapes of the receiving shapes 9 and 11 allow the connecting plate 2 to be hooked onto the tension rod 3. A force-locking connection between the connecting plate 2 and the connecting block 1 can thus be achieved via the tension rod 3.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the connecting block 1 and the connecting plate 2 each comprise at least one stepped component section 10 which coincides with one another and can be operatively connected to one another. According to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, two such component sections 10 can also be provided. Thus, in addition to the force-locking connection via the tension rod 3, a form-fitting connection is achieved via the component section 10, as a result of which an accurate positional fixation of the connecting block 1 and the connecting plate 2 is ensured.

[0024] The quick change device depicted in the drawings has the following functional sequence:

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the assembly in the disassembled state of a connecting block 1 with a receiving profile 11 designed as a cylindrical screw and a connecting plate 2 with a receiving profile 9 designed as an elongated hole.

[0026] To mount the connecting plate 2 with the hose assembly on the connecting block 1, it is first necessary to pretension the spring assembly 4. For this purpose, the pneumatic cylinder 7 presses the tension rod 3 from above, compressing the spring assembly 4. A receiving profile 11 in the form of a cylinder screw, designed in the lower region of the tension rod 3, moves downwards when the spring assembly 4 is compressed (see Figure 3). A special receiving profile 9 on the connecting plate 2 allows it to be hooked onto the tension rod 3.

[0027] 4, as soon as the connecting plate 2 is hooked onto the tension rod 3, the pneumatic cylinder 7 moves back again and the spring assembly 4 relaxes slightly. In this case, the tension rod 3 is pulled upwards and at the same time carries the connecting plate 2 upwards. As soon as the connecting plate 2 abuts against the connecting block 1, the seal is compressed. This causes the still pretensioned spring assembly 4 to pull the connecting plate 2 against the connecting block 1 and thus fix it.

[0028] This technical solution allows the filling adapter to be prepared for replacement fully automatically. The system prepares the adapter for replacement in a special step by emptying the hydraulic lines and depressurizing the control lines. The connecting plate 2 is unlocked together with the hose assembly. After changeover, a similar automatic coupling of the filling adapter is possible. The connecting plate 2 with the hose assembly simply needs to be removed by the operator and re-hooked. The fixing is effected via the spring assembly 4, so that the fixed position of the connecting block 1 and connecting plate 2 is ensured even when the system is switched off and depressurized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 connecting block 2 Connecting plate 3. Tension rod 4 Spring assembly 5 Pneumatic Assembly 6 Channel structure in a connected block 7 Pneumatic Cylinders 8 Mounting Elements 9. Housing shape / slot on connecting plate 10 Step-shaped part sections 11. Receptacle shape / cylindrical screw on connecting block A Section with a large cross-sectional opening in the housing shape of the connecting plate B Section with undercut of the receiving shape of the connecting plate

Claims

1. A quick change device for a filling adapter for filling a vehicle in an assembly line of the automotive industry, in which the circuits and containers of the vehicle are filled with working material, The working material is supplied from the filling system via a hose assembly with pneumatic and hydraulic lines and a filling adapter to the corresponding circuits and containers, In this case, a separate connecting plate is arranged at the separation point from the hose assembly to the filling system, and all pneumatic and hydraulic lines connected to the filling system via bores and seals are connected to this connecting plate, In this case, as a functional counterpart to the connecting plates, the connecting blocks are designed into the filling system, In this case, the connecting plate and the connecting block have matching bore patterns, so that in the assembled state, flow channels of the same contour are formed in the connecting area of ​​the connecting plate and the connecting block. In the quick change device, The connecting block (1) has a channel structure (6) passing through it along its central longitudinal axis, and a pull rod (3) is disposed in the channel structure (6); In the connecting block (1), an assembly (5) equipped with a pneumatic cylinder (7) is arranged on the end face opposite to the connecting plate (2), In this case, the tension rod (3) in the channel structure (6) is surrounded over its axially extending section by a spring assembly (4), which is supported in a fixed position on the tension rod (3) at its two end portions by means of a respective mounting element (8), In this case, the pneumatic cylinder (7) has a piston surface that can act on the upper end surface of the tension rod (3), In this case, the drawbar (3) is provided with a receiving profile (11) in the form of a cylinder thread at the end face of the drawbar facing the pneumatic cylinder (7), The connecting plate (2) is then provided with a receiving shape (9) in the form of an elongated hole, the connecting plate (2) can be hooked onto the tension rod (3) in such a way that it transitions in the radial direction from a section (A) with a first open cross section in the form of a receiving shape (11) which, relative to the longitudinal axis of the tension rod (3), is formed on the tension rod (3) as a cylindrical thread, to a section (B) with a second open cross section which has a contour opening narrower than the first open cross section and an undercut, In this case, the internal structural space of the undercut is provided with a contour in the form of a cylindrical thread (11) formed on the tension rod (3). A quick change device characterized by:

2. 2. The quick change device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting block (1) and the connecting plate (2) each have at least one stepped part section (10) that coincide with each other and can be operatively connected to each other.

3. 2. The quick change device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting elements (8) for positionally fixing and supporting the spring assembly (4) on the tension rod (3) comprise a washer or bushing mounted on the end face of the spring assembly (4) and a screw movable on the threaded part of the tension rod (3), respectively.

4. 2. The quick change device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting elements (8) for positionally fixing and supporting the spring assembly (4) on the drawbar (3) comprise a washer or bushing mounted on an end face of the spring assembly (4) and a split pin supportable in a radially extending bore of the drawbar (3), respectively.

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