Hydraulic Torque Converter Gripper With Vibration Tooth Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic tooth alignment methods for hydraulic torque converters in automotive transmission assembly have a low success rate and are costly, requiring complex robot systems for simultaneous alignment of multiple splines.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent gripper with a vibration excitation mechanism and drive rotating mechanism for automatic tooth alignment, utilizing vibration excitation cylinders and shifting blocks to alternately hit the torque converter and rotate it for precise alignment, reducing the need for complex robot systems and increasing alignment success.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robot with force sensor is used for automatic tooth alignment, then the alignment function is automated, but the device cost is greatly increased and the success rate is not very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex robot force sensor system with a simple mechanical vibration excitation mechanism. The vibration excitation head applies controlled vibrations to the torque converter, enabling automatic tooth alignment through mechanical means rather than expensive robotic systems with force sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration as the core mechanism for tooth alignment. The vibration excitation mechanism generates controlled vibrations that facilitate the alignment of splines during assembly, achieving automatic alignment without requiring complex robotic systems.
2Extent of automation
If a robot with force sensor is used for simultaneous alignment of double layers of splines, then the alignment function is automated, but the control requirements and device cost are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the alignment of two sets of splines into a single integrated vibration excitation process. By applying vibration to the torque converter body, both the first and second sets of splines align simultaneously with their corresponding mating splines, eliminating the need for separate control systems for each alignment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration excitation mechanism serves multiple functions: it aligns both sets of splines simultaneously, provides the alignment force, and enables automatic adjustment. This single mechanism replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized robotic control systems.
3Device complexity
If manual assembling is used for torque converter assembly, then the device cost is low, but the alignment precision and productivity are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the torque converter to self-align during the assembly process through vibration excitation. The vibrational energy causes the splines to naturally settle into their correct aligned positions, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Controlled mechanical vibration is applied to the torque converter during assembly, enabling precise automatic alignment of splines. This vibration-based approach achieves alignment precision superior to manual methods while keeping the device structure simple and cost-effective.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The intelligent gripper significantly increases the success rate of tooth alignment and reduces device costs by simulating manual shaking and allowing random movement during alignment, enabling automatic and precise alignment of internal and external splines.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of vibration excitation heads is driven to be alternately telescopic through alternate actions of the plurality of vibration excitation cylinders, to alternately hit the disc-shaped body of the hydraulic torque converter below so as to achieve automatic and precise tooth alignment
Implementation Method 2
the lower section of each of the guide shafts is further sleeved with a compression spring; the upper end and the lower end of the compression spring are pressed between the corresponding spring adjustment ring and the corresponding shifting block respectively
Data Source
AI summary
The intelligent gripper for a hydraulic torque converter includes an upper supporting plate. A clamping mechanism, a vibration excitation mechanism and a drive rotating mechanism are arranged on the upper supporting plate. The clamping mechanism is used for automatically clamping a T-shaped cap of a hydraulic torque converter. The vibration excitation mechanism comprises a plurality of vibration excitation cylinders and a plurality of vibration excitation heads. The plurality of vibration excitation heads is driven to be alternately telescopic through alternate actions of the plurality of vibration excitation cylinders, to hit the hydraulic torque converter so as to achieve automatic and precise tooth alignment. The drive rotating mechanism includes at least two shifting blocks and at least two guide shafts.