Automated Wheel Bolt Hole Plug Placement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the automobile wheel production industry, manual placement of bolt hole protections is labor-intensive and lacks precision, potentially leading to unqualified bolt hole pull-out forces and security risks due to the cone surface being painted during the wheel spraying process.
Innovation Solution
A wheel bolt hole protection plug placing device featuring a frame, lifting cylinder, high precision linear bearings, rotating cylinder with braking function, synchronous cam, strong electromagnet, and servo motors, which aligns and positions bolt hole protection plugs with high precision and reliability for automatic placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual placement of bolt hole protections is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical placement with an automated mechanical system comprising a lifting mechanism, positioning mechanism, and placing mechanism. The lifting cylinder drives the bracket vertically through guiding shafts and linear bearings, while the positioning mechanism uses contactors pressing against the synchronous cam to achieve precise angular positioning, eliminating manual operation and improving both precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The placement device is divided into three independent functional modules: the lifting mechanism (lifting cylinder, bracket, guiding shafts) for vertical movement, the positioning mechanism (synchronous cam, contactors, springs) for angular positioning, and the placing mechanism (electromagnet, protecting plug) for precise placement. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together to achieve high-precision automated placement.
2Device complexity
If manual placement of bolt hole protections is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual placement operations with an automated mechanical system that can continuously perform lifting, positioning, and placing operations. The lifting cylinder drives the bracket vertically, the synchronous cam with contactors provides precise angular positioning, and the electromagnet releases the protecting plug into the wheel bolt hole, enabling high-speed automated placement that significantly improves productivity compared to manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism performs preliminary angular positioning of the protecting plug holder before the actual placement action. The contactors press against the synchronous cam to pre-position the holder at the correct angle, ensuring that when the electromagnet releases the protecting plug, it is already correctly oriented and positioned for accurate insertion into the wheel bolt hole, thereby improving placement efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated placement with lifting cylinder and positioning mechanism is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a lifting mechanism with guiding shafts and high-precision linear bearings to achieve accurate vertical positioning, and a positioning mechanism using contactors pressing against a synchronous cam to achieve precise angular positioning. These mechanical substitution methods provide high manufacturing precision through deterministic mechanical constraints and precise geometric relationships, though they increase device complexity compared to manual methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism uses springs to provide dynamic elastic force that maintains constant pressure between the contactors and the synchronous cam. This dynamic contact ensures continuous and accurate angular positioning throughout the operation, allowing the system to adapt to minor variations while maintaining high precision, justifying the increased device complexity through superior positioning performance.
4Reliability
If automated placement with electromagnet and positioning mechanism is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable manual placement with an automated system that ensures consistent quality through mechanical precision. The lifting cylinder provides reliable vertical movement, the synchronous cam with contactors ensures accurate angular positioning, and the electromagnet provides controlled release of the protecting plug. This automated mechanical system eliminates human error and ensures consistent placement quality, improving reliability despite increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism incorporates springs that provide continuous elastic feedback force between the contactors and the synchronous cam. This feedback ensures that the contactors maintain constant pressure against the cam surface, automatically compensating for minor variations and maintaining precise angular positioning throughout the operation, thereby improving placement reliability and quality consistency.
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
Enables efficient, precise, and automated placement of bolt hole protection plugs, reducing labor intensity and ensuring consistent quality, suitable for mass production with characteristics of simple structure, stable performance, and easy operation.
Implementation Method 1
a strong electromagnet, an iron block... Through the suction to the iron block by the strong electromagnet, the conical surface of the upper end surface of the bolt hole protecting plug may be sucked in the inner hole
Implementation Method 2
the two ends of the springs are respectively in contact with the first linear bearings and the end surface of the contactors, the springs always have elastic force, so that the inner ends of the contactors are always pressed against the synchronous cam
Implementation Method 3
The lifting cylinder is mounted on the frame; the four high precision linear bearings are uniformly arranged on the frame, one end of each of the four guiding shafts passes through the four high precision linear bearings, and the other end thereof is fixed on the bracket; the guiding shafts and the high precision linear bearings have a precise small clearance fit; the output shaft of the lifting cylinder is connected with the bottom end of the bracket
Implementation Method 4
the four high precision linear bearings are uniformly arranged on the frame, one end of each of the four guiding shafts passes through the four high precision linear bearings, and the other end thereof is fixed on the bracket; the guiding shafts and the high precision linear bearings have a precise small clearance fit
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a wheel bolt hole protection plug placing device, which includes a frame, a lifting cylinder, guiding shafts, high precision linear bearings, a flange, a connecting shaft, a roller way, a bracket, a first base, a first bearing, a first sleeve, a rotating cylinder with braking function, an end cap, a second base, a second bearing, a second sleeve, a shaft, first linear bearings, contactors, springs, a synchronous cam, a gland, a visual sensor, a mounting frame, a first linear guiding rail, a first guiding rail sliding seat, a first screw nut, a first screw, a first servo motor and so on.