CN215525086U

CN215525086U - Detection apparatus for steering device

Info

Publication number: CN215525086U
Application number: CN202121582669.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 寇雷; 朱兴
Original assignee: Zeifu Automotive Technology Shanghai Co ltd
Current assignee: Zeifu Automotive Technology Shanghai Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-13
Filing date: 2021-07-13
Publication date: 2022-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-13

Abstract

The utility model relates to a detection device for a steering device, comprising: a specification detecting unit configured to detect a specification of the steering device; an angle checking assembly configured to check an assembly angle of a steering shaft of the steering apparatus, wherein the angle checking assembly includes an angle checking socket having a spindle nose socket part having an opening adapted to a spindle nose shape of the steering shaft to socket the spindle nose of the steering shaft; and the pin state detection assembly comprises an image acquisition device, and the image acquisition device is used for acquiring an image of a pin of the electronic power assisting module of the steering device so as to detect the pin state. According to the test device of the utility model, at least the three types of performance test components described above are integrated, so that tests of different aspects of the steering device are carried out in an advantageous manner.

Description

Detection apparatus for steering device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the technical field of quality detection of vehicle accessories, in particular to a detection device for a steering device, especially an electric power-assisted steering device.

Background

The steering system is one of the important assemblies on a vehicle, and its main function is to change or maintain the driving direction of the vehicle. At present, the application of Electric Power Steering (EPS) to the whole vehicle is increasing. An electric power steering system is a power steering system which directly depends on a power-assisted motor to provide auxiliary torque. The EPS system can be divided into a steering shaft assistance type, a gear assistance type and a rack assistance type according to different installation positions of the power-assisted motor. The power-assisted motor of the steering shaft power-assisted EPS is fixed on one side of the steering shaft and is connected with the steering shaft through a transmission mechanism to directly drive the power-assisted steering of the steering shaft. The power-assisted motor and the transmission mechanism of the gear power-assisted EPS are connected with the pinion, and the gear power-assisted steering is directly driven. The power-assisted motor and the transmission mechanism of the rack power-assisted EPS directly drive the rack to provide power assistance.

The EPS system is a safety-critical system of a vehicle, and the performance of the EPS system is directly related to the safety and reliability of the vehicle during traveling and the handling comfort of a driver. For this reason, higher demands are placed on performance tests of the components of the EPS system, such as the steering apparatus.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a detection device that enables performance detection of a steering device in an advantageous manner to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, for example in terms of comprehensiveness, efficiency, accuracy and cost advantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection apparatus for a steering device, characterized by comprising:

a specification detection assembly configured to detect a specification of a steering device, wherein the specification detection assembly includes a first vehicle configured to support a first end portion of the steering device and a second vehicle disposed at a distance from the first vehicle, the second vehicle configured to support a second end portion of the steering device opposite the first end portion;

an angle checking assembly configured to check an assembly angle of a steering shaft of the steering apparatus, wherein the angle checking assembly includes an angle checking socket having a spindle nose socket part having an opening adapted to a spindle nose shape of the steering shaft to socket the spindle nose of the steering shaft; and

the pin state detection assembly comprises an image acquisition device, and the image acquisition device is used for acquiring an image of a pin of an electronic power assisting module of the steering device so as to detect the pin state.

According to the test device of the utility model, at least the three types of performance test components described above are integrated, so that tests of different aspects of the steering device are carried out in an advantageous manner.

In some embodiments, the inspection apparatus further comprises a support assembly for supporting a steering device, the support assembly being disposed between the first and second vehicles of the specification inspection assembly.

In some embodiments, the first end of the steering device is configured as a first ball head of the steering device. The first carrier comprises a first bearing part with a first accommodating part matched with the shape of the first ball head.

In some embodiments, the second end of the steering device is configured as a second ball head of the steering device. The second carrier comprises a second bearing part with a second accommodating part matched with the shape of the second ball head.

In some embodiments, the first carrier further includes a first carrier seat, the first carrier seat includes a first base, a first slide rail fixedly connected to the first base, and a first slide block movable on the first slide rail, and the first bearing portion of the first carrier is detachably and fixedly mounted on the first slide block.

In some embodiments, the second carrier further includes a second carrier seat, the second carrier seat includes a second base, a second slide rail fixedly connected to the second base, and a second slide block movable on the second slide rail, and the second bearing portion of the second carrier is detachably and fixedly mounted on the second slide block.

In some embodiments, the first carrier further comprises a first stop device removably fixedly mounted on the first slide rail and configured to limit movement of the first slide on the first slide rail.

In some embodiments, the second carrier further comprises a second stop means, the second stop means being removably fixedly mounted on the second slide rail and the second stop means being configured to limit movement of the second slide on the second slide rail.

In some embodiments, the first slider is fixedly connected to the first carrier via a pin, and the second slider is fixedly connected to the second carrier via a pin.

In some embodiments, the angle checking assembly includes a sliding rod for supporting the angle checking socket and a supporting frame for supporting the sliding rod, wherein a guide sliding groove is provided on the supporting frame, and the sliding rod can slide on the guide sliding groove to drive the angle checking socket to slide.

In some embodiments, the angle checking assembly includes an actuator configured to drive sliding movement of a slide bar on the guide runner such that a stub socket of the angle checking socket engages a stub of a steering shaft.

In some embodiments, the opening of the stub shaft socket is capable of receiving the stub shaft of the steering shaft at a predetermined fitting angle of the steering shaft and allowing the stub shaft of the steering shaft to extend into the stub shaft socket through the opening.

In some embodiments, the pin status detection assembly includes an image processing device configured to acquire an image from an image acquisition device.

In some embodiments, the image capture device is configured as a camera that is disposed toward the pins of the electronic power assist module.

In some embodiments, the inspection apparatus includes a base of unitary construction on which the specification inspection assembly, the angle inspection assembly, and the pin status inspection assembly are all integrated.

Drawings

In the figure:

fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a steering device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2a shows a schematic front view of a detection apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention together with a steering device mounted thereon;

FIG. 2b shows a schematic top view of a detection apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention together with a turning device mounted thereon;

fig. 3a shows a schematic front view of a first carrier of the specification detection assembly;

fig. 3b shows a schematic perspective view of a first carrier of the specification detection assembly;

figure 4a shows a schematic front view of a second carrier of the specification detection assembly;

figure 4b shows a schematic perspective view of a second carrier of the specification detection assembly;

FIG. 5 shows a partial schematic view of the steering apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the angle checking assembly together with a steering shaft of the steering device;

FIG. 7 shows a partial schematic view of FIG. 6;

fig. 8 shows a schematic view of an electronic power module of the steering device, wherein the legs of the electronic power module can be seen.

Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the utility model. It should be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments described below are intended to provide a more complete disclosure of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the utility model to those skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

It should be understood that like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views. In the drawings, the size of some of the features may be varied for clarity.

It is to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting of the utility model. All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the specification have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art unless otherwise defined. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprising," "including," and "containing" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. The term "and/or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" as used in the specification should be construed to include X and Y. The term "between about X and Y" as used herein means "between about X and about Y" and the term "from about X to Y" as used herein means "from about X to about Y".

In the description, when an element is referred to as being "on," "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" to, or "contacting" another element, etc., another element may be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or contacting the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly attached to," directly connected to, "directly coupled to," or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present. In the description, one feature is disposed "adjacent" another feature, and may mean that one feature has a portion overlapping with or above or below an adjacent feature.

In the specification, spatial relations such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "high", "low", and the like may explain the relation of one feature to another feature in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatial relationship terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, features originally described as "below" other features may be described as "above" other features when the device in the figures is inverted. The device may also be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the relative spatial relationships may be interpreted accordingly.

The detecting apparatus for a steering device according to embodiments of the present invention may be applicable to various types of steering devices, such as a steering shaft-assisted steering device, a gear-assisted steering device, and a rack-assisted steering device. The present detailed description will be directed in part to a detection apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention, as exemplified by a rack assist type steering apparatus. It should be understood that this specific example should not be construed as limiting.

Some embodiments of the utility model will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 1, 2a and 2b, fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a steering device according to some embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 2a shows a schematic front view of a detection apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention together with a steering device mounted thereon; fig. 2b shows a schematic top view of a detection apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention together with a turning device mounted thereon.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a rack assist type steering apparatus 10. The rack-assisted steering apparatus 10 is configured such that an assist motor and a reduction gear are directly integrated on a rack of a mechanical steering gear, the assist motor reduces the rotation speed and increases the torque through the reduction gear, for example, a belt-driven reduction gear, and then the reduction gear transmits the increased motor torque to the rack of the mechanical steering gear, thereby driving a steering wheel to perform a steering operation through a steering rod.

The performance of the steering device 10 is directly related to the performance of the overall EPS system, and for this reason, testing of the various components in the steering device 10 is required to ensure compliance with the quality requirements for the steering device. In some cases, it is desirable to test the gauge of the steering device 10 to ensure that the gauge of the steering device 10 meets predetermined requirements to avoid customer unassemblable complaints due to too long or too short or mismatch of gauge. In some cases, it is necessary to check the assembly angle of the steering shaft 12 on the steering apparatus 10 in order to ensure that the assembly angle of the steering shaft 12 is at a predetermined initial angle, so as to avoid subsequent problems of failure to assemble or avoid customer complaints that cause systematic deviations to the entire steering system and lead to inaccurate steering effects. In some cases, it is also desirable to have an efficient inspection of the pins on electronic power module 14 on steering apparatus 10 to avoid customer unassemblable complaints due to deformation or bending of the electronic power module pins. In addition, the manual dependence needs to be reduced as much as possible for various test works, particularly in the inspection of the pins of the electronic power assisting module, the pins of the electronic power assisting module are thin and dense, and for large-batch inspection, the pins need to be laterally bent for inspection, which is not in accordance with human engineering; and the manual inspection is easy to have the defects of visual fatigue, missing inspection, false inspection and the like.

To this end, the present invention proposes a detection apparatus 100 improved in at least one of comprehensiveness, efficiency, accuracy, and cost-benefit for performance detection of the steering device 10.

As shown in fig. 2a and 2b, the inspection apparatus 100 may include a specification detection component 102, an angle inspection component 104, and a pin status detection component 106. The gauge detection assembly 102 may be configured to detect the length of the steering apparatus 10. The angle checking assembly 104 may be configured to check an assembly angle of the steering shaft 12 of the steering apparatus 10. The pin status detection component 106 may include an image capture device 108, such as a camera, configured to capture an image of a pin of the electronic power assist module of the steering apparatus 10 for use in detecting pin status. At least the three types of performance testing components described above are integrated into the testing apparatus 100 according to the present invention in order to perform testing of different aspects of the steering device 10. In the present embodiment, the inspection apparatus 100 may include a base of unitary construction on which the specification detection component 102, the angle check component 104, and the pin status detection component 106 are all integrated. The basic structure of each detection unit will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

Fig. 3a shows a schematic front view of the first carrier 110 of the specification detection assembly 102; fig. 3b shows a schematic perspective view of the first carrier 110 of the specification detection assembly 102; fig. 4a shows a schematic front view of the second carrier 112 of the specification detection assembly 102; fig. 4b shows a schematic perspective view of the second carrier 112 of the specification detection assembly 102.

The specification detection assembly 102 may include a first carrier 110 and a second carrier 112 disposed at a distance from the first carrier 110. The first carrier 110 may be designed to support a first end 18 of the steering device 10, for example a left ball head. The second carrier 112 may be designed to support the second end 20 of the steering device 10, for example a right-hand ball. As can be seen with reference to fig. 2a, the inspection apparatus 100 may further comprise a support assembly 114 for supporting the steering device 10, the support assembly being arranged between the first and

second vehicles

110, 112 of the specification inspection assembly 102 in order to support the steering device 10 in a central section, enabling a secure mounting of the steering device 10.

Since the steering apparatus 10 may have a plurality of different specifications, such as different lengths and different ball shapes, the spacing distance between the first carrier 110 and the second carrier 112 may be set in advance for different specifications so as to meet the set length requirement. Therefore, for a specific type of steering device 10, when the actual length of the steering device 10 does not meet the set requirement, the steering device 10 cannot be smoothly mounted on the first vehicle 110 and the second vehicle 112, so that it can be determined that the length specification of the steering device 10 may not meet the design requirement, and a subsequent inspection is required.

In addition, a vehicle, in particular a carrier part of the vehicle, adapted to the ball shape of the steering device 10 can be set in advance for different specifications. In order to detect whether the ball shape of the steering device 10 meets a predetermined design requirement, the first carrier 110 includes a first bearing part, such as a ball profiling groove, with a first receptacle adapted to the shape of the predetermined left ball. The second carrier 112 comprises a second carrier part with a second receptacle adapted to the shape of the intended right ball head, for example a ball head profiling groove. Once any of the balls of the steering device 10 that are detected fail to fit within the corresponding ball-tracking grooves, it can be determined that there may be instances of the balls of the steering device 10 that are not within design specifications, requiring subsequent inspection. This allows the specification parameters of the steering device 10 to be reliably detected with high efficiency. Furthermore, the first carrier part is detachably and fixedly mounted on the first carrier 110, for example, a first slide block mentioned later. The second carrier part is detachably fixedly mounted on the second carrier 112, for example on the second slide mentioned later. This makes it possible to replace the adapted support part for different types of steering devices 10.

With continued reference to fig. 3a to 4b, the first carrier 110 may include a first carrier seat, and the first carrier seat includes a first base 116, a first slide rail 118 fixedly connected to the first base, and a first slide block 120 capable of moving on the first slide rail. The second carrier 112 may include a second carrier seat, which includes a second base 122, a second slide rail 124 fixedly connected to the second base, and a second slide block 126 capable of moving on the second slide rail. In some embodiments, the first slider may be fixedly connected with the first carrier via a pin, and the second slider may be fixedly connected with the second carrier via a pin. Therefore, the corresponding carrier can slide along the slide rail, so as to flexibly adjust the spacing distance between the first carrier 110 and the second carrier 112. In addition, the first carrier 110 may further include a first limiting device, for example, a stopper 128 on each of two sides. The second carrier 112 may further include a second limiting device, such as a stop 130 on each side. The corresponding limiting device is detachably and fixedly installed on the corresponding slide rail and limits the movement of the corresponding slide block on the slide rail, so as to limit the first carrier 110 and the second carrier 112. In addition, corresponding carrier can also set up the wrong groove of preventing of different positions to be convenient for in advance quick accurate bearing portion change.

Referring next to fig. 5-7, the angle inspection assembly 104 of the inspection apparatus 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention is described in detail.

In general, the steering shaft 12 of the steering device 10 should occupy a predetermined assembly angle in an initial state, that is, in an assembled state, otherwise it may cause problems in subsequent assembly or cause an undesirable system deviation to the steering system. In order to detect the fitting angle of the steering shaft 12 of the steering apparatus 10 in an efficient and cost-effective manner, the opening of the spindle nose socket portion 132 of the angle checking socket 134 may have a shape that is adapted to the spindle nose shape of the steering shaft 12 of the steering apparatus 10. As shown in fig. 7, the opening of the gudgeon socket may have an irregular opening shape. The opening of the spindle nose hitching section 132 hitches the spindle nose of the steering shaft 12 and allows the spindle nose of the steering shaft 12 to protrude into the spindle nose hitching section through the opening only when the fitting angle of the steering shaft 12 of the steering apparatus 10 is at a predetermined initial angle. Otherwise it can be determined that there is a problem with the fitting angle of the steering shaft 12 of the steering apparatus 10, and a subsequent inspection is required.

As can also be seen in fig. 6, the angle checking assembly 104 may include a slide bar 136 for supporting the angle checking socket 134 and a support bracket 138 for supporting the slide bar. The slide bar can pass through the assembly hole on the angle inspection socket at one end and be fixed on the angle inspection socket. A guide runner 140 may be provided on the support frame, on which guide runner the slide bar can slide at the other end to drive the angle checking socket to slide. In some embodiments, the angle checking assembly 104 may include an actuator configured to drive the sliding of the sliding bar on the guide channel such that the stub socket of the angle checking socket engages the stub of the steering shaft 12. The fitting angle of the steering shaft 12 of the steering device 10 can thus be detected in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Referring next to fig. 5 and 8, the pin status detection component 106 of the detection apparatus 100 according to some embodiments of the utility model is described in detail. Electronic power module 14 of steering device 10 may include one or more electrical signal interfaces with a plurality of pins 16. The electrical signal interface plays an important bridging role as a communication and/or control interface between the steering device 10 and the vehicle. However, the problem that the pins of the electronic power assisting module are deformed and bent to cause assembly failure often occurs during manufacturing. According to conventional visual inspection method, need turn to each device 10 upset to fixed position, carry out people's eye and confirm (when people's eye looked over, need the lateral bend to look over, do not conform to human engineering), this process excessively depends on people's eye's acuteness (electron power module pin is thin and intensive), to checking in batches, there are visual fatigue, miss-detection, drawbacks such as false retrieval.

To summarize a set of objective, efficient and image-recorded inspection methods, the pin status detection assembly 106 according to the present invention may comprise a camera that may be arranged towards the pins of the electronic power module. In addition, pin status detection assembly 106 may also include a light source to project predetermined optical radiation toward electronic power module 14 to ensure accuracy of image detection. Specifically, whether the leads are deformed or bent or not can be determined based on the arrangement of the reference points with respect to the leads and/or the distance between the leads. When the pins are bent or deformed, the detection equipment can automatically alarm, personnel do not need to perform additional operation, and follow-up product offline action is performed only according to the detection result of the pin state detection assembly. Further, the detection of the pin status by the pin status detection component can be preceded by a corresponding detection by the specification detection component 102 and the angle inspection component. This facilitates the setting of the reference points and the accuracy of the subsequent image detection.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without substantially departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. The disclosure is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

1. A detection apparatus for a steering device, characterized in that the detection apparatus comprises:

2. The inspection apparatus for a steering device according to claim 1, further comprising a support assembly for supporting a steering device, the support assembly being disposed between the first and second vehicles of the specification inspection assembly.

3. The detecting apparatus for a steering device according to claim 1,

the first end of the steering device is formed into a first ball head of the steering device, and the first carrier comprises a first bearing part with a first accommodating part matched with the shape of the first ball head; and is

The second end of the steering device is designed as a second ball head of the steering device, and the second carrier comprises a second bearing part with a second accommodating part matched with the shape of the second ball head.

4. The detecting apparatus for a steering device according to claim 3,

the first carrier further comprises a first carrier seat, the first carrier seat comprises a first base, a first slide rail fixedly connected with the first base and a first slide block capable of moving on the first slide rail, and a first bearing part of the first carrier is fixedly arranged on the first slide block in a detachable mode;

the second carrier further comprises a second carrier seat, the second carrier seat comprises a second base, a second slide rail fixedly connected with the second base and a second slide block capable of moving on the second slide rail, and a second bearing part of the second carrier is fixedly arranged on the second slide block in a detachable mode.

5. The detection apparatus for a steering device according to claim 4,

the first carrier further comprises a first stop device which is fixedly detachably mounted on the first slide rail and which is configured to limit the movement of the first slide block on the first slide rail; and

the second carriage further comprises a second stop means which is fixedly mounted in a detachable manner on the second slide rail and which is configured for limiting the movement of the second slide on the second slide rail.

6. The detection apparatus for a steering device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first slider is fixedly connected with the first carrier part via a pin, and the second slider is fixedly connected with the second carrier part via a pin.

7. The detecting apparatus for a steering device according to claim 1, wherein the angle checking assembly includes a slide bar for supporting the angle checking socket and a support bracket for supporting the slide bar, wherein a guide slide groove is provided on the support bracket, and the slide bar is slidable on the guide slide groove to drive the angle checking socket to slide.

8. The detecting apparatus for a steering device according to claim 7, wherein the angle checking assembly includes an actuator configured to drive sliding of a slide bar on the guide chute such that a spindle nose socket portion of the angle checking socket engages a spindle nose of a steering shaft.

9. The detecting apparatus for a steering device according to claim 7, wherein the opening of the boss portion is capable of fitting the head of the steering shaft at a predetermined fitting angle of the steering shaft and allowing the head of the steering shaft to protrude into the boss portion through the opening.

10. The detection apparatus for a steering device according to claim 1, wherein the pin status detection assembly includes an image processing device configured to acquire an image from an image acquisition device.

11. The detection apparatus for a steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image acquisition device is constituted as a camera, which is arranged towards a pin of the electronic power assist module.

12. The detection apparatus for a steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection apparatus comprises a base of an integral construction, the specification detection component, the angle check component and the pin status detection component being all integrated on the base.