JP2000205988A - Balancing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a balancing machine capable of easily coping with many kinds of torque converters and being automated when conducting balancing tests for the torque converters in succession, even if the kind of torque converter is changed during the test. SOLUTION: This balancing machine 12 has an automatic replacement means 13. The automatic replacement means 13 has a turret portion 13b supporting a plurality of locking spline shafts 10 radially. Splines 8, 9 to be fitted respectively into a spline hole 3a in a turbine 3 and a spline hole 4a in a stator 4 are formed on each locking spline shaft 10. Therefore rotation of the turret portion 13b permits the locking spline shafts 10 to be replaced easily according to the kind of torque converter 1. Movement of the automatic replacement means 13 having the locking spline shafts 10 causes each locking spline shaft 10 to fit into the turbine 3 and the stator 4. Under these conditions, not the turbine 3 and the stator 4 of the torque converter 1 but the casing 2 is rotated to conduct a balancing test.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a balance tester for performing a balance test on a work comprising a plurality of rotating bodies arranged coaxially.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a torque converter 1 (FIG. 4) interposed between a transmission of a motor vehicle and an engine is known. The torque converter 1 (shown in FIG. 4) includes, for example, a casing 2 connected to an engine, a pump impeller (not shown) fixed to the casing 2, and a turbine 3 connected to an input shaft of a transmission. And a stator 4 interposed between the pump impeller and the turbine 3. The casing 2 is filled with torque converter oil.

In the torque converter 1, a casing 2 and a pump impeller are connected to an engine to form a rotating body, and a turbine 3 and a stator 4 in the casing 2 are arranged coaxially with the casing 2. As a result, the rotating body rotates independently of the casing 2. The stator 4 is rotatable in one direction by a one-way clutch. When the casing 3 and the pump impeller rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the engine, the torque converter 1 transmits the fluid (torque) transmitted from the pump impeller via the stator 4 to the turbine 3 connected to the transmission. (Converter oil). Thereby, the torque converter 1
The speed of the input rotation from the engine is changed and output to the transmission.

Conventionally, as a balancing tester for performing such a dynamic balancing test of the torque converter 1, the one shown in FIG. 4 has been known. As shown in FIG.
Are provided in a vibrating table 6 supported in a vibrable state, rotating means 7 installed on the vibrating table to rotate the torque converter 1, and spline holes 3a and 4a provided in the turbine 3 and the stator 4, respectively. A fixing spline shaft 10 having first and second splines 8 and 9 to be fitted, and for fixing the turbine 3 and the stator 4 to a non-rotatable state when the torque converter 1 is rotated by the rotating means 7.
And a spline shaft moving fitting means 11 for movably supporting the fixing spline shaft 10 from a position fitted to the turbine 3 and the stator 4 of the torque converter 1 to a position above the Turkish converter 1. Have

In such a balance tester 5, the first spline 8 of the fixing spline shaft 10 is fitted into the spline hole 3a of the turbine 3, and the second spline 9 is fitted into the spline hole 4a of the stator 4. In this state, the turbine 3 and the stator 4 are fixed so as not to rotate, and the torque converter 1 is rotated by the rotating means 7 in this state, so that the casing 2 and the pump blade fixed to the casing 2 are rotated. It is designed to rotate cars and the like.

The balance tester 5 is fixed to the casing 2 and the casing 2 which rotate while receiving the viscous resistance of the torque converter oil with respect to the turbine 3 and the stator 4 which are fixed in a non-rotatable state. To the member
If there is a rotational imbalance (unbalance), this is detected. Then, in the balance tester 5, as described above, in the torque converter 1, the presence or absence of the rotational imbalance in the casing 2 rotating with respect to the turbine 3 and the stator 4 is detected, and when the rotational imbalance exists, In addition, an unbalanced part is marked.

[0007]

By the way, there are a wide variety of torque converters and many types. The spline holes of the turbine and the stator of the torque converter, that is, the female shapes of the splines are different depending on the type of the torque converter. Therefore,
When performing a balance test of a plurality of different types of torque converters, install a plurality of balance testers having a fixed spline shaft corresponding to one type of the torque converter, or set up a balance tester according to the type of the torque converter. It is necessary to replace the fixing spline shaft.

[0008] When a plurality of balance testing machines for torque converters are installed, the cost of equipment is increased when there are many types of torque converters to be measured. There is a possibility that problems may occur in space, process management, and the like. On the other hand, in order to replace the fixing spline shaft of the balancing test machine according to the type of torque converter, it is necessary to manually set up the replacement of the fixing spline shaft, which is time-consuming and requires a lot of time. Is performed automatically continuously.
It becomes a bottleneck for automation. In any case, the shape of the spline holes of the turbine and the stator differs depending on the type of the torque converter, which makes it difficult to cope with the multi-product small-quantity production of the balancing test.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can easily cope with various types of torque converters. It is an object of the present invention to provide a balance testing machine that can be automated even when a variety is changed.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a balance tester which is disposed in a casing of a torque converter and which is rotatable with respect to the casing. A balancing tester for a torque converter that performs a balancing test by rotating the casing and a member fixed to the casing in a state where the casing is fixed to the casing, and a rotating unit that rotates the casing, and the casing rotates. A fixing member that is fitted to the rotating body and fixes the rotating body so that the rotating body cannot be rotated. A plurality of the fixing members are provided for different torque converters in advance, and each fixing member is exchangeable. Characterized by being arranged in

According to the above configuration, when the shape of the fitting portion to be fitted to the fixed member of the rotating body differs depending on the type of the torque converter, the balancing tester is compatible with the different types of torque converters. Since a plurality of fixing members are provided and each fixing member is exchangeably arranged, the type of the torque converter changes in the middle when performing the torque converter balancing test sequentially and almost continuously. Even if this is done, it is possible to select and replace a fixing member corresponding to the changed product type from a plurality of fixing members exchangeably provided in the balance tester.

Therefore, it is not necessary to manually perform the setup for replacing the fixing member, and it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of balance testing machines corresponding to the type of the torque converter. In addition, the equipment cost can be reduced, and the balance testing machine can be optimized for high-mix low-volume production. In addition, if the data of the type of the torque converter to be measured is input in advance, and the fixing member corresponding to the torque converter is selected and replaced based on the data, the replacement of the fixing member can be easily performed. Can be automated. In this way, when measuring a large number of torque converters almost continuously, it is possible to substantially automate all the measurements of the large number of torque converters. For example, an automatic production line capable of producing various types of torque converters It is also possible to equip a balance test machine at the end side of the machine and to automate from the production of the torque converter to the balance test of the torque converter as one production line.

The rotating body is, for example, a so-called turbine and stator rotatable with respect to a casing. In addition, as a configuration in which a plurality of fixing members are exchangeably arranged, for example, the fixing members can be exchanged by arranging the plurality of fixing members so as to be integrally movable in a horizontal line and moving these fixing members left and right. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of fixing members so as to be integrally movable on one circumference,
By rotating these fixing members along the circumference,
The fixing member may be replaceable, or a plurality of fixing members may be arranged so as to be movable integrally in a radial manner as described later, and the fixing member may be rotated by using the center of the plurality of radial fixing members as a rotation center. It may be exchangeable. Further, the plurality of fixing members may be independently movable here, and each fixing member may be exchangeable. However, in order to make the configuration in which the fixing members can be exchanged simple and inexpensive, as described above, It is preferable that the plurality of fixing members are arranged so as to be integrally movable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a balancing tester according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of fixing members are radially arranged along a radial direction of one circle. A plurality of fixing members arranged radially are rotatable integrally about the center of the circle as a center of rotation, and each fixing member is exchangeable by rotating the plurality of fixing members. Features. According to the above configuration, the fixing members can be exchanged simply by rotating the fixing members arranged radially together, so that a plurality of fixing members can be exchangeably arranged in the balancing test machine with an extremely simple configuration. it can.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a balance tester according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing a balance tester 12 for a torque converter of this example, and FIG. 2 is a view showing an automatic exchange means 13 of the balance tester 12, which will be described later. The same components as those of the conventional balance testing machine are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a part of the description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a balancing tester 12 of this example includes a vibrating table 6 capable of vibrating, a rotating means 7 installed on the vibrating table 6 to rotate the casing 2 of the torque converter 1, and It has first and second splines 8, 9 respectively fitted into spline holes 3a, 4a provided in the turbine 3 and the stator 4, respectively. When the torque converter 1 is rotated by the rotating means 7, the turbine 3 and the A plurality of fixing spline shafts 10 and 10 for fixing the stator 4 in a non-rotatable state, an automatic exchange means 13 for supporting the plurality of fixing spline shafts 10 and 10 in a replaceable manner;
The fixing spline shaft 1 provided in the automatic exchange means 13
0, the turbine 3 and the stator 4 of the torque converter 1.
And a spline shaft moving fitting means 11 which is movably supported between a position where it fits into the position above the Turkish converter 1.

The vibrating table 6 is supported so as to be able to vibrate, and is a well-known one used in a general balancing tester. The rotating means 7 rotates the torque converter 1 by driving means such as a motor (not shown).
By being installed on the shaking table 6, it is possible to vibrate together with the shaking table 6. Further, the rotating means 7 has a chuck (not shown) for detachably attaching the torque converter 1 so that the torque converter 1 can be rotated around a rotation axis along a vertical direction. The fixing spline shafts 10, 10 are basically the same as the conventional fixing spline shaft 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic exchanging means 13 includes a frame 13a supported vertically by the spline shaft moving fitting means 11 so as to be vertically movable, and a vertical plane with respect to the frame 13a. A turret portion 13b, which is rotatably supported and has the fixing spline shafts 10, 10 attached thereto, a rotary actuator 13c for rotating the turret portion 13b, and a turret portion 13b that can be freely extended and retracted from the frame portion 13a. Turret part 1
It is provided with a shot pin 13d that fits into a recess (not shown) provided in 3b.

The frame portion 13a is vertically movably fitted to an auxiliary guide 11e of a vertically movable frame 11c which can be moved vertically, and supports a turret portion 13b, a rotary actuator 13c, a shot pin 13d, and the like. is there. The turret portion 13b is provided with fixing spline shafts 10, 10 which are arranged in a straight line with the upper and lower portions facing in opposite directions, respectively, and rotate the turret portion 13b horizontally. By rotating by 180 degrees around the axis, from the state where one of the fixing spline shafts 10 faces downward along the extension direction,
The other fixing spline shaft 10 can be switched to a state in which it faces downward along the vertical direction. In addition,
The turret portion 13b includes fixing spline shafts 10, 10
May be fixedly attached or detachably attached.

The rotary actuator 13c rotates the turret 13b by 180 degrees. And, the shot pin 13d is connected to the turret 1
When the turret part 13b is rotated 180 degrees and stopped when the turret part 13b is rotated by 180 degrees, the turret part 13b is provided at a preset position. The distal end is advanced so as to fit into the recessed portion. Then, by fitting the shot pin 13d to the turret portion 13b, the two fixing spline shafts 10, 10 attached to the turret portion 13b are positioned and fixed at positions arranged on a straight line along the vertical direction, Turret 1 during balance test
3b is kept in a non-rotatable state.

According to the automatic exchange means 13 as described above,
From the state where one fixing spline shaft 10 of the two fixing spline shafts 10 and 10 faces downward along the vertical direction, the other fixing spline shaft 10 faces downward along the vertical direction. Can be rotated to the state.
Therefore, a plurality, that is, two fixing spline shafts 1
From among 0 and 10, the fixing spline shaft 1 to be used
It is possible to select 0 and automatically exchange.

The spline shaft moving fitting means 11 includes an upper and lower support 11a for vertically supporting the automatic exchange means 13.
A vertical guide 11b provided on the vertical support 11a so as to extend vertically, a vertical frame 11c fitted to the vertical guide 11b so as to be vertically movable, and vertically driving the vertical frame 11c. The vertical drive cylinder 11d (only the cylinder rod is shown) and the vertical
c, an auxiliary guide 11e provided to extend vertically
And an auxiliary cylinder 11f for vertically driving the frame portion 13a fitted to the auxiliary guide 11e so as to be vertically movable.
(Shown in FIG. 2).

The vertical drive cylinder 11d and the auxiliary cylinder 11f are well-known cylinder devices driven by hydraulic pressure or air. The spline shaft moving fitting means 11 is configured such that the fixing spline shaft 10 attached to the turret portion 13b of the automatic exchange means 13 moves up and down over a long distance by the vertical driving cylinder 11d, and the auxiliary cylinder 11f It can be moved up and down in small increments. The spline shaft moving fitting means 11 is also installed on the shaking table 6 so as to vibrate together with the shaking table 6, and the turret portion 13b of the automatic exchange means 13 supported by the spline shaft moving fitting means 11 is also provided. Is fixed to the turbine 3 of the torque converter 1.
In addition, the vibration of the torque converter 1 that can vibrate on the vibrating table 6 in a state where the torque converter 1 is fitted to the stator 4 is not restricted.

Next, a description will be given of a method of using the balance testing machine 12 and its operation. First, in the automatic exchange means 13, the fixing spline shaft 10 for the torque converter 1 to be measured next is directed downward along the vertical direction, and the rotation means 7 provided on the vibrating table 6 is used. The torque converter 1 whose dynamic balance is to be measured is installed. When the torque converter 1 is installed on the rotating means 7, the automatic exchange means 13 is arranged on the upper side of the upper and lower supports 11a.

Next, the vertical movement frame 11c is lowered by the vertical drive cylinder 11d along the vertical guide 11b, so that the automatic exchange means 13 fitted to the auxiliary guide 11e of the vertical movement frame 11c is connected to the torque converter 1. Lower to a position close to. Next, by lowering the frame portion 13a of the automatic exchange means 13 vertically fitted to the auxiliary guide 11e with the auxiliary cylinder 13f, the tip of the fixing spline shaft 10 attached to the turret portion 13b of the automatic exchange means 13 is removed. The first and second splines 8, 9 are further lowered, and the first and second splines 8, 9 are fitted into the spline holes 3a, 4a of the turbine 3 and the stator 4 in the torque converter 1.

When the first spline 8 of the fixing spline shaft 10 does not mesh with the spline hole 3a of the turbine 3, the second spline 9 of the fixing spline shaft 10 and the spline hole 4a of the stator 4 are not connected. When the splines do not mesh with each other, the outer peripheral portions of the first and second splines 8, 9 of the fixing spline shaft 10 hit the peripheral edges of the spline holes 3a, 4a of the turbine 3 and the stator 4. In this case, the fixing spline shaft 1 driven by the small auxiliary cylinder 11f is used instead of the large vertical drive cylinder 11d that moves a long distance.
0 is the spline holes 3a, 4 of the turbine 3 and the stator 4.
Lightly hits the periphery of a.

When the splines do not mesh as described above, the fixing spline shaft 10 is moved up and down until the splines are meshed. In this case, the fixing spline shaft is also finely adjusted by the auxiliary cylinder 11f. The shaft 10 will be moved up and down. And the fixing spline shaft 1
After the first and second splines 8, 9 are fitted into the spline holes 3a, 4a of the turbine 3 and the stator 4, the rotating means 7 is rotated. At this time, the presence or absence of rotational imbalance is detected in the casing 2 rotating with respect to the turbine 3 and the stator 4 in a state where the rotation is stopped by the fixing spline shaft 10. When there is a rotational imbalance, marking is performed at the unbalance position. The balance testing machine 12 is provided with a well-known rotational unbalance detecting means, a marking means, and the like.

After the measurement is completed, the automatic exchanging means 13 having the fixing spline shaft 10 is moved upward by the spline shaft moving fitting means 11, and the torque converter 1 is removed from the rotating means 7 to complete the measurement. In this state, when the torque converter 1 of a different type is measured next, the shot pin 13d is first retracted by the automatic exchange means 13 so that the shot pin 13d and the turret 1
3b is released, and the turret portion 13b is made rotatable.

Next, the turret portion 13b is rotated by 180 degrees by the rotary actuator 13c, and the other fixing spline shaft 10 that is currently facing upward is replaced with the other fixing spline shaft 10 that is currently facing downward instead of the one fixing spline shaft 10 that is currently facing downward. Turn. Then, by moving the shot pin 13d forward and fitting the shot pin 13d to the turret 13b, the turret 13b is positioned and fixed at a predetermined angle so as not to rotate. Next, the turret portion 13b is moved downward as in the case described above, and a balance test is performed.

As described above, since the fixing spline shaft 10 can be easily replaced in accordance with the type of the torque converter 1, a plurality of torque converters 1 in which different types are mixed can be measured almost continuously. In addition, the measurement time can be reduced, labor can be saved, and the like. In addition, since rotation of the turret 13b and positioning and fixing of the turret 13b by the shot pin 13d can be easily automated,
Automation of the fixing spline shaft 10 can be easily achieved. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of balance testing machines for measuring various types of torque converters 1, so that the equipment cost can be reduced. ,

Further, since the exchange of the torque converter 1 can be easily automated, the balancing test machine 1 is located at the end of a production line capable of producing a plurality of types of torque converters 1.
2 can be arranged as one automated production line from the production of the torque converter 1 to the balancing test. Further, even if the production line is a multi-product small-quantity production, it can be easily handled.

In the above example, two fixing spline shafts 10, 10 are provided in the turret portion 13b. However, if the turret portion 13b can be radially arranged,
Two or more fixing spline shafts 10 and 10 may be attached, three fixing spline shafts 10 may be attached like the turret part 15 shown in FIG. 3, and four or more fixing spline shafts 10 may be attached. The spline shafts 10 may be attached. Further, as long as the arrangement is such that it can be automatically replaced, a plurality of fixing spline shafts 10 may be arranged in an arrangement other than radial. In addition, the turret portion 15 shown in FIG. 3 can have substantially the same configuration as the turret portion 13b described above, except that the turret portion is rotated by 120 degrees, and can be used similarly. Therefore, the turret 15 can be used by replacing the turret 13b of the balance tester 12 with the turret 15.

[0033]

According to the balance testing machine of the first aspect of the present invention, when the balance test of the torque converter is sequentially and almost continuously performed, the type of the torque converter is changed on the way. Also, it is possible to select and replace a fixed member corresponding to the changed type from a plurality of fixed members provided in the balance testing machine so as to be exchangeable. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually perform the setup for replacing the fixing member, and it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of balancing test machines corresponding to the type of the torque converter. The cost can be reduced, and the balance testing machine can be optimized for high-mix low-volume production.

Further, if the data of the type of the torque converter to be measured is inputted in advance, and the fixing member corresponding to the torque converter is selected and exchanged based on the data, it is easy to fix the fixing member. Exchange can be automated. In this way, when measuring a large number of torque converters almost continuously, it is possible to substantially automate all the measurements of the large number of torque converters. For example, an automatic production line capable of producing various types of torque converters It is also possible to equip a balance test machine at the end side of the machine and to automate from the production of the torque converter to the balance test of the torque converter as one production line.

According to the balancing tester according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the fixing members can be replaced by simply rotating the fixing members arranged radially together, the balancing tester has a very simple configuration. A plurality of fixing members can be arranged in a replaceable manner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of a balance tester according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an automatic exchange unit of the balance testing machine of the above example.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a turret portion of a balancing tester of an example different from the above example.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a conventional balance testing machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Torque converter 2 Casing 3 Turbine (rotating body) 4 Stator (rotating body) 7 Rotating means 10 Fixing spline shaft (fixing member) 12 Balancing test machine 13 Automatic exchange means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A casing and a member fixed to a casing, which are arranged in a casing of a torque converter and fixed to a casing so as to be non-rotatable with respect to the casing, rotate the casing and a member fixed to the casing. And a rotating means for rotating the casing, and when the casing rotates, the rotating body is fitted to the rotating body and the rotating body is not allowed to rotate. And a fixing member for fixing the fixed members so as to be fixed to each other, wherein a plurality of the fixing members are provided in advance for different torque converters, and the fixing members are interchangeably arranged. 2. The balance tester according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of fixing members are radially arranged along a radial direction of one circle, and the plurality of fixing members arranged radially are circles. Characterized in that the fixing members are rotatable integrally about a center of rotation of the plurality of fixing members, and the fixing members are exchangeable by rotating a plurality of the fixing members.