JP2002517714A - Magnetic fixing for in-service inspection - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Summary To achieve the fixation of a rotary driveline assembly to a drive, an apparatus for testing automotive engines and other driveline assemblies uses magnetic fixation. When the rotary drive system assembly is an automobile engine, it is necessary to attach a measuring head including a sensor to the engine. This is also performed by magnetic fixing. The robot's carrier or overhead crane carries the engine to the test site, where the operator directs the drive to a location on the engine. When the engine and drive are properly aligned, the operator moves a switch that activates the electromagnet to perform the fastening of the engine to the drive. Further, the operator guides the measuring head to the engine and fixes it by magnetism. When required to release the engine from the drive, a deactivate switch, manipulated by the operator, shuts off the supply of electrical energy to the electromagnet and utilizes the electromagnet to dissipate the engine's remanence. Only the degauss signal remains. A similar degaussing process is used to release the measuring head.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for performing in-process verification in a manufacturing environment, and more particularly, to a drive train component under test and a test train. The present invention relates to an inspection process that uses magnetic clamping to perform engagement between a driving device and a sensor head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION If it is desired to install production test equipment at the speed of an assembly line in order to verify the quality or function of a semi-assembled part or finished product, it is difficult to find a mechanical method that works reliably. There is a time. In-service inspection is a principle applied in modern manufacturing sites to test for quality and function at each assembly step before proceeding to the next assembly step. If a defect is detected, the principle of an in-service inspection method is needed to disassemble, reassemble and retest the subassembly before proceeding to the next manufacturing process. This method allows the manufacturing facility to produce high quality products without the need for final testing or repair. Process control has also been improved in response to information obtained at each in-service inspection stage or station.

[0003] In order to carry out the required inspection systems at each assembly stage or facility, mechanical and electrical drives and measuring devices must be fixed or securely mounted on the subassembly. No. In current technology, mechanical arms, pawls and toggles are utilized to effect such fixation. However, this type of mechanical locking device presents a difficulty due to the lack of a common locking point in modern products that have typically been designed for size and weight considerations. This problem is compounded by the fact that recent production lines have been optimized to load many different models of similar products on the same production line. Often, equipment switch times between batches of different models and assemblies are not available.

[0004] A conventional inspection device for an automobile engine is shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a partial schematic plan view of a conventional fixing device 10 for testing an engine 11. In this known device, the engine 11 is a diesel engine. For testing, pawls 13 secure the engine 11 to a drive 15 that utilizes an electric motor 16 to supply rotational mechanical energy to the engine 11. The driving device is guided by a worker (not shown) to engage the engine 11.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic side view of the conventional fixing device of FIG. The components of the structure described above are likewise shown. This figure shows that in the conventional fixing device, a plurality of pawls 13 are used to fix the engine 11 to the driving device 15. As can be seen, the pawls 13 are arranged in various lengths as required by the particular structure of the device being tested. In addition, while the crankshaft (not shown) of the engine 11 is being rotated by the driving device, a measuring head 26 including a sensor (not shown) for monitoring predetermined operating characteristics and operating parameters of the engine 11 is provided in FIG. And the conventional apparatus of FIG.

FIGS. 1 and 2 further illustrate that the measuring head is attached to the engine in a conventional manner by an arm 28 and a toggle 29. The measuring head is controlled by the operator using the handles 22 and
Guided up one. All of the structural elements used in mounting the drive and measuring head to the engine must be configured for the particular engine under test. Removing and replacing pawls, arms and toggles in a coupling specifically configured for each engine model on the assembly line is difficult and time consuming.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an in-service inspection device that can be easily adapted to various models of similar products on the same production line.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an in-service inspection device for easily mounting multiple drives and measuring devices on a product that is manufactured in a simple and economical manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In a first apparatus embodiment, a rotary driveline assembly for a motor vehicle.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which provides an apparatus for testing a ve train assembly. The rotary drive system assembly is of the type having a rotary input. In accordance with the present invention, a drive having a rotational output provides mechanical rotational energy to a rotational driveline assembly. The first magnet secures the rotary drive system assembly and the drive together. In this way, the rotational input of the rotary driveline assembly is adjusted to accept rotating mechanical energy from the drive. The sensor measures predetermined operating characteristics of the rotary drive system assembly as it is being driven by the drive. The second magnet secures the sensor to the rotary drive system assembly.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the first magnet and the second magnet are each configured as an electromagnet. Further, an electrical energy source is provided to supply electrical energy to the first and second electromagnets. In some embodiments, the electrical energy source is tuned to provide electrical energy having various power levels. Thereby, the first and second magnets function to correspondingly demagnetize the rotary driveline assembly. In this way, the remanence of the rotary drive system assembly is dissipated. Preferably, the output level of the electric energy changes in an alternating manner according to a predetermined demagnetization process.

[0011] In another embodiment of the invention, the rotary driveline assembly to be tested is an automobile engine. The drive is configured to supply rotating mechanical energy to the crankshaft of the vehicle engine. In addition, a measuring head is provided to assist the sensor. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the measuring head is configured as a temporary test head for the engine. Accordingly, various engine conditions and characteristics can be tested.

Usually, the engine required to be tested is transported to the test site by a robot or an overhead crane device. A typical robotic device assists in testing an automobile engine by directing a drive onto the engine by an operator. Usually, a pair of handles are supplied to a frame mounted on the drive,
Thereby, the operator can execute the guidance of the driving device described above. The activation of the electromagnet, which performs the fixing of the vehicle engine to the drive and the fixing of the measuring head to the vehicle engine, is performed by an activation switch. In certain illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the activation switch applies engagement electrical energy to the first electromagnet, where the rotary driveline assembly is engaged with the drive. In some embodiments of the present invention, the activation switch may be located on one of the handles gripped by the operator. The other handle may be provided with a deactivation switch for stopping the supply of meshing electrical energy to the first electromagnet. This releases the rotary drive system assembly from the drive. In a highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the deactivation switch also causes the demagnetization signal to act on the first electromagnet in order to dissipate residual magnetism in the rotary driveline assembly. The degaussing signal forms electrical energy whose output level changes with time according to a predetermined degaussing process.

According to a further apparatus aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for testing a rotary driveline assembly for a vehicle. The rotary drive system assembly has a rotary input. According to this further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drive having a rotary output for supplying rotary mechanical energy to a rotary driveline assembly. The first magnet is used to fix the rotary drive system assembly and the drive together. In this way, the rotational input of the rotary driveline assembly receives mechanical energy from the drive. Further, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, a manual guidance device allows an operator to guide the drive near the rotary driveline assembly. An electrical energy source is provided to provide electrical energy, from which energy is controlled by a controller that controls the delivery of electrical energy to the first magnet.

In one embodiment of this further aspect of the invention, the control device includes an activation switch for applying the meshing electrical energy to the first magnet, thereby meshing the rotary drive system assembly with the drive. Prompt. A deactivate switch is provided to stop the supply of intermeshing electrical energy to the first magnet means, thereby releasing the rotary drive system assembly from the drive. In a further embodiment, a deactivate switch is provided to apply a demagnetizing signal to the first electromagnet to dissipate residual magnetism of the rotary drive system assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sensor for measuring predetermined operating characteristics of a rotary driveline assembly corresponding to a drive. Additionally, a second magnet for securing the sensor is provided to the rotary drive system assembly. A further activation switch causes the second magnet to engage electrical energy to facilitate engagement of the sensor with the rotary driveline assembly.

According to a method aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for testing a rotary drive system assembly comprising the following steps. Guiding the rotary machine drive to the vicinity of the rotary drive system assembly; applying electric energy to the electromagnet to attach the rotary drive system assembly to the rotary machine drive by magnetism; Activating the rotary machine drive to cause the mechanical drive to act on the rotary drive assembly during the time; and stopping the supply of electrical energy to the electromagnet, thereby causing the rotary drive assembly to rotate A stage where it can be detached from the device, and a stage where degaussing is performed on the rotary drive system assembly.

In a further embodiment of this method aspect of the present invention, applying the degaussing process includes directing an electric degaussing signal to the electromagnet to dissipate residual magnetism of the rotary driveline assembly.

In a further embodiment, the following steps are further provided. That is, a step of guiding the sensor unit near the rotary drive system assembly, a step of applying electric energy to a further electromagnet, and attaching the sensor unit to the rotary drive system assembly magnetically, and a predetermined test time. Performing a step of activating the rotary machine drive and then performing a further step to cause the mechanical drive to act on the rotary driveline assembly. Said further step comprises: stopping the supply of electrical energy to the further electromagnet, whereby the sensor section is detachable from the rotary drive system assembly; and And applying it to

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The contents of the present invention will be easily understood by reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 illustrates a latching arrangement constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
ment). FIG. As shown in this figure (during the process of the test apparatus 40), the in-operation test apparatus 40 includes, as a device under test, a diesel engine 42 (shown) connected to a drive device 44 having an attached electric motor 45. Have. In this embodiment, the electric motor 45 has an angular position of 8000 or more (angular position).
In this embodiment, the motor is a powerful and relatively low-speed motor that drives a crankshaft (not shown) of the engine 42 that rotates to about 15 rpm. The drive is guided to engage the engine by an operator 46 who controls the position and orientation of the drive 44 through one or more handles, for example, handle 49. In this particular illustrated embodiment of the invention, a switch 48 is provided, for example, on the handle 49 that causes the transfer of electrical energy from a power source 55 to one or more electromagnets 56.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, the drive and several hundred pounds, illustratively 800-1
The electromagnet 56 requires a relatively low amount of power to perform magnetic attraction with engines of over 000 pounds. In one embodiment of the invention, the electromagnet maintains fixed operation when supplied with less than 10 amps at a normal 12 volt voltage. After the fixing of the driving device is performed, the control device (not shown) controls the driving engagement portion (
A drive engager 58 is urged out of the drive and connected to the engine crankshaft flange 57. The crankshaft flange has a timing pin therein, with which the drive mesh communicates to provide a mechanical rotation at low speed, illustratively 15 rpm.

The figure further shows another operator 47 whose functionality guides the arrangement of the measuring head 60 described below in connection with FIG. FIG. 3 shows an operator 47 guiding the measuring head through the handles 50 and 51.

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic side view of the fixing device of FIG. Components of the structure that are analogous to components already discussed are likewise shown. In this particularly illustrated embodiment, this figure shows that a measuring head 60 equipped with a plurality of sensors (not specifically shown) is mounted on the engine 42. The measuring head is attached to the engine by at least one electromagnet 61 and is controlled by a switch (not specifically shown) on one or both of the handle 50 and the handle 51. For example, in connection with a machined surface on which the engine head is mounted, the measuring head determines the maximum height of the piston stroke within the cylinder during operation. For example, this type of determination involves a linear voltage differential transformer (LVDT).
Use an ifferential trransformer device (not shown). In addition, the measuring head is related to the angular position of the crankshaft timing pin,
It assists in determining the position of the top dead center (TDC) of a given piston. In these tests, the linear displacement of the sensor detected by the LVDT device is
It is graphically correlated to the angular position of the crankshaft.

For example, other tests that can be performed concurrently with the testing of the measuring head include checking the integrity and operability of the engine oil transport system. Compressed air is used in the oil distribution system and the back pressure there is monitored while the engine rotates. These pressure measurements are diagrammatically correlated with the angular position of the crankshaft and are useful for determining whether bearings or other components are outside predetermined tolerances.

A further test that can be performed by the test device of the present invention relates to an engine cam (not shown). A probe (not shown) extends from the measuring head and enters a push rod aperture to communicate with the cam. When the engine rotates, the linear displacement of the push rod following the rotation of the cam causes the LVDT device (
(Not shown), thereby allowing a correlation between the angle of the cam lobe and the angular position of the engine crankshaft (not shown).

In the illustrated embodiment, after the test has been completed, it is required to release the engine from the electromagnet and to eliminate the remanence on the engine as a result of being magnetized by the electromagnet. After turning off the electromagnetic application, this type of remanence is dissipated by applying a demagnetizing signal (not shown) to the electromagnet. In some embodiments of the present invention, the degaussing signal obtained from power supply 55 is formed by alternating currents having various output levels. In a practical embodiment of the invention, the degauss signal has a frequency of about 15 Hz and a frequency of about 2 Hz.
An attenuated AC electrical signal that decays to a substantially zero output level in / 3 seconds. This demagnetization is effected on both electromagnets, namely the electromagnet connecting the drive to the engine under test and the electromagnet connecting the measuring head to the engine under test.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments and uses, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
In view of this teaching, further embodiments may be developed without departing from the scope of the claimed invention or without departing from the spirit of the claimed invention. Therefore, it will be understood that the drawings and specification disclosed herein are provided to facilitate understanding of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic plan view of a conventional fixing device for testing an engine using a toggle latch.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic side view of the conventional fixing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic plan view of a latching device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic side view of the fixing device of FIG. 3;

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY , CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP , KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZW (72) Inventor Olshevsky, Robert, Dee. United States 48336, Michigan, Farmington, Cloverdale 32425 F-term (reference) 2G087 AA01 BB39 DD01 EE12

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for testing a rotary drive system assembly for a motor vehicle having a rotary input, the drive having a rotary output for supplying rotary energy to the rotary drive system assembly, and a rotary drive system assembly. A first magnet means for securing the and the drive to each other and adjusting the rotational input of the rotary drive system assembly to receive rotational energy from the drive; and a rotary drive system assembly corresponding to the drive. A test apparatus comprising: a sensor for measuring a predetermined operating characteristic of a part; and a second magnet means for fixing the sensor to a rotary drive system assembly. 2. The power supply means for supplying electric energy to the first and second electromagnets, wherein the first and second magnet means are a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet, respectively. The device according to claim 1. 3. The power supply means is tuned to provide alternating electrical energy having various output levels, whereby the first and second electromagnets act to demagnetize the rotary drive system assembly. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an output level of the electric energy supplied by said power supply means changes in an alternating manner. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the AC electrical energy is adjusted to change the output level according to a predetermined degaussing process. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotary driveline assembly is an automobile engine, and wherein the drive is configured to supply rotational energy to a crankshaft of the automobile engine. 7. A measuring head for supporting said sensor is further provided,
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the measuring head is configured as a temporary test device. 8. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a handle device for facilitating guidance of the measuring head in a predetermined orientation associated with the drive by an operator. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising switch means provided on said handle device for controlling the action of electrical energy on said first and second electromagnets. 10. An activation switch for applying electrical energy to the first electromagnet to urge the rotary drive system assembly to engage with the drive device, and wherein the drive means includes: an activation switch; 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a deactivation switch for stopping the supply of meshing electrical energy to the first electromagnet to release the rotary drive system assembly from. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the deactivation switch is adjusted to apply a demagnetizing signal to the first electromagnet to dissipate residual magnetism of a rotary driveline assembly. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the degaussing signal comprises electrical energy whose output level changes over time according to a predetermined degaussing process. 13. An apparatus for testing a rotary drive system assembly for a vehicle having a rotary input, the drive having a rotary output for supplying rotary energy to the rotary drive system assembly, and a rotary drive system assembly. A first magnet means for securing the rotary drive system assembly and the drive to each other, the rotational input of the rotary drive system assembly being adjusted to receive rotational energy from the drive device; and A manual guiding means for allowing the driving device to be guided in the vicinity; an electric energy source for supplying electric energy; and a control for controlling the delivery of electric energy to the first magnet means. A test device comprising: means; 14. An activation switch for applying engagement electric energy to said first magnet means to promote engagement of a rotary drive system assembly with said drive device, said activation means comprising: 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a deactivation switch for terminating a supply of meshing electrical energy to said first magnet means to release a rotary driveline assembly from the apparatus. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the deactivate switch is adjusted to apply a demagnetizing signal to the first electromagnet to dissipate residual magnetism of a rotary driveline assembly. 16. A sensor for measuring predetermined operating characteristics of a rotary drive system assembly corresponding to the drive device, and a second magnet means for fixing the sensor to the rotary drive system assembly. An apparatus according to claim 13. 17. An activation switch is provided for energizing said second magnet means with electrical energy to encourage said sensor to engage said rotary drive system assembly. The described device. 18. A step of guiding the rotary machine drive to the vicinity of the rotary drive system assembly; applying electric energy to the electromagnet to attach the rotary drive system assembly to the rotary machine drive by magnetism; Activating the rotating mechanical drive to cause the mechanical drive to act on the rotary drive assembly during the test time, and stopping the supply of electrical energy to the electromagnet so that the rotary drive A method of testing a rotary drive system assembly, comprising: a step of being detachable from a rotary machine drive; and a step of performing a demagnetization process on the rotary drive system assembly. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein applying the degaussing process includes directing an electrical degauss signal to an electromagnet to dissipate residual magnetism of the rotary driveline assembly. 20. A step of guiding a sensor section near the rotary drive system assembly, applying electric energy to a further electromagnet, and magnetically attaching the sensor section to the rotary drive system assembly. Performing a step of activating the rotary mechanical drive to cause the mechanical drive to act on the rotary driveline assembly during the test time of, and then performing a further step; A further step comprises stopping the supply of electrical energy to the further electromagnet, thereby allowing the sensor part to be detachable from the rotary drive system assembly, and applying a further demagnetization process to the rotary drive system assembly. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: