JP2010023193A - Verification system and verification method for assembling thrust washer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a verification system for assembling a thrust washer capable of completely preventing an assembling error regardless of the skill level of an operator and suppressing the introduction of a new equipment, and a verification method for assembling the thrust washer. <P>SOLUTION: In the verification system for assembling the thrust washer 3, a crankshaft 2 is installed on a cylinder block 1 and a tool 4 stores the thrust washer 3 which is sandwiched with a cylinder block lower surface 11 in a state that the thrust washer 3 is assembled to the crankshaft 2. The verification system is so constituted that when the thrust washer is assembled correctly, an end face 41 of the tool 4 is in close contact with the cylinder block lower surface 11, whereas when the thrust washer 3 is assembled inside out, a gap is formed between the end face 41 of the tool 4 and the cylinder block lower surface 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thrust washer assembly confirmation system and assembly for judging whether the assembly state is correct or not in an thrust washer assembly process in an assembly line of an engine using a thrust washer composed of two half members. This is related to the confirmation method.

Some thrust washers used around the crankshaft of an engine have a different material, for example, a laminated structure of steel and copper.
When the thrust washer is set on the cylinder block, if the thrust washer is set in the wrong direction, that is, the front and back sides of the thrust washer are set incorrectly, a serious problem such as seizure of the crankshaft occurs.

As described above, the thrust washer is assembled to the cylinder block as a single washer 3 by combining (attaching) two semicircular washers 3A, which are two semicircular members (two pieces). ing.
FIG. 2 shows the thrust washer 3 in which two pieces (two pieces) are properly assembled. In FIG. 2, both ends 3Aa and 3Ab of the semicircular washer member 3A have a sharp V shape at the center of one end 3Aa, and the other end 3Ab has an M-shaped tip. And has a complementary shape such that the V-shaped portion of the one end 3Aa is received by the M-shaped tip of the other end 3Ab.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when two washer members 3A are set correctly in the receiving portion of a cylinder block (not shown), that is, when two sheets are assembled together on the front (or back to back), two sheets The washer 3 formed by the washer member 3A is substantially a perfect circle.

On the other hand, when the two washer members 3A are assembled on the back and front (in the case of incorrect assembly), as shown in FIG. 3, the V-shaped sharp portions 3Aa come into contact with each other, and the M-shaped end Since the portions 3Ab abut each other, the inner diameter dimension Dv in the direction of the vertical axis Lv in FIG. 3 is increased by the dimension indicated by the symbol δ from the inner diameter dimension D in FIG.
When the washer 3 is incorporated into the engine (cylinder block 1 in FIG. 1) in the state shown in FIG. 3, the cylinder head 1 and the bed plate 19 are not joined airtightly as shown in FIG. Even if the bolts Bt are fastened, there is a gap of the dimension δ, which directly leads to an engine failure such as crank seizure.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a mistake in assembly, conventionally, an operator puts a mark on either the front or back with a marker pen or the like.
However, recently, due to an increase in the number of temporary employees and other reasons, the proficiency level of workers has decreased, and it is becoming difficult to ensure the above countermeasures.
For this reason, there is an urgent need to create a system that does not cause erroneous assembly regardless of the level of proficiency of the workers, regardless of who performs the assembly work of the thrust washer.

As another conventional technique, a thrust washer mounting structure has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
However, the related art (Patent Document 1) is configured with two pieces of a half-structured member with two thrusts, that is, a total of four members, with the right angle between the thrust surface and the housing axis correctly aligned. The purpose is to halve the thrust washers to two, and this does not solve the above-mentioned problems.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-108038

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to completely prevent misassembly of the thrust washer regardless of the level of proficiency by the operator, and does not require the introduction of new equipment. The purpose is to provide an assembly confirmation system and confirmation method for thrust washers.

  The thrust washer assembly confirmation system according to the present invention sandwiches the thrust washer (3) with the cylinder block (11) in a state where the crankshaft (2) is installed on the cylinder block (1) and the thrust washer (3) is assembled. If the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled, the end face (41) of the jig is in close contact with the cylinder block lower surface (11). However, when the thrust washer (3) is assembled upside down, a gap is formed between the jig end surface (41b) and the cylinder block lower surface (11). 1).

  The jig (4) communicates with the air supply mechanism (5) and has a pressure measuring device for forming an air supply mechanism (5) and / or pressure inside the jig. ).

  Moreover, it has the proximity detection apparatus (6) which detects that the said jig | tool (4) approached the cylinder block lower surface (11) (Claim 3).

  The thrust washer assembling confirmation system of the present invention has a control device (10), and the control device (10) has a jig (4) brought close to the cylinder block lower surface (11) by a proximity sensor (6). When the air supply mechanism (5) detects that the air supply mechanism (5) and / or the pressure inside the jig has increased, the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled. If the air supply mechanism (5) and / or jig internal pressure does not increase even if air is supplied from the air supply mechanism (5), the thrust washer (3) is reversed It has a function of judging that it is assembled (claim 4).

  The thrust washer assembly confirmation method according to the present invention is such that the crankshaft (2) is installed on the cylinder block (1) and the thrust washer (3) is assembled. (1) and detecting whether the jig end surface (41) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) are in close contact with each other or housed in the jig (S3). If the end face (41) of the jig is in close contact with the cylinder block lower surface (11), it is determined that the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled, and the jig A step (S13) of determining that the thrust washer (3) is assembled upside down if a gap is formed between the end surface (41b) of the cylinder block and the cylinder block lower surface (11) ( Contract Section 5).

  In the step of detecting whether the jig end surface (41) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) are in close contact with each other or whether a gap is formed (S8 to S11), the jig (4) is moved to the cylinder block lower surface (11). ), The step of supplying air from the air supply mechanism (5) communicating with the jig (S8), and the step of measuring the pressure inside the air supply mechanism (5) and / or the jig (S9). When the pressure inside the air supply mechanism (5) and / or jig rises, it is determined that the jig end surface (41b) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) are in close contact with each other, and air supply When the mechanism (5) and / or the jig internal pressure does not increase, it is determined that a gap is formed between the jig end surface (41b) and the cylinder block lower surface (11).

  According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, when the crankshaft (2) is installed on the cylinder block (1) and the thrust washer (3) is assembled, the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled. The end face (41b) of the jig (4) is in close contact with the cylinder block lower surface (11). However, when the thrust washer (3) is assembled upside down, the jig end face (41) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) are attached. A gap is formed between the two. By confirming whether or not such a gap is formed, it can be determined whether or not the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled.

  Specifically, if the jig (4) communicates with the air supply mechanism (5) and has an air supply mechanism (5) and / or a pressure measuring device for forming the pressure inside the jig (claim) Item 2), with the jig (4) placed close to the cylinder block lower surface (11), air is supplied from the air supply mechanism (5), and the pressure inside the air supply mechanism (5) and / or the jig is reduced. When it is raised, it is judged that the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled, and even if air is supplied from the air supply mechanism (5), the air supply mechanism (5) and / or the jig internal pressure does not increase. It can be judged that the thrust washer (3) is assembled upside down.

  According to the present invention, since it is determined reliably and automatically whether or not the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled, even an inexperienced assembly operator will not make a mistake in assembling the thrust washer. .

  Furthermore, there is no large-scale and complicated equipment, and a large effect can be obtained with a small capital investment.

  The present confirmation system can be provided in the engine assembly line, and since a certain number of mistakes in the assembly can be reliably avoided, the workability of the engine assembly is greatly improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of a thrust washer assembly confirmation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Here, the thrust washer assembly confirmation system (confirmation system) 100 is composed of a set of two sheets inserted between the end surface of the journal portion including the main bearing of the crankshaft 2 of the engine and the vertical end surface of the cylinder block 1. This is a system that checks the installed state of the thrust washer and monitors it to prevent erroneous assembly.

As described for the prior art, FIG. 2 shows the front of the washer when two semicircular arc washer members 3A having the same shape are correctly assembled. On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows a case where the back and front of the two washer members 3A are assembled incorrectly.
In other words, the thrust washer assembly confirmation system 100 according to the embodiment is a system for confirming whether the washer is assembled properly as shown in FIG. 2 or erroneously assembled as shown in FIG. .

  In FIG. 1, a thrust washer assembly confirmation system 100 includes an assembly jig 4, an air supply mechanism 5, a proximity detector 6, a travel trolley 7, and a control unit 10 serving as control means.

The assembling jig 4 includes a jig main body 41 and a handle 42 for carrying the jig. Two air flow paths 43 and 44 are formed inside the jig body 41.
One end of the air flow path 43 opens near the right end in FIG. 1 of the main body upper surface 41a, and the other end forms a nozzle 43n near the left end in FIG. 1 on the lower surface 41b of the main body.
The air flow path 44 is a vertical hole, and one end opens at the right end of the main body upper surface 41a in FIG. 1, and the other end forms a nozzle 44n on the lower surface 41b of the main body.

An attachment 8 is attached to the right end of the upper surface 41a of the jig body 41 by a known means, for example, a bolt, and the attachment 8 is formed such that a vertical portion 81 and a horizontal portion 82 are connected in a substantially inverted L shape. ing.
Two vertical flow paths 83 and 84 are formed inside the vertical portion 81 so as to penetrate the vertical portion 41. The lower ends of the two vertical flow paths 83 and 84 communicate with the air flow paths 43 and 44 formed in the jig main body 41 with a seal member (not shown) interposed therebetween.

The upper ends of the vertical flow paths 83 and 84 are processed with, for example, a pipe taper screw (female screw), and an end fitting (male screw: pipe taper screw) of the flexible tube 53 (or spiral hose) of the air supply mechanism 5 described later. ) And airtightly connected.
Further, any of the flow paths 43 and 44 formed in the jig main body 41, the flow paths 83 and 84 of the attachment 8, or the air supply mechanism 5 includes pressure measurement means (not shown) such as a small pressure gauge. Is intervening.

Here, when the thrust washer 3 is correctly assembled with the two pieces of washer members 3A being matched to each other, the state shown in FIG. If the lower surface 41 b is brought closer to the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1, the lower surface 41 b of the jig body 41 abuts on the cylinder block lower surface 11.
Since the lower surface 41b of the jig body 41 and the cylinder block lower surface 11 are machined with high accuracy and smoothness, when the lower surface 41b of the jig body 41 abuts on the cylinder block lower surface 11, the joint surface between them is A certain level of confidentiality will be maintained. Therefore, when compressed air is supplied from the air supply mechanism 5 to the jig main body 41 via the flow paths 83 and 84, the flow paths 43 and 43 formed inside the jig main body 41 and the flow path of the attachment 8. 83, 84, or the pressure in any of the flow paths in the air supply mechanism 5 increases.

On the other hand, if the two pieces of washer members 3A are mistakenly assembled with each other in the thrust washer 3 (the state shown in FIG. 3), the thrust washer 3 in the assembled state is perpendicular to the length shown in FIG. The length dimension in the direction becomes large. Therefore, the lower surface 41b of the jig body does not contact the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block, and there is a gap between the lower surface 41b of the jig body and the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block by the increased dimension δ in the thrust washer 3. Will be formed.
If such a gap is formed, naturally, the cylinder block lower surface 11 and the lower surface 41b of the jig body 41 are not airtightly joined, and the nozzles 43n and 44n at the end of the flow path are compressed through the gap. Air leaks. Therefore, the pressure measured by the pressure measuring means (not shown) provided in any of the flow paths 43 and 44, the flow paths 83 and 84 of the attachment 8, or the air supply mechanism 5 does not increase.
The assembly confirmation system 100 according to the illustrated embodiment is configured to determine that erroneous assembly has been performed when the pressure value measured by the pressure gauge does not rise above a predetermined value.

 In FIG. 1, a proximity detection device (proximity sensor) 6 is attached to the right side surface of the jig main body 41 via an L-shaped bracket. The proximity sensor 6 is connected to the control unit 10 by an input signal line Si. When the lower surface 41b of the jig 4 approaches the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1 within a predetermined distance, the lower surface 41b of the jig 4 and the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1 are brought closer to each other within the predetermined distance. Is transmitted to the control unit 10.

The air supply mechanism 5 includes a compressed air supply source 50, a compressed air supply line 51, two compressed air supply hoses 52, and two flexible hoses 53.
The two compressed air supply hoses 52 and the two flexible hoses 53 are connected in an airtight manner by screwing together a male fitting and a female fitting of a pipe taper screw.

The traveling trolley 7 includes a frame 71, a device supporting horizontal member 72, a suspension member 73, a roller mounting member 74, a traveling roller 75, and a traveling rail 76.
The frame 71 is formed as a box structure having a plurality of boxes, for example.
The device supporting horizontal member 72 is a plate-like member, and is integrated with the frame main body 71 by welding a reinforcing plate 712 disposed at the lower end of the frame 71.

The suspension member 73 is attached to the upper portion of the frame 71 by a known means such as a bolt. A cylindrical member 73 a disposed horizontally is fixed to the suspension member 73. A pair of plate-shaped roller mounting members 74 are provided in the vicinity of both left and right ends of the cylindrical member 73a, and a pair of travel roller shaft members 75S (horizontal in FIG. 1) are placed on the roller mounting member 74 in a horizontal state. It is erected.
The pair of traveling rollers 75 are disposed so as to face the pair of traveling roller shaft members 75S, and the traveling rollers 75 are rotatably attached.
The pair of travel rollers 75 are configured to travel on the inner side surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) of the flange surface 76 f of H-section steel constituting the travel rail 76.

The equipment supporting horizontal member 72 is supported at its right end by a metal fitting constituting the end of the compressed air supply hose 52, and the air supply line 51 is connected to the metal fitting by a known means.
In FIG. 1, in the apparatus supporting horizontal member 72, one end of the lifting mechanism 9 (one end of the member 91) is supported on the left side of the compressed air supply hose 52, and the lifting mechanism 9 includes a plurality of members 91, 92, 93, 94. , 95, 96.
The other end of the lifting mechanism 9 (one end of the member 96) is connected to the horizontal portion 82 of the attachment 8 by a known means.
Here, it is preferable that the lower surface 41b of the jig body 41 can maintain a horizontal state in a state where the jig 4 is suspended in the air.

Since the jig 4 is suspended by the elevating mechanism 9 in the vicinity of the right end of the apparatus supporting horizontal member 72, the right end side of the apparatus supporting horizontal member 72 becomes heavy and may rotate clockwise.
In order to eliminate such a fear, a balancing weight B1 is attached to the left end of the device supporting horizontal member 72.

 In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a balancer B2 using a biasing force such as a spiral spring is attached between the members 91 and 92 so as to balance the mass of the jig body 41 including the attachment 8. .

 In the device supporting horizontal member 72, the traveling operation device C of the traveling trolley 7 is attached to the left side of the frame 71 on the lower surface side of the horizontal member 72 so as to hang down.

As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the gap switch 60 is attached to the right side portion of the frame 71.
On the other hand, in the air supply mechanism 5 and / or the jig 4, a measurement unit (not shown) such as a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the air supply mechanism 5 and / or the jig 4 is provided. A pressure measuring means (not shown) is connected to the gap switch 60 by a signal line (not shown), and the measured pressure value is input to the gap switch 60.

The gap switch 60 is connected to the control unit 10 via a signal line Si, and notifies the control unit 10 whether or not the measured pressure value has reached a predetermined value.
The control unit 10 includes a display unit (monitor: not shown) that displays that an erroneous assembly has occurred, and a voice alarm device (not shown) that notifies the operator that an erroneous assembly has occurred.

Next, the procedure for checking the assembly of the thrust washer 3 will be described with reference mainly to the process diagram of FIG. 5 and the flowchart of FIG.
In FIG. 6, in step S1, the crankshaft 2 is set at a predetermined position with the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1 facing upward (“5-1” in FIG. 5).

If the setting of the crankshaft 2 is completed (YES in step S2), the thrust washer 3 is set at a predetermined position of the cylinder block 1 in step S3 (“5-2” in FIG. 5).
When the setting of the thrust washer 3 is completed (YES in step S4), the jig 4 is lowered to a predetermined position on the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1 (“jig setting” in step S5).

In step S6, it waits until the setting of the jig 4 is completed, and when the setting of the jig 4 is completed (step S6 is YES: “5-3” in FIG. 5), it waits until the proximity switch 6 is activated ( Step S7 loop).
If the proximity switch 6 is actuated when the jig 4 comes close to the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1 (YES in step S7), compressed air is supplied from the compressed air supply mechanism 5 and the lower surface 41b of the jig body 41 is moved. The two nozzles 43n and 44n are discharged (step S8).
As described above, if the thrust washer 3 is properly assembled, the jig 4 is joined to the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1 while maintaining a certain degree of airtightness, so that compressed air is supplied from the nozzles 43n and 44n. When discharged, the flow path in the jig 4 or the air pressure in the compressed air supply mechanism 5 increases. On the other hand, if the thrust washer 3 is not properly assembled, a gap is formed between the jig 4 and the lower surface 11 of the cylinder block 1.

In step S9, the air pressure in the flow path in the jig 4 or the compressed air supply mechanism 5 is detected by a pressure sensor (not shown). And it waits until predetermined time passes (step S10 loop), and if predetermined time passes (step S10 is YES), it will progress to step S11.
In step S <b> 11, the control unit 10 determines whether the flow path in the jig 4 or the air pressure in the compressed air supply mechanism 5 has increased via the gap switch 60.
If there is an increase in pressure (YES in step S11), it is determined that the thrust washer 3 is properly assembled (step S12), and the process proceeds to step S1 to determine the next confirmation location. Repeat the same operation at each location.

On the other hand, if there is no pressure increase (NO in step S11), it is determined that the washer 3 is improperly assembled (there is an incorrect assembly) (step S13), and the control unit 10 indicates that there is an incorrect assembly. Are displayed on the monitor or a warning is issued (step S14).
If there is a warning that there is an incorrect assembly, or if there is a warning, the process returns to step S3, and after the washer 3 is correctly assembled, the subsequent operations are repeated.

According to the illustrated embodiment, when the crankshaft 2 is installed in the cylinder block 1 and the thrust washer 3 is assembled in the state in which the thrust washer 3 is assembled, the end face 41 of the jig 4 is fixed to the cylinder block. It adheres to the lower surface 11 and exhibits a certain degree of airtightness.
On the other hand, when the thrust washer 3 is assembled upside down, a gap is formed between the jig end surface 41 b and the cylinder block lower surface 11.
In the illustrated embodiment, whether or not the thrust washer 3 is properly assembled is confirmed by confirming whether or not the gap is formed based on the flow path in the jig 4 and the pressure increase in the compressed air supply mechanism 5. Can be determined.

Specifically, the jig 4 is communicated with the air supply mechanism 5 and a pressure measuring device (not shown) for measuring the pressure inside the air supply mechanism 5 and / or the jig 4 is provided. Air is supplied from the air supply mechanism 5 while being joined to the block lower surface 11.
When the pressure inside the air supply mechanism 5 and / or the jig 4 increases due to the air supply, it is determined that the thrust washer 3 is assembled properly, while air is supplied from the air supply mechanism 5. When the internal pressure of the air supply mechanism 5 and / or the jig 4 does not increase, it can be determined that the thrust washer 3 is assembled upside down.

  Therefore, according to the illustrated embodiment, it is possible to easily and accurately detect whether or not the thrust washer 3 is erroneously assembled. Therefore, even if an inexperienced assembly worker misassembles the thrust washer, it can immediately detect that fact.

  That is, the confirmation system 100 according to the illustrated embodiment can be provided in the engine assembly line, and can reliably detect misassembly of the thrust washer 3 that has occurred in the past. As a result, the occurrence of major problems such as seizure of the crankshaft is surely prevented, and the reliability of the engine is improved.

  In addition to this, large-scale and complicated equipment is not required, and a large effect can be obtained with a small capital investment.

  It should be noted that the illustrated embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Front view of a properly combined washer. The front view of the washer where the front and back were combined wrongly. The figure which shows the state which assembled the washer combined wrongly into the cylinder block. Process drawing which shows the procedure of a thrust washer assembly | attachment confirmation. The flowchart of a thrust washer assembly | attachment confirmation procedure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cylinder block 2 ... Crankshaft 3 ... Thrust washer 4 ... Jig 5 ... Air supply mechanism 6 ... Proximity sensor 7 ... Traveling trolley 8 ... Attachment 9 ..Elevating mechanism 10 ... Control unit 11 ... Cylinder block lower surface 41 ... Jig body 41b ... Jig lower surface 100 ... Thrust washer assembly confirmation system

Claims (6)

  A jig (4) for holding the thrust washer (3) sandwiched between the cylinder block (11) in a state where the crankshaft (2) is installed on the cylinder block (1) and the thrust washer (3) is assembled. When the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled to the jig (4), the end face (41b) of the jig is in close contact with the cylinder block lower surface (11), but the thrust washer (3) is reversed. A thrust washer assembling confirmation system, characterized in that a gap is formed between the jig end surface (41) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) when assembled to the cylinder.   The thrust washer according to claim 1, wherein the jig (4) is in communication with an air supply mechanism (5) and has a pressure measuring device for forming an air supply mechanism (5) and / or pressure inside the jig. Assembly confirmation system.   The thrust washer assembly confirmation system according to claim 2, further comprising a proximity detection device (6) for detecting that the jig is close to the cylinder block lower surface (11).   The control device (10) has an air supply mechanism after the proximity sensor (6) detects that the jig (4) is close to the cylinder block lower surface (11). When air is supplied from (5) and the pressure in the air supply mechanism (5) and / or jig rises, it has a function to determine that the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled, and the air supply If the air supply mechanism (5) and / or jig internal pressure does not increase even if air is supplied from the mechanism (5), it has a function to judge that the thrust washer (3) is installed upside down. The thrust washer assembly confirmation system according to claim 3.   With the crankshaft (2) installed on the cylinder block (1) and the thrust washer (3) assembled, the thrust washer (3) is clamped between the jig (4) and the cylinder block (1) to fit inside the jig. And a step (S8 to S11) of detecting whether the jig end surface (41) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) are in close contact with each other or a gap is formed, If the end surface (41b) of the jig is in close contact with the cylinder block lower surface (11), it is determined that the thrust washer (3) is properly assembled, and the end surface (41b) of the jig is positioned on the cylinder block lower surface (11). And a step (S13) of determining that the thrust washer (3) is assembled upside down if a gap is formed between the thrust washer and the thrust washer assembly confirmation method.   In the step (S8 to S11) of detecting whether the jig end surface (41) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) are in close contact with each other or a gap is formed, the jig (4) is moved to the cylinder block lower surface (11). A step of supplying air from the air supply mechanism (5) communicating with the jig (S8), and a step of measuring the pressure inside the air supply mechanism (5) and / or the jig (S9). When the pressure inside the air supply mechanism (5) and / or the jig increases, it is determined that the jig end surface (41b) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) are in close contact with each other, and the air supply mechanism (5) and / or the assembly of the thrust washer according to claim 5, wherein it is determined that a gap is formed between the jig end surface (41) and the cylinder block lower surface (11) when the pressure inside the jig does not increase. Confirmation method.

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