Abstract: In view of the problem of double row tapered roller bearings delivery detection, this paper introduces a kind of automatic reverse bearing axial clearance testing instrument, Including its structure, working principle and the design of main structure parts. This tester is used to effectively reduce the labor intensity of operators, improve the working efficiency.
Key words: double row tapered roller bearing; axial clearance; auto-reverse; detection
1. Preface
Axial clearance has a significant impact on the rotational accuracy, load-bearing capacity, and service life of double row tapered roller bearings. Therefore, controlling the axial clearance of the bearings is very important, and it is a mandatory inspection item for each set of bearings when they leave the factory. According to the axial clearance detection standard for tapered roller bearings, a 150N axial force should be applied during the detection of tapered roller bearings with outer diameters ranging from 90 to 130mm, and the bearings should be flipped and measured. The difference between the two measurements is calculated as the axial clearance value of the bearing.
The automobile factory originally used a manual clearance tester (as shown in Figure 1) for axial clearance detection, but the detection accuracy was not high. When using a manual clearance tester for testing, the flipping pressure rod needs to be operated every time it is flipped, which requires a lot of labor intensity. There are also problems with using threads and pressure covers to compress the bearing sleeve. Firstly, the amount of force applied to the bearing is unclear, and it cannot be guaranteed that the force is consistent every time; Secondly, the measured values are inaccurate when the pressure is not tight, especially for bearings with small diameters. Therefore, the development and design of this automatic flipping bearing axial clearance detector effectively solves the measurement problem, reduces labor intensity, and improves work efficiency.
Figure 1 Axial clearance detector
2. Structure composition and working principle of automatic flipping bearing axial clearance detector
The structure of the automatic flipping bearing axial clearance detector is shown in Figure 2. The detector consists of a frame, an operating platform, a flipping structure, a loading mechanism, a fixture part, a workpiece positioning mechanism, electrical, grating detection, pneumatic and other parts.
The 14 axis base is fixedly connected to the 12 rack, and the 20 grating digital display meter is placed on the 19 electrical operation box, which is fixedly connected to the 14 axis base through a bracket. The 15 swing cylinder is also fixedly installed on the 14 axis seat. The top rod of the 15 swing cylinder is connected to the 13 axis through a flat key, and the 13 axis is fixedly connected to the 1 flipping plate through 5 locking nuts. The 18 connecting sleeve is fixedly connected to the 1 flipping plate. The 3 covers are fixedly connected to the 2 upper pressing seats through bolts, and the 4 grating sensors are also fixed to the 2 upper pressing seats through the 17 sensor adjustment bracket. The 2 upper pressing seats are fixed to the upper part of the 1 flipping plate. The 16 positioning mechanism, 8 adjustment rings, and 10 cylinders are fixedly connected to the 9 lower pressing seat. The 7 axis is connected to the top rod of the 10 cylinder through bolts, and the 9 lower pressing seat is fixed to the lower part of the 1 flipping plate. The 11 operating table is fixedly connected to the 12 frame.
1. Flip board 2. Upper pressure seat 3. Cover 4. Grating sensor 5. Lock nut 6. Tested double row tapered roller bearing 7. Spindle 8. Adjustment ring 9. Lower pressure seat 10. Cylinder 11. Operating platform 12. Rack 13. Shaft 14. Shaft seat 15. Swinging cylinder 16. Positioning mechanism 17. Sensor adjustment frame 18. Connecting sleeve 19. Electrical operation box 20. Grating digital display meter
Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic flipping bearing axial clearance detector
The electrical control components and pneumatic solenoid valves are placed in rack 12. The gas source is purified through a pneumatic triple piece, and the pressure is controlled by connecting a pressure reducing valve to control the overall pressure. It is divided into two branches to control 10 cylinders and 15 swing cylinders respectively. A precision pressure reducing valve is connected to the 10 cylinder branch, which can read the top pressure of the cylinder (i.e. the axial force applied on the outer ring of the 6 tested double row tapered roller bearings). The electrical system ensures the correct operation of the two cylinders by controlling the three position five way electromagnets on each branch. The electromagnet is selected as a sealed type, and the cylinder does not move when there is a sudden power outage, ensuring the safety of the operator.
Place the tested bearing and spacer on the left side of the 11 operating table. During inspection, place the tested bearing on the 9 lower pressure seat. The accurate positioning is when the bearing is tangent to the small bearings on the 16 positioning mechanisms on both sides. Press the compression button on the 19 electrical operation box, and the 10 cylinder top rod will be pushed out. The 6 tested bearings will be compressed by the 7 spindle and 3 cover plates, and the outer ring of the 6 tested bearings will be rotated. The reading can be displayed through a 4 grating sensor and a 20 grating digital display meter. Press the flip button on the 19 electrical operation box, flip the 15 swing cylinder 180 °, and rotate the outer ring of the tested bearing 6. The clearance can be directly displayed through a 4-grating sensor and a 20 grating digital display. Press the flip button on the 19 electrical operation box, flip the 15 swing cylinder 180 °, press the compression button on the 19 electrical operation box, retract the top rod of the 10 cylinder, and remove the 6 tested bearings. The clearance value is within the standard range, place it on the right side of the 11 operation platform, and remove the next tested bearing; The clearance value exceeds the standard range, replace the spacer on the 11 operation table.
The 19 electrical operation box and 20 grating digital display meter are located above the 6 tested bearings, in terms of operation and reading; The designed 11 operation platform has the same height as the bearing assembly platform, which facilitates the operator to take and place bearings and replace spacers, further improving work efficiency and reducing labor intensity.
3. Main structural components
The main structural components include the air path structure composed of shafts and shaft seats, connecting sleeves, tooling parts, and positioning mechanisms.
3.1 Air path structure composed of shaft, shaft seat, and connecting sleeve
The swinging cylinder keeps flipping 180 degrees, and the conventional connection method of the air path will cause the air pipe to also bend and swing. Severe bending of the air pipe will not guarantee the normal ventilation of the cylinder. Therefore, how to better ventilate the compressed cylinder is one of the difficulties in the design of this detector.
This detector adopts a mechanical method to form an air path between the shaft, shaft seat, and connecting sleeve, solving this problem. Its structure is shown in Figure 3.
As can be seen from the figure, purified air enters the air path through holes A and B, and is discharged from holes C and D, connected to the two air holes of the compression cylinder. A hole is connected to C hole through process hole F to form a pathway, and B hole is connected to D hole through process hole E. The right ends of holes E and F are blocked, and O-rings are used on both sides of holes A, B, C, and D to ensure that their respective pathways are closed. Cut the axis of the center lines of holes A, B, C, and D to ensure that the air path is unobstructed at any position when the shaft rotates.
1. Shaft 2. Shaft seat 3. Connecting sleeve
Figure 3 Gas path composed of shaft, shaft seat, and connecting sleeve
3.2 Tooling section
Each specification of double row tapered roller bearing is equipped with a dedicated fixture (Figure 4), which includes a spindle, a cover, and an adjusting ring.
1. Cover 2. Tested bearing 3. Adjustment ring 4. Core shaft
Figure 4 Tooling
When the tested bearing is pushed in, it is placed on the adjustment ring, so the inner diameter of the adjustment ring is smaller than the outer diameter of the inner ring of the tested bearing, and the height is the same as that of the lower pressure seat. The maximum diameter of the spindle is smaller than the inner diameter of the adjustment ring, making it easier to push out. The height is lower than that of the lower pressure seat, making it easier to push in and out the tested bearing. The spindle, cover, and inner diameter of the tested bearing are fitted with clearance. The large end surface of the spindle and cover is pressed against the inner ring end surface of the tested bearing, and the L value is less than the stroke of the compression cylinder to ensure reliable loading of the tested bearing.
3.3 Positioning mechanism
The positioning mechanism is fixed on the lower pressure seat by bolts, and mainly consists of a bracket, deep groove ball bearings, shafts, washers, and nuts (as shown in Figure 5). There are long slots on the bracket for easy positioning and use of bearings of various specifications.
When each set of bearings is pushed into the testing device, the outer diameter of the tested bearing is tangent to the outer diameter of the deep groove ball bearings on both sides (point contact), which is considered to be placed in the correct position. When the tested bearing is lifted and lowered by the cylinder, the outer ring surface of the bearing is free of bumps or scratches.
1. Bracket 2. Deep groove ball bearing 3. Shaft 4. Tested bearing
Figure 5 Positioning mechanism
4. Conclusion
The automatic flipping bearing axial clearance tester is easy to operate, convenient to use, has high detection efficiency, and reliable detection values, making it very suitable for factory inspection of double row tapered roller bearings.
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2025-09-14