Development of auto inspection system for Defect Detection of Automotive Rubber Boot

Corresponding Author(s)

Donghwoon Kwon1), Tae Han Kim2), and Jeong-tak Ryu3)

1)Dept. of Math, Computer Science, and Physics, Rockford University, Rockford, IL 61108, USA

E-mail: dkwon@rockford.edu

2)Dept. of Mechatronics Engineering, Daegu University, Gyeongsan-Si 38453, Korea

E-mail: jet8332@naver.com

3)School of Electric and Communication Engineering, Daegu University, Gyeongsan-Si 38453, Korea

E-mail: jryu@daegu.ac.kr

This paper proposes an automatic defect inspection system for rubber boots, one of the core automobiles parts. Automotive rubber boots are used for the joint parts of the drive system, block foreign substances from the outside and moisture, and prevent lubricants from leaking out [1-3]. Therefore, as automobile performance improves, the importance of rubber boots is increasing. In particular, since rubber boots are applied as protective caps for electric parts and connectors, they are widely used for both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles. Rubber boots have a steel ring inserted inside to maintain shape, improve airtightness, and increase assembly at the top and bottom of a body made of rubber. In addition to this, automotive rubber boots are manufactured and applied in various ways depending upon the size and shape of the applied structure [4].

In general, automotive rubber boot products are manufactured through a number of unit processes. Several problems, e.g., missing steel-ring insertion, defects caused by double steel-ring insertion, and insufficient weight of rubber boots, could occur in these processes. In the case of the automobile parts process, if each defective product is not sorted in a timely manner, another defective product could be produced in the next process, resulting in significant economic and productivity loss.

In this study, a system was developed that automatically inspects the presence or absence of steel-rings in the automotive rubber boot, excessive insertion, and defective weight of the automotive rubber boot itself using a high-frequency inductive proximity sensor and a load cell sensor. Fig. 1 below shows the driving concept diagram of the inspection system. The designed system was evaluated by randomly supplying 11 normal products, 3 underweight products, 3 uninserted steel-rings, and 3 overlapping steel-rings. A total of 20 product types were tested, and we achieved 100% reliability.

Keywords- Auto inspection system, Automotive Rubber Boot, Defect
Detection, high-frequency inductive proximity sensor and a load cell sensor