Automatic installation of pistons in IC engine block - has jack pushing piston rod and rings from magazine into block with crankshaft

摘要

The machine automatically installs a piston (34) sub-assembly in the block (20) of an internal combustion engine. The engine block is complete with crank-shaft (32) and the piston (34) inc, rod (44, 46) and rings. The machine deploys a magazine (22) with cells locating piston-assemblies, and the cells are precisely aligned both horizontally and vertically with the cylinder bore. Each magazine cell has a sleeve (60) locating a piston and the sleeve has a tapered mouth to compress the piston-rings as the piston enters. The magazine (28) faces the engine block during transfer of the piston from sleeve to cylinder, and a fork (142) manipulates the piston rod (144). The fork engages the end (48) of the piston rod (44) and guides it into position on the crank-shaft (32). A jack (120, 130) may be used to push the piston into the cylinder, and the magazine may have a cell for each cylinder of the partic engage block.