Method and means for testing CV driveaxles
First Claim
1. A test unit for testing driveaxles which include two constant velocity universal (CV) joints, the test unit being adapted to identify driveaxles which exhibit undesirable vibration under load, the test unit comprising in combination:
- a base supporting a drive assembly and a brake assembly,a motor connected to a drive spindle in the drive assembly,a brake connected to a brake spindle in the brake assembly,a plurality of spindle adaptors for the drive spindle and the brake spindle, having splined sockets for receiving splined shafts of drive axles of a plurality of configurations, the drive and brake spindles having quick-change fixtures including a quick release detent and a slidable keyway for quick interchange of adaptors, the keyway being of adequate dimension to reliably transmit a predefined torque through a drive axle under test,translation means for controllably translating one of said assemblies with respect to the other to facilitate the engagement of the splines of a driveaxle with splined sockets in the spindle adaptors to mount a drive axle into the test stand for testing,pivoting control means for controllably pivoting the brake spindle with respect to the drive spindle to controllably flex at least one of the CV joints in the driveaxle during a driveaxle test, anda control system for energizing the motor to rotate the driveaxle, then controllably engaging the brake to load the driveaxle and engaging the pivoting control means for flexing at least one of the CV joints to detect the presence of any vibrations in the CV joint being flexed at particular angles of flex.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A test unit is provided for operatively testing CV driveaxles. The test unit has a drive spindle connected to a motor, and a pivotable brake spindle connected to a brake. An axle under test is connected with spindle adaptors to the drive and brake spindles. During a test, the axle under test is rotated by the motor, the brake is engaged to load the axle, and the brake spindle is pivoted to flex at least the outboard CV joints. The test unit is easily adaptable for testing different axles by using spindle adaptors. An accelerometer on the bearing block of the brake spindle detects vibration generated by the axle under test.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A test unit for testing driveaxles which include two constant velocity universal (CV) joints, the test unit being adapted to identify driveaxles which exhibit undesirable vibration under load, the test unit comprising in combination:
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a base supporting a drive assembly and a brake assembly, a motor connected to a drive spindle in the drive assembly, a brake connected to a brake spindle in the brake assembly, a plurality of spindle adaptors for the drive spindle and the brake spindle, having splined sockets for receiving splined shafts of drive axles of a plurality of configurations, the drive and brake spindles having quick-change fixtures including a quick release detent and a slidable keyway for quick interchange of adaptors, the keyway being of adequate dimension to reliably transmit a predefined torque through a drive axle under test, translation means for controllably translating one of said assemblies with respect to the other to facilitate the engagement of the splines of a driveaxle with splined sockets in the spindle adaptors to mount a drive axle into the test stand for testing, pivoting control means for controllably pivoting the brake spindle with respect to the drive spindle to controllably flex at least one of the CV joints in the driveaxle during a driveaxle test, and a control system for energizing the motor to rotate the driveaxle, then controllably engaging the brake to load the driveaxle and engaging the pivoting control means for flexing at least one of the CV joints to detect the presence of any vibrations in the CV joint being flexed at particular angles of flex. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for testing drive axles which include two constant velocity universal (CV) joints and first and second shafts to identify drive axles which exhibit vibration under load, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting spindle adaptors compatible with the shafts of the axle under test, operating a releasable detent mechanism to install a first one of the selected adaptors on a keyed brake spindle connected to a brake, operating another releasable detent mechanism to install a second one of the selected adaptors on a keyed drive spindle connected to a motor, inserting an outboard shaft of the axle under test into the first adaptor on the brake spindle, translating the drive spindle toward the brake spindle while holding the outboard shaft of the axle in position to insert the outboard shaft into the second adaptor then braking the drive spindle against further translation, energizing the motor to rotate the axle, engaging the brake to load the axle, controllably pivoting the brake spindle to flex the outboard universal joint on the axle, and detecting vibration generated in the axle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification