Apparatus and method for automatically compensating for lateral runout

• US 6,101,911 A
• Filed: 10/30/1998
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bonita IP LLC (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Joseph B. Willey
• Inventors: Newell, Harold, Wiggins, John
• Primary Examiner(s): TSAI, HENRY
• Application Number:
  US09/182,429
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 82/112, 82/151, 82/150, 82/101, 82/903, 82/170, 82/152, 82/163, 74/575, 74/577 R, 74/577 M
• US Class Current: 82/112
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2235/045 Simultaneous machining of both sides of the brake disc
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 2235/21 Compensation of run out
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 5/04 for reconditioning hubs or brake drums or axle spindles without removing same from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/255 for testing wheel alignment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/10 Process of turning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/16016 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/18 Lathe for wheel or axle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/21 Portable lathe for brake drum, disc, or shoe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2502 with program control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2571 Alignment adjuster
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2572 Attachment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2595 with noise or vibration dampener

Abstract

An on-car disc brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly includes a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft. The system also includes an alignment system having an electronic controller, input and output adaptors configured to rotate with the drive shaft, one or more adjustment discs, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment disc is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor may be varied based on a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to commands from the electronic controller.

Claims

1. An on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the on-vehicle brake lathe system comprising a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft, the on-vehicle brake lathe system being further defined by an alignment system including:

a component operable to produce a signal indicative of movement of the lathe body;

an electronic controller operable to receive the signal from the component and to produce a control signal using the signal from the component;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

at least one adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc; and

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to the control signal from the electronic controller.

5. The on-vehicle disc brake lathe system of claim 1 further comprising a second adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein the axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to the rotational orientation of the adjustment discs relative to each other.

6. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 5 wherein:

the adjustment mechanism comprises a first stop disc associated with the at least one adjustment disc and a second stop disc associated with the second adjustment disc; and

each stop disc is operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the associated adjustment disc.

11. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 5 wherein:

the first and second adjustment discs comprise slant discs that each include a slanted surface, and

the adjustment discs are arranged so that the slanted surfaces are opposed to each other in an abutting relationship.

12. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 6 further comprising a first gear train operably associated with the first stop disc and a second gear train operably associated with the second stop disc, the gear trains being configured to follow the movement of the respective stop disc, the first gear train being operably associated with the first adjustment disc, and the second gear train being operably associated with the second adjustment disc.

19. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 1 further comprising a draw bar extending through the body of the lathe and the alignment system and operable for connection to a hub adaptor of a vehicle brake assembly.

2. An on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the on-vehicle brake lathe system comprising a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft, the on-vehicle brake lathe system being further defined by an alignment system including:

an electronic controller operable to produce a control signal;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

at least one adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc; and

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to the control signal from the electronic controller;

wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a stop disc operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc.

3. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 2 wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a stop mechanism associated with the stop disc and operable to move between a first position in which the stop disc operates in the first state and a second position in which the stop disc is caused to operate in the second state.

4. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 3 wherein:

the at least one stop disc comprises a pair of stop discs,

the first stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position, operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a first time, and operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a second time different from the first time, and

the second stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first time, and operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the second time.

15. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 2 wherein the stop disc comprises a starwheel having protruding teeth.

16. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 15 wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a stop mechanism associated with the stop disc and operable to move between a first position in which the stop disc operates in the first state and a second position in which the stop disc is caused to operate in the second state.

17. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 16 wherein the stop mechanism includes an electromagnetic element and a toothed catch member operable to engage at least one tooth of the starwheel.

18. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 17 wherein the controller is configured to time actuation of the electromagnetic element such that the toothed catch moves into its first stop position to contact a specified tooth of the starwheel.

7. An on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the on-vehicle brake lathe system comprising a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft, the on-vehicle brake lathe system being further defined by an alignment system including:

an electronic controller operable to produce a control signal;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

a first adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor;

a second adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein the axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to the rotational orientation, of the adjustment discs relative to each other; and

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment discs in response to the control signal from the electronic controller;

wherein;

the adjustment mechanism comprises a first stop disc associated with the first adjustment disc and a second stop disc associated with the second adjustment disc;

each stop disc is operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the associated adjustment disc; and

the adjustment mechanism further comprises a stop mechanism associated with the stop discs.

8. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 7 wherein:

the first stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position, operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a first time, and operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a second time different from the first time, and

the second stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first time, and operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the second time.

9. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 8 wherein:

the adjustment mechanism comprises a third stop disc associated with the first adjustment disc and a fourth stop disc associated with the second adjustment disc; and

each stop disc is operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the associated adjustment disc.

10. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 9 wherein:

the third stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first and second times, operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a third time different from the first and second times, and operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a fourth time different from the first, second, and third times, and

the fourth stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first, second and third times, and operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the fourth time.

13. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 9 further comprising a first gear train operably associated with the first and third stop discs and a second gear train operably associated with the second and fourth stop discs, the gear trains being configured to follow the movement of the respective stop discs, the first gear train being operably associated with the first adjustment disc, and the second gear train being operably associated with the second adjustment disc.

14. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 13 wherein each gear train is configured such that the associated adjustment disc is caused to rotate in a first rotational direction when one of the pair of stop discs associated with the gear train stops rotating, and the associated adjustment disc is caused to rotate in a rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction when the other of the pair of stop discs associated with the gear train stops rotating.

20. An on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the on-vehicle brake lathe system comprising a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft, the on-vehicle brake lathe system being further defined by an alignment system including:

an electronic controller operable to produce a control signal;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

at least one adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc;

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to the control signal from the electronic controller; and

a component for measuring lateral runout of the brake disc of the vehicle brake assembly and providing the measurement to the electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller produces the control signal based on the measurement.

21. An automatic alignment assembly for use in an on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the alignment system comprising:

a component operable to produce a signal indicative of movement of the lathe body;

an electronic controller connected to receive the signal from the component and operable to produce a control signal using the signal from the component;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with a drive shaft of a brake lathe system;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

at least one adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc; and

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to the control signal from the electronic controller.

22. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 21 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a stop disc operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc.

25. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 21 further comprising a second adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein the axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor may be varied based on the rotational orientation of the adjustment discs relative to each other.

26. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 25 wherein:

the adjustment mechanism comprises a first stop disc associated with the first adjustment disc and a second stop disc associated with the second adjustment disc; and

each stop disc is operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the associated adjustment disc.

27. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 26 wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a stop mechanism associated with the stop discs.

28. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 27 wherein:

the first stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position, operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a first time, and operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a second time different from the first time, and

the second stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first time, and operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the second time.

29. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 28 wherein:

the adjustment mechanism comprises a third stop disc associated with the first adjustment disc and a fourth stop disc associated with the second adjustment disc; and

each stop disc is operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the associated adjustment disc.

30. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 29 wherein:

the third stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first and second times, operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a third time different from the first and second times, and operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a fourth time different from the first, second, and third times, and

the fourth stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first, second and third times, and operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the fourth time.

31. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 27 wherein:

the first and second adjustment discs comprise slant discs that each include a slanted surface, and

the adjustment discs are arranged so that the slanted surfaces are opposed to each other in an abutting relationship.

32. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 26 further comprising a first gear train operably associated with the first stop disc and a second gear train operably associated with the second stop disc, the gear trains being configured to follow the movement of the respective stop disc, the first gear train being operably associated with the first adjustment disc, and the second gear train being operably associated with the second adjustment disc.

33. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 29 further comprising a first gear train operably associated with the first and third stop discs and a second gear train operably associated with the second and fourth stop discs, the gear trains being configured to follow the movement of the respective stop discs, the first gear train being operably associated with the first adjustment disc, and the second gear train being operably associated with the second adjustment disc.

34. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 33 wherein each gear train is configured such that the associated adjustment disc is caused to rotate in a first rotational direction when one of the pair of stop discs associated with the gear train stops rotating, and the associated adjustment discs is caused to rotate in a rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction when the other of the pair of stop discs associated with the gear train stops rotating.

35. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 32 wherein the stop disc comprises a starwheel having protruding teeth.

36. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 35 wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a stop mechanism associated with the stop disc and operable to move between a first position in which the stop disc operates in the first state and a second position in which the stop disc is caused to operate in the second state.

37. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 36 wherein the stop mechanism includes an electromagnetic element and a toothed catch member operable to engage at least one tooth of the starwheel.

38. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 37 wherein the controller is configured to time actuation of the electromagnetic element such that the toothed catch moves into its first stop position to contact a specified tooth of the starwheel.

39. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 21 further comprising a draw bar extending through the body of the lathe and the alignment system and operable for connection to a hub adaptor of a vehicle brake assembly.

23. An automatic alignment assembly for use in an on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the alignment system comprising:

an electronic controller operable to produce a control signal;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with a drive shaft of a brake lathe system;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

at least one adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc; and

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to the control signal from the electronic controller;

wherein;

the adjustment mechanism comprises a stop disc operable in a first state to follow the rotation of the drive shaft and operable in a second state to rotate relative to the rotation of the drive shaft to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc; and

the adjustment mechanism further comprises a stop mechanism associated with the stop disc and operable to move between a first position in which the stop disc operates in the first state and a second position in which the stop disc is caused to operate in the second state.

24. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 23 wherein:

the at least one stop disc comprises a pair of stop discs,

the first stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position, operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a first time, and operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at a second time different from the first time, and

the second stop disc operates in the first state when the stop mechanism is in the first position and when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the first time, and operates in the second state when the stop mechanism is in the second position at the second time.

40. An automatic alignment assembly for use in an on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the alignment system comprising:

an electronic controller operable to produce a control signal;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with a drive shaft of a brake lathe system;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

at least one adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc;

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to the control signal from the electronic controller; and

a component for measuring lateral runout of the brake disc of the vehicle brake assembly and providing the measurement to the electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller produces the control signal based on the measurement.

41. An apparatus for aligning the axes of two rotating shafts comprising:

an electronic controller operable to produce a control signal;

a first input adaptor configured to rotate with a first shaft;

second output adaptor configured to rotate with the second shaft;

at least one adjustment disc positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to a rotational orientation of the adjustment disc;

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the rotational orientation of the adjustment disc in response to the commands from the electronic controller; and

a component operable to produce a signal indicative of movement of an element coupled to the input adaptor;

wherein the electronic controller is connected to receive the signal from the component and operable to use the signal from the component in producing the control signal.

42. An on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the on-vehicle brake lathe system including a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the body, and a drive shaft, the on-vehicle brake lathe system being further defined by an alignment system comprising:

an input adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

a stop disc system including one or more stop discs;

one or more adjustment discs operable to rotate in response to the relative rotation of at least one stop disc, the one or more adjustment discs being operable to adjust the axial alignment of the drive shaft with respect to an axis of rotation of the brake disc; and

a stop mechanism associated with the stop disc system wherein the stop mechanism is operable to cause at least one of the stop discs to rotate.

43. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 42 wherein:

the one or more stop discs comprise two pairs of stop discs, and

the stop mechanism is operable to cause any of the stop discs to rotate.

44. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 42 wherein the stop discs are rotatably secured to the input adaptor such that the stop discs rotate with the input adaptor and such that the stop mechanism is operable to cause any of the stop discs to rotate relative to the input adaptor.

45. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 44 wherein the stop discs comprise starwheels having a plurality of protruding teeth.

46. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 45 wherein the stop mechanism comprises an electromagnetic element and a toothed catch member operable to engage at least one of the plurality of teeth of the starwheels.

47. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 46 further comprising means for timing the actuation of the stop mechanism such that the toothed catch member contacts a specified stop disc upon receipt of a control signal.

48. An on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the on-vehicle brake lathe system comprising a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the body, and a drive shaft, the on-car brake lathe system further defined by an alignment system comprising:

an input adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

a stop disc system comprising two pairs of stop discs and a stop mechanism operable to cause any of the stop discs to rotate; and

one or more adjustment discs operable to rotate in response to the relative rotation of at least one stop disc, the adjustment discs configured to be capable of adjusting the axial alignment of the drive shaft with respect to all axis of rotation of the brake disc.

49. An on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the on-vehicle brake lathe system comprising a lathe body with a driving motor, a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, and a drive shaft, the on-vehicle brake lathe system being further defined by an alignment system including:

a component operable to produce a signal indicative of movement of the lathe body,

an electronic controller operable to receive the signal from the component and to produce a control signal using the signal from the component;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an adjustment element extending from one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to an amount by which the adjustment element extends from the one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor; and

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the amount by which the adjustment element extends in response to the control signal from the electronic controller.

50. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 49 wherein the adjustment element comprises a servo-controlled extender.

51. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 50 wherein the alignment system further comprises a plurality of servo-controlled extenders, each servo-controlled extender extending from one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor.

52. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 49 wherein the alignment system further comprises a plurality of adjustment elements, each adjustment element extending from one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor.

53. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 52 further comprising a joint that allows spherical motion, wherein the joint is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and the adjustment elements comprise adjustable-length arms extending between the input adaptor and the output adaptor such that an orientation of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied by varying lengths of the arms.

54. An automatic alignment assembly for use in an on-vehicle brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the alignment system comprising:

a component operable to produce a signal indicative of movement of the lathe body;

an electronic controller connected to receive the signal from the component and operable to produce a control signal using the signal from the component;

an input adaptor configured to rotate with a drive shaft of a brake lathe system;

an output adaptor configured to rotate with the drive shaft;

an adjustment element extending from one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor, wherein an axial alignment of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied according to an amount by which the adjustment element extends from the one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor; and

an adjustment mechanism connected to receive the control signal from the electronic controller and configured to change the amount by which the adjustment element extends in response to the control signal from the electronic controller.

55. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 54 wherein the adjustment element comprises a servo-controlled extender.

56. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 55 further comprising a plurality of servo-controlled extenders, each servo-controlled extender extending from one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor.

57. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 54 further comprising a plurality of adjustment elements, each adjustment element extending from one of the input adaptor and the output adaptor.

58. The automatic alignment assembly of claim 57 further comprising a joint permitting spherical motion, wherein the joint is positioned between the input adaptor and the output adaptor, and the adjustment elements comprise adjustable-length arms extending between the input adaptor and the output adaptor such that an orientation of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied by varying lengths of the arms.