Apparatus and method for automatically compensating for lateral runout

• US 6,477,928 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• 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:
  US09/738,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20020124693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 821/12, 821/18, 821/51, 821/53, 821/01, 829/03, 821/70, 821/52, 821/63, 745/75, 745/77.R, 745/77.M, 738/60, 700/192, 700/193
• US Class Current: 82/1.11
• 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 disc brake lathe system for resurfacing a brake disc of a vehicle brake assembly, the brake lathe system comprising:

a lathe body with a driving motor;

a cutting head operably attached to the lathe body;

a drive shaft extending from the lathe body and operably connected to the driving motor so as to be rotated by the driving motor;

a mechanical coupling connected to tie drive shaft and configured to provide an adjustable connection between the drive shaft and the vehicle brake assembly, the mechanical coupling including a first component connected to the drive shaft, a second component including structure for connection to the vehicle brake assembly, and a mechanical adjustment element between the first component and the second component, the mechanical coupling being configured to vary an axial alignment of the first component relative to the second component by moving the mechanical adjustment element; and

an electronic control system connected to the mechanical coupling and operable to automatically adjust the adjustable connection provided by the mechanical coupling so as to improve alignment of the cutting head relative to an axis of rotation of the vehicle brake assembly as the drive shaft rotates.

2. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 1 wherein the driving motor is operable to initiate rotation of the drive shaft and the electronic control system is operable to sense movement of the lathe body resulting from rotation of the drive shaft.

3. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 2 wherein the electronic control system is operable to reduce movement of the lathe body until movement of the lathe body falls below a predetermined threshold amount.

4. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 1 wherein the electronic control system comprises a sensor operable to produce a signal indicative of movement of the lathe body.

5. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 4 wherein the electronic control system further comprises an electronic controller connected to receive the signal from the sensor, to generate a control signal in response to the signal from the sensor, and to provide the control signal to the mechanical coupling.

6. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 4 wherein the mechanical coupling further comprises a mechanism connected to receive the control signal and to change an amount by which the mechanical adjustment element extends between the first component and the second component in response to the control signal.

7. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 4 wherein the mechanical adjustment element comprises a servo-controlled extender.

8. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 7 wherein the mechanical coupling further comprises a plurality of servo-controlled extenders, each servo-controlled extender extending between the first component and the second component.

9. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 1 wherein the mechanical coupling further comprises a plurality of mechanical adjustment elements, each mechanical adjustment element extending between the first component and the second component.

10. The on-vehicle brake lathe system of claim 1 wherein the mechanical coupling further comprises a joint that allows spherical motion, wherein the joint is positioned between the first component and the second component, and the mechanical coupling comprises adjustable-length arms extending between the first component and the second component such that an orientation of the input adaptor relative to the output adaptor is varied by varying lengths of the arms.