Apparatus and method for automatically compensating for lateral runout

• US 6,895,841 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2001
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bonita IP LLC (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pro-Cut Licensing Company, LLC
• Inventors: Newell, Harold, Wiggins, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai, Henry W. H.
• Application Number:
  US09/969,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20020088316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,329 Days
• Field of Search: 82/11.1, 821/12, 821/18, 821/28, 82/46, 82/47, 821/13, 821/51, 409/12, 409/15, 700/159
• 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: Y10T 82/10 Process of turning
• 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 82/2535 Electrical type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2571 Alignment adjuster
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 82/2574 Stop [e.g., carriage, tool, work, etc.]

Abstract

An apparatus and method for automatically compensating for the lateral runout between an on-car lathe apparatus and a vehicle hub axis including one or more stop discs that rotate with the drive shaft of the lathe and that can be selectively stopped from rotating with the shaft by a stop mechanism. In response to such stopping, one or more adjustment discs are caused to rotate in order to adjust the relative position of the axis of the lathe with respect to the axis of the disc brake assembly. In this manner, the system compensates for and corrects lateral runout that exists between two concentrically attached rotating shafts.

Claims

1. In a brake lathe system that includes a lathe body and at least one cutting head operably attached to the lathe body, an automatic alignment mechanism comprising:

a sensor;

an alignment adjustment mechanism operable to align the lathe body of the brake lathe system with a vehicle; and

a microprocessor coupled to the sensor and the alignment adjustment mechanism, the microprocessor being operable to automatically align the lathe body of the brake lathe system with the vehicle by actuating the alignment adjustment mechanism in response to data produced by the sensor.

2. The automatic alignment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a Hall effect transducer.

3. The automatic alignment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.

4. The automatic alignment mechanism of claim 1 wherein the alignment adjustment mechanism comprises:

a first portion; and

a second portion,

wherein the alignment adjustment mechanism may be actuated to change the position of the first portion relative to the second portion.

5. The automatic alignment mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a user interface display coupled to the microprocessor such that the microprocessor is operable to indicate that the brake lathe is ready to cut.

6. The automatic alignment mechanism of claim 5 wherein the user interface display includes a light to indicate that the brake lathe is ready to cut.