Combination gauge tool

• US 9,347,760 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Kaleal, Fred, Thorley, Simon M., Schumacher, Darren, Hanson, Denny, Chinnadurai, Manokar, Wittliff, William III
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, G. Bradley
• Application Number:
  US14/212,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20140259719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 33/1.BB, 332/03, 336/00, 336/09, 336/10, 338/36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 3/205 provided with a counter for digital indication of the measured dimension
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/0028 Brakes, brakeshoes, clutches
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/18 for measuring depth

Abstract

A combination gauge tool and a method of measuring are provided. The combination gauge tool includes a processing module having a sensor. The combination gauge tool includes at least two of a brake pad thickness gauge, a tire treads depth gauge, and a rotor thickness gauge each coupled to the processing module at one or more inputs of the sensor and configured to provide measurement data to the sensor.

Claims

1. A combination gauge tool, comprising:

a processing module including a pressure sensor and a displacement sensor; and

at least two of a brake pad thickness gauge, a tire treads depth gauge, and a rotor thickness gauge, each of the two being coupled to the processing module at one or more inputs and configured to provide a measurement data to either the pressure sensor or the displacement sensor, wherein the at least two of the brake pad thickness gauge, the tire treads depth gauge, and the rotor thickness gauge are placeable in contact with at least one of a brake pad, a tire, and a rotor, respectively, to obtain the measurement data.

2. The combination gauge tool of claim 1 further comprising:

an analog filter coupled to an output of the displacement sensor and the pressure sensor;

an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to receive an output of the analog filter for digital conversion; and

a processor coupled to the ADC and configured to process the measurement data.

3. The combination gauge tool of claim 1, wherein the processing module further comprises:

a mode select switch configured to allow a user to select one of the brake pad thickness gauge, the tire treads depth gauge, and the rotor thickness gauge to provide the measurement data.

4. The combination gauge tool of claim 3, wherein the processing module further comprises:

a knob selectably coupled to the brake pad thickness gauge, the tire treads depth gauge, and the rotor thickness gauge to adjust a position or a displacement of a component of the brake pad thickness gauge, the tire treads depth gauge, and the rotor thickness gauge.

5. The combination gauge tool of claim 2 further comprising:

a digital display coupled to the ADC, wherein the measurement data is electronically displayed on the digital display after digital conversion by the ADC.

6. The combination gauge tool of claim 2 further comprising:

a battery or a power source configured to provide power to the ADC.

7. The combination gauge tool of claim 2 further comprising:

a wireless module configured to transmit the processed measurement data to an external computing device; and

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store the measurement data.

8. The combination gauge tool of claim 1, wherein the rotor thickness gauge or the brake pad thickness gauge is removable from the combination gauge tool.

9. The combination gauge tool of claim 1, wherein the displacement sensor is communicably coupled to the pressure sensor.

10. A method of measuring using a combination gauge tool, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a measurement tool from one of one of a brake pad thickness gauge, a tire treads depth gauge, and a rotor thickness gauge using a mode selection switch of the combination gauge tool;

detecting a placement of the selected measurement tool in contact with a component of a vehicle;

measuring a measurement value using the selected measurement tool in contact with the component of the vehicle;

determining the measurement value with a pressure sensor or a displacement sensor that is coupled to the selected measurement tool; and

digitally displaying the measurement value on an electronic display of the combination gauge tool.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

converting an output of the pressure sensor or the displacement sensor into a digital format using an analog to digital converter (ADC) coupled to the pressure sensor and the displacement sensor.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

filtering the output of the displacement sensor or the pressure sensor using an analog filter prior to providing the output to the ADC; and

processing a digital output of the ADC using a microprocessor coupled to the ADC.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

powering the combination gauge tool with an internal battery or a power source.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

communicating the measurement value wirelessly, with a wireless module, to an external computing device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the measuring further comprises:

adjusting a position of a component of the selected measurement tool with a knob that is coupled to the selected measurement tool.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the measuring further comprises:

receiving a rotor between the rotor thickness gauge and the tire treads depth gauge without having to remove a tire of the vehicle.

17. A combination gauge tool, comprising:

a brake pad thickness gauge coupled to at least one of a pressure sensor or a displacement sensor and placeable in contact with a brake pad;

a tire treads depth gauge coupled to at least one of the pressure sensor or the displacement sensor and placeable in contact with a tire;

a rotor thickness gauge coupled to at least one of the pressure sensor or the displacement sensor and placeable in contact with a rotor;

a microprocessor configured to digitally process respective signals outputted by the pressure sensor or the displacement sensor; and

a digital display coupled to the microprocessor to electronically display a measured value corresponding to the respective processed signals.

18. The combination gauge tool of claim 17 further comprising:

an analog filter coupled to the signals outputted by the displacement sensor and the pressure sensor; and

an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to receive an output of the analog filter for digital conversion.

19. The combination gauge tool of claim 17 further comprising:

a memory coupled to the microprocessor and configured to store the measured value.

20. The combination gauge tool of claim 17 further comprising:

a wireless module configured to transmit the processed signals to an external computing device; and

a knob selectably coupled to the brake pad thickness gauge, the tire treads depth gauge, and the rotor thickness gauge to adjust a position or a displacement of a component of the brake pad thickness gauge, the tire treads depth gauge, and the rotor thickness gauge.