On-car brake lathe adjustable hub adapter

An adjustable hub adapter for coupling an on-car brake lathe to a wheel hub. An annular support frame coaxially carries an axially bored and threaded central mounting hub with a set of equidistantly spaced spokes. A lug bolt receiver is associated with each spoke, and consists of a receiving tube, a lever arm pivotally coupled to the spoke at a pivot bolt in proximity to the annular support frame. An engagement pin on each lever arm is captured within a synchronizing ring carried on the annular support frame. The rotational movement of any lug bolt receiver about an axis of the pivot bolt imparts rotational movement to the synchronizing ring, and in turn, causes each remaining bolt receiver to rotate about an associated pivot bolt axis, maintaining the lug bolt receivers in a synchronized and symmetric radial displacement from the central mounting hub.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application is related to on-car vehicle brake lathes, and in particular, to an adjustable adapter component for securing a drive spindle of an on-car vehicle brake lathe to a vehicle wheel hub assembly during a brake rotor resurfacing procedure.

A main components of a vehicle wheel disc-style braking system is a brake rotor, which provides a solid rotating surface against which a stationary brake friction pad is clamped or compressed to generate a frictional force, slowing the rotational movement of the brake rotor and the associated vehicle wheel. Brake rotors are subjected to frequent and substantial frictional forces by the brake friction pads, and over time, become worn. Uneven application of braking force, entrapped road debris, or uneven frictional surfaces on the brake friction pads can result in the formation of grooves, channels, or scratches in the surfaces of the brake rotors. Repeated heating and cooling of the brake rotors resulting in extreme temperature variations can additionally result in a lateral warping of the brake rotors.

A damaged or warped brake rotor may be resurfaced by cutting or grinding to provide a uniform smooth brake friction pad contact surface if sufficient brake rotor material remains to provide an adequate braking surface without compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle braking system. However, once a brake rotor has been worn below a minimum safe thickness, it lacks sufficient mass to safely dissipate the heat generated during a brake application, and must be replaced.

To provide for a uniform surface, any abnormalities in the brake rotor, such as a lateral warping, must be removed during the resurfacing procedures. In addition to thermal cycling, over tightened attachment bolts or uneven mounting surface onto which the brake rotor is secured in the vehicle wheel assembly can contribute to lateral warping of the brake rotor. If the brake rotor is removed from the vehicle wheel assembly for a resurfacing operation on a fixed or “bench” brake lathe, any abnormalities or defects resulting from the mounting of the brake rotor to the vehicle wheel assembly may not be accurately identified or corrected during the resurfacing procedure. Accordingly, a variety of brake resurfacing machines or brake lathes have been developed to resurface brake rotors while they remain mounted to the vehicle wheel assembly.

Brake resurfacing machines or brake lathes configured to resurface brake rotors mounted to a vehicle wheel assembly are commonly referred to as on-car brake lathes, such as shown inFIG.15. Examples of an on-car brake lathe include the OCL-series brake lathes sold by Hunter Engineering Co. of St. Louis, Mo. By eliminating the need to remove the brake rotor from the vehicle wheel assembly, the overall efficiency of the resurfacing procedure is improved, and the chances for operator-induced error are reduced. However, the resurfacing of brake rotors which remain mounted to the vehicle wheel assembly requires that the on-car brake lathe and the vehicle wheel assembly, including the brake rotor, be temporarily coupled together for rotation about a common axis, typically, the rotational axis of the vehicle wheel assembly hub onto which the on-car brake lathe is secured.

In order to secure the on-car brake lathe to the vehicle wheel assembly, an adapter is required in order to allow for engagement between the drive spindle and the specific lug bolt pattern of the wheel hub undergoing service. Vehicle wheel hubs have a large variety of lug bolt patterns, varying both in the number of lug bolts and the diameter of the lug bolt circle located about the wheel hub axis of rotation. Additionally, the size of the lug bolts may vary between wheels. Typical on-car brake lathe systems provide a number of fixed adapters, such as shown inFIG.16, having slots, holes, or channels for receiving wheel hub lug bolts arranged in various configurations at one axial end, and a drive spindle fitting at the opposite axial end. The number of required adapters proliferates rapidly in vehicle service shops providing service for a wide range of vehicles varying in make, model, and age. For brake service specialty shops in particular, the cost to acquire all of the fixed adapters necessary to service the wide range of vehicles can become quite high.

Accordingly, there is a need in the automotive service industry, and in brake service sector in particular, for an adjustable hub adapter capable of operatively coupling an on-car brake lathe to a wide range of vehicle wheel assembly lug patterns, thereby eliminating the need to acquire multiple fixed adapters. It would be further advantageous to provide an adjustable hub adapter which can be readily adjusted to accommodate different wheel lug bolt patterns without requiring specialized tools or measuring devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure sets forth an adjustable hub adapter for use in coupling an on-car brake lathe to wheel hubs having a variety of different lug bolt configurations. The adjustable hub adapter consists of an annular support frame coaxially carrying an axially bored and threaded central mounting hub by means of a set of equidistantly spaced spokes. A lug bolt receiver is pivotally coupled to each spoke, projecting in an outboard direction, parallel to a central axis of the annular support frame, which passes through the central mounting hub. Each lug bolt receiver consists of a receiving tube, having a tapered opening at an outboard end to receive a wheel hub lug bolt. A second opening into the receiving tube at the inboard end, opposite from the outboard end, is sized to receive a lug nut and associated socket tool. The outboard end of the receiving tube is further coupled to a lever arm, which in turn is pivotally coupled to an associated spoke on a machined boss coaxially surrounding a pivot bolt in proximity to the annular support frame. An engagement pin on each lever arm is captured within a synchronizing ring carried on the annular support frame. For each lug bolt receiver, rotational movement on the machined boss about an axis of the pivot bolt results in an arcuate movement of the receiving tube between radially inward and outward limits, enabling adjustment to match a bolt circle diameter of a wheel hub. The rotational movement of any lug bolt receiver about the pivot bolt axis results in the engagement pin on the lever arm imparting a rotational movement to the synchronizing ring, and in turn, causing each remaining lug bolt receiver to rotate on a corresponding machined boss about an associated pivot bolt axis, maintaining the set of lug bolt receivers in a synchronized and symmetric radial displacement from the central mounting hub.

In a further embodiment, the adjustable hub adapter is configured for use with wheel hubs having three or six lug bolts, and includes a set of three equidistantly spaced spokes and a corresponding set of three lug bolt receivers coupled there to.

In another embodiment, the adjustable hub adapter is configured for use with wheel hubs having four or eight lug bolts, and includes a set of four equidistantly spaced spokes and a corresponding set of four lug bolt receivers coupled there to.

In yet another embodiment, the adjustable hub adapter is configured for use with wheel hubs having five or ten lug bolts, and includes a set of five equidistantly spaced spokes and a corresponding set of five lug bolt receivers coupled there to.

A method of the present invention for coupling an on-car brake lathe to a wheel hub of a vehicle undergoing a brake service employs an adjustable hub adapter interposed between the lathe drive spindle and the wheel hub. Initially, the adjustable hub adapter is selected in accordance with the number of lug bolts present on the wheel hub. Once selected, a set of lug bolt receivers on the adjustable hub adapter are configured to align with three or more of the wheel hub lug bolts by synchronously rotating along a range of arcuate movement between a radially innermost contracted configuration, and a radially outermost expanded configuration. Arcuate movement of any lug bolt receiver is translated into corresponding simultaneous arcuate movement of each remaining lug bolt receiver by rotation of a synchronizing ring operatively linking each lug bolt receiver. Once aligned, the adjustable hub adapter is fitted to the wheel hub by placing the lug bolt receivers over the aligned wheel hub lug bolts, such that the wheel hub lug bolts pass through the tapered openings into the axial bores within the lug bolt receivers. A set of tapered lug nuts are then passed into the axial bores through axial openings opposite the tapered openings, and threaded onto the wheel hub lug bolts within the lug bolt receivers. Engagement of the tapered lug nuts with the conical surfaces of the tapered openings secures the lug bolt receivers in centered engagement on each wheel hub lug bolt. Each lug bolt receiver is secured against further arcuate movement by tightening an associated pivot bolt about which the arcuate movement occurs, fully securing the adjustable hub adapter to the wheel hub in axial alignment with the wheel hub axis of rotation. To complete the coupling, the on-car brake lathe is positioned to bring the lathe drive spindle into axial alignment with a central mounting hub of the adjustable hub adapter, and a threaded retaining rod passed axially through the drive spindle to engage a threaded bore in the central mounting hub. Tightening the threaded retaining rod within the threaded bore securely couples the on-car brake lathe to the adjustable hub adapter, which in turn is secured to the wheel hub.

The foregoing features, and advantages set forth in the present disclosure as well as presently preferred embodiments will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrating the concepts set forth in the present disclosure and are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the present disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.15, a basic on-car brake lathe10is shown mounted to a transport trolley12for positioning adjacent a vehicle to be serviced (not shown). The on-car brake lathe10includes a support structure14, onto which is mounted a spindle motor16, which may be a variable speed motor, an adjustable cutting head18, and an output spindle20. The spindle motor16is coupled to the output spindle20through a conventional drive mechanism (not shown) contained within the support structure14, to rotate the output spindle20about a drive axis, and to linearly feed the cutting head18having spaced apart tool holders and cutting bits through a predetermined cutting range. A removable adapter23couples the output spindle20to a vehicle wheel hub or brake assembly (not shown). An operator console or electrical enclosure24may be provided to support an operator interface26and lathe control components such as logic circuits or processing systems. The operator interface26may include a variety of interface elements, such as displays28,30and visual display elements32configured to provide the operator with information associated with the operation of the on-car brake lathe10. Operator input controls34may be incorporated into the operator interface26, and may include elements such as, but not limited to, a start button, a stop button, a spindle speed control knob, a compensation button, and a runout test button. Alternative suitable means for providing necessary operator input, such as through a configurable touch-screen or remote interface (not shown) may be utilized.

Turning toFIGS.1-3, the components of an adjustable hub adapter100configured to couple the output or drive spindle20of an on-car brake lathe10to a vehicle wheel hub or brake assembly are illustrated. The adjustable hub adapter100consists of an annular support frame102coaxially carrying an axially bored and threaded central mounting hub104by means of a set of equidistantly spaced spokes106. A lug bolt receiver108is pivotally coupled to each spoke106, projecting in an outboard direction parallel to a central axis X of the annular support frame102passing through the central mounting hub104.

Each lug bolt receiver108consists of a receiving tube110, having a tapered opening112at an outboard end to receive a lug bolt, and a cylindrical opening114at an inboard end to receive a lug nut and associated socket tool. A longitudinal segment may be removed from a portion of the receiving tube110outer surface, providing a longitudinal clearance surface towards the central axis X and providing a longitudinal slot115for access to the receiving tube central passage110a. Additional access may be provided by means of a radial opening117in proximity to the tapered opening112at the axial inboard end. The outboard end of the receiving tube110is coupled to a lever arm116, which in turn is pivotally coupled to a spoke106on a machined boss107coaxially surrounding a pivot bolt118, in proximity to the annular support frame102. An engagement pin120on each lever arm116is captured within a slot121on a synchronizing ring122carried on the annular support frame102. The synchronizing ring122is restrained from axial movement by entrapment between an axial face of the annular support frame102and a portion of each lever arm116.

For each lug bolt receiver108, rotational movement on the machined boss107about an axis Pn of the associated pivot bolt118results in an arcuate movement of the receiving tube110between a radially inward and outward limits from the central axis X, permitting adjustment of the lug bolt receiver spacing to match a bolt circle diameter of a wheel hub. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG.7, the rotational movement of any lug bolt receiver108about the axis Pn of the associated pivot bolt118results in the engagement pin120on the lever arm116simultaneously rotating about the axis Pn, imparting a rotational movement about the central axis X to the synchronizing ring122. Rotational movement of the synchronizing ring122in turn causes each remaining lug bolt receiver108to rotate on a corresponding machined boss107about an associated axis Pn of its respective pivot bolt118, maintaining a synchronized and symmetric radial displacement of the lug bolt receivers108from the central axis X of the central mounting hub104.

Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the number of lug bolt receivers108utilized with the adjustable hub adapter100may be increased by modification to the central mounting hub104, configuration of the spokes106, and the synchronization ring122. For example, an adjustable hub adapter200is shown inFIG.11configured with four lug bolt receivers108. The use of four lug bolt receivers108enables the adjustable hub adapter200to be utilized to couple an on-car brake lathe to wheel hub assemblies having four or eight lug bolts. Similarly, an adjustable hub adapter300is shown inFIG.12configured with five lug bolt receivers108. The use of five lug bolt receivers108enables the adjustable hub adapter200to be utilized to couple an on-car brake lathe to wheel hub assemblies having five or ten lug bolts. Accordingly, a set of three differently configured adjustable hub adapters100,200, and300of the present disclosure may be utilized to facilitate coupling of an on-car brake lathe to a wide variety of wheel hub assemblies having different lug bolt counts and lug bolt circle dimensions.

A method of the present invention for coupling an on-car brake lathe to a wheel hub of a vehicle undergoing a brake service employs an adjustable hub adapter100,200, or300of the present disclosure interposed between the on-car lathe drive spindle and the wheel hub. Initially, the adjustable hub adapter100,200, or300is selected in accordance with the number of lug bolts present on the wheel hub. Once selected, a set of lug bolt receivers108on the adjustable hub adapter are configured to align with a set of equidistantly spaced wheel hub lug bolts by synchronously moving along an arcuate range of movement between a radially innermost contracted configuration and a radially outermost expanded configuration. Movement of any one lug bolt receiver108is translated into corresponding simultaneous movement of each remaining lug bolt receiver108by rotation about a central axis X of a synchronizing ring122operatively linking each lug bolt receiver108. To aid in holding the lug bolt receivers108in the desired configuration, the engagement between the moving components may be provided with sufficient friction to maintain positioning in the absence of external forces, or one or more lock screws could be provided to temporarily apply a holding force to a moving component.

Once aligned, the adjustable hub adapter100,200, or300is fitted to the wheel hub by placing the lug bolt receivers108over the aligned wheel hub lug bolts, such that the wheel hub lug bolts pass through tapered openings112into axial bores110awithin the lug bolt receivers108. A set of tapered lug nuts are then passed into the axial bores110athrough axial openings114opposite the tapered openings112, and threaded onto the wheel hub lug bolts within the lug bolt receivers108. Engagement of the tapered lug nuts with the conical surfaces of the tapered openings112secures the lug bolt receivers108in centered engagement with each wheel hub lug bolt. Each lug bolt receiver108is secured against further arcuate movement by tightening the associated pivot bolt118about which arcuate movement of the lug bolt receiver108occurs, fully securing the adjustable hub adapter100,200, or300to the wheel hub in substantial axial alignment with the wheel hub axis of rotation.

To complete the coupling, the on-car brake lathe is positioned to bring the lathe drive spindle into axial alignment with a central mounting hub104of the adjustable hub adapter, and a threaded retaining rod of the on-car brake lathe passed axially through the drive spindle to engage a threaded bore104ain the central mounting hub104. Tightening the threaded retaining rod within the threaded bore104asecurely couples the on-car brake lathe to the adjustable hub adapter100,200,300, which in turn is secured to the wheel hub by the lug bolts within the lug bolt receivers108. Detachment of the on-car brake lathe from the wheel hub assembly and removal of the adjustable hub adapter at the completion of a brake service procedure is the reverse of the installation process.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, lug bolt receivers108may be easily removed from the annular support frame102by removal of pivot bolts118, facilitating switching between lug bolt receivers108having short receiving tubes110, as shown inFIGS.13and13a, and lug bolt receivers108L having long receiving tubes110L, as shown inFIGS.14and14a, to accommodate vehicle wheel hubs having different axial offsets.

In an alternate embodiment, the synchronization ring122is not included, and the individual lug bolt receivers108are able to pivot on the machined boss107about the axes of the pivot bolts118independently of each other. When securing this alternate embodiment to a vehicle wheel hub, each lug bolt receiver108is aligned with a corresponding equidistantly spaced lug bolt manually and independently, before being secured to the wheel hub by the lug bolts.