Abstract:
Disclosed is a hub nut fastener including a plurality of nut runners for fastening hub nuts to stud bolts of a wheel hub; nut runner moving means for altering a pitch of the nut runners by drive power of a motor, the nut runner moving means being connected to some of the nut runners through another medium; support means for rotatably supporting the nut runner moving means and fixing one of the nut runners, the support means being fixedly provided within a casing defining an exterior of the hub nut fastener; runner guide means for guiding the nut runners moved by the runner moving means; and digressing nut runner operating means for moving a digressing nut runner away from and back to a circle formed by the remainder of the nut runners.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (a) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hub nut fastener for connecting hub nuts to stud bolts formed on a wheel hub of a vehicle during manufacture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hub nut fastener which can easily undergo pitch conversion to enable the fastening of hub nuts to either a four or five-bolt configuration. 
     (b) Description of the Related Art 
     Improvements are continuously being made in the automation of the vehicle manufacturing process to make the process faster and less complicated, and therefore less costly. The mounting of a tire-and-wheel assembly to the vehicle during vehicle manufacture is no exception. 
     Mounting holes are provided in the wheel, and stud bolts, formed in a wheel hub, are placed through the mounting holes, after which nuts are fastened to the stud bolts to securely mount the tire-and-wheel assembly to the vehicle. In more detail, the mounting holes are formed in the wheel such that a number and an angle thereof correspond to a number and angle of the stud bolts formed on the wheel hub. When mounting the wheel to the wheel hub, the mounting holes are aligned with the stud bolts then the wheel is directed toward the wheel hub such that an inner surface of the wheel is flush with the wheel hub and ends of the stud bolts protrude a predetermined distance from the mounting holes of the wheel. Following this procedure, the nuts are fastened to the stud bolts until the wheel is firmly mounted to the wheel hub of the vehicle. 
     In the case of small and compact vehicles, the stud bolts are provided on the wheel hub every 90° such that four stud bolts are formed on the wheel hub, whereas with medium and large-size vehicles the stud bolts are provided every 72° on the wheel hub, thereby providing a total of five stud bolts. Accordingly, a corresponding number of mounting holes, at corresponding positions, are formed in the wheel. Such different configurations for dissimilarly sized vehicles are used since larger vehicles receive more stress than do smaller vehicles, and therefore require a more sturdy attachment of the wheels to the wheel hub. 
     A hub nut fastener for providing a means of securing the nuts to the stud bolts is generally configured to match either the 4-bolt or 5-bolt configuration. This complicates the manufacturing process since both the hub nut fastener for the 4-bolt and the 5-bolt wheel hub must be provided on the assembly line to enable manufacture of all types of vehicles. This lack of uniformity can slow down the manufacturing process and increases overall manufacturing costs as two separate devices are needed. 
     With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is provided a hub nut fastener enabling application to both the 4 and 5-bolt wheel hub to remedy such problems. Such a nut fastener includes a first, a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth nut runner  1   a,    1   b,    1   c,    1   d  and  1   e  initially provided at intervals of 72° to form a circle. Guide holes  2  are provided for the first, third, fourth and fifth nut runners  1   a,    1   c,    1   d  and  1   e  such that the nut runners  1   a,    1   c,    1   d  and  1   e  are able to slide within the guide holes  2  to change position. A direct cylinder  3   a  is provided at each of the first and third nut runners  1   a  and  1   c,  and an indirect cylinder  3   b  is provided in proximity to the fourth and fifth nut runners  1   d  and  1   e.  The indirect cylinder  3   b  operates a link  4 , which, in turn, operates the fourth and fifth nut runners  1   d  and  1   e.    
     When the cylinders  3   a  and  3   b  are in a nonoperating, retracted mode, the nut runners  1   a,    1   c,    1   d  and  1   e  are maintained at equidistant intervals of 72° as described above and as shown in FIG. 8 (the second nut runner  1   b  is fixed in a single position). However, when the cylinders  3   a  and  3   b  operate by extending, the first, third, fourth and fifth nut runners  1   a,    1   c,    1   d  and  1   e  change positions to that shown in FIG.  9 . That is, with the operation of the cylinders  3   a  and  3   b,  the first, second, third and fourth nut runners  1   a,    1   b,    1   c  and  1   d  are positioned at angles of 90° to form a circle, and the fifth nut runner  1   e  is positioned away from the circle and is not operated for the fastening of nuts. 
     However, in the prior hub nut fastener as described above, severe wear occurs in both the link  4  and bolts supporting the cylinders  3   a  and  3   b  if the nut fastener is frequently changed from a 4-bolt to a 5-bolt structure. Further, by the positioning of the fifth nut runner  1   e  away from the circle formed by the remaining nut runners  1   a,    1   b,    1   c  and  1   d  in the case where the hub nut fastener is applied to a 4-bolt wheel hub, damage can occur to the outside surface of the wheel by contact of the fifth nut runner  1   e  thereon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a hub nut fastener in which a pitch of the same is easily converted by using both a single nut cylinder to position a nut runner in any location along a predetermined pathway, and a servo motor to rotate an upper plate cam to move three nut runners to different angles such that configuration to correspond to either a 4-bolt or a 5-bolt wheel hub is simply realized. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a hub nut fastener in which an indirect power transmission method is used to rotate a motor, a rotating plate, a connecting pin and a rotating panel such that overall structural strength of the hub nut fastener is improved. 
     To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a hub nut fastener including a plurality of nut runners for fastening hub nuts to stud bolts of a wheel hub; nut runner moving means for altering a pitch of the nut runners by drive power of a motor, the nut runner moving means being connected to some of the nut runners through another medium; support means for rotatably supporting the nut runner moving means and fixing one of the nut runners, the support means being fixedly provided within a casing defining an exterior of the hub nut fastener; runner guide means for guiding the nut runners moved by the runner moving means; and digressing nut runner operating means for moving a digressing nut runner away from and back to a circle formed by the remainder of the nut runners. 
     According to a feature of the present invention, the runner moving means includes a rotating plate having a center hole through which the nut runners pass through, the rotating plate being connected to the nut runners through another medium; a ring gear fixedly connected to and protruding from a circumference of the rotating plate; and a motor meshing with the ring gear and rotating the rotating plate. 
     According to another feature of the present invention, the rotating plate includes a guide groove integrally extending from the center hole a predetermined distance toward a circumference of the rotating plate, the digressing nut runner moving into the guide groove to digress from the circle formed by the remainder of the nut runners; and first, second and third pin holes formed at predetermined intervals partially surrounding the center hole, the first pin hole being circular, and the second and third pin holes being oblong and extending respectively 18° and 36° along an imaginary circle formed by centers of the first, second and third pin holes. 
     According to yet another feature of the present invention, a center of the first pin hole is formed 72° along the circle formed by the pin holes from a clockwise end of the guide groove, a counterclockwise end of the second pin hole is formed 90° from the center of the first pin hole and the second pin hole extends its 18° in the clockwise direction from its counterclockwise end, and a counterclockwise end of the third pin hole is formed 90° from the counterclockwise end of the second pin hole and the third pin hole extends its 36° in the clockwise direction from its counterclockwise end. 
     According to still yet another feature of the present invention, gear teeth are formed on a portion of a circumference of the ring gear. 
     According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the support means includes a fixed plate including an axle hole provided in a center of the fixed plate; first, second and third runner holes formed around the axle hole and inside of which the nut runners are able to undergo movement; and fourth, fifth and sixth pin holes formed around the runner holes at positions corresponding respectively to the first, second and third pin holes of the rotating plate when the rotating plate is stacked on the fixed plate. 
     According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the first runner hole extends along an imaginary circle formed by the first, second and third runner holes over a distance of 126°, and has a guide hole integrally formed therefrom and extending toward a circumference of the fixed plate, the guide hole corresponding to a position of the guide groove of the rotating plate when the rotating plate is stacked on the fixed plate; the second runner hole is oblong and a counterclockwise end of the second runner hole is formed 72° along the circle formed by the runner holes from a counterclockwise end of the first runner hole; and the third runner hole is circular and a center of the third runner hole is positioned along the circle formed by the runner holes 72° from the counterclockwise end of the second runner hole. 
     According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the fourth pin hole is oblong and a clockwise end of the same is positioned corresponding to a clockwise end of the first runner hole before the formation of the guide hole, and the fourth pin hole extends counterclockwise 54° along an imaginary circle formed by the pin holes; a counterclockwise end of the fifth pin hole is provided 72° from a counterclockwise end of the fourth pin hole, and the fifth pin hole extends clockwise 36° from its counterclockwise end along the imaginary circle formed by the pin holes; and a counterclockwise end of the sixth pin hole is positioned 72° from the counterclockwise end of the fifth pin hole, and the sixth pin hole extends clockwise 18° from its counterclockwise end along the imaginary circle formed by the pin holes. 
     According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the runner guide means includes first, second and third connecting pins inserted respectively in pairs of the first and fourth pin holes, the second and fifth pin holes, and the third and sixth pin holes; first, second and third links center portions thereof being connected respectively to the first, second and third connecting pins, and inner ends of the first, second and third links converging to be hingedly fixed to a fixing bolt which is connected to the axle hole of the fixed plate; and first, second and third link bearings provided respectively on outer ends of the first, second and third links, the first, second and third link bearings being interposed between the links and a guide rod formed on a back surface of the fixed plate. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
     FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a hub nut fastener according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a hub nut fastener according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of a rotating plate shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of a fixing plate shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a nut runner supporter shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively a side sectional view and a front sectional view of the hub nut fastener shown in FIG. 1 used to describe the operation of the same; and 
     FIGS. 8 and 9 are front sectional views of a conventional hub nut fastener. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only and will not be limiting. The words “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, “right”, “left”, etc. will designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively show a front sectional view and a side sectional view of a hub nut fastener according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, reference numeral  2  indicates a rotating plate. 
     The rotating plate  2 , with reference also to FIG. 3, is substantially circular having a predetermined thickness, and a ring gear  4  is fixedly provided behind and protruding from an outer circumference of the rotating plate  2 . Gear teeth are formed over approximately half a circumference of the ring gear  4 . Further, formed in a center of the rotating plate  2  is a center hole  16  which has a large diameter. First, second, third, fourth and fifth nut runners  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12  and  14  pass through the center hole  16  at intervals of 72°. A guide groove  24  is integrally formed extending from the center hole  16  in proximity to a position corresponding to where the first runner  6  passes through the center hole  16 , the guide groove  24  extending a predetermined distance toward the circumference of the rotating plate  2 . 
     First, second and third pin holes  18 ,  20  and  22  are formed in the rotating plate  2  at predetermined intervals to partially surround the center hole  16 . The first pin hole  18  is circular having a predetermined diameter, and is provided corresponding to a position of the second nut runner  8 , i.e. a center of the first pin hole  18  is provided 72° in a counterclockwise direction from the first nut runner  6 . The second pin hole  20  is oblong and slightly curved following a circumference of the center hole  16 , and an extreme counterclockwise end of the second pin hole  20  (corresponding to where a center of a circular element is located when positioned therein) is provided 90° in a counterclockwise direction from the first pin hole  18 . The second pin hole  20  extends 18° in the clockwise direction from its counterclockwise end. The third pin hole  22  is also oblong and slightly curved following a circumference of the center hole  16 , and a counterclockwise end of the third pin hole  22  is provided 90° in a counterclockwise direction from the counterclockwise end of the second pin hole  20 . The third pin hole  22  extends 36° in the clockwise direction from its counterclockwise end. 
     Provided behind the rotating plate  2 , with reference also to FIG. 4, is a fixed plate  26 . The fixed plate  26  includes a bearing  28  joined to an inner circumference of the ring gear  4  connected to the rotating plate  2 . A bracket  30 , which supports a motor  32  (see FIG. 2) is fixedly connected behind the fixed plate  26 . The motor  32  is meshed with the gear teeth of the ring gear  4  such that the rotating plate  2  is rotated by operation of the motor  32 . An axle hole  34  is formed in a center of the fixed plate  26 . 
     First, second and third runner holes  36 ,  38  and  40  are formed surrounding the axle hole  34 . Further, formed between the runner holes  36 ,  38  and  40  and the bearing  28  are fourth, fifth and sixth pin holes  42 ,  44  and  46 . The first runner hole  36  extends around the axle hole  34  such that the first, second and third nut runners  6 ,  8  and  10  can be positioned therein, and includes a guide hole  47  corresponding to the position of the guide groove  24  of the center hole  16  of the rotating plate  2 . An extreme counterclockwise end of the second runner hole  38  (corresponding to where a center of a circular element is located when positioned therein) is positioned 72° counterclockwise from an extreme counterclockwise end of the first runner hole  36 , and the second runner hole  38  extends 18° from its counterclockwise end. The third runner hole  40  is circular and a center of the same is positioned 72° from the extreme counterclockwise end of the second runner hole  38 . 
     The fourth, fifth and sixth pin holes  42 ,  44  and  46 , as described above, are provided between the bearing  28  and the first, second and third runner holes  36 ,  38  and  40 , the fourth, fifth and sixth pin holes  42 ,  44  and  46  being oblong and curving along an inner circumference of the bearing  28 . The fourth pin hole  42  is formed at a position corresponding to the first runner hole  36  and extends 54° in a counterclockwise direction starting from a clockwise end of the first runner hole  36  before the formation of the guide hole  47 . The fifth pin hole  44  is also formed at a position corresponding to the first runner hole  36  and extends 36° in a clockwise direction starting from the counterclockwise end of the first runner hole  36 , a counterclockwise end of the fifth pin hole  44  being 72° from a counterclockwise end of the fourth pin hole  42 , and a clockwise end of the fifth pin hole  44  being 90° from a clockwise end of the fourth pin hole  42 . The sixth pin hole  46  is formed at a position corresponding to the second runner hole  38  such that the clockwise end of the fifth pin hole  44  is 90° from a clockwise end of the sixth pin hole  46 , the sixth pin hole  46  extending 18° in a counterclockwise direction from its clockwise end. 
     With the configuration described above, the center hole  16  of the rotating plate  2  corresponds to the position of the first, second and third runner holes  36 ,  38  and  40  of the fixed plate  26 ; and the first, second and third pin holes  18 ,  20  and  22  of the rotating plate  2  correspond to the position of the fourth, fifth and sixth pin holes  42 ,  44  and  46  of the fixed plate  26 . Further, the nut runners  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12  and  14  are inserted in the cavity provided by the former combination, and first, second and third connecting pins  48 ,  50  and  52  are inserted in the cavities by the latter combination. Here, the first nut runner  6  is able to digress from the circle formed by the remainder of the nut runners  8 ,  10 ,  12  and  14 ; the second, third and fourth nut runners  8 ,  10  and  12  are able to move along the circle within the first and second runner holes  36  and  38 ; and the fifth nut runner  14  remains stationary in its insertion into the third runner hole  40 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the first, second and third connecting pins  48 ,  50  and  52 , each of which is inserted respectively in the first and fourth pin holes  18  and  42 , the second and fifth pin holes  20  and  44 , and the third and sixth pin holes  22  and  46 , are fixed to first, second and third links  54 ,  56  and  58 , respectively. First, second and third link bearings  60 ,  62  and  64  are mounted respectively to outer ends of the first, second and third links  54 ,  56  and  58 . The link bearings  60 ,  62  and  64  connect with a guide rod  66  formed under the fixed plate  26  (see FIG. 2) such that the rotating plate  2  does not vibrate nor lean to one side during its rotation. 
     Inner ends of the first, second and third links  54 .  56  and  58  converge at one location to be hingedly fixed to a fixing bolt  68  provided in the axle hole  34  of the fixed plate  26 . The movable second, third and fourth nut runners  8 ,  10  and  12  are fixed to the first, second and third links  54 ,  56  and  58 , respectively, at a position respectively between the connecting pins  48 ,  50  and  52  and the fixing bolt  68 . The first nut runner  6  is connected to a clamp  74 , the clamp  74  being connected to an end of a piston of a cylinder  72  hingedly fixed to a cover  70  (see FIG. 2) of the inventive hub nut fastener. By the expansion and contraction operation of the cylinder  72 , the first nut runner  6  is inserted and separated from the first runner hole  36 . The fixed fifth nut runner  14  is fixedly connected to the bracket  30  which supports the motor  32  and is connected behind the fixed plate  26  as described above (see FIG.  2 ). 
     Further, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, to secure the fixed plate  26  in a stationary state, a portion of the fixed plate  26  is protruded in a direction toward the cover  70  to form an extended portion  67 , and a fixing bar  78  extends vertically from the extended portion  67  to an opposing end of the cover  70  to be fixed thereto. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively a side sectional view and a front sectional view of the inventive hub nut fastener shown in FIG.  1 . With regard to the altering of the present invention to correspond to 4 and 5-bolt wheel hub configurations, starting from a state corresponding to a 5-bolt configuration as shown in FIG. 1, if the cylinder  72  contracts, the first nut runner  6  follows the guide groove  24  of the center hole  16 , provided in the rotating plate  2 , and the guide hole  47  of the first runner hole  36 , provided in the fixed plate  26 , in an outward direction. After the first nut runner  6  is positioned away from the remaining nut runners  8 ,  10 ,  12  and  14 , the motor  32  operates such that the rotating plate  2  is rotated in the clockwise direction. 
     As a result, the first connecting pin  48  inserted in the first pin hole  18  of the rotating plate  2  moves together with the rotating plate  2  in the clockwise direction 18° such that the second and third connecting pins  50  come to be positioned to the counterclockwise ends of the second and third pin hole  20  and  22 , respectively. With the rotation of the rotating plate  2 , if the first, second and third connecting pins  48 ,  50  and  52  rotate a maximum of 36°, the first, second and third links  54 ,  56  and  58 , joined respectively to the first, second and third connecting pins  48 ,  50  and  52 , pivot on the fixing bolt  68  in the clockwise direction. 
     If the first, second and third links  54 ,  56  and  58  are rotated through the above process, the second, third and fourth nut runners  8 ,  10  and  12  are also rotated. At this time, the first connecting pin  48  moves 54° clockwise along the entire length of the fourth pin hole  42  of the fixed plate  26 , the second connecting pin  50  moves 36° clockwise along the entire length of the fifth pin hole  44  of the fixed plate  26 , and the third connecting pin  52  moves 18° along the entire length of the sixth pin hole  46  of the fixed plate  26 . Accordingly, the first, second and third links  54 ,  56  and  58  also rotate to amounts corresponding to the first, second and third connecting pins  48 ,  50  and  52 , respectively. 
     As a result of the above, the second, third and fourth nut runners  8 ,  10  and  12 , supported respectively by the first, second and third links  54 ,  56  and  58 , also rotate to these amounts such that the second, third and fourth nut runners  8 ,  10  and  12  are spaced at 90° intervals. This configuration corresponds to a vehicle having four stud bolts formed on its wheel hub. 
     By the operation of the motor  32  in the opposite direction, the rotating plate  2  rotates counterclockwise 54° such that the opposite operation as that described occurs. That is, by the counterclockwise rotation of the rotating plate  2 , the connecting pins  48 ,  50  and  52  begin to move in a counterclockwise direction to the counterclockwise ends of the fourth and fifth pin hole  42  and  44 , and a counterclockwise end of the sixth pin hole  46  of the fixed plate  26 . 
     In the above state, the first nut runner  6  returns to its original position by the extension of the cylinder  72  such that a 72° interval is provided between each of the nut runners  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12  and  14  as shown in FIG.  5 . As a result, the configuration of the inventive hub nut fastener is changed back to that corresponding to a vehicle having five stud bolts formed on its wheel hub. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.