Patent Publication Number: US-2019193689-A1

Title: Efficient wheel cleaning system for achieving accurate torque measurement

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of tooling and more specifically to tool for removing debris from wheel components to maintain metal-to-metal contact. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wheel separations are viewed as preventable road events, provided that federal standard and industry guidelines are followed. 
     One of the common causes of wheel separation is a failure of the threaded wheel stud components. A minute amount of rust and debris will compromise the metal-to-metal contact essential for achieving proper clamping force. Clamping force is a function of friction at a metal-to-metal interface that restricts movement of the joined surfaces relative to one another. Clamping force cannot be measured directly, and is measured by torque. Torque must be applied within specified tolerances developed for metal-to-metal mating of clean components. 
     Once a wheel is installed, it not possible to visually inspect to determine if studs and rim components have been properly cleaned. However, automotive service providers who fail to implement proper technician training and supervision for component preparation processes and the wheel service process face stiff penalties. They are also held liable if the cause of an accident is attributed to improper cleaning and preparation of stud and rim components necessary to maintain essential metal-to-metal contact and achieve substantial clamping force. 
     Minute amounts of rust or debris can cause fastening components to deliver dramatically different clamping forces and prevent compliant torque measurement, contributing to wheel separation. 
     An improper seal between the wheel hub and rim is also a common cause of wheel separation. OSHA Standard No. 3086 mandates that all “[r]im flanges, rim gutters, rings, and the bead-seating areas of wheels must be free of any dirt, surface rust, scale, or loose or flaked rubber buildup prior to tire mounting and inflation.” The presence of non-metal impurities on rims and/or wheel hubs interferes with the clamping force between the wheel hub and rim. 
     Numerous wheel cleaning tools and kits are known in the art. However, multiple tools must be used separately to complete cleaning essential for wheel installation. The technician must select and switch tools during a cleaning operation, increasing labor time and producing inconsistent results which are not amenable to inspection. 
     There is an unmet need for an integrated wheel cleaning system and apparatus which may be used to optimize time and consistently control the quality and efficiency of wheel cleaning operations to assure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and industry standards. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a highly-efficient apparatus and system for removing impurities and debris from wheel components in a time-optimized and cost-controlled manner to ensure consistent results. The system is a single, integrated tool on which employees can be quickly trained to perform all wheel cleaning functions by using the tool&#39;s components in any order, increasing the probability that all operations will be performed. 
     The tool is specifically configured to efficiently clean hubs, rims, studs and other wheel related components, consistent with OSHA Standard No. 3086, Department of Transportation and other industry regulations, and manufacturer specified guidelines. 
     The invention is comprised of a cylindrical stud cleaning column with an upper column surface and a lower column surface, an abrasive pad assembly having a first aperture adapted to receive a stud, a housing comprised of a base portion having a tool receiving interface and a head portion having an upper head surface with a second aperture to receive the stud, wherein the head portion is further adapted to enclose the cylindrical stud cleaning column. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    illustrate an isometric view and a side view of an automotive cleaning apparatus in use for removing residue from a wheel stud and hub. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional side view of an automotive cleaning apparatus in use for removing residue from a wheel stud. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an automotive cleaning apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates multiple perspective views of a base component of an automotive cleaning apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates multiple perspective views of a cylindrical stud cleaning column component of an automotive cleaning apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates multiple perspective views of a head component of an automotive cleaning apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates multiple perspective views of an abrasive pad assembly of an automotive cleaning apparatus. 
     
    
    
     TERMS OF ART 
     As used herein, the term “aperture” means an opening, hole, or gap in an object. 
     As used herein, the term “assembly” means a combination of one or more components. 
     As used herein, the term “attachment interface” means a physical point on a feature to facilitate contact, joining and/or attachment between two or more components. 
     As used herein, the term “tine” means an elongated body, which may include a prong or an antler, and may have a sharp point at one end. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    illustrate an isometric view and a side view of automotive cleaning apparatus  100  in use for removing residue from a wheel stud and hub. 
       FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    illustrate automotive cleaning apparatus  100 , which is used to concurrently clean stud  88  and wheel hub face  77 . 
     Automotive cleaning apparatus  100  includes base  10 , cylindrical stud cleaning column  20 , head  30 , and abrasive pad assembly  40 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, base  10  includes a mechanical or connective interface  12  for operatively coupling with a drill or other rotational tool. During operation, cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  is housed within head  30 . Head  30  is fixedly or removably attached to base  10  to form a housing for cylindrical stud cleaning column  20 . Abrasive pad assembly  40  is fixedly or removably attached to the upper surface of head  30  and rotates during operation. 
     Cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  rotates during operation to clean the internal and external thread diameters of threaded studs  88 . 
     Abrasive pad assembly  40  and cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  rotate concurrently to concurrently clean stud  88  and wheel hub face  77 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a sectional side view of automotive cleaning apparatus  100  in use for removing residue from a wheel stud. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, when automotive cleaning apparatus  100  is in use, cleaning interface  41   a  of abrasive pad assembly  40  cleans wheel hub face  77  and stud  88  can slide through central aperture  43  of abrasive pad assembly  40 , which has a circumference that is larger than the largest circumference of stud  88 , to allow cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  to contact and clean stud  88 . Stud  88  can slide through stud aperture  38   b  in head  30  to allow inner stud column surface  21   a  to contact and clean stud  88 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, bumper  32  has a circumference that is larger than the circumference of abrasive pad assembly  40  to protect the outer edge of abrasive pad assembly  40  from contacting stud  88  when automotive cleaning apparatus  100  is in use to clean wheel hub face  77  between studs  88 ; this prevents unnecessary degradation of abrasive pad  40 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, bumper  32  does not contact abrasive pad assembly  40 . In alternative embodiments, bumper  32  may receive and encircle or encompass lower surface  41   b  of abrasive pad assembly  40 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of automotive cleaning apparatus  100 , which includes base  10 , cylindrical stud cleaning column  20 , head  30 , and abrasive pad assembly  40 . 
       FIG. 3  shows base  10 , bottom surface with rotational tool-receiving interface  12 , upper base rim edge  14 , slot  16 , cylindrical stud cleaning column  20 , outer stud column surface  21   b , vertical space between ends  25 , head  30 , inner head surface  31   a , bumper  32 , vertical protuberance  34 , circular rim channel  35 , upper surface  38   a , abrasive pad assembly  40 , cleaning interface  41   a , lower surface  41   b , and central aperture  43 . 
     In various alternative embodiments, alternative corresponding geometry may be used to secure base  10  to head  30  and cylindrical stud cleaning column  20 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  slides within inner head surface  31   a  of head  30  such that vertical protuberance  34  of head  30  fits within vertical space between ends  25  of cylindrical stud cleaning column  20 . Outer stud column surface  21   b  contacts inner head surface  31   a . In various embodiments, glue, epoxy, or another adhesive secures outer stud column surface  21   b  to inner head surface  31   a.    
     In alternative embodiments, base  10  and head  30  may have alternative complementary geometry that allows base  10  to fixedly or removably attach to head  30 . 
     In alternative embodiments, base  10  and head  30  may be one integrally molded piece adapted to receive cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  and abrasive pad assembly  40 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, upper base rim edge  14  inserts into circular rim channel  35 . Slot  16  is adapted to receive plurality of geometric components  36  (not shown, see  FIG. 6 ) of head  30 . In various embodiments, glue, epoxy, or another adhesive secures upper base rim edge  14  to circular rim channel  35 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, upper surface  38   a  of head  30  attaches to lower surface  41   b  of abrasive pad assembly  40 . In various embodiments, glue, epoxy, or another adhesive substance or mechanical attachment (e.g. screws, bolts) may secure upper surface  38   a  to lower surface  41   b.    
       FIG. 4  illustrates multiple perspective views of base component  10  of automotive cleaning apparatus  100 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, base  10  includes base inner surface  11   a , base outer surface  11   b , bottom surface with drill receiving interface  12 , upper base rim edge  14 , vertical strut ends  15   a - d , slots  16   a  and  16   b , and open ended top surface  18 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, bottom surface with drill receiving interface  12  is adapted to receive a rotational tool, which may be a drill. In alternative embodiments, bottom surface with drill-receiving interface  12  includes a hex shank or round shank. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, when base  10  inserts into head  30 , vertical strut ends  15   a - d  contact the bottom of rectangular plastic layer  22  and the bottom edge of inner surface  31   a . This prevents stud cleaning column  20  from sliding into base  10 . Vertical strut ends  15   a - d  extend from base inner surface  11   a  far enough to contact rectangular plastic layer  22  without interfering with the movement of plurality of tines  23   a - n.    
     In various embodiments, base  10  may have one or more slots  16 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates multiple perspective views of cylindrical stud cleaning column component  20  of automotive cleaning apparatus  100 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  is comprised of plurality of tines  23   a - n  inserted in rectangular plastic layer  22 , curved into a cylinder such that the free ends of tines  23   a - n  form inner stud column surface  21   a , rectangular plastic layer  22  forms outer stud column surface  21   b , and the ends of rectangular plastic layer  22  do not touch, forming vertical space between ends  25 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the ends of rectangular plastic layer  22  do touch and there is no vertical space between ends  25 . 
     In alternative embodiments, cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  is manufactured as a cylinder and does not need to be rolled to form a cylinder. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, rectangular plastic layer  22  is flexible and the plastic will not melt from the heat caused by rotational friction of tines  23   a - n  during operation of automotive cleaning apparatus  100 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, one end of each tine  23   a - n  is inserted through rectangular plastic layer  22  approximately 0.5-4 mm apart and the inserted end is bent to secure the tine to the plastic. The spacing of tines  23   a - n  optimizes the amount of contact with stud  88  and avoids deforming or binding of the tines during use. The distance between rectangular plastic layer  22  and the unsecured ends of tines  23   a - n  is approximately 0.3 inches long. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, inner stud column surface  21   a  has a diameter of approximately 0.245-1.48 inches to clean stud  88 . Inner stud column surface  21   a  has a diameter that allows plurality of tines  23   a - n  to contact and clean the internal and external thread diameters of car studs (which have an external diameter of approximately ¼-⅝″) and/or truck studs (which have an external diameter of approximately ½-1.5″). In alternative embodiments, inner stud column surface  21   a  has a diameter adapted to clean studs with a diameter that is not listed here. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, tines  23   a - n  extend in straight lines, perpendicularly from rectangular plastic layer  22 . In alternative embodiments, plurality of tines  23   a - n  may face in various directions, erratically. In alternative embodiments, each of tines  23   a - n  may be bent between its free end and its interface with rectangular plastic layer  22 . 
     In alternative embodiments, plurality of tines  23   a - n  may be replaced by another type of cleaning component including, but not limited to, bristles, paper, fabric, resin, fibers, rubber, flexible protuberances, and inflexible protuberances. 
     In various embodiments, cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  is removable, disposable and/or replaceable. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates multiple perspective views of head component  30  of automotive cleaning apparatus  100 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, head  30  includes inner head surface  31   a , outer head surface  31   b , bumper  32 , vertical protuberance  34 , circular rim channel  35 , plurality of geometric components  36   a  and  36   b , inner ledge  37 , upper surface  38   a , and stud aperture  38   b.    
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  slides within inner head surface  31   a  of head  30  such that vertical protuberance  34  of head  30  fits within vertical space between ends  25  of cylindrical stud cleaning column  20 . Outer stud column surface  21   b  contacts inner head surface  31   a . In various embodiments, glue, epoxy, or another adhesive secures outer stud column surface  21   b  to inner head surface  31   a.    
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, circular rim channel  35  is located between inner head surface  31   a  and outer head surface  31   b . Upper base rim edge  14  of base  10  slides into circular rim channel  35 . Slots  16   a  and  16   b  receive plurality of geometric components  36   a  and  36   b . In various embodiments, glue, epoxy, or another adhesive is applied to rim channel  35  and plurality of geometric components  36  to secure base  10  to head  30 . 
     In various embodiments, head  30  may have a number of geometric components  36  that is equal to or less than the number of slots  16 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, upper surface  38   a  attaches to abrasive pad assembly  40 . Stud aperture  38   b  has a circumference larger than the circumference of stud  88  to allow stud  88  to pass through stud aperture  38   b.    
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, inner ledge  37  is in contact with upper surface  38   a  and prevents cylindrical stud cleaning column  20  from sliding out of head  30 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates multiple perspective views of abrasive pad assembly  40  of automotive cleaning apparatus  100 . 
     In various embodiments, abrasive pad assembly  40  includes first pad layer  40   a , second pad layer  40   b , cleaning interface  41   a , lower surface  41   b , pad adhesive layer  44 , and central aperture  43 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, cleaning interface  41   a  contacts and cleans wheel hub face  77 . 
     In various embodiments, pad adhesive layer  44  secures lower surface  41   b  to upper surface  38   a  of head  30 . In alternative embodiments, lower surface  41   b  may be secured to upper surface  38   a  by other means. 
     In the exemplary embodiment shown, one or more pad layers  40   a - b  are created by heating a quantity of nylon polymer, spraying the nylon polymer into the proper shape, allowing it to harden, adding grit to a resin, then adding it to the pad layers, and heating the pad layers to approximately 400° F. and compressing them to create a high-density, compressed, non-woven nylon material. Multiple layers can be combined by stacking the layers, heating them to approximately 400° F., and pressing them. 
     In various embodiments, abrasive pad assembly  40  may include one or multiple pad layers. In various embodiments, abrasive pad assembly  40  may be comprised of many different grit materials, including aluminum oxide or silicon carbide. 
     In various embodiments, abrasive pad assembly  40  is removable, disposable and/or replaceable.