Expandable Jaw Assembly for Seized Brake Hub and Rotor Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of metal automotive assemblies, such as brake hub and rotor components, is difficult due to seizing and corrosion, leading to time-consuming, costly, and hazardous manual methods like cutting or hydraulic pressing.
Innovation Solution
An expandable device with a jaw assembly and hydraulically-powered actuating means, featuring a wedge-shaped separating member, is used to push apart the components, allowing for controlled and even force distribution to separate the hub and rotor assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods like cutting or hydraulic pressing are used to separate hub and rotor assemblies, then separation can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming, costly, and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The separating device is divided into multiple independent jaw assemblies (typically 3-4 jaws) that can be distributed around the hub and rotor assembly. Each jaw operates independently to apply separating force at different locations, enabling parallel separation action that increases productivity while maintaining safety through distributed force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw assembly acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic actuating means and the hub-rotor assembly. Instead of applying force directly through violent methods, the jaws gradually insert into the cavity and use controlled expansion to separate the components, eliminating safety hazards while maintaining separation effectiveness.
2Force
If hydraulic pressing is used to separate the assembly, then separation force can be applied, but the method is destructive and results in violent separation
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly transitions from a contracted configuration (during insertion) to an expanded configuration (during separation). This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt to the cavity space and gradually increase separating force in a controlled manner, preventing violent separation while maintaining component integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating force is applied locally at multiple contact points between the jaws and the component surfaces, rather than through a single concentrated hydraulic press. This distributed local force application prevents damage to the overall component structure while achieving effective separation.
3Productivity
If cutting methods are used to separate the rotor, then separation can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires extensive manual labor
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly is actuated by hydraulic cylinders that automatically drive the separating member between the jaws. This hydraulic actuation eliminates the need for manual labor in applying separating force, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining high separation efficiency.
4Force
If the jaws are forced apart to exert separating force, then the components can be separated, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The separating member is nested within the jaw assembly structure, allowing it to be compact during storage and transport. When actuated, the separating member expands outward to drive the jaws apart. This nesting principle enables the device to generate large separating forces without requiring a proportionally complex overall structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient, safe, and non-destructive separation of heavy vehicle brake components, reducing manual labor and health risks while avoiding violent separation, thus improving the efficiency and safety of maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
the separating member is in the form of a wedge
Implementation Method 2
the inclined surfaces of the separating member are slidable along the inclined inwardly directed surfaces thereby pushing the jaws apart
Implementation Method 3
the jaws being defined by first end portions thereof and being pivotally connected at opposing second end portions such that the jaws are movable between the contracted and expanded configurations
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an expandable device adapted to forcibly separate spaced components having generally parallel opposed surfaces defining a cavity therebetween, the expandable device having a jaw assembly with a pair of opposing jaws and actuating mechanism for opening the jaws, the actuating mechanism including a separating member configured to be driven between the jaws so as to push apart the jaws such that the jaws are openable between a contracted configuration where the jaws are receivable in the cavity to an expanded configuration where the jaws are forced apart by the actuating mechanism such that the outwardly directed surfaces of the jaws are engageable with the opposed surfaces and exert oppositely directed forces thereon. The invention also relates to an apparatus configured to carry at least one the expandable device, and an assembly comprising two of the apparatus.