Expandable Jaw Assembly for Seized Hub Rotor Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The separation of disc brake hub and rotor assemblies in heavy vehicles is difficult due to seizing and corrosion, leading to time-consuming, costly, and hazardous manual methods such as cutting or hydraulic pressing, which can be destructive and pose health risks to technicians.
Innovation Solution
An expandable device with a jaw assembly and actuating means, including a hydraulic system, is used to push apart the opposed surfaces of the hub and rotor assembly, providing even pressure for effective separation, utilizing a frame with pivotally connected arms and expandable devices to distribute forces evenly across the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods such as cutting or hydraulic pressing are used to separate hub and rotor assemblies, then separation can be achieved, but the process becomes destructive and poses health risks to technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary separating device that fits into the cavity between the hub and rotor. This device has expansion members with surfaces that contact the opposed surfaces of the components, allowing force to be applied through a controlled intermediary rather than direct impact methods. The intermediary device distributes separation forces evenly across multiple contact points, preventing localized damage and reducing hazardous violent separation while maintaining effective separation capability.
2Reliability
If heavy manual labor is used to separate seized hub and rotor assemblies, then separation can be achieved, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separating device incorporates dynamic expansion members that can be inserted in a compact state and then expanded within the cavity. The expansion members transition from a contracted configuration where they fit within the cavity to an expanded configuration where they contact and exert force on the opposed surfaces. This dynamic transformation allows rapid deployment and removal of the device, significantly reducing service time compared to traditional manual prying or cutting methods while maintaining reliable separation capability.
3Reliability
If force is applied to separate corrosion-bound hub and rotor assemblies, then separation can be achieved, but uneven pressure causes damage or violent separation
Solution Approach 1:
The separating device is divided into multiple expansion members (at least two, preferably three or more) that are distributed around the cavity. Each expansion member has contact surfaces that engage with the opposed surfaces of the hub and rotor assembly. This segmentation allows the total separation force to be distributed across multiple contact points, ensuring even pressure distribution and preventing localized damage to the components while effectively breaking the corrosion bond between hub and rotor.
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 allows for safe, efficient, and non-destructive separation of heavy vehicle hub and rotor assemblies, reducing manual labor costs and health risks by applying controlled, evenly distributed forces, thus facilitating easier maintenance and servicing.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating means includes a hydraulically - powered system for driving the separating member
Implementation Method 2
the separating member may have a pair of inclined surfaces associated with inwardly directed surfaces of the jaws, each inwardly directed surface being correspondingly inclined and generally parallel to its associated inclined surface of the separating member, wherein, when the separating member is movable laterally between the inner surfaces of the jaws, the inclined surfaces of the separating member are slidable along the inclined inwardly directed surfaces thereby pushing the jaws apart
Implementation Method 3
the separating member is in the form of a wedge
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is 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 means for opening the jaws, the actuating means 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 means such that the outwardly directed surfaces of the jaws are engageable with the opposed surfaces and exert oppositely directed forces thereon. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus configured to carry at least one said expandable device, and an assembly comprising two said apparatus.