Reluctor Ring Installation Tool With Alignment Pins

Solution Overview

Problem

The alignment of reluctor rings on crankshafts during reassembly is critical for proper engine ignition but is challenging due to the lack of indexing notches and the susceptibility of reluctor rings to damage, leading to improper installation and engine failure.

Innovation Solution

A tool with two alignment mechanisms, adjustable in multiple dimensions, is used to align the reluctor ring with preselected reference apertures on the crankshaft and ring, ensuring correct phase orientation for installation, which can be adjusted to accommodate different crankshaft and ring types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional press-fit or heat-fit methods are used to install the reluctor ring, then the ring can be securely attached to the crankshaft, but the alignment precision is poor and the ring is susceptible to warping or breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of reluctor ringVSAvoidalignment precision of reluctor ring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment tool establishes the correct rotational orientation of the reluctor ring before the pressing or heating operation begins. Alignment pins engage with reference features on both the crankshaft and reluctor ring to pre-position the ring accurately, ensuring proper alignment is achieved prior to the forceful installation process that would otherwise misalign or damage the ring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated alignment tool serves as an intermediary device between the installer and the reluctor ring. This tool incorporates alignment pins that physically bridge the crankshaft and reluctor ring, providing mechanical guidance and constraint to ensure accurate alignment during the installation process without requiring precision from the installer's manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the reluctor ring is installed without indexing notches or reference features, then the installation process is simpler, but the rotational orientation cannot be adjusted once installed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of installation processVSAvoidadjustability of rotational orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment tool establishes the correct rotational orientation of the reluctor ring before the pressing or heating operation begins. Alignment pins engage with reference features on both the crankshaft and reluctor ring to pre-position the ring accurately, ensuring proper alignment is achieved prior to the forceful installation process that would otherwise misalign or damage the ring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated alignment tool serves as an intermediary device between the installer and the reluctor ring. This tool incorporates alignment pins that physically bridge the crankshaft and reluctor ring, providing mechanical guidance and constraint to ensure accurate alignment during the installation process without requiring precision from the installer's manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If manual alignment methods are used without specialized tools, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the installation time increases and errors are more frequent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of installation equipmentVSAvoidinstallation efficiency and accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A dedicated alignment tool serves as an intermediary device between the installer and the reluctor ring. This tool incorporates alignment pins that physically bridge the crankshaft and reluctor ring, providing mechanical guidance and constraint to ensure accurate alignment during the installation process without requiring precision from the installer's manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment tool is designed to self-align through its mechanical features. The alignment pins automatically find their reference features on the crankshaft and reluctor ring, and the tool's geometry ensures proper positioning without requiring the installer to perform complex measurement or calculation operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7716827B2Reluctor ring installation tool

Publication Date: 2010.05.18 GOODSON MFG

AI summary

The present invention concerns an apparatus for aligning and/or installing reluctor rings on crankshafts. The apparatus include a tool body having first and second alignment mechanisms which register with crankshaft and reluctor ring apertures for aligning the reluctor rings on the crankshafts in a correct phase orientation for proper ignition timing.