GB2236366A

GB2236366A - Automotive tool

Info

Publication number: GB2236366A
Application number: GB8920971A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Peter Bailey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-09-15
Filing date: 1989-09-15
Publication date: 1991-04-03
Also published as: GB8920971D0

Abstract

To enable one-man testing of automotive brake and clutch systems a tool 10 comprises a frame 12, a power cylinder and piston arrangement 36, 38 and an extension rod assembly 50 which is connectible to either the cylinder or piston rod and which is attachable at 54 to the brake or clutch pedal 76 or brake lever, the other end of the tool being engaged with a seat 78 or the floor (in the case of the handbrake) and extension of the piston and cylinder arrangement thereby actuating the pedal or lever. The arrangement 36, 38 may be pneumatic. A clamping arrangement 54 on the extension rod 50 may have a formation for depressing the handbrake ratchet. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION AUTOMOTIVE TOOL The present invention relates to an automotive tool enabling a lever or pedal to be actuated from a position remote from the lever or pedal and more particularly, though not exclusively, to an automotive tool enabling one-man testing of brake and clutch system in automotive vehicles.

During servicing and maintenance of vehicles it is necessary to monitor the operation, effectiveness and balance of brake and clutch systems. This operation disadvantageously requires two people. One person sits inside the vehicle and operates the required lever or pedal whilst the other person monitors the results of the pedal or lever operation. Furthermore, when checking the balance of brakes left to right and front to rear, constant lever or pedal pressures are required but cannot be accurately reproduced by man operation.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which can be produced cheaply and operated simply, enabling for example one-man testing of brake and/or clutch systems in a vehicle.

It is a further object of the invention to enable the person monitoring the movement of levers, pistons, calipers, lights and cables to be able to do so from anywhere about the vehicle and to be able to apply accurate and repeatable pressures to for example the brake and/or clutch systems.

Accordingly there is provided an apparatus enabling one man to actuate a pedal or lever and monitor the results of actuating the pedal or lever, the apparatus comprising a power cylinder, an extension rod adapted at one end to abut or engage the pedal or lever to be actuated, the extension rod being connectible to either the cylinder or piston rod such that actuation of the power cylinder froe a power source causes the extension rod to be displaced in a direction which in use will actuate the pedal or lever.

Preferably the apparatus will enable one-man testing of clutch and/or brake systems and will comprise a main frame, a power cylinder and an extension rod having an assembly at one end thereof adapted to connect or abut the clutch or brake pedal/lever.

The extension rod assembly will be connected, directly or indirectly to the power cylinder so that as the power cylinder extends or retracts the extension rod will move a corresponding distance in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the piston rod and in the same direction as that of the cylinder moving relative to the piston rod.

In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a main frame to which there is attached the piston rod of a power cylinder. Whilst the piston rod is fixed to the main frame the cylinder is free to move in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the piston rod. An extension rod assembly is fixedly attached to either the cylinder, or the main frame so that in operation, movement of the cylinder in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the piston rod results in movement of the extension rod assembly in the same direction. In this way, since the extension rod assembly is attached to a pedal or lever the pedal or lever is operated.

The apparatus is operated via a handset having a pressure gauge thereon. By operating a series of buttons, air from a compressor is diverted to the power cylinder whereupon the cylinder is extended or retracted relative to the piston rod. The air is directed from an air compressor via flexible tubing to one of a pair of ports in the power cylinder. The tubing leading to the power cylinder is preferably long enough and flexible enough to allow the person operating the apparatus to do so from anywhere around a vehicle.

The apparatus can be assembled in different forms to enable different operations to be conducted.

The main frame has two runners along which the extension rod assembly may run. One of these runners has the extension rod locked thereto. Similarly, the power cylinder has a runner through which the rod of the extension rod assembly may run (depending on operation) and which can also be used to lock the extension rod thereto by means of a lock nut associated therewith.

In all operations, the extension rod assembly will be locked to either the main frame or the power cylinder (never both at the same time) since it is essential that the extension rod assembly is moved as a result of the movement of the cylinder relative to the piston rod.

For foot pedal operation, the apparatus is fitted between the driver's seat and the foot pedal. The stop of the frame is rested against the driver's seat and the power cylinder checked, to make sure it is fully retracted. The extension rod assembly is fitted between the respective runners of the power cylinder and main frame such that the end of the extension rod assembly adapted to abut the lever or pedal does so. The rod is then locked firm on the runner attached to the power cylinder. In this way the extension assembly will move at one with the power cylinder. The two-runners on the main frame will act as runners for the extension rod as it moves.Thus, when compressed air is fed from a compressor to the air port of the cylinder, the cylinder should extend thereby moving the extension rod assembly, which should result in the pedal to which the end of the extension rod assembly is attached, being depressed.

By controlling the air flow to the piston it is possible to monitor movement of, for example, brake parts under varying conditions from anywhere about the vehicle.

When checking foot brake systems, it is not necessary to lock the wheel solid but just to apply enough pressure so that a measureable resistance on a wheel is achieved. This resistance is measureable with a sliding scale torque wrench.

The pressure applied may be maintained until its release through a control valve whereupon the cylinder is pushed back into its retracted position by the reaction force exerted by the pedal.

Similarly a clutch pedal can be tested in the same way.

As well as testing clutch and brake systems, the pedal operated systems, it is possible to test handbrake operation, lever operated systems, using the same apparatus.

The handbrake mechanism consists of a lever inside of which is contained a ratchet. When the handbrake lever is operated the ratchet holds the lever with the brakes applied. To release the brakes the ratchet must be over-ridden. This is done by depressing the ratchet release button on the end of the handbrake lever. This operation disengages the ratchet allowing the lever to return to its dormant position releasing the brakes.

The end of the extension rod assembly is adapted to enable the handbrake lever to be gripped and the ratchet release button to be depressed. It preferably comprises two clamping plates which are connected via a pair of bolts. One of the plates has provided thereon an end plate which lies perpendicular thereto and whose function is to depress the ratchet release button. In operation, the end plate is pushed up against the ratchet release button releasing the ratchet whereupon the clamping plates are tightened against the lever.

Since the extension rod assembly is now attached to the handbrake, and the ratchet over-ridden, the handbrake lever may be operated. The apparatus can be set up in one of two ways to achieve operation.

Firstly, the extension rod can be locked in position against the runner attached to the power cylinder, in which case the rod assembly passes through the runners of the main frame to the hand brake lever where it is attached as has been described. In this set up the other end of the frame sits on the floor of the vehicle and by operating the power cylinder the cylinder move along the piston rod thereby raising and operating the handbrake system.

Alternatively, the power cylinder can be rested end up on the vehicle floor and the rod assembly passed through both runners of the main frame before its end is attached to the handbrake lever. The extension rod is locked to the main frame and operation of the power cylinder results in the piston rod, the main frame and the extension rod being moved relative to the cylinder thereby lifting the handbrake lever and operating the brake system.

A specific example of the apparatus, and method of operation, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an automotive apparatus according to the present invention; Fig 2 shows the apparatus of Fig. I set up to operate a brake pedal; Fig. 3 shows the apparatus with the brake pedal fully depressed; and Fig. 4 shows the apparatus of Fig. 1 assembled for operation of a handbrake.

Referring to Fig. 1 an automotive tbol 10 comprises three main components, a main frame 12 a power cylinder 14 and an extension rod assembly 16.

The main frame 12 is made from, for example, steel or plastics. It has an elongate body 18. Extending perpendicularly from the body 18 there is provided an end plate 20. The end plate 20 has two apertures 22 and 24 therein, which apertures serve as a guide means for the power cylinder 14 and extension rod 16 respectively.

At the end remote from end plate 20 there is a flange 26 having a guide means 28 therein. The guide means 28 lies in the same plane as aperture 24 so that the extension rod assembly 16 can slide therebetween. The guide means 28 at the end of the apparatus has a lock nut 30 associated therewith such that the extension rod assembly 16 can be locked thereto. (The reason for this will become apparent later). Also, releasably attached to the frame 12, at the end remote from the end plate 20 is a stop 32. The stop 32 has a female mating part 34 which is engaged with a male mating part 44 of the piston rod 38.

The power cylinder 14 comprises a cylinder 36, and a piston rod 38, which components move relative to one another when air is applied to air ports 40 or 42. By applying air from a compressor to air port 42, the cylinder 36 is extended relative to the piston rod 38.

Similarly, by applying air to air port 40 the cylinder 36 can be retracted relative to piston rod 38.

The power cylinder further comprises a guide means 46 at the end remote from the male mating part 44 found at the end of the piston rod 38. This guide means 46 lies in the same plane as guide means 28 and guide means 24 so that the extension rod can run therebetween.

Like guide means 28, guide means 46 has a lock nut 48 associated therewith so that the extension rod can be locked to the power cylinder such that the extension rod is moved by movement of cylinder 36 relative to the piston rod 38.

The extension rod assembly comprises an elongate steel rod 50 cylindrical in shape and which is capable of running between runners 28, 24 and 46. In operation however, the rod 50 will normally be firmly attached to either guide means 28 or guide means 46, by means of lock nut 30 or 48 respectively.

One end of the rod 50 is adapted with means 52 for engaging or abutting a pedal or lever. In Fig. 1 this means takes the form of a clamping assembly 54 shown in the diagram as being attached to the rod at 900. In practice, however, this assembly is preferably pivotable relative to the rod 50 since as a pedal is depressed the angle of interface between the pedal and the clamping or abutting assembly 54 will vary. By having a pivoting means between the clamping assembly or abutting assembly and the rod 50 a constant contact between the clamping or abutting assembly and the pedal can be achieved.

The clamping assembly 54 shown in Fig. 1 is adapted specifically for use in operating a handbrake lever. It comprises a pair of plates 56 and 58 which plates can be clamped either side of a handbrake 60 (Fig. 4) by tightening a pair of bolts 62. A plate 64 projecting perpendicularly from plate 56 functions to depress the ratchet button 66 of the handbrake 60.

The apparatus is controlled via a handset 68 having a pressure gauge 70 therein. The handset 66 has two buttons 72 and 74 button 72 functions to extend the power cylinder and button 74 functions to retract the power cylinder. Thus leading from the handset 68 are a pair of long flexible tubes (not shown) which are attached to the apparatus at air ports 40 and 42 respectively. There is also tubing provided between handset 68 and the air source which may for example be an air compressor.

Having described the parts with reference to Fig. 1 there follows a description of how the parts interrelate in operative use with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

When the apparatus is used to operate a brake or clutch pedal 76 the clamping assembly 54 is placed in abutment with or clamped to the pedal 76. Stop 32 of the main frame is brought into abutment with the seat 78 of the vehicle whose clutch or brake pedal is to be tested. The power cylinder 14 is put in its retracted position (Fig. 2) and the rod 50 is run through runners 28, 24 and 46, until the apparatus is wedged between seat 78 and the pedal 76. Lock nut 48 is then tightened so that the rod is attached to the cylinder.

Thus, in operation movement of the cylinder results in movement of the extension rod. Since the piston rod 38 is in its retracted position within the cylinder 36, operation of button 72 results in flow of air into air port 42 of the cylinder thereby forcing cylinder 36 in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1. Since the rod 50 is attached to the cylinder, movement of the cylinder results in movement of the rod, and the pedal is depressed to the position shown in Fig. 3. The depressed pedal can be returned to its normal position by either a) passing air into the power cylinder via air port 40 (by pressing button 74) of b) by releasing the air from the power cylinder by means of valves not shown, in which case the natural biasing of the pedal will force the power cylinder back into its retracted position.

The same principle can be applied to operate the handbrake 60, although the operation can be conducted in one of two ways. Fig. 4 illustrates one way of conducting a handbrake operation. The apparatus is stood on flange 26, the power cylinder is retracted and the extension rod is reversed so that the clamping assembly 54 lies between ends 20 and 26 of the main frame 12. The ratchet button 66 is depressed by the action of plate 64 against it and the lever clamped by means of clamping faces 56 and 58. Rod 50 passes through guide means 24 and 46 and is clamped to the cylinder via clamping nut 48. Operation in the same way as already described results in the cylinder 36 moving relative to the piston rod, moving with it the rod 50, thereby lifting the handbrake.

Alternatively and not shown, the apparatus can be rested on the power cylinder end and the rod 50 run between runners 24 and 28. By clamping the rod 50 at runner 28 by means of locking nut 30 operation will result in extension of the piston rod 38 relative to the cylinder 36 resulting in relative movement of the main frame 12 and the rod 50 which is attached thereto.

Claims

1 An apparatus, enabling one man to actuate a pedal or lever and monitor the results of actuating the pedal or lever, comprises a power cylinder comprising a cylinder and piston rod and an extension rod adapted at one end to abut or engage the pedal or lever to be actuated, the extension rod being connectible to either the cylinder or piston rod such that actuation of the power cylinder from a power source causes the extension rod to be displaced in a direction which in use will actuate the pedal or lever.

2 An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a frame which supports said power cylinder and extension rod.

3 An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which said frame is fixedly attached to said piston rod and slidably mounted to said cylinder such that the cylinder is free to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the piston rod.

4 An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said extension rod is fixedly attached to said cylinder such that in operation movement of the cylinder in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the piston rod results in movement of the extension rod assembly in the same direction.

5 An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the extension rod is fixedly attached to said frame such that in operation, movement of the cylinder in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the piston rod results in movement of the extension rod assembly in the same direction.

6 An apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 2 to 5, in which said frame has at least one runner along which said extension rod assembly or said cylinder may run.

7 An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which said at least one runner is provided with means for fixedly retaining said extension rod thereto.

8 An apparatus as claimed in claims 6 or 7 in which said runner is an opening through which said extension rod or cylinder may pass.

9 An apparatus as claimed in claims 7 or 8 wherein said means for fixedly retaining said extension rod to said runner is a lock nut.

10 An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceeding claims wherein the end of the extension rod remote from the end adapted to abut or engage the pedal or lever to be actuated is adapted to abut a seat.

11 An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceeding claims, wherein the end of said extension rod adapted to abut or engage the pedal or lever to be actuated pivotable relative to the rod.

12 An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceeding claims in which said extension rod is adapted at one end to enable a ratchet release button to be depressed.

13 An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said extension rod has at its end adapted to abut or engage the pedal or lever a pair of clamping plates connected via a pair of bolts one of said plates having perpendicular thereto an end plate.

14 An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceeding claims wherein the apparatus is operated by a fluid means.

15 An apparatus as claimed in claim, 14 wherein said fluid means is a gas means.

16 An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said gas means is compressed air.

17 An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceeding claims wherein said cylinder has a pair of ports.

18 An apparatus as claimed in any of the preceeding claims which further comprises an operating handset.

19 An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein said handset has a pressure guage.

20 An apparatus as claimed in claims 19 and 20 wherein said ports are connected by flexible tubing to said handset and said flexible tubing provides the means for conveying said fluid to said part.

21 An apparatus enabling one man to actuate a pedal or lever and monitor the results of actuating the pedal or lever as herein described with reference to any of figures 1 to 4.