DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relates to automotive tooling, more specifically but not exclusively to a fixture and a method for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, when a brake plate of an axle assembly of the vehicle such as a semi-trailer or other heavy load carrying vehicle becomes damaged beyond repair, it is necessary either to replace the brake plate or to renew the axle end by cutting off or chiseling to remove the old damaged brake plate at the axle end and replacing the same with a new one. The brake plates are connected to the axle either by means of a plurality of rivets or by means of an adhesive bonding agent. During a brake plate removal, it is necessary to chisel off these rivets and remove the worn lining. Since this operation is a relatively simple one, it is customarily accomplished manually.
[003] Use of adhesive bonding agents has, however, replaced the use of rivets to a large extent. A serious disadvantage lies in the fact that the adhesive applied to the brake plate are extremely difficult to remove. It is common practice for a workman to clamp the axle and remove the brake plate by use of a chisel and hammer. This work proves to be tedious and time-consuming. Further, since the tool is not always held at a proper-angle, it requires frequent sharpening. Here again, this involves not only considerable expense from a labor and parts standpoint but also involves machining costs and considerable "down time" of the associated vehicle.
[004] Also, a common technique of removing the brake plate from the axle assembly is by percussively impacting the end of the axle using a sledge hammer. This results in loosening the axle and brake plate from within the wheel assembly. The impact can severely damage the axle plate and the stud bolts. This impact also causes uneven stress to be placed on the different parts of the wheel assembly and axle, thus sometimes causing further damage to the axle or wheel assembly.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks
OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of automotive vehicles.
[007] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a fixture to remove brake plate which is simple in construction.
[008] Yet another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a fixture to remove brake plate which is light in weight.
[009] Still another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a fixture to remove brake plate which is inexpensive and portable.
[0010] Yet another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly which reduces substantial rework time and increases productivity.
[0011] Still another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a method for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle.
[0012] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 3a depicts a side view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 3b depicts a front view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle without a slider, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 3c depicts a front view of a slider, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0019] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of method for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0021] The embodiments herein achieve a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a method for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through FIG. 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the fixture 100 includes a front end 101, a rear end 103, a mounting plate 105, a guide rod 107, a slider 109, a stopper 111 and a plurality of openings 113 on the mounting plate.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the fixture 100 to remove brake plate from the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle includes the mounting plate 105. In an embodiment, the mounting plate 105 of the fixture 100 is defined at the front end 101. In an embodiment, the mounting plate 105 is fabricated in circular shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the mounting plate 105 in any shape and size without otherwise deterring the intended function of coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the mounting plate 105 includes a front surface 105a and a rear surface 105b. FIG. 3a depicts a side view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the mounting plate 105 includes the plurality of openings 113. In an embodiment, the plurality of openings 113 is through holes extending from the front surface 105a to the rear surface 105b of the mounting plate 105.
[0024] FIG. 3b depicts a front view of a fixture to remove brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle without a slider, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the fixture 100 to remove brake plate from the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle includes the guide rod 107. In an embodiment, the guide rod 107 is attached to the mounting plate 105. In an embodiment, the mounting plate 105 is welded to the guide rod 107. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to couple the mounting plate 105 to the guide rod 107 by any other means (such as bolt and screw assembly) without otherwise deterring the intended function of coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the guide rod is coupled to the rear surface 105b of the mounting plate 105. In an embodiment, the guide rod 107 includes a predetermined length L (not shown) and height H (not shown).
[0025] FIG. 3c depicts a front view of a slider, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the fixture 100 to remove brake plate from the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle includes the slider 109. In an embodiment, the guide rod 107 supports the slider 109. In an embodiment, the slider 109 is configured to slide along the guide rod 107 from a first position to a second position. In an embodiment, the slider 109 is pushed or operated in a direction opposite to the mounting plate 105 to remove the brake plate (not shown) from the axle (not shown) of the vehicle.
[0026] In an embodiment, the fixture 100 to remove brake plate from the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle includes the stopper 111. In an embodiment, the guide rod 107 is coupled to the stopper 111 at the rear end 103. In an embodiment, the stopper 111 is welded to the guide rod 107 at the rear end 103. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to couple the guide rod 107 with the stopper 111 by any other means (such as bolt and screw assembly) without otherwise deterring the intended function of coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the stopper 111 is defined at rear end 103 to avoid slip away of the slider 109 from the guide rod 107. In an embodiment, the stopper 111 is a circular member coupled to guide rod 107 at the rear end 103. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the stopper 111 in any shape and size without otherwise deterring the intended function of coupling as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings.
[0027] In an embodiment, the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle includes a plurality of shaft studs defined at both ends of the axle assembly. In an embodiment, the fixture 100 is attached to the axle assembly (not shown) through the plurality of shaft studs (not shown) provided on the axle assembly (not shown). Further, the plurality of shaft studs (not shown) on the axle (not shown) are passed through the openings 113 of the mounting plate 105 to be fastened or engaged with a plurality of wheel nuts (not shown). In an embodiment, the fixture 100 is locked with the axle assembly through the plurality of wheel nuts. The slider 109 is operated after locking the axle assembly to the fixture 100. In an embodiment, the slider 109 is pushed from the first position to the second position to remove the brake plate from the axle assembly i.e. the slider 109 is pushed away from the mounting plate 105 towards the stopper 111 to remove the brake plate from the axle assembly.
[0028] As the slider 109 moves outwards, it removes the brake plate with ease. Once the brake plate is separated from axle, the fixture 100 is disengaged from the wheel-axle assembly.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of method for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method 400 for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. At step 401, the method includes providing a guide rod 107 defining a front end 101 and a rear end 103. At step 403, the method includes coupling a mounting plate 105 at the front end 101 of the guide rod 107. At step 405, the method includes mounting a slider 109 on the guide rod 107. At step 407, the method includes coupling a stopper 111 to the guide rod 107 at the rear end 103. At step 409, the method includes operating the slider 109 between a first position and second position,
[0030] In an embodiment, the mounting plate 105 includes a plurality of openings 113. In an embodiment, the mounting plate 105 is adapted to be attached with the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle. In an embodiment, the slider 109 is configured to slide on the guide rod 107 between a first position and a second position to remove the brake plate from the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle.
[0031] The technical advantages provided by the embodiment herein are minimizing tool investment cost, simple in construction, less cost and easily portable.
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A fixture 100 for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, the fixture 100 comprising:
a guide rod 107 having a front end 101 and a rear end 103;
a mounting plate 105 coupled at the front end 101 of the guide rod 107;
a slider 109 mounted on the guide rod 107; and
a stopper 111 coupled to the guide rod 107 at the rear end 103,
wherein
the mounting plate 105 includes a plurality of openings 113; and
the mounting plate 105 is adapted to be attached with the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle;
the slider 109 is configured to slide on the guide rod 107 between a first position and a second position.
2. The fixture 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slider 109 is pushed in a direction away from the mounting plate 105 and towards the stopper 111 to remove the brake plate from the axle assembly.
3. The fixture 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate 105 includes:
a front surface 105a and a rear surface 105b; and
a plurality of openings 113 located at predetermined locations and extends from the front surface 105a to the rear surface 105b.
4. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle includes a plurality of shaft studs.
5. The fixture 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixture 100 is coupled to the axle assembly by passing the plurality of the shaft studs of the axle assembly through the plurality of openings 113 defined in the mounting plate 105.
6. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of shaft studs is configured to engage with a plurality of wheel nuts to lock the fixture 100 to the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle.
7. The fixture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide rod 107 is coupled the stopper 111 at the rear end 103 to prevent the slider 109 from slipping away of the from the guide rod.
8. A method 400 for removing brake plate from an axle assembly of an automotive vehicle, the method comprising steps of:
providing a guide rod 107 defining a front end 101 and a rear end 103;
coupling a mounting plate 105 at the front end 101 of the guide rod 107;
mounting a slider 109 on the guide rod 107;
coupling a stopper 111 to the guide rod 107 at the rear end 103; and
operating the slider 109 between a first position and second position,
wherein
the mounting plate 105 includes a plurality of openings 113; and
the mounting plate 105 is adapted to be attached with the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle;
the slider 109 is configured to slide on the guide rod 107 between a first position and a second position to remove the brake plate from the axle assembly of the automotive vehicle.