Claims:We claim:
1. A gauge(100) for holding a release arm of a clutch system in a predetermined position, said gauge (100) comprising:
a first member(102) and a second member (104) disposed in spaced relation to said first member (102);
a guide rail (106) connecting said first member (102) and said second member (104);
a linear bearing (108) coupled to each of said first member (102) and said second member (104) at predetermined position, said linear bearing (108) adapted to slidably engage with said guide rail (106); and
at least one spring (110) connected between said first member (102) and said second member (104) at a predetermined position,
wherein,
said first member (102) is adapted to be held in a fixed position; and
said second member (104) is configured to move linearly in said guide rail (106) in one of towards and away from said first member (102).

2. The gauge (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member (102) defines at least slot (112) which is adapted to affix said first member (102) to a housing (or said stationary member) of said clutch system, wherein said slot (112) is a U-shaped slot.

3. The gauge (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first member (102) defines a plurality of first openings (118) and at least one second opening (120), said each of first opening (118)and said second opening (120) are adapted to receive corresponding a first fastening member (114) and a second fastening member (116), respectively, said first fastening member (114) and said second fastening member (116) is at least a bolt.
4. The gauge (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second member (104) define a plurality of third openings (122) and at least one fourth opening (124) at predetermined positions, said each of third opening (122) and said fourth opening (124) are adapted to receive a third fastening member (126) and a fourth fastening member (128), said third fastening member (126) and said fourth fastening member (128) is at least a bolt.

5. The gauge (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fastening members (114) are configured to connect said linear bearing (108) with said first member (102) and said second fastening member (116) is configured to connect one end of said spring (110) with said first member (102).

6. The gauge (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third fastening members (126) are configured to connect said linear bearing (108) with said second member (104) and said fourth fastening member (128) is configured to connect another end of said spring (110) with said second member (104).

7. A gauge (200) for holding a clutch fork (or release arm) in a predetermined position, said gauge (200) comprising:
a first member (202) and a second member (204) disposed in spaced relation to said first member (202);
a guide rail (206) connecting said first member (202) to said second member (204);
a linear bearing (208) disposed between said guide rail (206) and said second member (204); and
at least one spring (210) connected between said first member (202) and said second member (204) at a predetermined position,
wherein,
said first member (202) is adapted to be held in a fixed position; and
said second member (204) is configured to move linearly in said guide rail (206) in one of towards and away from said first member (202).

8. The gauge (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first member (202) defines a first bore (212) which is adapted to receive a first end of said guide rail (206).

9. The gauge (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second member (204) defines a through hole (218) which is adapted to receive said linear bearing (208), said linear bearing (208) is configured to slidably engage with a second end of said guide rail (206).

10. The gauge (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first member (202) and said second member (204) each define a first opening (220) and a second opening (222) at predetermined positions, said each of first opening (220) and second opening (222) are adapted to receive a fastening member (214), said fastening member (214) is at least a bolt.

11. The gauge (200) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said spring (210) is connected to corresponding said first member (102) and said second member (204) using said fastening member (214).

12. A method (300) for holding a release arm of a clutch system at a predetermined position, said method consisting steps of:
mounting a first member (102) of a gauge (100) to a stationary member of said clutch system;
displacing a second member (104) of said gauge (100) away from said first member (102) and beyond said release arm;
pressing said release arm wherein a clutch release bearing makes contact with a diaphragm spring;
holding and locking said release arm, by said second member (104), at a position wherein said clutch release bearing makes contact with said diaphragm spring; and
adjusting a securing member of said clutch system by holding said release arm at said position.

13. The method (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said gauge (100) includes:
said first member (102) and said second member (104) disposed in spaced relation to said first member (102);
a guide rail (106) connecting said first member (102) and said second member (104); and
at least one spring (110) connected between said first member (102) and said second member (104) at a predetermined position,
wherein,
said first member (102) is adapted to be held in a fixed position; and
said second member (104) is configured to move linearly in said guide rail (106) in one of towards and away from said first member (102).

14. The method (300) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said gauge (100) includes a linear bearing (108) coupled to each of said first member (102) and said second member (104) at predetermined position, said linear bearing (108) adapted to slidably engage with said guide rail (106).
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to clutch system of vehicles, and more particularly, to a gauge for setting a release arm (also referred to as clutch fork in this description) of the clutch system at a predetermined position. More specifically, to the gauge to hold the release arm at a zero position in a vehicle production assembly line or in a vehicle service station for adjusting (or tightening) a securing member of the clutch system.
BACKGROUND
[002] Clutch assemblies are used to control the transmission of torque from an engine to a multiple speed gear transmission. Clutches generally have a plurality of plates with friction engaging surfaces that transmit torque when the clutch plates are compressed and interrupt torque transfer when pressure is released from the clutch plates. Clutches which are designed for heavy and medium duty applications usually employ sleeves which ride on a transmission input shaft. A release bearing is connected with a clutch spring and/or clutch levers through the sleeve which provides the clutch engagement load against the pressure plate. The sleeve is disposed over the transmission input shaft and rotates with the spring, as well as the cover, flywheel and pressure plate of the clutch. A clutch fork or release arm is pivotably mounted in a clutch housing connecting the engine block and the gear transmission. The clutch fork is connected with an operator controlled pedal for selective axial displacement of the bearing and sleeve and the consequent disengagement of the clutch.
[003] Conventionally, in a production line or in a service station, an operator performs an adjustment of the clutch fork or release arm according to a clutch position by a manual sensation of the clutch release bearing making contact with the clutch diaphragm spring. A highly skilled operator is required for performing this operation. If the operator is not skilled sufficiently, possibility of the following issues in vehicle level may occur. Firstly, if the release arm is tightened after a zero-position, then clutch will be preloaded, which leads to clutch slippage and clutch burning issue in field. Secondly, if the release arm is kept free, i.e. set before the zero-position, then clutch will not be sufficiently stroked to disconnect the torque transfer from the engine to the gear transmission, which leads to hard gear shifting and crash noise.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a gauge for setting a release arm at a predetermined position, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a gauge for holding a clutch fork (or release arm) at a predetermined position.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the gauge for holding the clutch fork at a zero position in a vehicle production assembly line for adjusting (or tightening) a securing member of the clutch system.
[007] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the gauge which is simple, easy to assemble and inexpensive.
[008] 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
[009] The embodiments herein 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:
[0010] FIG. 1a depicts a perspective view of a gauge, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 1b depicts a top view of the gauge, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 1c depicts a bottom side view of the gauge, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 1d depicts a perspective view of a guide rail assembled with the linear bearings, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 1e depicts a perspective view of a first member of the gauge, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 1f depicts a perspective view of a second member of the gauge, according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 2a depicts a perspective view of a gauge, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 2bdepicts a top view of the gauge, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 2c depicts a perspective view of a first member, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 2d depicts a perspective view of a second member, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 2e depicts a top view of a guide rail, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0021] FIG. 2f depicts a perspective view of a linear bearing, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein; and
[0022] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method for holding a release arm of a clutch system at a predetermined position, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] 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.
[0024] The embodiments herein achieve a gauge for holding a clutch fork (or release arm) at a predetermined position. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the gauge for holding the clutch fork at a zero position in a vehicle production assembly line for adjusting (or tightening) a securing member of the clutch system. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the gauge which is simple, easy to assemble and inexpensive. Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there are shown embodiments of the gauge for setting the clutch fork at a predetermined position.
[0025] FIG. 1a depicts a perspective view of a gauge, according to first embodiment as disclosed herein. The gauge (100) generally includes a first member (102), a second member (104), a guide rail (106), at least two linear bearings (108), at least one spring (110), a slot (112) defined in first member (102), a plurality of first openings (118) (as shown in FIG. 1e), at least one second opening (120) (as shown in FIG. 1e), a plurality of third openings (122) (as shown in FIG. 1f), at least one fourth opening (124) (as shown in FIG. 1f), a plurality of first fastening members (114) (not shown), at least one second fastening member (116), a plurality of third fastening members (126) (not shown) and at least one fourth fastening member (128).
[0026] The gauge (100) includes the first member (102) which is adapted to be stationary relative to the second member (104). In an embodiment, the first member (102) is at least an elongated cube (or a block) shaped member. The first member (102) includes at least one slot (112) extending longitudinally from one end of the first member (102) towards a mid-portion of the first member (102) as shown in FIG. 1b. The slot (112) is defined in the first member (102) so that the first member (102) may be easily affixed to a stationary member (or housing) of the clutch system. In an embodiment, the slot (112) is an elongated U-shaped slot as shown in FIG. 1c. Further, the first member (102) includes a plurality of first openings (118) and at least one second opening (120) which are defined at predetermined positions. The plurality of first openings (118) are adapted to receive corresponding first fastening members (114) and similarly the second opening (120) is configured to receive corresponding second fastening member (116) (as shown in FIG. 1e). In an embodiment, the first fastening members (114) and the second fastening (116) are at least bolt as shown in FIG. 1c.
[0027] FIG. 1f depicts a perspective view of a second member of the gauge, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The gauge (100) includes the second member (104) which is adapted to move relative to the first member (102). In an embodiment, the second member (104) is at least an elongated cube (or a block) shaped member. The second member (104) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the first member (102). Further, the second member (104) includes a plurality of third openings (122) and at least one fourth opening (124). The plurality of third openings (122) are adapted to receive corresponding third fastening members (126) and similarly the fourth opening (124) is configured to receive corresponding fourth fastening member (128). In an embodiment, the third fastening members (126) and the fourth fastening (128) are at least bolt.
[0028] FIG. 1d depicts a perspective view of a guide rail assembled with the linear bearing, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The guide rail (106) is an elongated bar having an arrangement for receiving a sliding portion of the linear bearing (108). Further, one end of the guide rail (106) receives the first member (102) such that the first member (102) is affixed to the guide rail (106) and the other end of the guide rail (106) receives the second member (104).
[0029] The gauge (100) includes the linear bearing (108) which are connected in mid-portion of both first and second members (102 and 104). The linear bearing (108) are arranged such that they provide siding movement of the second members (104) relative to fixedly held guide rail (106). Further, the gauge (100) includes the spring (110) which is connected between the first and second members (102 and 104) at a predetermined position, such that the second member (104) is held under a predetermined load, when displaced away from the first member (102) and returns to an original position when unloaded.
[0030] FIG. 2a depicts a perspective view of a gauge, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein. The gauge (200) generally includes a first member (202), a second member (204), a guide rail (206), at least one linear bearing (208), at least one spring (210), a first bore (112) defined in first member (202), a fastening member (214), a through hole (218), a first opening (220) and a second opening (222).
[0031] FIG. 2b depicts a top view of the gauge, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 2c depicts a perspective view of a first member, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein. The gauge (200) includes the first member (202) which is adapted to be a stationary member and configured to be affixed to the stationary member of the clutch system. In an embodiment, the first member (102) is a C-shaped open bracket having a space for receiving the stationary member of the clutch housing. Further, the first member (202) includes the first opening (220) which is configured to receive the fastening member (214). Furthermore, the first member (202) includes the bore (212) which is configured to receive a first end of the guide rail (206).
[0032] FIG. 2d depicts a perspective view of a second member, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein. The gauge (200) includes the second member (204) which is disposed co-axial to the first member (202). In an embodiment, the second member (204) is a U-shaped open bracket having a space for receiving the release arm of the clutch system. Further, the second member (204) includes the second opening (222) which is configured to receive the fastening member (214). Furthermore, the second member (204) includes the through hole (218) which is configured to receive a second end of the guide rail (206).
[0033] FIG. 2e depicts a top view of a guide rail, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein. FIG. 2f depicts a perspective view of a linear bearing, according to a second embodiment as disclosed herein. The gauge (200) further includes the linear bearing (208) which is disposed in the through hole (218) of the second member (204). In an embodiment, the linear bearing (208) is a cylindrical linear bearing. The linear bearing (208) is arranged such that the second member (204) is slidable relative to the first member (204) i.e. the second member (204) slides linearly towards and away relative to the first member (202). In an embodiment, the guide rail (206) is a cylindrical rod of predetermined length.
[0034] Further, the gauge (200) includes the spring (210) which is connected between the first and second members (202 and 204) at a predetermined position, such that the second member (204) is held under a predetermined load, when displaced away from the first member (202) and returns to an original position when unloaded.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method for holding a release arm of a clutch system at a predetermined position, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The method for holding the release arm at a predetermined position includes, mounting a gauge (100) to a stationary member of said clutch system such that a first member (102) of said gauge (100) is fixed to said stationary member (At step 302). Further, the method (300) includes displacing a second member (104) of said gauge (100) away from said first member (102) and beyond said release arm (At step 304). Furthermore, the method (300) includes pressing said release arm such that a clutch release bearing makes contact with a diaphragm spring (At step 306). Moreover, the method (300) includes holding and locking said release arm, by said second member (104), at a position where said clutch release bearing makes contact with said diaphragm spring (At step 308). Additionally, the method (300) includes adjusting (or tightening) a securing member of said clutch system by holding said release arm at said position (At step 310).
[0036] The technical advantages disclosed by the embodiments herein include providing the gauge which is simple, easy to assemble and inexpensive, facilitating in easy assembling to stationary member and easy setting of release arm.
[0037] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others may, 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 may be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.