FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a gauge and a method for measurement of clutch
brake pedals freeplay & total travel of pedals.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION
Free play (as shown in fig. 1) is the pedal travel before any action takes place. It
is the distance the pedal can be pressed before it makes contact on the other
end. Most pedals (brake and clutch) should have a small amount of free play.
It's a kind of safety margin, which assures that the linkage hidden beneath the
floor boards is in adjustment.
Total pedal travel (as shown in fig. 2) is the complete distance the pedal must
move, which makes sure that there is enough movement of pedal to correctly
engage & disengage.
Improper clutch & brake pedal free-play adjustment is one of the most frequent
causes of clutch & brakes failure and can be contributing factor in some
transmission failures. In case, free play is reduced to zero by wear, it could
raise problems of clutch slips, continuously load the bearings & even may
result in brakes jams.
Currently available human error prone system requires the following:-
1. Ruler
2. Paint marker or another way to mark a metal surface
3. 3 nos of manpower; one for recording & measuring, second for pressing
the pedals & third one for holding the ruler in vertical direction.
The pedal is moved up and down to feel the looseness. It can be judged by
hand when the free play is right. To be mathematical about it, a ruler is
required. One end of the ruler is placed against the floor and the other
alongside the pedal. The pedal is lifted to the top of its range to note the
measurement. Then, the pedal is pushed just far enough for it to make contact
on the other side (the end of the free play) and note this measurement. The
measurement two is subtracted from measurement one, which is free play.
This is tough, tedious & error prone as Tractor pedals (clutch & brakes) need
periodic inspection & adjustments of free play which is the distance pushing
the brake pedal with fingers pressure before being engaged. Too much or too
little free play refers to high wear rate & poor effectiveness.
Hence, in order to minimize the human errors, time consumption, involvement
of high nos of manpower & reduce the complexity of system, the gauge of the
present invention has been introduced for measuring pedals free play & total
travel pedals.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a gauge for
measurement of clutch brake pedals free play & total travel of pedals which
overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gauge for measurement
of clutch brake pedals free play & total travel of pedals which is simple in
construction, easy to handle and portable.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided a gauge for measurement of clutch
brake pedals free play and total travel of pedals comprising of gauge with
Linear variable differential
Further, according to this invention there is provided a method for measuring
clutch brake pedals free play and total travel of pedals using the gauge as
claimed in claim 1 comprising steps of:
- leveling of the gauge on brake pedal.
- application of magnetic clamp load on both sides of the pedal.
- application of indicator screen for measurement of pedal travel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows free play of pedal.
Fig. 2 shows total pedal travel.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The present invention discloses a gauge and a method for measurement of
clutch brake pedals freeplay & total travel of pedals. The gauge for
measurement of clutch brake pedals free play &
total travel of pedals comprising of gauge with inbuilt LVDT (Linear Variable
Differential Transformer) sensor & spirit leveler, wherein the working principle
relies upon combining a position sensor & force to displacement sensor.
LVDT displacement transducers accurately measure position and
displacement. LVDT sensors are inductive without electrical connection across
the sensing elements ensuring clean data and a long life. Miniature "plug and
play" signal conditioners provide linear DC output when supplied with
regulator DC power.
Gauge is designed in such a way that a block with spirit leveler for balancing in
horizontal plane with screw keys adjustments is provided for fine tuning &
clamped with magnetic base.
The method for measurement of clutch brake pedals freeplay & total travel of
pedals is as follows:
Gauge is placed on brake pedal in which a minor mismatch in height of pedals,
other misc errors & fine tuning for leveling is done with the help of screw keys.
After the leveling, the magnetic clamp load on both side is applied.
Indicator screen is switch on & tare & prepared ready for measurements.
Thereafter, on left pedal magnetic clamp load is released, pedal is pressed down
& travel of pedal is reflected on indicator. After noting the reading, the pedal is
brought back to its original position & magnetic clamp load is applied. Further,
the same phenomenon is replicated on Right side pedal.
For measuring clutch pedal, the complete assembly is mounted & pressed as
single unit in downward direction which provides the pedal travel.
Advantageous Features
Better control over the test.
Short time of test.
Faster analysis.
Modification and re-testing of modification to ascertain improvement
enabled by faster decision making due to in-house lab testing.
Accurate & precise measurement of pedal free play & total pedal
travel.
~e'ssenr os of manpower engagement (1 manpower reqd instead of 3
nos as per current method of measurement).
Easy to handle & doesn't require special skill to operate the gauge.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-
WE CLAIM:
1. A gauge for measurement of clutch brake pedals free play and total travel
of pedals comprising of gauge with Linear variable differential
transformer (LVDT) sensor and spirit leveler, wherein LVDT displacement
transducers accurately measure position and displacement.
2. A gauge as claimed in claim 1, wherein miniature plug and play signal
conditioners provide linear DC output upon being supplied with
regulator DC power.
3. A gauge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a block with spirit leveler for
balancing in horizontal plane with screw keys adjustments is provided
for fine tuning, which is clamped with magnetic base.
4. A method for measuring clutch brake pedals free play and total travel of
pedals using the gauge as claimed in claim 1 comprising steps of:
- leveling of the gauge on brake pedal,
- application of magnetic clamp load on both sides of the pedal,
- application of indicator screen for measurement of pedal travel.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said leveling comprising
mismatching in height of pedals, other misc errors and fine tuning for
leveling with the help of screw keys.
6. A method as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein said indicator screen is
switched on and tare for measurement.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein magnetic clamp load is released
from left pedal followed by pressing down the pedal and indication of
pedal travel on indicator, which is followed by bringing back the pedal to
its original position and application of magnetic clamp load.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, which is replicated on right side pedal.
9. A gauge and a method for measurement of clutch brake pedals freeplay
& total travel of pedals as claimed in any of the preceding claims, is
associated with the advantageous features such as herein described.
10. A gauge and a method for measurement of clutch brake pedals
freeplay & total travel of pedals substantially as herein described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.