DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to clutch slave cylinders of vehicles.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
During the product development phase, multiple iterations with various proposals of clutch components are retro-fitted on a vehicle to evaluate the performance of a clutch system/ clutch slave cylinder (CSC) of the vehicle. After each replacement of the components of the clutch system, it is necessary to extract air from the hydraulic circuit of the system so that there is no hindrance in clutch operation. For extracting the air, a bleeding operation is carried out, wherein a bleeder connector/clip is to be unlocked/locked to release the trapped air.
Generally, a CSC bleeder connector/clip is used, which is an L type connector/clip. To open a bleeder pipe in the L type connector, it is necessary to unlock the bleeder, which is locked by a circlip. After the clutch bleeding process, the bleeder needs to be locked, thereby preventing the air entry into the CSC. To lock/unlock the CSC clip, the clip needs to be pressed. However, locking/unlocking the clip requires a huge effort and often the clip becomes inaccessible to a human hand/tool, which may cause damage to the CSC if unwarranted force is exerted.
There is, therefore, felt a need for a tool for safely manipulating a clip of the clutch slave cylinder bleeder.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a tool for safely manipulating a clip of a clutch slave cylinder bleeder.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tool that locks/unlocks a clip of clutch slave cylinder bleeder without damaging any part of the CSC.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tool that can be safely operated.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a tool that does not cause injury to a user.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tool for manipulating a clip of a clutch slave cylinder bleeder that reduces time and effort.
Yet object of the present disclosure is to provide a tool for manipulating a clip of a clutch slave cylinder bleeder that can be widely adapted after production.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present invention discloses a tool for manipulating a clutch slave cylinder (CSC) bleeder clip. The tool comprises a pair of lever arms and a spring mechanism. The pair of lever arms joined to each other in a scissor grid configuration by a pivot pin. Each lever arm is defined by a leverage end and a top end having a groove configured thereon. The CSC bleeder clip is clamped in the grooves and is manipulated by applying a force at the leverage end of the tool to release air from a bleeder pipe of a clutch slave cylinder, when the lever arms are pressed. The spring mechanism connects the lever arms and is located adjacent to the pivot pin. The spring mechanism is configured to provide a counter force to the force applied at the leverage ends when manipulating the CSC bleeder clip to allow the lever arms to retain their initial positions, when the lever arms are de-pressed.
In another embodiment, the spring mechanism includes a spring member configured to apply the counter force on the lever arms; and a screw type mechanism configured to fasten the screw member to said lever arms such that an adjustable travel is provided to the spring member.
In yet another embodiment, the lever arms are provided with a predetermined travel to enable ease in handling the CSC bleeder clip.
In one embodiment, spring mechanism is configured to retain initial position of said tool after de-pressing said lever arms.
In another embodiment, the tool is portable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A tool, of the present disclosure, for manipulating a clip of a clutch slave cylinder bleeder will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a tool for manipulating a clip of a clutch slave cylinder bleeder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates isometric view of the tool of Figure 1, while manipulating the clip.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Tool
102 – Lever arms
103 – Pivot pin
105 – Leverage end
110 – Spring
115 – Screw type mechanism
120 – Groove
125 – Clutch slave cylinder
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
A preferred embodiment of a tool (100) for manipulating a clip of a clutch slave cylinder (CSC) bleeder, of the present disclosure, will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 2. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.
Generally, an L-type connector/clip is used to manipulate bleeding of the clutch slave cylinder (125). To lock/unlock the L-type connector/clip, the tool (100) is envisioned that includes a scissor type arrangement for manipulating the L type connector/clip. The arrangement of the tool (100) includes a pair of lever arms (102) and a spring mechanism.
The lever arms (102) are joined to each other in a scissor grid configuration by a pivot pin (103). The lever arms (102) are configured with predetermined travel that enables ease in handling/pressing the lever arms (102). The lever arms (102) are configured to easily access of the CSC clip and reduce the pressing effort. The lever arms (102) include a small groove (120) on a top end of each lever arm (102) and a leverage end (105). The groove (120) provides a firm grip to an operator over the clip while the leverage end (105) provides a firm grip to operate the tool (100) when the lever arms (102) are pressed, thereby avoiding any slip/damage to the clip.
The spring mechanism is configured to connect the lever arms (102). The spring mechanism is located adjacent to the pivot pin (103), more specifically near the leverage end. The spring mechanism includes a spring member (110) configured to apply a counter force to the force applied at the leverage ends (105) when manipulating the clip to allow the lever arms (102) to retain their initial positions . The spring mechanism is further configured to retain the initial position of the tool (100) after de-pressing the lever arms (102). The spring mechanism further includes a screw type mechanism (115) configured to fasten the spring member (110) to the lever arms (102). The screw type mechanism (115) is configured to provide said spring member (110) with an adjustable travel
In an operative configuration, to lock/unlock the CSC bleeder clip, the operator adjusts the screw type mechanism (115) to compress or de-compress the spring member (110) as per the requirement. As the spring member (110) provides the force opposite to the force applied by the operator at the leverage ends (105), the spring member (110) needs to be adjusted by the operator at the beginning of the manipulating of the CSC bleeder clip. After adjusting the spring member (110), the operator holds the leverage ends (105) of the tool (100) and places the groove (120) at the top end of the lever arms (102) in a manner that the groove (120) of each lever arm (102) engulfs the curvature of the CSC bleeder clip. Once the operator applies force on the leverage end (105) by pressing the lever arms (102), the grooves (120) clamp the CSC bleeder clip in a manner that does not damage the CSC bleeder clip but enables unlocking of the L type connector. Once the L type connector is unlocked the bleeder pipe connected to the clutch slave cylinder (125) of a clutch assembly of a vehicle can be opened and the air can be released out. De-pressing the lever arms (102) causes the spring member to compress and allow the lever arms (102) to retain their original position.
The tool (100) is configured to manipulate or lock/unlock the CSC bleeder clip, which is otherwise performed manually by the operator. The tool (100) further eases the effort required for pressing the CSC bleeders clip and firmly lock/unlock the bleeder clip. Additionally, the effort required for locking/unlocking the clip is reduced and the bleeding operation is carried out in a short period of time. Further, the tool (100) can be safely operated without causing damage to components of the clutch slave cylinder and injury to the operator.
The tool (100) is portable. Further, the simple configuration of the tool (100) facilitates the adaption of the tool (100) for post-production applications. More specifically, the tool (100) can be employed at off-production location, after-market, dealer end, or proto build shop.
The configuration of the tool (100) facilitates ease of handling. As a result, the tool (100) can be operated without causing an injury to the operator.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a tool for manipulating a clip of a clutch slave cylinder bleeder, that:
• locks/unlocks a clip of clutch slave cylinder bleeder with ease;
• can be safely operated;
• does not cause damage to components of a clutch slave cylinder;
• does not cause injury to an operator;
• reduces time required for bleeding of clutch slave cylinder; and
• can be widely adapted after production.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals 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 preferred 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.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, apparatus, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A tool (100) for manipulating a clutch slave cylinder (CSC) bleeder clip, the tool (100) comprising:
• a pair of lever arms (102) joined to each other in a scissor grid configuration by a pivot pin (103), each lever arm (102) defined by a leverage end (105) and a top end having a groove (120) configured thereon, wherein said CSC bleeder clip is clamped in said grooves (120) and manipulated by applying a force at the leverage end (105) of the tool (100) to release air from a bleeder pipe of a clutch slave cylinder (125), when said lever arms (102) are pressed; and
• a spring mechanism connecting said lever arms (102) and located adjacent to said pivot pin (103), said spring mechanism configured to provide a counter force to the force applied at the leverage ends (105) when manipulating said CSC bleeder clip to allow said lever arms (102) to retain their initial positions, when said lever arms (102) are de-pressed.
2. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring mechanism includes:
o a spring member (110) configured to apply the counter force on said lever arms (102); and
o a screw type mechanism (115) configured to fasten said screw member to said lever arms (102) such that an adjustable travel is provided to said spring member (110).
3. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever arms (102) are provided with a predetermined travel to enable ease in handling the CSC bleeder clip.
4. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein spring mechanism is configured to retain initial position of said tool (100) after de-pressing said lever arms (102).
5. The tool (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool (100) is portable.