FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The disclosure generally relates to a clutch assembly for small engines and more particularly relates to an apparatus and a method for testing a clutch assembly.
BACKGROUND
Clutch assemblies for small engines, such as those used with motor cycles or scooters and the like, generally include an input, an output and a clutch and are operative to couple the input to the output for driving a motor cycle and to disengage the input from the output and engage the output with the clutch whereby rotation of the motor cycle is arrested. Most prior art clutch assemblies for small engines include plurality of springs which urge the input member into pressure engagement with the output member and a cam assembly for disengaging the input and output members and for affecting the engagement of the output member with a clutch element.
In the manufacture or repair of clutch assemblies for small engines, it is also difficult for the operator to ascertain that the clutch has sufficient clamp load such that the clutch doesn't cause wear and tear. The clamp load is usually exerted through plurality of springs provided in the clutch, and is desirable to ascertain if the springs have sufficient clamp load.
Traditionally, the springs of the clutch assembly are tested on sampling basis. For example, a few springs are considered from a lot and assumptions were based on the few tested springs and presumed that the remaining may be the same. With this approach, the accuracy for testing the clutch assembly is not attained as many of the defected clutch assemblies are passed to an assembly line for installation.

In the traditional method, a general-purpose spring testing machine was used to test springs first, then a destructive testing to measure the installed height of the springs was performed. With the help of these two parameters, the total clamp load in the clutch assembly is calculated. This method is very time consuming and takes approximately 20 min for the completion with inspection reports. This method cannot be implemented in the assembly line due to the long cycle time and represents no provision to decide on the clutch assembly being accepted or rejected.
Additionally, in the traditional method, there is no assurance of 100% testing of spring and mixing of spring with different load spring. The traditional method is a manual method and there may be the possibility that operator may miss one or more than one spring in the clutch assembly.
Additionally, the springs may have less or more load from a standard load specification because of individual tolerance of each spring.
For example: If the standard specification for each spring = 24.5±1.2
If the specification of the testing spring =21.0
The number of springs required in:
Complete clutch assembly = 4
Total specification of testing spring =21 .0X 4 =84
Due to tolerance on individual spring and mating parts, there may be chances of load variation as combined load. In traditional methods, there is no assurance that each part has combined load as per standard load specification. So, it may be required that each and every part in assembly may be certified such that combined load should be as per standard load specification.

It is well known that there are various types of spring testing techniques. However, this invention is generally concerned with an apparatus for testing all the springs utilized in a clutch assembly in an automated manner.
SUMMARY
It is an important object of the invention to provide an apparatus for a clutch assembly of small engines adapted to test a combined spring load and displacement of a plurality of springs of the clutch assembly to identify a sufficient load present to prevent any wear and the tear and slippage of the clutch respectively.
And still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to detect the number of spring in the clutch assembly and to overcome the mixing of spring while checking the combined spring load and tension.
And still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to detect the working of the clutch by checking the free movement of one or more plates in the clutch assembly.
And still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple in design, easy to manufacture, and capable of accurate indication.
An apparatus for measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a plurality of springs of a clutch assembly to identify load in the clutch assembly is disclosed. The apparatus comprises of a jig configured to hold the clutch assembly and a column positioned perpendicular to the jig. The column has a top end and a bottom end. A carrier positioned vertically above the jig on the column is provided for allowing travel between a first position and a second position such that the first position being the top end of the column and the second position being the lower end of the column. A measurement head attached to the carrier is provided that is configured to travel between the first position and the second

position. The measurement head comprises of a load such that the measurement head compresses the clutch assembly between the first position and the second position wherein the compression indicate the combined spring load in the clutch assembly.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is a computer-implemented PLC based apparatus.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the column comprises a sliding means to enable movement of the carrier along the column. According to a specific embodiment, the sliding means is a guide rail system.
The apparatus further comprises of a cylinder attached to the carrier for moving the carrier between the first position and the second position.
The apparatus further comprises of a motor attached to the cylinder for providing compression load to the measurement head. According to an embodiment of the invention, the motor is controlled by a computing means for operating the cylinder.
The apparatus further comprises of one or more sensors to detect the presence of the clutch assembly in the jig
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the sensors are configured to communicate with the computing means to perform the measuring of combined spring load and displacement of the clutch assembly after detecting the presence of the clutch assembly in the jig.
The apparatus further comprises of a user interface configured to indicate a test result of the spring load and displacement of the plurality of springs of the clutch assembly.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the user interface is a screen.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the user interface is configured to provide a reading as the test result on a display.
The apparatus further comprises of a database having one or more measurement values for detecting an acceptable clutch assembly such as specified limits and tolerance values. The database is configured for comparing the test results with the measurement values of the acceptable clutch assembly stored in the database and sending the signal to the computing means for showing the result on the user interface.
A method for testing a clutch assembly by measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a plurality of springs of a clutch assembly is disclosed. The method comprises steps of securing the clutch assembly and compressing the clutch assembly between a first position and a second position. The method further comprises of determining a measurement value required to compress the clutch assembly from the first position to the second position and comparing the determined measurement value with a measurement value of an acceptable clutch assembly stored in a database and based on comparison determining weather the measurement value is within a specified limit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the first position and the second position is 0.9~1.2 mm.
The method further comprises of displaying the output of the method on a user interface.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the time required for completing one testing is 18~25 seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of this invention will be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of an apparatus for measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a clutch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of an apparatus for measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a clutch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an apparatus for measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a clutch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRITION
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. Throughout the patent specification, a convention employed is that in the appended drawings, like numerals denote like components.
Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment", "another embodiment" or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in

connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
An apparatus for measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a plurality of springs of a clutch assembly to identify load in the clutch assembly is disclosed. The apparatus may be adapted to identify a sufficient load is present to prevent any wear and the tear of the clutch in the clutch assembly.
Figure 1 to 3 illustrates an apparatus 100 for testing a combined spring load and displacement of a plurality of springs (not shown) of a clutch assembly 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 100 may comprise of a jig 102 configured to secure or hold a clutch assembly 104 and a measurement head 106 configured to measure a combined spring load and displacement of the plurality of springs of the clutch assembly 104. The measurement head 106 may be configured to measure the combined spring load of the clutch assembly 104 by compressing the plurality of springs of the clutch assembly 104 with a heavy load and measure the displacement of springs of the clutch assembly 104.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the measurement head 106 is positioned above the jig 102 such that the measurement head 106 compresses the plurality of springs of the clutch assembly 104 with the correct force after the clutch assembly 104 is inserted in the apparatus 100.
The measurement head 106 may be circular, cylindrical, rectangular or any combination thereof. The measurement head 106 may also have a flat base. The measurement head 106 may also be of any suitable size and weight that can be conveniently attached to a carrier without affecting ease of sliding operation. The measurement head 106 should

generally be smaller than the diameter of the clutch assembly 104. The measurement head 106 may be of a suitable thickness providing sufficient strength to compress the plurality of springs of the clutch assembly 104.
The measurement head 106 is made of any resilient material such as an alloy. The alloy may be selected from a group consisting steel, titanium, chromium, iron and any combination thereof. In the embodiment illustrated, the measurement head 106 may be made up of steel.
Still referring Figure 1 to 3, the apparatus 100 may further comprises of a column 108 positioned perpendicular to the jig 102 and a carrier 110 for the measurement head 106 positioned above the jig 102 on the column 108 that allows travel of the measurement head 106 between a first position A and a second position B. The first position A being a top end of the column and the second position B being a lower end of the column such that the measurement head compresses the clutch assembly.
According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the measurement head 106 is positioned on a lower surface of the carrier 110.
The column 108 may comprise of a sliding means for allowing the carrier 110 to travel on the column 108. The sliding means may be a guide rail system 112. The carrier 110 may be attached to a cylinder 114 for moving the carrier 110 between the first position A and the second position B. The cylinder 114 may be attached to a motor 116 for providing compression load to the measurement head. According to a specific embodiment, the cylinder 114 is configured to bear the load applied by the motor 116 such that the measurement head 106 compresses the clutch assembly 104.
According to yet another embodiment, the motor 116 may be controlled by a computing means (not shown) for operating the cylinder 114.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 may be configured with one or more sensors (not shown) to detect the presence of the clutch assembly 104 in the jig 102. The sensors may be further configured to instruct the computing means to perform the testing of combined spring load and displacement of the clutch assembly 104 after detecting the presence of the clutch assembly 104 in the jig 102. The computing means may instruct the motor 116 to actuate the cylinder 114 to lower the carrier 110 of measurement head 106 such that it engages with the clutch assembly 104 and performs the testing of combined spring load and displacement of the clutch assembly 104.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 may further comprise of a database (not shown) having one or more measurement values such as specified limits and tolerance values, for detecting an acceptable clutch assembly 104. The database may comprise of measurement values for different springs loads. The database is configured for comparing the test results with the measurement values of the acceptable clutch assembly stored in the database and sending the signal to the computing means for showing the result on a user interface.
The apparatus 100 may further comprise of a user interface (not shown) configured to show a signal as a test result. According to an embodiment of the invention, the user interface may be a screen. According to another embodiment of the invention, the user interface may show red or green signal, i.e., the green signal for acceptable clutch assembly and red signal for unacceptable clutch assembly. According to an alternate embodiment of the invention, the user interface may be configured to show a reading as the test result.
The apparatus 100 may be further configured to include the computing means comprising a computer program which when run by the apparatus 100 causes the apparatus 100 to perform the above-described functions.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 may be configured to detect the working of the clutch assembly 104 by checking the free movement of the plates in the clutch assembly 104.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 may be configured to detect the number of spring in the clutch assembly 104 and to overcome the mixing of spring while checking the combined spring load and displacement.
A method for testing a clutch assembly by measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a plurality of springs of a clutch assembly is disclosed herein. The method comprises steps of securing the clutch assembly and compressing the clutch assembly between a first position and a second position. The method further comprises of determining a measurement value required to compress the clutch assembly from the first position to the second position and comparing the determined measurement value with a measurement value of an acceptable clutch assembly stored in a database and based on comparison determining weather the measurement value is within a specified limit. According to an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the first position and the second position is 0.9-1.2 mm.
In accordance with a specific example, a method for testing a clutch assembly via the apparatus 100 includes inserting the clutch assembly 104 on the jig 102 and pressing a start button of the apparatus 100. The start button initiates the measurement head 106 to compress or apply pressure on the clutch assembly 104 and calculates a measurement value of clamp load. Alternatively, one or more sensors may detect the presence of clutch assembly 104 in the jig 102 and may instruct the measurement head 106 to compress the clutch assembly 104. According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the measurement head 106 may compress the clutch assembly 104 exactly for 0.9-1.2 mm. Further, the apparatus 100 automatically compares the reading with the specified limits and tolerance values in a database and decides whether the clutch assembly 104 is acceptable or not. According to yet

another embodiment of the invention, the user interface of the apparatus 100 may display the output of the method as a green signal for acceptable clutch assembly 104 or a red signal for not acceptable clutch assembly. Further, the apparatus 100 may return to an initial position to unload the checked clutch assembly 104 and load a new clutch assembly for checking.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the time required for completing one testing is 18-25 seconds.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 is a measuring apparatus.
By using this method, the combined spring load and displacement of the clutch assembly 104 may be checked accurately and the cycle time of the method may be reduced substantially. The method may further protect from mixing the springs of different loads. The method may also detect the total number of springs in the clutch assembly 104. The method may further detect the working of the clutch by checking the free movement of plates in the clutch assembly 104.
The apparatus 100 as described above is suitable to be used on clutch assembly 104 of small engines preferably two stroke engines. The apparatus 100 is easy to use, easy to manufacture, and low in cost. Testing the clutch assemblies 104 by using the apparatus 100 eliminates wear and tear and slippage of the clutch.
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

We Claim:
1. An apparatus for measuring a combined spring load and displacement of a plurality of
springs of a clutch assembly to identify load in the clutch assembly, the apparatus
comprising:
a jig configured to hold the clutch assembly;
a column positioned perpendicular to the jig, the column having a top end and a bottom end;
a carrier positioned vertically above the jig on the column for allowing travel between a first position and a second position such that the first position being the top end of the column and the second position being the lower end of the column; and
a measurement head attached to the carrier, configured to travel between the first position and the second position; the measurement head comprising a load, such that the measurement head compresses the clutch assembly between the first position and the second position, wherein the compression indicate the combined spring load in the clutch assembly.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is a computer-implemented PLC based apparatus.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the column comprises a sliding means to enable movement of the carrier along the column.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sliding means is a guide rail system.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cylinder attached to the carrier
for moving the carrier between the first position and the second position.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a motor attached to the cylinder for providing compression load to the measurement head.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the motor is controlled by a computing
means for operating the cylinder.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more sensors to detect the presence of the clutch assembly in the jig
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the sensors are configured to communicate with the computing means to perform the measuring of combined spring load and displacement of the clutch assembly after detecting the presence of the clutch assembly in the
jig-
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a user interface configured to
indicate a test result of the spring load and displacement of the plurality of springs of the
clutch assembly.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the user interface is a screen.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the user interface is configured to provide
a reading as the test result on a display.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a database having one or more measurement values for detecting an acceptable clutch assembly such as specified limits and tolerance values.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the database configured for comparing the test results with the measurement values of the acceptable clutch assembly stored in the database and sending the signal to the computing means for showing the result on the user interface.

15. A method for testing a clutch assembly by measuring a combined spring load and
displacement of a plurality of springs of a clutch assembly, comprising steps of:
securing the clutch assembly;
compressing the clutch assembly between a first position and a second position;
determining a measurement value required to compress the clutch assembly from the first position to the second position; and
comparing the determined measurement value with a measurement value of an acceptable clutch assembly stored in a database and based on comparison determining weather the measurement value is within a specified limit.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the distance between the first position and the second position is 0.9-1.2 mm.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15 further comprising displaying the output of the method on a user interface.
18. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the time required for completing one testing is 18~25 seconds.