Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
Patent Application
of
Claude Drouin
for a
Device and Method for Obtaining Aligned Channels in Spaced Apart Components
1 o Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to the general field of alignment and is
particularly concerned
with a device_and a method for obtaining aligned channels in spaced apart
components.
Background of the Invention:
There exists a variety of situations wherein it is desirable to use a shaft
rotatably or slidably
mounted within at least two spaced apart shaft supporting components. One
example of
such situations exists in the field of air brake systems for relatively large
vehicles wherein a
2o so called "S"-type camshaft rotatably mounted within a pair of
corresponding bushings
components is used for activating brake pads. The bushing components in such a
context
are typically mounted on supporting legs attached to the vehicle axle sleeve.
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
Some of the brake system components including the camshaft and bushing
components are
subject to relatively important mechanical stress during use and must
therefore be
periodically serviced and replaced. Heretofore, replacement of these brake
components
involved replacement of the shaft with a new shaft and of the bushings
components with
pre-bored bushings. Because of the relatively poor alignment of the bushing
components
once mounted on their respective supporting legs, in order to allow for
eventual slidable
insertion of the camshaft within the replaced bushings components and to
prevent seizing
thereof, it was necessary to use bushing components having relatively large
bushing
channels extending therethrough.
to
These relatively large bushing channels create a large and often non-
symmetrical peripheral
clearance between the outer surface of the camshaft and the inner surface of
the bushing
channel. This relatively important clearance, in turn, reduces the contact
surface between
the components creating a variety of drawbacks including decreased braking
performance
1s and durability. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an
improved method
and device for obtaining aligned channels in spaced apart components such as
spaced apart
bushing components used for supporting a camshaft part of a braking system.
Advantages of the present invention include that the proposed method and
device allows an
2o intended user to obtain aligned channels that are custom fit for a given
situation, for example
a given shaft. The proposed method allows the channels to be readily obtain
through a set of
quick, easy and ergonomical steps without requiring special tooling or manual
dexterity.
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
Furthermore, the proposed method allows for in situ forming of the channels
even in thigh
spaces thus reducing the need for costly manipulation and transportation.
The proposed device is specifically design so as to be manufacturable using
conventional
forms of manufacturing so as to provide a device that will be economical, long
lasting and
generally trouble free in operation. Special features are provided for
ensuring ergonomical
use thereof and accuracy during the channel forming process.
When the proposed device and method are used in the field of brake components
to overhauling, the obtained aligned and customised channels extending through
the bushing
components increases the contact surface between the sha8 and bushing channels
and
reduces the looseness of the shaft and bushing assembly. This, in turn,
provides reduce
friction and wear, increased seal and braking performance and improved
component
durability. It is estimated that the proposed method and device may reduce
side play
t 5 between the shaft and bushing channels from the typical 0.020 inch up to
0.005 inch.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for
aligning a first final
2o component channel and a second final component channel respectively
extending through
spaced apart first and second components, the first and second final component
channels
having corresponding first and second predetermined final internal diameters,
the first
and second components being initially provided with corresponding first and
second
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
initial component channels extending therethrough, the first and second
initial component
channels defining corresponding first and second initial internal diameters,
the first and
second components being initially positioned so that the first and second
initial
component channels are in a generally aligned relationship relative to each
other, the
method comprising the steps of: a) selecting the first and second components
so that the
first initial internal diameter is smaller then the first predetermined final
internal diameter
and the second initial internal diameter is smaller then the second
predetermined final
internal diameter; b) using the first initial component channel as a reaming
guide for
reaming the second initial component channel having the second initial
diameter until it
1o becomes the second final component channel having the second final internal
diameter;
c) once the second final component channel has been reamed, using the second
final
component channel as a reaming guide for reaming the first initial component
channel
having the first initial diameter into the first final component channel
having the first
final diameter so that the first and second final component channels in
alignment relative
to each other; whereby using the first initial component channel as a reaming
guide for
forming the second final component channel and then the newly formed second
final
component channel as a reaming guide for forming the first final component
channel
ensures that the first and second final component channels are aligned
relative to each
other.
There is also provided a method for aligning a first final component channel
and a second
final component channel respectively extending through spaced apart first and
second
components more specifically through the use of a device including a boring
head, the
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
boring head being mounted on a coupling shaft defining a pair of opposed
coupling shaft
first and second longitudinal ends; a guiding sleeve, the guiding sleeve
defining an inner
sleeve channel and a generally frustro-conical sleeve outer surface, the inner
sleeve
channel defining a sleeve channel longitudinal axis; a generally elongated
guiding shaft
defining a guiding shaft first longitudinal end, a guiding shaft second
longitudinal end
and a guiding shaft longitudinal axis, the guiding shaft having a guiding-to-
coupling shaft
releasable coupling means for allowing releasable coupling of the guiding
shaft
selectively to either one of the coupling shaft first and second longitudinal
ends, the
guiding shaft being configured and sized so as to be at least partially
substantially
to fittingly and slidably insertable within the sleeve channel with the sleeve
channel
longitudinal axis in a generally collinear relationship relative to the
guiding shaft
longitudinal axis; the guiding sleeve being configured so as to guide the
orientation of the
guiding shaft longitudinal axis while allowing rotation of the guiding shaft
about the
guiding shaft longitudinal axis , wherein the steps of using the first initial
component
channel as a reaming guide for reaming the second initial component channel
until it
becomes the second final component channel and using the second final
component
channel as a reaming guide for reaming the first initial component channel
into the first
final component channel respectively involve the steps of: a) positioning the
guiding
sleeve substantially concentrically within the first initial component
channel;
2o b) with the guiding shaft first longitudinal end attached to the coupling
shaft first
longitudinal end, slidingly inserting the guiding shaft through the second
initial
component channel until the guiding shaft second longitudinal end is at least
partially
inserted within the sleeve channel; c) driving the boring head attached to the
guiding
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
shaft by the coupling shaft through the second initial component channel while
the
guiding shaft is guided by the guiding sleeve until the boring head produces
the second
final component channel;
d) with the guiding shaft first longitudinal end attached to the coupling
shaft second
longitudinal end, slidingly inserting the boring head and the guiding shaft
attached
thereto through second final component channel until the boring head reaches
first initial
component channel with the guiding shaft at least partially inserted within
the through
second final component channel ; e) positioning the guiding sleeve
substantially
concentrically within the second final component channel by sliding it onto
the guiding
1o shaft and at least partially into the second final component channel; f)
driving the boring
head through the first initial component channel while the guiding shaft is
guided by the
guiding sleeve until the boring head produces the first final component
channel.
The present invention also relates to a device for aligning about an alignment
axis a first
t 5 final component channel and a second final component channel respectively
extending
through spaced apart first and second components, the first and second final
component
channels having corresponding first and second predetermined final internal
diameters,
the first and second components being initially provided with corresponding
first and
second initial component channels extending therethrough, the first and second
initial
2o component channels defining corresponding first and second initial internal
diameters,
the first and second components being initially positioned so that the first
and second
initial component channels are in a generally aligned relationship relative to
each other,
the device comprising:
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
a) a boring means for boring the first and second final component channels and
b) a guiding means for guiding the boring means along the alignment axis.
Preferably, the boring means includes a boring head defining a generally
cylindrical head
s base, the head base defining a head base first longitudinal end, a
longitudinally opposed
head base second longitudinal end and a head base cylindrical wall, the head
base
cylindrical wall defining a head base channel extending longitudinally
therethrough and a
head base longitudinal axis; a set of boring blades extends generally radially
from the outer
surface of the head base cylindrical wall.
to
Conveniently, each one of the boring blades defines a tapered blade initiating
section
positioned adjacent the head base first longitudinal end, each blade
initiating section
tapering from the blade outer peripheral-cutting edge towards the head base
cylindrical wall
in a direction leading towards the head base first longitudinal end; each
blade initiating
t 5 section forming a first angle having a value substantially in the range of
1.5 degrees with the
outer surface of the cylindrical wall; each blade initiating section extending
over a distance
having a value substantially in the range of 1.6 centimetres; each boring
blade being
longitudinally angled relative to the radius of the cylindrical head base by a
second angle
having a value substantially in the range of 0.1 degrees. Also, preferably,
the boring means
2o includes a releasable coupling means for releasably coupling the boring
head to the guiding
means and to a torque generating means.
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
Preferably, the coupling means includes a coupling shaft defining a coupling
shaft first
longitudinal end, a coupling shaft second longitudinal end and a coupling
shaft longitudinal
axis; the coupling shaft first and second longitudinal ends being both
provided with
corresponding coupling shaft first and second threaded segments for allowing
releasable
threaded coupling to the guiding means at both longitudinal ends of the
coupling shaft; the
coupling shaft being configured and sized so as to be at least partially
substantially fittingly
and slidably insertable into the head base channel with the boring head
positioned between
the coupling shaft first and second threaded segments.
to Conveniently, the coupling means includes a releasable locking means for
releasably
locking together the boring head and the coupling shaft against relative
rotational movement
and bi-directional axial translation therebetween so as to ensure that the
boring head rotates
solidarly with the coupling shaft and also for ensuring that the boring head
is only allowed
to translate axially relative to the coupling shaft in one predetermined axial
direction.
Preferably, the releasable locking means includes at least one locking
protrusion protruding
substantially outwardly and radially from the outer surface of the coupling
shaft and a
corresponding locking groove formed in the head base cylindrical wall. The
coupling shaft
is conveniently provided with a grasp facilitating means for facilitating the
grasping of the
2o coupling shaft.
Conveniently, the grasp facilitating means includes an hexagonal grasping
protrusion
extending outwardly from the outer surface of the coupling shaft; the grasping
protrusion
s
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
being positioned intermediate the protruding section and the coupling shaft
second threaded
segment; the grasping protrusion also defining an abutment edge adapted to
abuttingly
contact the longitudinal edge of the head second longitudinal end so as to
serve as an
additional locking means for limiting the relative axial translational
movement between the
boring head and the coupling shaft in a predetermined direction.
Preferably, the guiding means includes a guiding sleeve and a guiding shaft,
the guiding
sleeve having a generally cylindrical sleeve wall defining a sleeve first
longitudinal end, a
sleeve second longitudinal end and a sleeve longitudinal axis; the sleeve wall
also defining
1o an inner sleeve channel having a substantially disc-shaped cross-sectional
configuration and
a generally fiwstro-conical sleeve outer surface; the sleeve outer surface
tapering conically in
a direction leading towards the sleeve first longitudinal end.
Conveniently, the guiding shaft has a generally elongated configuration
defining a guiding
shaft first longitudinal end, a guiding shaft second longitudinal end and a
guiding shaft
longitudinal axis; the guiding shaft having a guiding-to-coupling shaft
releasable coupling
means for allowing releasable coupling thereof to both sides of the coupling
means; the
guiding shaft having a generally cylindrical guiding shaft body defining a
guiding shaft
outer surface that is configured and sized for allowing the guiding shaft to
be substantially
2o fittingly and slidably inserted within the inner sleeve channel; the
guiding shaft being
configured and sized so as to be inserted within the inner sleeve channel with
the sleeve
longitudinal axis in a generally collinear relationship relative to the
guiding shaft
longitudinal axis longitudinal axis; whereby, the guiding sleeve is adapted to
guide the
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
general orientation of the guiding shaft longitudinal axis while allowing
rotation of the
guiding shaft about its guiding shaft longitudinal axis longitudinal axis and
allowing relative
translation movement between the guiding sleeve and the guiding shaft.
s Preferably, the guiding shaft is provided with a guiding shaft-to-torque
generating means
releasable coupling means for releasably coupling the coupling shaft and any
components
attached thereto to a suitable torque generating means. The guiding shaft-to-
torque
generating means coupling means conveniently includes a generally hexagonal
guiding shaft
grasping protrusion extending axially and outwardly from the guiding shaft
second
l o longitudinal end.
Conveniently the guiding means includes a guiding sleeve and a guiding shaft,
the guiding
sleeve having a generally cylindrical sleeve wall defining a sleeve first
longitudinal end, a
sleeve second longitudinal end and a sleeve longitudinal axis; the sleeve wall
also defining
t5 an inner sleeve channel having a substantially disc-shaped cross-sectional
configuration and
a generally fiustro-conical sleeve outer surface; the sleeve outer surface
tapering comically in
a direction leading towards the sleeve first longitudinal end; the guiding
shaft having a
generally elongated configuration defining a guiding shaft first longitudinal
end, a guiding
shaft second longitudinal end and a guiding shaft longitudinal axis; the
guiding shaft having
2o a guiding-to-coupling shaft releasable coupling means for allowing
releasable coupling
thereof to both sides of the coupling means; the guiding shaft having a
generally cylindrical
guiding shaft body defining a guiding shaft outer surface that is configured
and sized for
allowing the guiding shaft to be substantially fittingly and slidably inserted
within the inner
to
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
sleeve channel; the guiding shaft being configured and sized so as to be
inserted within the
inner sleeve channel with the sleeve longitudinal axis in a generally
collinear relationship
relative to the guiding shaft longitudinal axis longitudinal axis; whereby,
the guiding sleeve
is adapted to guide the general orientation of the guiding shaft longitudinal
axis while
allowing rotation of the guiding shaft about its guiding shaft longitudinal
axis longitudinal
axis and allowing relative translation movement between the guiding sleeve and
the guiding
shaft; the guiding-to-coupling shaft releasable coupling means including an
internally
threaded recess formed in the guiding shaft first longitudinal end for
selective threadable
coupling to both the coupling shaft first and second threaded segments.
to
Brief Description of the Drawing:
An embodiment of the present invention will now be disclosed, by way of
example, in
reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1: in a perspective view with sections taken-out illustrates a pair of
bushing
2o components rotatably supporting a camshaft part of a conventional air brake
system, the
bushing components are shown in full lines while a section of the air brake
system is shown
in phantom lines, the bushings part of the air brake system exemplify one
possible
application of the present invention;
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
Figure 2: in a perspective view illustrates the camshaft shown in Figure 1
with bushings
shown in phantom lines mounted thereon;
Figure 3: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out illustrates a
device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for creating aligned
first and
second final component channels in corresponding first and second components;
Figure 4: in a partial exploded elevational view with sections taken-out
illustrates a device in
t 0 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for creating
aligned first and
second final component channels in corresponding first and second components;
Figure 5: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out illustrates
the device shown in
Figures 3 and 4 being used for performing a first step of a method also part
of the present
invention, the device is shown as it begins a boring process performed on a
first component;
Figure 6: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out illustrates
the device shown in
Figures 3 and 4 being used for performing a second step of a method also part
of the present
invention, the device is shown as it performs a boring process performed on a
first
2o component;
Figure 7: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out illustrates
the device shown in
Figures 3 and 4 being used for performing a third step of a method also part
of the present
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
invention, the device is shown as it begins a boring process performed on a
second
component;
Figure 8: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out illustrates
the device shown in
Figures 3 and 4 being used for performing a fourth step of a method also part
of the present
invention, the device is shown as it performs a boring process performed on a
second
component;
Figure 9: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out illustrates a
shaft extending
1o through unaligned channels formed in a pair of unaligned bushing
components;
Figure 10: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out illustrates a
shaft extending
through aligned channels formed in a pair of unaligned bushing components;
t 5 Figure 11: in a partial elevational view with sections taken-out
illustrates a shaft extending
through aligned channels formed in a pair of aligned bushing components;
Figure 12: in a transversal cross-sectional view taken along arrows XII-XII of
Figure 9
illustrates the spatial relationship between the shaft and one of the bushing
components;
Figure 13: in a transversal cross-sectional view taken along arrows XII-XII of
Figure 10
illustrates the spatial relationship between the shaft and one of the bushing
components;
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
Figure 14: in a transversal cross-sectional view taken along arrows XN-XIV of
Figure 11
illustrates the spatial relationship between the shaft and one of the bushing
components.
Detailed description:
Refernng to figures 5 through 8, there is shown, in elevational views with
sections taken-off,
a device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention being
used for
creating aligned first and second final bushing channels 12, 14 in
corresponding first and
1 o second bushing components 16, 18. The first and second final bushing
channels 12, 14 are
shown aligned about a common alignment axis 20 extending longitudinally
therethrough.
The device 10 includes a boring means 22 for boring the first and second final
bushing
channels 12, 14 and a guiding means 24 for guiding said boring means along the
alignment
axes
Referring now more specifically to Figure 4, there is shown in greater details
some of the
components of then device 10. The boring means 22 includes a boring head 26
defining a
generally cylindrical head base 28. The head base 28, in turn, defines a head
base first
longitudinal end 30, a longitudinally opposed head base second longitudinal
end 32, a head
2o base cylindrical wall 34 defining a head base channel 36 extending
longitudinally
therethrough and a head base longitudinal channel 38.
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
A set of boring blades 40 extends generally radially from the outer surface of
the head base
cylindrical wall 34. The boring blades 40 preferably extend from a position
located
substantially adjacent the head base first longitudinal end 30 to a head base
connecting
section 42 located adjacent the head base second longitudinal end 32.
s
Each one of the boring blades 40 defines a tapered blade initiating section 44
positioned
adjacent the head base first longitudinal end 30. Each blade initiating
section 44 tapers from
the blade outer peripheral cutting edge towards the head base cylindrical wall
34 in a
direction leading towards the head base first longitudinal end 30.
to
Each blade initiating section 44 preferably forms an angle A having a value
substantially in
the range of 1.5 degrees with the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 34.
Also, preferably,
each blade initiating section 44 preferably extends over a distance D having a
value
substantially in the range of 1.6 centimetres.
Furthermore, each boring blade 40 is preferably longitudinally angled relative
to the radius
of the cylindrical head base 28 by an angle B having a value substantially in
the range of 0.1
degrees. In cross-section, each boring blade 40 defines a generally
parallelepiped-shaped
configuration.
The boring means 22 also includes a releasable coupling means 46 for
releasably coupling
the boring head 26 to the guiding means 24 and to a torque generating means
(not shown).
The coupling means 46 preferably includes a coupling shaft 48 defining a
coupling shaft
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
first longitudinal end 50, a coupling shaft second longitudinal end 52 and a
coupling shaft
longitudinal axis 54.
The coupling shaft first and second longitudinal ends 50, 52 are preferably
both provided
with corresponding coupling shaft first and second threaded segments 62, 64
for allowing
releasable threaded coupling to the guiding means 24 at both longitudinal ends
of the
coupling shaft 48 for reasons which will be hereinafter disclosed.
The coupling shaft 48 is configured and sized so as to be at least partially
substantially
to fittingly and slidably inserted into said head base channel 36, preferably
with the boring
head 26 positioned between the coupling shaft first and second threaded
segments 62, 64.
The coupling means 46 also preferably includes a releasable locking means for
releasably
locking together the boring head 26 and the coupling shaft 48 against relative
rotational
movement and bi-directional axial translation therebetween. In other words,
the releasable
locking means is provided for ensuring that the boring head 26 rotates
solidarly with the
coupling shaft 48 and also for ensuring that the boring head 26 is only
allowed to translate
axially relative to the coupling shaft 48 in one axial direction. Preferably,
the releasable
locking means is adapted to releasably lock together the boring head 26 and
the coupling
2o shaft 48 with the coupling shaft 48 at least partially inserted into the
head base channel 36.
The releasable locking means preferably includes at least one and preferably
two locking
protrusions protruding substantially outwardly and radially from the outer
surface of the
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
coupling shaft 48 and a corresponding locking groove 58 formed at the head
base
connecting section 42 in the head base cylindrical wall 34. In the preferred
embodiment, a
pair of locking protrusions are formed by a locking pin 56 protruding radially
from a locking
pin channel 60 extending transversally through the coupling shaft 48.
The coupling shaft 48 is preferably further provided with a grasp facilitating
means for
facilitating the grasping of the coupling shaft 48. 'The grasp facilitating
means typically takes
the form of an hexagonal grasping protrusion 66 extending outwardly from the
outer surface
of the coupling shaft 48 and preferably positioned intermediate the protruding
sections of
1o the locking pin 56 and the coupling shaft second threaded segment 64. The
grasping
protrusion 66 also defines an abutment edge 68 adapted to abuttingly contact
the
longitudinal edge 70 of the head second longitudinal end 32 so as to
optionally serve as an
additional locking means for limiting the relative axial translational
movement between the
boring head 26 and the coupling shaft 48 in a predetermined direction.
The guiding means 24 includes a guiding sleeve 72 and a guiding shaft 74. The
guiding
sleeve 72 has a generally cylindrical sleeve wall 76 defining a sleeve first
longitudinal end
82, a sleeve second longitudinal end 84 and a sleeve longitudinal axis 86. The
sleeve wall
76 also defines an inner sleeve channel 78 having a substantially disc-shaped
cross-sectional
2o configuration and a preferably generally frustro-conical sleeve outer
surface 80.
The outer surface 80 of the guiding sleeve 72 thus preferably tapers conically
in a direction
leading towards the sleeve first longitudinal end 82. Optionally, the sleeve
outer surface 80
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
fizrther defines a sleeve grasping segment 88 positioned adjacent the sleeve
second
longitudinal end 84 and having a generally annular configuration.
The guiding shaft 74 has a generally elongated configuration defining a
guiding shaft first
longitudinal end 90, a guiding shaft second longitudinal end 92 and a guiding
shaft
longitudinal axis 94. The guiding shaft 74 has a guiding-to-coupling shaft
releasable
coupling means for allowing releasable coupling thereof to either one of the
coupling shaft
first or second longitudinal ends 50, 52. Preferably, the guiding-to-coupling
shaft releasable
coupling means includes an internally threaded recess 96 formed in the guiding
shaft first
longitudinal end 90 for selective threadable coupling to both the coupling
shaft first and
second threaded segments 62, 64.
The guiding shaft 74 is also provided with a guiding shaft-to-torque
generating means
releasable coupling means for releasably coupling the coupling shaft and any
components
attached thereto to a suitable torque generating means (not shown) such as a
drill-type power
tool. The guiding shaft-to-torque generating means coupling means preferably
includes a
generally hexagonal guiding shaft grasping protrusion 98 extending axially and
outwardly
from the guiding shaft second longitudinal end 92.
2o The guiding shaft 74 has a generally cylindrical guiding shaft body 100
defining a guiding
shaft outer surface 102 that is configured and sized for allowing the guiding
shaft 74 to be
substantially fittingly and slidably inserted within the inner sleeve channel
78. The guiding
shaft 74 is configured and sized so as to be inserted within the inner sleeve
channel 78 with
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
the sleeve longitudinal axis 86 in a generally collinear relationship relative
to the guiding
shaft longitudinal axis longitudinal axis 94. The guiding sleeve 72 is thus
adapted to guide
the general orientation of the guiding shaft longitudinal axis 94 while
allowing rotation of
the guiding shaft 74 about its guiding shaft longitudinal axis longitudinal
axis 94 and
allowing relative translation movement between the guiding sleeve 72 and the
guiding shaft
74.
Referring back to Figures 5 through 8, there is shown that the present
invention also relates
to a method for creating aligned first and second final component channels 12,
14 extending
1 o respectively through the corresponding spaced apart first and second
components 16, 18.
The first and second final component channels 12, 14 being shown aligned about
the
common alignment axis 20 extending longitudinally therethrough.
The first and second final component channels 12 and 14 have corresponding
first and
second predetermined final internal diameters 108, 110 that are dependant on
the external
diameter of the boring head 26 which will be used. The first and second
components 16,
18 are initially provided with corresponding first and second initial
component channels
104, 106 extending longitudinally therethrough. The first and second initial
component
channels 104, 106 define corresponding first and second initial internal
diameters 112,
114. The first and second components 16, 18 are initially positioned so that
the first and
second initial component channels 104, 106 are in a generally aligned
relationship
relative to each other.
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
The method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of:
a) first, selecting the first and second components 16, 18 so that the first
initial internal
diameter 112 is smaller then the first predetermined final internal diameter
108 and the
second initial internal diameter 114 is smaller then the second predetermined
final
s internal diameter 110;
b) then, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, using the first initial component
channel 104 as a
reaming guide for reaming the second initial component channel 106 having the
second
initial diameter 114 until it becomes the second final component channel 14
having the
second predetermined final internal diameter 110;
to c) as shown in Figures 7 and 8, once the second final component channel 14
has been
reamed, using the second final component channel 14 as a reaming guide for
reaming the
first initial component channel 104 having the first initial diameter 112 into
the first final
component channel 12 having the first predetermined final diameter 108 so that
the first
and second final component channels 12 and 14 are in alignment relative to
each other.
is
The method in accordance with the present invention can be readily performed
using the
device 10. More specifically, when the device 10, the following steps are
involved:
a) as shown in Figure 5, positioning the guiding sleeve substantially
concentrically within
the first initial component channel 104;
2o b) with the guiding shaft first longitudinal end 90 attached to the
coupling shaft first
longitudinal end 50, slidingly inserting the guiding shaft 74 through the
second initial
component channel 106 until the guiding shaft second longitudinal end 92 is at
least
partially inserted within the sleeve channel 78;
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
c) as shown in Figure 6, driving the boring head 44 attached to the guiding
shaft by the
coupling shaft through the second initial component channel while the guiding
shaft is
guided by the guiding sleeve until the boring head produces the second final
component
channel;
d) as shown in Figure 7, with the guiding shaft first longitudinal end 90
attached to the
coupling shaft second longitudinal end 52, slidingly inserting the boring head
44 and the
guiding shaft 74 attached thereto through the newly formed second final
component
channel 14 towards the first initial component channel 104 until the boring
head 44
reaches the first initial component channel 104 with the guiding shaft 74
still at least
to partially inserted within the newly formed second final component channel
14;
e) positioning the guiding sleeve 72 substantially concentrically within the
second final
component channel 14 by sliding it onto the guiding shaft 74 and at least
partially into the
second final component channel 14;
f) as shown in figure 8, driving the boring head 44 through the first initial
component
channel 104 while the guiding shaft 74 is guided by the guiding sleeve 76
until the boring
head 44 produces the first final component channel 16.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate one example of a situation wherein it is desirable
to create
aligned first and second final bushing channels 12, 14 extending respectively
through
2o corresponding spaced apart first and second bushing components 16, 18. In
Figures 1 and 2,
the bushing components 16, 18 are shown being used for rotatably supporting a
camshaft
116 having a so-called "S"-type camshaft head 118. This type of arrangement is
typically
found in air brake systems for heavy vehicles such as trucks such as
designated generally by
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CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
the reference numeral 120. The bushing components 16, 18 are shown fixedly
mounted on
corresponding bushing supporting legs 122 extending radially from the outer
peripheral
surface of an axle sleeve 124. The "S"-type camshaft head 118 is typically
used for
activating the brake pads 126.
The conventional prior art method of overhauling such air brake systems
involved replacing
the camshaft 116 and its associated bushings 16, 18 with pre-bored bushings.
Since the
supporting legs 122 and associated pre-bored bushings could potentially be
poorly aligned,
it was necessary to provide a relatively large clearance therebetween. This
relatively large
to clearance, in turn, caused the camshafts 116 to rotate loosely within the
associated bushings.
The proposed method and device allow for in situ creation of the final bushing
channels 12,
14. In other words, the final bushing channels 12, 14 are preferably formed
once the
bushing 16, 18 components are mounted on their respective supporting legs.
This reduces
t 5 manipulation and transportation. It also ensures accurate alignment. As
mentioned
previously, the guiding-to-coupling shaft releasable coupling means allows for
releasable
coupling thereof to either one of the coupling shaft first or second
longitudinal ends 50, 52.
This, in turn, allows for ergonomical operation of the device 10 even in
crowded
environments such as is often the case adjacent vehicle brake systems. Indeed,
the guiding-
2o to-coupling shaft releasable coupling means allows both bushing channels
12, 14 to be
formed by manipulating the tool 10 in a single predominant axial direction.
22
CA 02307810 2000-07-25
Figures 9 through 14 illustrates various types of spatial relationship between
shafts and
bushings corresponding to dififerent alignment situations. Figures 9 and 12
illustrate a
situation wherein a shaft 128 e:~ctends through una!i~Tned channels 130 formed
in a pair of
unaligned bushing components 132. As can be clearly seen in Figure 12, this
creates an
non-symmetrical clearmce 134 between the shaft 128 and the bushing component
132.
This type of situation could potentially lead to seizing of the sham 128 at
its point of contact
136 with the bushing component: 132.
Figures 11 and 14 illus~;rate a situation wherein the bushing components 138
and associated
channels 140 are perfi:ctly ali~~ed. The shaft 142 is thus symmetrically
spaced by a
clearance 144 symmetrically disposed therearound from the bushing component
1~(0. This
hypothetical situation is. rarely attained in reality because of various
constraints. Fi~;ures 10
and 13 illustrate a situation wherein although, as is often the case in real
life situations, the
bushing components 1416 are unaligned, their respective bushing channels 148
are aligned
having been formed by the herein proposed method and device. As can be seen in
Figure
13, even though the bashing components 146 are unaligned there nevertheless
exists a
symmetrical clearance 150 between the outer surface of the shaft 152 and the
inner surface
of the bushing channels 148.
2o It should be understood that the present invention including the device 10
and the
hereinabove disclosed method is in no way limited to the field of bushing
channels part of
air brake systems and that both the method and device could be used for
creating aligned
channels or apertures ire other types of components and in various other
contexts without
23
CA 02307810 2000-OS-16
departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, numerous
modifications,
variations and adaptations could be made to the hereinabove disclosed
invention without
departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the
following claims.
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