Measuring and testing – Internal combustion engine or related engine system or... – Compression
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-22
2001-01-16
McCall, Eric S. (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Internal combustion engine or related engine system or...
Compression
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173605
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a vehicle transmission assembly, and more particularly, to determining the position of a snap ring in a vehicle transmission.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As part of the transmission assembly process, a bearing press is used to press bearings into the rear of the transmission case. The bearing aperture is inside the transmission, making the bearing press installation difficult to observe. At the same time the bearing is being pressed into the case, a snap ring is installed in a snap ring groove to hold the bearing in its proper location. The location of the snap ring is critical during the pressing operation. That is, if the snap ring is not in the proper position, the transmission case can snap or break.
Related to the snap ring detection system and method described and claimed herein is a magnichanical sensor described in a first copending patent application having Ser. No. 09/235,890 and filing date of Jan. 22, 1999, and having the common inventor and assignee herewith. An apparatus and method for fabrication and testing of the sensor described and claimed herein and the magnichanical sensor of the first copending patent application is described in a second copending patent application having a Ser. No. 09/235,889 and filing date of Jan. 22, 1999, and having the common inventor and assignee herewith. The first copending patent application having Ser. No. 09/235,890 and the second copending patent application having Ser. No. 09/235,889 are incorporated herewith by reference.
Therefore, among the purposes of this invention is to detect the position of a snap ring in a transmission assembly process.
Also a purpose of this invention is the novel snap ring device enhancement to facilitate detection of the snap ring during the transmission assembly process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These purposes are achieved by the snap ring position detection system and method according to the present invention, wherein the snap ring is configured to accommodate the detection of the correct orientation of the snap ring in the snap ring groove, to hold the bearing in its proper location.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a detection system is provided for detecting the position of a snap ring in a bearing assembly of a transmission system. The bearing and the spreader pin are installed directly into the spreader segments. A conductive sensor is then introduced in a surface of the spreader segments, whereby an incorrectly positioned snap ring will make contact with the conductive sensor, causing a current to flow through the spreader segments and through the snap ring to the conductive sensor.
The primary advantage provided by the present invention is to detect the position of a snap ring during the pressing operation of pressing bearings into transmission cases, thereby avoiding damage to the transmission case caused by incorrect positioning of the snap ring.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, to which reference may be had for a full understanding of the nature of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4351097 (1982-09-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 4789351 (1988-12-01), Fisher, Jr. et al.
patent: 4875786 (1989-10-01), DeWachter
patent: 5059844 (1991-10-01), Anstine
patent: 5875536 (1999-03-01), Ring
Haushalter Barbara Joan
Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.
McCall Eric S.
McDonald Alan T.
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