Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Means comprising hand manipulatable tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-04-17
Scherbel, David A. (Department: 3723)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Means comprising hand manipulatable tool
C464S068800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216327
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to a damper hub for a crankshaft. More specifically, the present invention relates to a crankshaft damper hub with spoke centered puller tabs to allow the hub to be more easily removed from the crankshaft.
1. Background Art
It is well known in the automotive industry to utilize crankshaft damper hubs to reduce to overall noise transmitted through an engine assembly. The crankshaft damper hub is typically positioned at or near the front of the engine assembly and drives a plurality of other devices similarly located. Current hubs are difficult to remove from the crankshaft when repairs, maintenance or other work needs to be performed on the engine. One example of these hubs utilizes threaded puller holes formed therein to assist in their removal. The manufacture of this type of hub has required two machining operations (drilling and tapping) which increased the cost of the hub and the possibility of missed machining operations.
Other prior damper hub designs have utilized tab designs to assist in removing the hub from the crankshaft. One such prior art damper hub is illustrated in FIG.
1
. The damper hub
10
includes an outer rim portion
12
having an outer peripheral surface
14
, an inner peripheral surface
16
, and a center portion
18
having a passageway
20
that is formed therethrough. Three spokes
22
extend between the center portion
18
and the outer rim portion
12
while the area between the spokes is generally open. A plurality of tabs
24
extend outwardly from the center portion
18
of the hub
10
and are generally disposed between each of the spokes
22
allowing the damper hub
10
to be pried off the crankshaft through the use of the tabs. This design, however, as well as others like it, still suffer from an inability to remove the damper hub easily from the crankshaft to which it is attached. Further, these tabs are also subject to breaking.
2. Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a damper hub having openings formed in the spokes that allow a puller tool to pass therethrough to facilitate removal of the damper hub from the crankshaft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a damper hub having a tab design that is stronger and more durable than other designs.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a damper hub with increased torque capacity that is also safer than prior hub designs.
In accordance with these and other objects of the present invention, a damper hub for attachment to an engine crankshaft is provided. The damper hub has a generally circular outer rim having an inner periphery and an outer periphery and a center portion having an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The inner periphery of the center portion is generally circular in shape and defines a passageway therethrough for receipt of the engine crankshaft therein. A plurality of spoke members extend between the center portion and the generally circular outer rim of the damper hub. Each of the spokes has an opening formed therethrough with a tab formed in or adjacent to the opening for engagement with a tool to facilitate removal of the crankshaft hub.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when reviewed in light of the detailed description of the best mode(s) of the invention preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims.
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Scherbel David A.
Shanley Daniel
Simpson Industries Inc.
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