"MEASURING DEVICE OF INTERNAL DIMENSIONS OF WHEEL RIMS FOR MOUNTING DISK BRAKE CALLIPERS, KIT FOR MEASURING AND RELATIVE

MEASURING METHOD" [0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device of internal dimensions of wheel rims for mounting disk brake callipers, a kit for measuring and the relative measuring method.

[0002] As known, in particular in the automotive field, changes are often made to motor vehicles, including the braking system. [0003] The replacement of the braking system calliper with a different one is not always possible due not only to the connections to the suspension and to the dimension of the disks but often due to the internal dimensions of the wheel rim that could interfere with the calliper body itself.

[0004] To date, in order to check the possibility of mounting an alternative kit of callipers must actually order the kit, then remove the wheel from the motor vehicle, remove the calliper and mount the new calliper. The wheel rim is then mounted: if there is any interference between the calliper and the rim it must be replaced to allow mounting the new calliper. This further replacement is almost mandatory since the user is in any case forced to buy the kit in advance to check the mounting thereof.

[0005] Therefore, to date the replacement of brake callipers discourages the users because it is uncertain, since there is no certainty beforehand that the selected model of calliper can be mounted on the suspension and does not interfere with the wheel rim of the vehicle, and because often such replacement is very expensive as it requires the replacement of the wheel rim too.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to solve the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0007] Such disadvantages are solved by a measuring device in accordance with claim 1 , by a kit in accordance with claim 23 and by a measuring method in accordance with claim 25.

[0008] Other embodiments of the device according to the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred non-limiting embodiment, wherein:

[0010] figure 1 shows a perspective view of a measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] figure 2 shows a perspective view of the measuring device of figure 1 associated to a wheel rim; [0012] figure 3 shows a perspective section view of the measuring device of figure 1 associated to a wheel rim;

[0013] figure 4 shows a schematic section view of an assembly of a wheel rim, of a calliper and of a brake disk.

[0014] With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 4 generally denotes a measuring device for internal dimensions of wheel rims 8.

[0015] Device 4 comprises a hooking element 12 to a wheel rim 8 of axis of rotation X-X, said hooking element 12 being suitable for fixing device 4 to the wheel rim 8 so as to seat device 4 in an inner space 16 delimited by the wheel rim

8. [0016] Device 4 further comprises a dimension measuring element 20 having a

radial section that reproduces the profile of a brake calliper 52. In other words, compared to a section plane passing by the axis of rotation of the associable rim, the dimension measuring element has an external profile identical to that of a calliper 52; in particular, said profile reproduces the radial 21 and axial 22 dimensions of a brake calliper 52 (figure 4).

[0017] Device 4 further comprises a connection element 24 that connects the dimension measuring element 20 to the hooking element 12. The connection element 24 is suitable for allowing and measuring movements of the dimension measuring element 20 relative to an axial direction, parallel to said axis of rotation X-X and relative to a radial direction, perpendicular to said axis of rotation X-X and incident thereon.

[0018] According to a possible embodiment, the hooking element 12 comprises a first fixing element 28 suitable for interfacing with a centring hole 30 of a hub 31 of rim 8 to an associable suspension. [0019] According to an embodiment, the first fixing element 28 comprises a conical portion 32 suitable for inserting at least partly in said centring hole 30 of hub 31 , and for ensuring the coaxiality with the axis of rotation X-X of the wheel rim 8. [0020] According to an embodiment, the hooking element 12 comprises a second fixing element 36 suitable for arranging on the side axially opposite the first fixing element 28 so that in an assembled configuration of device 4 on rim 8, the wheel rim 8 is constrained at axially opposite sides, between the first and the second fixing element 28, 36 (figure 3). [0021] For example, the first and the second fixing element 28, 36 are mounted on a pin 38 suitable for allowing an axial shifting of at least one of said elements

28, 36 so as to adjust the axial distance between the fixing elements 28, 36 and wheel rims 8 having different axial thickness at the centring hole 30 of hub 31. [0022] For example, the hooking element 12 can comprise a ring nut 40, preferably arranged axially opposite the inner space 16 of rim 8, so as to lock device 4 in shifting on hub 31 by the first and second fixing element 28, 6.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the dimension measuring element 20 is made in the shape of a plate 48 that reproduces the radial and axial dimensions of a brake calliper 52 at portions of the calliper body directly facing the inner surface of the wheel rim 8, in an assembled configuration of rim 8 about the brake calliper 52.

[0024] Preferably, said plate 48 of the dimension measuring element 20 has a tangential thickness substantially negligible compared to the radial and axial thickness, said tangential thickness being measured along a tangential direction perpendicular to the axial and radial directions. [0025] Preferably, said connection element 24 comprises an axial reference plane 56, substantially perpendicular to said axial direction, suitable for abutting against a support surface 58 of hub 31 of the wheel rim. Said support surface 58 is suitable for abutting on an associable drum 62 of a brake disk 66. The axial reference plane 56 defines a zeroing of the axial position of the dimension measuring element 20 relative to the wheel rim 8.

[0026] Preferably, the connection element 24 comprises a radial reference plane 70, substantially perpendicular to said radial direction, suitable for defining a zeroing of the radial position of the dimension measuring element 20 relative to the wheel rim 8. [0027] According to a possible embodiment, the connecting element 24

comprises a first support arm 74 of the dimension measuring element 20 suitable for allowing and measuring an axial and/or radial movement of the measuring element 20.

[0028] For example, the first support arm 74 comprises at least one axial or radial slot 78 suitable for allowing the relative sliding respectively axial or radial of the dimension measuring element 20 relative to the first support arm 74. [0029] According to an embodiment, the first arm 74 comprises locking means 82 of the dimension measuring element 20 relative to the first arm 74, so as to make the dimension measuring element 20 and the first arm 74 integral relative to a desired position. For example, the locking means 82 comprise screw means 86 passing through said axial or radial slot 78.

[0030] Preferably, the first arm 74 comprises a measuring scale 90 suitable for providing the axial 91 or radial 92 position of the measuring element 20 relative to the support surface 58 or to the axis of rotation X-X of the wheel rim 8 (figure 4). [0031] In particular, by axial position 91 it is meant the axial distance between the maximum extension of calliper 52 and a support surface 58 of the wheel hub 31 ; by support surface 58 of the wheel hub it is meant the portion of hub intended to abut on a drum 62 of a brake disk 66.

[0032] In particular, by radial position 92 it is meant the maximum radial distance 22 between calliper 52 and the axis of rotation X-X of the wheel rim 8 (figure 4).

[0033] According to an embodiment, the connecting element 24 comprises a second support arm 94 of the dimension measuring element 20 suitable for allowing and measuring an axial or radial movement of the dimension measuring element 20. For example, the second support arm 94 comprises an axial or radial slot 78 suitable for allowing the relative axial or radial sliding of the dimension

measuring element 20 relative to the second support arm 94. [0034] Preferably, the second arm 94 is operatively connected to the first arm 74 at an axial or radial slot 78, so as to allow a relative axial or radial movement between the connection arms 74, 94. [0035] Preferably, the second arm 94 comprises locking means 82, for example screw means 86 passing through a radial or axial slot 78, suitable for making said first and second arm 74, 94 integral with one another in a desired position.

[0036] Preferably, the second support arm 94 comprises a measuring scale 90 suitable for providing the axial or radial position of the dimension measuring element relative to the axis of rotation X-X of the wheel rim 8.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the second support arm 94 is operatively connected to the hooking element 12 so as to allow a relative axial or radial movement between the connection element and the hooking element; in this way it is possible to zero the reference radial and/or axial values of the dimension measuring element relative to the axis of rotation X-X of the rim and to the support surface 58.

[0038] The zeroing step is necessary to position the dimension measuring element in the exact axial and radial position that the equivalent calliper takes inside the rim. [0039] The present invention further relates to a kit for measuring the radial and axial dimensions of a brake calliper 52.

[0040] For example, the measuring kit comprises a measuring device 4 and at least one table showing the values of axial 91 and radial 92 positions of at least one brake calliper 52; the kit further comprises at least one dimension sensing element 20 having an axial 22 and radial 21 dimension equivalent to those of said

brake calliper 52. In other words, the kit comprises a table or in any case a collection of data relating to the values of axial 91 and radial 92 positions of a plurality of brake callipers in assembled configuration; for each brake calliper the kit comprises a corresponding dimension measuring element 20 associable to device 4.

[0041] A dimension measuring method shall now be described according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Said dimension measuring method of a brake calliper in a wheel rim comprises the steps of fixing a dimension measuring device 4 to the wheel rim 8, said device being provided with a dimension measuring element 20 that reproduces the axial 22 and radial 21 dimensions of a brake calliper the compatibility whereof with a predetermined wheel rim 8 of a determined suspension should be checked.

[0043] The method therefore comprises, after preferably carrying out the axial and radial zeroing of the dimension measuring element 20, the step of bringing the dimension measuring element 20 to the axial 91 and radial 92 positioning values envisaged by the corresponding brake calliper 52 in assembled configuration. [0044] If this operation is possible because the dimension measuring element does not interfere, that is, does not come into contact with the inner wall of the rim, then the corresponding model of brake calliper 52 is compatible with that wheel rim and can be mounted in replacement of the original brake calliper. [0045] As can be appreciated from the description, the measuring device of the present invention allows overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. [0046] In particular, the measuring device according to the invention allows checking the possibility of replacing the calliper with a substitute one without having

to procure the new calliper in advance and without having to mount said new calliper on the rim and on the suspension to check the adaptability thereof.

[0047] In this way it is possible to know all the models of calliper thast can be mounted on a predetermined type of wheel rim in advance and thus select the desired model with the certainty of mounting it on a type of rim even before procuring the desired calliper.

[0048] The element kit for measuring dimensions or shapes of calliper bodies allows checking for any type of calliper the adaptability to any wheel rim.

[0049] In other words, the maximum admissible radial and axial dimensions in the rim are measured and the values of dimensions and positions of a plurality of calliper models are compared. Therefore all the callipers that can be mounted with that rim are checked in advance, without requiring the relative mounting thereof on the rim.

[0050] A man skilled in the art may make several changes and adjustments to the measuring devices described above in order to meet specific and incidental needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.