US 12,343,847 B2
Heavy-duty vehicle maintenance tool and a method for manufacturing such a tool
Yuan Zhong, Danderyd (SE); Lennart Olausson, Torslanda (SE); and Denis Goyet, Rillieux la Pape (FR)
Assigned to VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed by Volvo Truck Corporation, Gothenburg (SE)
Filed on Sep. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/951,437.
Claims priority of application No. 21201971 (EP), filed on Oct. 11, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0114309 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. B25B 27/02 (2006.01); B25B 27/00 (2006.01); B29C 64/153 (2017.01); B29C 64/165 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); F16C 43/04 (2006.01); B29K 71/00 (2006.01); B29K 77/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/28 (2006.01)
CPC B25B 27/02 (2013.01) [B25B 27/0035 (2013.01); B29C 64/153 (2017.08); B29C 64/165 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); F16C 43/04 (2013.01); B29K 2071/00 (2013.01); B29K 2077/00 (2013.01); B29L 2031/28 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle maintenance tool applicable to mount or remove a component from a gearbox, the tool comprising:
a cylindrical shape with a predetermined extension along a central axis; and
a cylindrical wall enclosing an inner cylindrical cavity and connecting an open first end and a closed second end,
the first end comprising an annular portion with an annular end surface at right angles to the central axis which annular portion is arranged to be placed in contact with a corresponding surface on a component to be mounted, wherein the first end of the tool further includes a stepped cross-section comprising at least two steps, wherein each of the two steps comprises an annular surface at a right angle to the central axis, wherein each of the steps has a larger diameter than the annular end surface, and wherein the two steps increase in diameter in the direction away from a front end of the tool;
the second end comprising a circular wall with an outer end surface at a right angle to the central axis, which end surface is arranged to be subjected to an external force to mount or remove the component; and
the second end comprising an internal reinforcing lattice structure within the cavity, wherein the internal reinforcing lattice comprises multiple closed cells that are located between an end wall of the closed second end and the circular wall at a rear end of the tool, such that the multiple closed cells are delimited by i) the circular wall, ii) a second circular wall, and iii) at least one vertical wall whose ends terminate at and connect to the circular wall and the second circular wall; and
wherein the tool is a one-piece thermoplastic component.