Device for gripping vehicle tires
The gripper device addresses the issue of tire damage during transport by using adjustable gripping fingers to accommodate various tire sizes, ensuring reliable and gentle handling.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024207784
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing devices for gripping vehicle tires often cause damage during transport due to inadequate accommodation of differently sized tires and lack of adjustable gripping mechanisms.
A gripper device with movable gripping fingers that can adjust their distance and angle to accommodate a wide range of tire sizes, minimizing contact and stress on the tires.
The device effectively grips and transports tires of varying sizes with minimal damage by allowing continuous adjustment of finger distance and angle, ensuring compatibility and reducing wear.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for gripping vehicle tires.
[0002] A vehicle tire, also known as a motor vehicle tire, pneumatic tire, or simply tire, consists of a tread, two sidewalls, and a bead. The tread is the outer, circumferential surface that allows the tire to roll on the road. It connects the two sidewalls. The tire is mounted to a rim via the bead.
[0003] It is desirable to specify a device for gripping vehicle tires that reliably accommodates a variety of differently sized vehicle tires while minimizing damage to the vehicle tires during transport processes.
[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a device for gripping vehicle tires.
[0005] The device for gripping vehicle tires includes a gripper. The gripper has a gripping body that extends along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to a plane of extension. The gripping body is, for example, cylindrical and extends along the longitudinal axis. In this case, the cylinder's outer surface extends along the longitudinal axis, and the base of the cylinder extends along the plane of extension. The gripper also has a gripping head. The gripping head is located at a distal first end of the gripping body. The distal first end of the gripping body is, for example, the base of the cylinder. Movable gripping fingers are arranged radially around the gripping head along the plane of extension. The gripping fingers are arranged at a variable distance from the gripping head along a radial direction and have outer surfaces along the plane of extension that face away from the gripping body.The radial direction points, for example, from the center of the cylinder's base to the cylinder's lateral surface. The variable distance is the shortest distance along the plane of extension between a side of the gripper finger facing the gripper head and the gripper head itself.
[0006] The gripper fingers are initially retracted to a first position. In this initial state, the variable distance between the gripper fingers and the gripper head is minimal. "Minimal" in this context means that the value of the variable distance can also be zero. In this case, the gripper finger touches the gripper head. The value of the variable distance can also take on non-zero values, ensuring a minimum distance between the gripper fingers and the gripper head to prevent contact. This provides a tolerance to prevent wear caused by potential contact between the gripper fingers and the gripper head. In the initial state, the outer surfaces of the gripper fingers together form a continuous ring when viewed along the longitudinal axis.
[0007] The gripping fingers are extended to a second position in their final state. In this final state, the variable distance between the gripping fingers and the gripping head is at its maximum. The gripping fingers are designed to assume any position along their extension plane between the first and second positions. This allows the variable distance to be continuously adjusted, making the device suitable for a wide variety of vehicle tires with different inner diameters.
[0008] The device has, for example, six gripping fingers arranged around the gripping body along the plane of extension. The device is not limited to six gripping fingers. Alternatively, the device has three, four, five, seven, eight, or more gripping fingers. In particular, the gripping fingers are equidistant from one another along the plane of extension. Alternatively or additionally, the gripping fingers overlap along the plane of extension, such that adjacent gripping fingers lie at least partially on top of each other along the longitudinal axis.
[0009] According to one embodiment, the gripping fingers have a main body with a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The first lateral side and the second lateral side extend along the radial direction. Both lateral sides also extend along the longitudinal axis. The first lateral side lies opposite the second lateral side along the plane of extension. "Opposite" in this context means that the two lateral sides are located on a segment of an annular circle that extends along the plane of extension. The two lateral sides form the legs of this annular segment. The imaginary extensions of the two lateral sides opposite the radial direction intersect at the center of the cylindrical base.
[0010] The grasping fingers also possess a first wing connected to the first lateral side. Furthermore, the grasping fingers possess a second wing connected to the second lateral side. The wings and the main body are formed as a single unit. In particular, the wings and the main body constitute one body.
[0011] The gripper fingers have a support body. The support body is arranged along the longitudinal axis below the main body. The support body and the main body can be attached to the gripper head. The support body and the main body are, in particular, two distinct components that are, for example, screwed together. The support body and the main body are, for example, screwed together so that they clamp a part of the gripper head between them and are thus attached to the gripper head. Alternatively or additionally, the support body and the main body are screwed to the gripper head.
[0012] According to one embodiment, two adjacent gripping fingers overlap in the initial state in the area of their wings. In this context, overlap means that a wing of one gripping finger lies above or below a wing of an adjacent gripping finger when viewed along the longitudinal axis. The overlap between two wings extends along the plane of extension. The overlap along the plane of extension is maximal in the initial state. "Maximum" in this context means that the area between the wings of two adjacent gripping fingers is as large as possible. The wings can overlap completely or partially. The area between two wings does not necessarily result from contact between the two wings. For example, the wings may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis. In this case, the area between the wings represents a projected surface.
[0013] For example, the first wing of the first grasping finger overlaps the second wing of the second grasping finger. And the first wing of the second grasping finger overlaps the second wing of a third grasping finger. And the first wing of the third grasping finger overlaps the second wing of a fourth grasping finger. And the first wing of the fourth grasping finger overlaps the second wing of the first grasping finger. This example serves only as an illustration and is not intended to be restrictive.
[0014] According to another embodiment, two adjacent gripping fingers overlap minimally in the final state in the area of the wings.
[0015] The overlap along the plane of extension is minimal in the final state. In this context, minimal means that the area between two wings of adjacent gripping fingers is as small as possible. Minimal also does not include any overlap between the wings. The wings may overlap partially or not at all.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the gripping fingers have an outer surface along their plane of extension that faces away from the gripping body. The outer surfaces of the gripping fingers together form an annulus when viewed along the longitudinal axis. In its initial state, the annulus has a minimum outer diameter. The annulus is, for example, continuous. The minimum outer diameter lies within a range of 250 mm to 500 mm. With the smallest possible minimum outer diameter, the device is designed to grip even vehicle tires with a particularly small inner diameter.
[0017] According to another embodiment, the gripping fingers have an outer surface along their plane of extension that faces away from the gripping body. In their final state, the outer surfaces of the gripping fingers together form an annulus when viewed along the longitudinal axis. In this final state, the annulus has a maximum outer diameter defined by the outer surfaces of the gripping fingers. The annulus can be continuous or interrupted. The maximum outer diameter lies within a range of 1200 mm to 1600 mm. With the largest possible maximum outer diameter, the device is designed to grip even vehicle tires with particularly large inner diameters. In this way, a large number of differently sized vehicle tires can be gripped, lifted, carried, and transported by the device.
[0018] According to another embodiment, the gripping finger is inclined relative to the plane of extension. In this context, inclined means that the gripping finger forms an angle between the gripping finger and the gripping body along the radial direction that is not a right angle.
[0019] In particular, the gripping finger is inclined downwards. In this context, inclined downwards means that the gripping finger tilts towards the gripping head. Alternatively, only the main body is inclined towards the gripping head. The support body then extends along the plane of extension.
[0020] The angle of the gripping finger relative to the gripping body increases the holding power of the device. Advantageously, this angle of the gripping finger is gentler on a vehicle tire, thus reducing stress and damage to the tire.
[0021] According to another embodiment, the device is designed to grip and / or lift and / or carry a vehicle tire with a weight in a range between 10 kg and 1700 kg.
[0022] Features and configurations that apply to one gripping finger can also be applied to all gripping fingers of the device. The embodiments and advantages are not limited to a single gripping finger.
[0023] Further advantages, features, and developments will become apparent from the following examples, which are explained in conjunction with the figures. Identical, similar, and equivalent elements can be marked with the same reference symbols across multiple figures. The figures and the relative sizes of the elements depicted within them are not to be considered to scale. Rather, individual elements may be exaggerated in size and / or thickness for better clarity and / or to improve representation.
[0024] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of gripping fingers according to an exemplary embodiment, Fig. 3 a sectional view of a device in a first position according to an exemplary embodiment, and Fig. 4 a sectional view of a device in a second position according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 for gripping vehicle tires 100. The vehicle tire 100 is shown in a horizontal position. The device 10 has a gripper 20. The gripper 20 has a gripping body 30 that extends along a longitudinal axis L1. The longitudinal axis L1 is perpendicular to a plane of extension E1. The gripping body 30 is, for example, cylindrical and extends along the longitudinal axis L1. Fig. The cylindrical surface extends along the longitudinal axis L1, and the base of the cylindrical body extends along the plane of extension E1. The gripper 20 also has a gripping head 40. The gripping head 40 is arranged at a distal first end 31 of the gripping body 30. The distal first end 31 of the gripping body 30 is, for example, the base of the cylindrical body. Movable gripping fingers 50 are arranged radially around the gripping head 40 along the plane of extension E1.
[0026] The gripping fingers 50 are arranged at a variable distance VA from the gripping head 40 along a radial direction RR. The radial direction RR points, for example, from the center of the cylinder base to the cylinder's lateral surface. The variable distance VA is the shortest distance along the plane of extension E1 between a side of the gripping finger 50 facing the gripping head 40 and the gripping head 40.
[0027] The device 10, for example, has six gripping fingers 50 arranged around the gripping body 30 along the plane of extension E1. The device 10 is not limited to six gripping fingers 50. The device can have any number of gripping fingers 50. The gripping fingers 50 are aligned equidistant from one another along the plane of extension E1. Alternatively or additionally, the gripping fingers 50 overlap along the plane of extension E1, such that adjacent gripping fingers 50 lie at least partially on top of each other along the longitudinal axis L1.
[0028] The grasping fingers 50 have a main body 51 with a first lateral side 52 and a second lateral side 53. The first lateral side 52 and the second lateral side 53 extend along the radial direction RR. The two lateral sides 52, 53 also extend along the longitudinal axis L1. The first lateral side 52 lies opposite the second lateral side 53 along the plane of extension E1.
[0029] The grasping fingers 50 also have a first wing 54, which is connected to the first lateral side 52. The grasping fingers 50 further have a second wing 55, which is connected to the second lateral side 53. The wings 54, 55 and the main body 51 are formed as a single unit. In particular, the wings 54, 55 and the main body 51 form a single body.
[0030] The gripping fingers 50 have a support body 56. The support body 56 is arranged along the longitudinal axis L1 below the main body 51. The support body 56 and the main body 51 can be attached to the gripping head 40. The support body 56 and the main body 51 are, in particular, two different components that are, for example, screwed together. The support body 56 and the main body 51 are, for example, screwed together so that they clamp a part of the gripping head 40 between them and are thus attached to the gripping head 40. Alternatively or additionally, the support body 56 and the main body 51 are screwed to the gripping head 40.
[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows three grasping fingers 50 arranged side by side along the extension plane E1. The example shown is in no way restrictive and serves to illustrate the orientation of the grasping fingers 50 relative to each other. The grasping finger 50 has the main body 51 with the first lateral side 52 and the second lateral side 53. The first lateral side 52 and the second lateral side 53 extend along the radial direction RR. The radial direction RR points in Fig. 2 out of the image plane. The two lateral sides 52, 53 continue to extend along the longitudinal axis L1. The first lateral side 52 lies opposite the second lateral side 53 along the extension plane E1. The grasping finger 50 also has the first wing 54, which is connected to the first lateral side 52. The grasping finger 50 further has the second wing 55, which is connected to the second lateral side 53. The wings 54, 55 and the main body 51 are formed as a single unit. In particular, the wings 54, 55 and the main body 51 form a single body.
[0032] In Fig. 2. The first wing 54 of gripping finger 50 overlaps with the second wing of the adjacent gripping finger 50. And the second wing 55 of gripping finger 50 overlaps with the first wing of the adjacent gripping finger 50. This arrangement and alignment of the gripping fingers 50 continues arbitrarily for any number of gripping fingers 50. In this context, overlap means that one of the wings 54, 55 of gripping finger 50 lies above or below one of the wings 54, 55 of the adjacent gripping finger 50 when viewed along the longitudinal axis L1. The overlap between two wings 54, 55 extends along the plane of extension E1.
[0033] The gripper finger 50 has the support body 56. The support body 56 is arranged along the longitudinal axis L1 below the main body 51. The support body 56 and the main body 51 are, in particular, two different components that are, for example, screwed together.
[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the device along a section axis AA in a first position P1. The first position P1 represents an initial state AZ of the gripper fingers 50. In the initial state AZ, the gripper fingers 50 are retracted in the first position P1. In the initial state AZ, the variable distance VA between the gripper fingers 50 and the gripper head 40 is minimal. Minimal in this context means that the value of the variable distance VA can also be zero. In this case, the gripper finger 50 touches the gripper head 40. The value of the variable distance VA can also take on values other than zero, so that a minimum distance exists between the gripper fingers 50 and the gripper head 40 to prevent contact between them. In particular, this allows for a tolerance to prevent wear caused by possible contact between the gripper fingers 50 and the gripper head 40.
[0035] Two adjacent gripping fingers 50 overlap in the initial state AZ in the area of their two wings 54, 55. In this context, overlap means that the first wing 54 of gripping finger 50 lies above or below the second wing 55 of the adjacent gripping finger 50 when viewed along the longitudinal axis L1. The overlap between two wings 54, 55 extends along the plane of extension E1. The overlap along the plane of extension E1 is maximal in the initial state AZ. In this context, maximal means that the area between two wings 54, 55 of adjacent gripping fingers 50 is as large as possible. The wings 54, 55 can overlap completely or partially. The area between the wings 54, 55 does not necessarily result from contact between the two wings 54, 55. For example, the wings 54, 55 may be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis L1 (see also...). Fig. 2) In this case, the area between wings 54, 55 represents a projected area.
[0036] The gripping fingers 50 have an outer surface 57 along the plane of extension E1, facing away from the gripping head 40. The outer surfaces 57 of the gripping fingers 50 together form an annulus when viewed along the longitudinal axis L1. In the initial state AZ, the annulus has a minimum outer diameter D1. The annulus is, for example, continuous. The minimum outer diameter D1 lies, for example, within a range of values between 250 mm and 500 mm. With the smallest possible minimum outer diameter D1, the device 10 is designed to grip even vehicle tires 100 with a particularly small inner diameter.
[0037] Fig. Figure 4 shows essentially the same structure as in Fig.Figure 3 is shown with the difference that the gripping fingers 50 are in a second position P2. The second position P represents an end state EZ of the gripping fingers 50. In the end state AZ, the gripping fingers 50 are extended in the second position P2. In the end state EZ, the variable distance VA between the gripping fingers 50 and the gripping head 40 is at its maximum. The outer surfaces 57 of the gripping fingers 50 together form a circular ring when viewed along the longitudinal axis L1 in the end state EZ. In the end state EZ, the circular ring has a maximum outer diameter D2, which is formed by the outer surfaces 57 of the gripping fingers 50. The circular ring can be continuous or interrupted. The maximum outer diameter D2 lies within a range of 1200 mm to 1600 mm. With the largest possible maximum outer diameter D2, the device 10 is designed to be able to grip even vehicle tires 100 with a particularly large inner diameter.In this way, a large number of differently sized vehicle tires 100 can be gripped, picked up, carried and transported by the device 10.
[0038] In the final state EZ, two adjacent gripping fingers 50 overlap minimally in the area of the wings 54, 55. The overlap along the extension plane E1 is minimal in the final state EZ. In this context, minimal means that the area between two wings 54, 55 of adjacent gripping fingers 50 is as small as possible. Minimal also does not include any overlap between the wings 54, 55. The wings 54, 55 may overlap partially or not at all.
[0039] The gripping fingers 50 are designed to assume any position along the extension plane E1 between the first position P1 and the second position P2. In this way, the variable distance VA can be continuously varied, making the device 10 suitable for a variety of vehicle tires 100 with different inner diameters. Reference symbol list 10 Device 20 grippers 30 gripping bodies 31 Distal first end 40 gripper head 50 gripping fingers 51 Main body 52 First lateral side 53 Second lateral side 54 First Wing 55 Second wing 56 carrier bodies 57 outdoor area 100 vehicle tires P1 First Position P2 Second Position AZ Initial state EZ final state RR Radial direction L1 Longitudinal axis E1 Extension level VA Variable Spacing D1 Minimum outer diameter D2 Maximum outer diameter
Claims
[1] Device (10) for gripping vehicle tires (100) comprising a gripper (20) with - a gripping body (30) extending along a longitudinal axis (L1) that is perpendicular to an extension plane (E1), - a gripping head (40) which is arranged at a distal first end (31) of the gripping body (30), - movable gripping fingers (50) arranged radially around the gripping head (40) along the extension plane (E1) at a variable distance (VA) from the gripping head (40) along a radial direction (RR) and having outer surfaces (57) along the extension plane (E1) facing away from the gripping body (30), wherein the gripping fingers (50) - are in an initial state (AZ) in a first position (P1) such that the variable distance (VA) of the gripping fingers (50) is minimal and the outer surfaces (57) of the gripping fingers (50) together form a continuous circular ring when viewed along the longitudinal axis (L1), and - are extended in a final state (EZ) in a second position (P2) so that the variable distance (VA) is at its maximum, whereby - the gripping fingers (50) are arranged to assume any position along the extension plane (E1) between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2), so that the variable distance (VA) is varied. [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the gripping fingers (50) have - a main body (51) with a first lateral side (52) extending along the radial direction (RR) and - a second lateral side (53) extending along the radial direction (RR) and opposite the first lateral side (52) along the extension plane (E1), - a first wing (54) connected to the first lateral side (52), - a second wing (55) connected to the second lateral side (53), and - a support body (56) which is arranged along the longitudinal axis (L1) below the main body (51) and can be attached to the gripping head (40) together with the main body (51). [3] Device (10) according to claim 2, wherein two adjacent gripping fingers (50) overlap maximally along the extension plane (E1) in the initial state (AZ) in the area of the wings (54, 55). [4] Device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein two adjacent gripping fingers (50) overlap minimally along the extension plane (E1) in the final state (EZ) in the area of the wings (54, 55). [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping fingers (50) are arranged along the extension plane (E1) such that they form a circular ring with the common outer surface (57) facing away from the gripping body (30), which has a minimum outer diameter (D1) in the initial state (AZ). [6] Device according to claim 5, wherein the minimum outer diameter (D1) is in a range between 250 mm and 500 mm. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping fingers (50) are arranged along the extension plane (E1) such that they form a circular ring with the common outer surface (57) which in the final state (EZ) has a maximum outer diameter (D2). [8] Device according to claim 7, wherein the maximum outer diameter (D2) is in a range of values between 1200 mm and 1600 mm. [9] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping finger (50) is inclined relative to the extension plane (E1). [10] Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is configured to grip and / or lift and / or carry a vehicle tire (100) with a weight in a range between 10 kg and 1700 kg.