Autonomous Tire-Changing Bot for In-Situ Service Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive service facilities face challenges in efficiently changing tires due to a shortage of skilled technicians, labor-intensive manual processes, and the need for constant technician presence in semi-automated systems, limiting throughput and flexibility in meeting varying customer demand.

Innovation Solution

An automated tire changing system that includes autonomous traverse bots and a control architecture, allowing a single technician to monitor multiple tire changes by minimizing direct interaction with the system, eliminating the need for lifting, and enabling in-situ tire changes with the wheel remaining on the vehicle or being removed, using robotic arms and tools for efficient tire replacement and balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual tire changing methods are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabor intensityVSAvoidtire change capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous bot performs tire changing operations independently without requiring constant human intervention. The system uses self-contained robotic arms, sensors, and tools to complete the entire tire replacement process autonomously, allowing a single technician to supervise multiple simultaneous operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arms with specialized end effectors perform bead breaking, tire removal, and tire installation tasks that were previously done manually, significantly reducing labor intensity while increasing throughput capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If semi-automated tire machines are used, then labor intensity is reduced, but constant technician presence is required limiting simultaneous tire changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelabor intensityVSAvoidautonomous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous bot performs tire changing operations independently without requiring constant human intervention. The system uses self-contained robotic arms, sensors, and tools to complete the entire tire replacement process autonomously, allowing a single technician to supervise multiple simultaneous operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system incorporates dynamic motion control with multiple degrees of freedom in the robotic arms, allowing adaptive positioning and movement during tire changing operations. The system can adjust its movements in real-time to accommodate different tire sizes, vehicle types, and operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If more technicians are hired to meet demand, then service capacity increases, but operational costs and management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capacityVSAvoidnumber of technicians required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous bot is designed to perform multiple tire changing operations simultaneously and can serve different vehicle types and tire configurations. A single bot system can handle multiple vehicles at once, replacing the need for multiple technicians and enabling one technician to manage the entire operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If senior technicians perform all tasks, then quality is maintained, but cost efficiency decreases and junior technicians cannot gain experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidcost efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous bot performs tire changing operations independently without requiring constant human intervention. The system uses self-contained robotic arms, sensors, and tools to complete the entire tire replacement process autonomously, allowing a single technician to supervise multiple simultaneous operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11986947B2Autonomous traverse tire changing bot, autonomous tire changing system, and method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.05.21 AUTOMATED TIRE INC
  • US11986947B2 patent drawing
  • US11986947B2 patent drawing
  • US11986947B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.