Balanced Clamping Device for Handling Large Tires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling large industrial tires are inefficient due to their size and weight, requiring specialized mechanical devices that are cumbersome and difficult to maneuver.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an anchor attached to a prime mover with a clamping mechanism featuring balanced weight distribution, rotatable engagement members, and a mechanical linkage actuated by a rotating actuator, allowing for secure grip and controlled movement of tires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized mechanical devices are used to handle large industrial tires, then the tires can be securely gripped and moved, but the devices become cumbersome and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into multiple engagement members (at least three) that are independently positioned around the tire circumference. Each engagement member can be controlled separately through the mechanical linkage system, allowing the device to adapt to different tire sizes and positions while maintaining secure grip. This segmentation enables the device to maneuver more effectively by adjusting individual engagement members rather than moving the entire clamping mechanism as a rigid unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device incorporates a rotatable clamping mechanism with engagement members that can dynamically adjust their positions along radial guides. The mechanical linkage system allows for dynamic control of the engagement members, enabling them to move between clamped and released states independently. This dynamic capability improves maneuverability by allowing the device to adapt its configuration during operation while maintaining reliable grip when needed.
2Reliability
If multiple engagement members are used to securely grip the tire, then the gripping reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple engagement members are connected through a mechanical linkage system that combines their control functions. The linkage mechanism integrates the movement of multiple engagement members into a coordinated system, where actuating one member can influence the others. This merging reduces the number of independent actuators needed and simplifies the overall control structure while maintaining reliable multi-point grip on the tire.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage system serves multiple functions: it controls the movement of engagement members, maintains their rotational symmetry, and enables coordinated clamping and release actions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each engagement member, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving reliable gripping through multiple contact points.
3Reliability
If engagement members move perpendicular to the rotation axis, then the clamping action is effective, but the mechanical linkage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guides for the engagement members are oriented radially, allowing movement in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis. This radial arrangement creates a spheroidal or circular pattern of engagement member movement around the tire, which is more efficient for clamping than linear movement. The curved or radial guide paths naturally accommodate the rotational motion needed for effective clamping while simplifying the linkage mechanism compared to complex angular adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage is designed to maintain rotational symmetry of the engagement members during movement, but the individual linkage components can have asymmetric configurations optimized for their specific positions. This allows each engagement member to move effectively perpendicular to the rotation axis while the overall system maintains balance and reduces complexity through symmetric distribution of the linkage components.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a device for handling tires [10] having an anchor [12] for attaching to a prime mover [14] and a clamping device [16] rotatably mounted to the anchor [12] that rotates relative to the anchor [12] about a rotation axis. The clamping device [16] has a plurality of engagement members [22] connected by a mechanical linkage [24] and a carrying body with a plurality of guides [22]. The weight distribution of the clamping device [16] is balanced about the rotation axis. Each guide [22] carries one of the engagement members [22] and is oriented to allow the engagement members [22] to move perpendicular to the rotation axis between clamping and release positions. The mechanical linkage [24] includes a rotating actuator [32] and controls movement of the engagement members [22] along the guides [22]. The movement of each engagement member [22] is rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis relative to the movement of the other engagement members [22]. The device has an actuator [34] that actuates the mechanical linkage [24].