Bead Breaker Disc Sensing for Precise Tyre Demounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tyre demounting apparatuses face challenges in precise positioning of the bead breaker tool, leading to potential tyre damage and inefficiencies in the demounting process, particularly when using hydraulic actuators which lack sensitivity to obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A tyre changing apparatus that includes a rotatable supporting element for the wheel, a bead breaker tool with a movable arm and actuator for precise positioning, and a control unit with sensors to detect contact and generate precise stop signals, ensuring accurate alignment and operation of the bead breaker tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensorized pin is used to detect the wheel presence, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the complexity of operation and probability of damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from a complex sensorized pin mechanism and implements it through a simple optical sensor that detects the presence of the wheel by measuring light reflection. This removes the mechanical contact element while maintaining positioning accuracy, thereby reducing operational complexity and damage probability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensorized pin with an optical detection system. The optical sensor uses light reflection principles to detect wheel presence and positioning, substituting mechanical contact with non-contact optical measurement, which eliminates wear and complex activation mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If a laser scanning device is used to measure wheel size, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the time required for setup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calibrating the optical sensor system with reference measurements during manufacturing. The system stores reference data for different wheel sizes and uses this pre-prepared information to quickly determine positioning parameters without requiring real-time laser scanning, thus maintaining accuracy while reducing setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a simplified optical model of the wheel geometry based on reference data. Instead of performing complex real-time laser scanning, the system copies essential dimensional information from pre-stored references and applies it to positioning calculations, achieving fast and accurate setup.
3Force
If hydraulic actuators are used to move the bead breaker tool, then the force capability is improved, but the sensitivity to obstacles and positioning precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the optical sensor to continuously monitor the position of the bead breaker tool relative to the wheel. The control system receives this feedback and adjusts the actuator commands to achieve precise positioning, compensating for the hydraulic actuator's limited inherent precision while maintaining high force capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that acts as a mediator between the hydraulic actuator and the bead breaker tool. This control system processes optical sensor data and generates precise control signals, enabling the hydraulic actuator to achieve accurate positioning despite its limited inherent sensitivity, while the actuator continues to provide the necessary force.
Data Source
AI summary
A tyre changing apparatus (1) comprises: a frame (10); a supporting element (11) for supporting a wheel (2) rotatably about an axis of rotation (A); an arm (12) movably connected to the frame (10) to be moved by an actuator (5B, 5B′) along a direction of movement (B) parallel to the axis of rotation (A); a bead breaker tool (13) connected to the arm (12) to move between an activated position, where it is in contact with the tyre (3), and a deactivated position, where it is spaced from the tyre (3); a control unit (14). The bead breaker tool (13) includes a mounting element (13A) and a bead breaker disc (13B) which rotates freely relative to the mounting element (13A) and comprises a sensor (131), configured to generate a contact signal (132) representing a rotation of the bead breaker disc (13B) relative to the mounting element (13A); the control unit (14) is connected to the sensor (131) to receive the contact signal (132).