Bead Exerciser Force Sensing for Tire Bead Alignment Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tire and wheel assembly processes lack effective automated systems for validating the force applied to tire beads, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage during the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A robotic bead exerciser system that includes a center lift, drum roller, pinch rollers driven by an actuator, a feedback component to detect force, and a controller to alert operators when the force falls outside predefined thresholds, ensuring proper alignment and force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated bead exerciser system is implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated bead exerciser system is divided into distinct functional modules: conveyor belt for transport, center lift for positioning, drum roller for rotation, pinch rollers for force application, feedback component for detection, and controller for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall system efficiency while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback component that automatically detects the force applied to the tire bead and provides real-time feedback to the controller. This self-monitoring capability enables the system to automatically validate force application without human intervention, enhancing productivity while the automated feedback loop manages the complexity of force validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If force validation system is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce validationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback component is integrated into the bead exerciser system to detect the force applied by the pinch rollers to the tire bead. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information to the controller, enabling automatic validation of force application within predefined thresholds. The feedback loop enhances reliability by ensuring proper force application while the automated nature of the validation process manages the added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The manual force validation process is replaced with an automated feedback component and controller system. Instead of relying on mechanical gauges or human operators to assess force application, the system uses sensors and electronic control to automatically detect and validate forces, improving reliability while the electronic substitution manages the complexity of the validation system.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time force detection is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce application accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback component provides real-time detection of the force applied to the tire bead during the exerciser process. This continuous monitoring enables precise control and validation of force application, ensuring manufacturing precision. The real-time feedback allows the controller to make immediate adjustments if force deviates from the predefined threshold range, maintaining accuracy while managing detection system complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual force measurement methods are replaced with electronic feedback components and sensors that provide automated, real-time force detection. This substitution enables more precise and consistent force measurement compared to manual methods, improving manufacturing precision. The electronic detection system manages its own complexity through automated data processing and integration with the controller, eliminating the need for complex manual measurement procedures.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system ensures accurate force application and detection, preventing damage and improving the efficiency of the tire and wheel assembly process by providing real-time feedback and alerts for operators.

Implementation Method 1

a feedback component configured to detect a force of the tire against the pinch rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce detection: Force

Implementation Method 2

a pair of pinch rollers driven by an actuator and configured to apply force to a tire of the wheel assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force application: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4114675B1Force feedback system for a bead fitting device
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 INTERNATIONAL WHEEL & TIRE INC
  • EP4114675B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4114675B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4114675B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A bead exerciser system for an automated wheel assembly may include a center lift configured to lift a wheel assembly off of a conveyor belt, a drum roller configured to rotate the wheel assembly, a pair of pinch rollers driven by a driver and configured to apply force to a tire of the wheel assembly, a force sensor configured to detect a force of the tire against the pinch rollers, and a controller configured to receive the force from the force sensor and generate a command for an alert in response to the force falling outside of a predefined threshold range.