Bead Seater Apparatus for Tire Wheel Assembly Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tire-wheel assembly processing methods require significant capital investment and human oversight, and existing technologies are inefficient in removing entrapments such as air bubbles and lubricants between the tire and wheel bead seat.

Innovation Solution

A bead seater apparatus with a motor-driven plunger, vacuum devices, and oscillating motors that engage the tire and wheel to axially move and oscillate, disrupting the entrapment interface and using vacuum assistance to evacuate entrapments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional methodologies are used for tire-wheel assembly processing, then human oversight and manual intervention are required, but capital investment and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of bead seating processVSAvoidcomplexity of processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus enables self-service operation through automated detection and correction mechanisms. The system automatically detects bead seating issues using sensors and corrects them through the bead seater mechanism, eliminating the need for continuous human monitoring and manual intervention while maintaining processing quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The processing system is divided into distinct functional modules: a bead entrapment remover for initial preparation, a bead seater for precise positioning, and sensors for detection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If conventional bead seating methods are used, then manual intervention is required, but productivity and precision decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speed of tire-wheel assemblyVSAvoidprecision of bead seating
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated bead seater mechanism driven by a motor. This mechanical substitution enables consistent, high-speed operation while maintaining precise control over bead positioning through automated feedback from sensors, simultaneously improving productivity and precision

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

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors are integrated into the system to detect bead seating status in real-time and provide feedback to the control mechanism. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the automated bead seater can adjust its operation to achieve precise seating while maintaining high processing speed, resolving the trade-off between productivity and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If manual methods are used to remove entrapments, then human oversight is required, but time consumption and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for entrapment removalVSAvoidease of entrapment removal process
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bead entrapment remover is positioned to perform preliminary action before the bead seater operates. This preliminary removal of entrapments prevents interference with the subsequent automated bead seating process, reducing total processing time while maintaining operational simplicity through a standardized sequence of automated steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 apparatus effectively removes entrapments, reducing the need for manual intervention and capital investment by automating the process, enhancing efficiency and precision in tire-wheel assembly processing.

Implementation Method 1

vacuum assistance to evacuate entrapments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

oscillating motors that engage the tire and wheel to axially move and oscillate, disrupting the entrapment interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9950580B2Bead seater apparatus and method for using the same
Publication Date: 2018.04.24 ANDROID IND LLC
  • US9950580B2 patent drawing
  • US9950580B2 patent drawing
  • US9950580B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for seating a bead of the a adjacent a bead seat of a wheel is disclosed. The apparatus is disposable adjacent one or more of a tread surface and an outer sidewall surface of the tire.