Automatic Dispenser for Balancing Weights with Friction Transport and Guided Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual handling of self-adhesive balancing weights for vehicle wheels is time-consuming and prone to errors due to the need for large weight segments, limiting weight resolution and precision in balancing.
Innovation Solution
An automatic dispenser with a transport section using friction-enhanced rollers and a cutting section with a guided knife for precise cutting of small balancing weight segments, allowing for high-speed processing and precise handling of small segments without damaging them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of balancing weight segments is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity is reduced and measurement precision is limited due to minimum segment size requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system performs automatic counting, cutting, and dispensing of balancing weight segments without manual intervention. The system serves itself by using sensors to detect segments, motors to advance the belt, and cutting mechanisms to separate weights, eliminating the need for manual handling while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated electromechanical system. Optical sensors substitute for human visual detection, motor-driven rollers substitute for manual belt advancement, and automated cutting mechanisms substitute for manual scissor cutting, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining operational simplicity
2Device complexity
If manual handling of balancing weights is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision is limited due to minimum segment size requirements for manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of segment size from minimum 10-5 grams for manual handling to potentially smaller segments enabled by automated detection and cutting. The optical sensor system can detect and count segments of any size, and the automated cutting mechanism can precisely separate them, thereby improving manufacturing precision without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical sensor system and automated cutting mechanism between the balancing weight belt and the final application. This intermediary system enables precise control and measurement of segment sizes, allowing for higher precision balancing weights while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through modular design
3Productivity
If high-speed automatic cutting is implemented, then productivity is improved, but the adhesive tape may be damaged or stressed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by using optical sensors to detect and count segments before cutting occurs. The motorized rollers advance the belt to precise positions, and the cutting mechanism is pre-positioned and triggered only when properly aligned with a segment. This preliminary preparation enables high-speed operation while preventing damage to the adhesive tape through controlled, precise cutting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where optical sensors continuously monitor the position and presence of balancing weight segments on the belt. This feedback information is used by the control system to precisely control the timing and position of the cutting mechanism, ensuring cuts are made accurately without excessive force that could damage the adhesive tape, thereby maintaining tape integrity at high speeds
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
Enables high-speed, precise cutting and handling of small balancing weight segments, improving balancing mass resolution and precision, and reducing mechanical stress on the adhesive tape, making it possible to handle segments as small as 1 gram.
Implementation Method 1
The transport section includes at least one transport roller dimensioned to move, in operation, the belt by friction
Implementation Method 2
To increase friction between the transport roller and the belt, there may be a counter roller or a counter belt configured to press the belt of balancing weights against the transport roller
Implementation Method 3
the transport roller is equipped with a plurality of teeth that may be disposed at the outer circumferential surface of the transport roller. These teeth may have a diameter and a length dimensioned such that the teeth intrude through the liner into the adhesive tape when the transport roller comes into contact with the belt
Implementation Method 4
Self-adhesive balancing weights include segments of a mass material, which may be a metal (such as zinc or steel) having a self-adhesive tape at one side
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic dispenser for balancing weights including a transport section and a cutting section. The transport section contains a transport roller with a plurality of teeth at its circumferential outer surface generating friction to a belt of balancing weights to transport this belt to the cutting section. Such belt contains a plurality of individual balancing weight segments. The cutting section has an arc shaped belt guide for forming the belt of balancing weights to a curve thus opening at least one gap between neighboring balancing weight segments. The cutting section has a knife movable from a first side of the belt of balancing weights to its second side, to separate the belt of balancing weights at a gap between two individual balancing weight segments.