Movable Frustoconical Chucking for TWA Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current TWA uniformity machines face challenges in efficiently chucking tire wheel assemblies due to the need for adjusting bead width, reducing rotation components to save energy, providing fast clamping and unclamping, and controlling the central part of the wheel, especially at its lower surface, which affects measurement efficiency and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A chucking apparatus comprising a lower rim apparatus with a frustoconical portion and an upper rim apparatus with a clamping shaft, where the frustoconical portion is movable to adjust to different TWA widths, and an elastic element ensures contact with the TWA's lower surface, allowing for precise clamping and reduced energy consumption by minimizing rotating components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper rim and lower rim adjust the space between them to accommodate various TWA widths, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The lower rim is designed with a movable frustoconical portion that can dynamically adjust its position along the central axis to accommodate different TWA widths. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the spacing between upper and lower rims to be changed without complex additional components, as the frustoconical portion itself provides the adjustment capability through its movable design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heavy rotation components are used in the TWA uniformity machine, then the structural stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to the weight of rotating components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary heavy rotation components from the system. Specifically, the design eliminates components that do not directly participate in the TWA rotation or measurement process, thereby reducing the total weight of rotating parts while maintaining the required structural stability for accurate uniformity measurement.
3Device complexity
If the frustoconical portion is made stationary to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different TWA widths is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The lower rim incorporates a movable frustoconical portion that can dynamically adjust its position along the central axis to accommodate different TWA widths. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the spacing between upper and lower rims to be changed without complex additional components, as the frustoconical portion itself provides the adjustment capability through its movable design.
4Measurement precision
If the clamping force is increased to securely hold the TWA, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the risk of damaging the TWA increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism applies force through a frustoconical portion that distributes the clamping force over a larger surface area of the TWA. This localized distribution of force achieves the necessary secure holding for accurate measurement while reducing the risk of damage by avoiding concentrated high-pressure points that could harm the TWA structure.
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 efficiently adjusts to various TWA widths, reduces energy consumption by minimizing rotating components, and provides fast clamping and unclamping, while ensuring proper control over the central part of the wheel, enhancing measurement efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element ensures contact with the TWA's lower surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a chucking apparatus designed for chucking a TWA (tire wheel assembly) in a TWA uniformity machine in a fast manner in a first aspect, said chucking apparatus comprising: - a lower rim apparatus; - an upper rim apparatus, said upper rim apparatus comprising a central axis and a clamping shaft along said central axis, said upper rim apparatus moveable towards and away from said lower rim apparatus along the central axis; - means in communication with said upper rim apparatus for controlling the movement towards and away from said lower rim apparatus; - a sensing unit mounted under said lower rim apparatus; said lower rim apparatus comprising: - a frustoconical portion, said frustoconical portion comprising a central opening corresponding to said clamping shaft along the central axis; - a clamping unit suitable for receiving the end tip of said clamping shaft; characterized in that said frustoconical portion is movable towards and away from said upper rim apparatus along the central axis. In a second aspect, the present invention introduces a method for performing a TWA uniformity measurement.