Gripper Synchronizing Disk for Tire Mounting Angular Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically mounting pneumatic tires on vehicle wheels using handling robots face challenges in achieving reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation, particularly in accommodating tires with different diameters and requiring variable gripping forces while ensuring precise angular positioning.
Innovation Solution
A gripper design featuring a synchronizing device with a rotatable disk and coupling elements that drive gripper arms radially, integrated with a rotatable flange on the robot hand, allowing for synchronous movement and adjustable closing path to accommodate various tire sizes and enable precise angular positioning without complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate match machine is used for angular positioning, then precise angular alignment is achieved, but device complexity and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the angular positioning function directly into the robot hand's flange by making it rotatably drivable, merging the functions of the handling robot and the separate match machine into a single integrated unit, thereby achieving precise angular alignment without requiring additional standalone equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The flange of the robot hand is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the mounting interface for the gripper and as a rotatable positioning mechanism for angular alignment, making the robot hand a multi-functional device that eliminates the need for separate specialized machines
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional synchronous mechanisms are used for gripper arms, then synchronous movement is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical synchronous mechanisms with a field-based control system where a magnetically coupled drive mechanism transmits rotational motion to the gripper arms through magnetic fields, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, gears, or cam mechanisms while maintaining synchronous movement stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs magnetic coupling through thin non-magnetic barriers (such as plastic or air gaps) to transmit rotational motion between the drive mechanism and gripper arms, allowing flexible, maintenance-free power transmission without direct mechanical contact, thereby reducing complexity and maintenance requirements
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 solution ensures reliable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective tire mounting with adjustable forces and precise angular alignment, eliminating the need for additional machinery and maintaining parallel alignment of gripper fingers across different tire diameters.
Implementation Method 1
a disk (23) which is mounted on the main body (10) of the gripper so that it can rotate about its central axis and can be driven in rotation by a motor, and coupling elements (25) which are attached to the disk and the gripper arms (15) by means of joints in such a way that rotation of the disk causes synchronous, radial movement of the gripper arms
Implementation Method 2
This design offers the possibility of rotating the gripper and thus the tire held by it about its axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A device for mounting a pneumatic tire onto a vehicle wheel rim comprises a handling robot having a robot hand (7) movable about several axes, a rotatably driven flange (8), and a gripper (2) attached thereto, which has a base body (10) and at least two gripper arms (15) movable radially about the central axis of the gripper (2). The gripper arms (15) are coupled to a synchronizing device which synchronizes the radial movement of the gripper arms (15) and comprises a disk (23) rotatably mounted on the base body (10) of the gripper (2) about its central axis and rotatably driven by a motor, and coupling elements (25) which are attached to the disk (23) and the gripper arms (15) by means of joints (26, 27) such that a rotation of the disk (23) causes a synchronous radial movement of the gripper arms (15).