Inflation Work Station With Autonomous Cart And Multi-Function Probe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methodologies for processing tire-wheel assemblies require significant capital investment and human oversight, leading to inefficiencies in transportation and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system utilizing wheeled carts with autonomous navigation and various workstations for tire-wheel assembly processing, including wheel gripping mechanisms, inflation, and bead seating, which can operate independently with minimal human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methodologies are used for processing tire-wheel assemblies, then human oversight and capital investment are required, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the tire processing equipment automatically performs wheel gripping, inflation, and bead seating operations without human intervention. The cart autonomously navigates to workstations and the equipment self-regulates processing parameters, eliminating the need for continuous human oversight while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If automated processing systems are implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation probe serves multiple functions: it grips the wheel, seals against the tire bead, delivers inflation pressure, and monitors pressure levels. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into a single integrated tool, improving productivity while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflation probe is nested within the cart structure, with the probe containing internal sealing elements and pressure delivery mechanisms. This nested arrangement compactly integrates multiple functional components without significantly increasing the external footprint or apparent complexity of the system.
3Quantity of substance
If manual processing methods are used, then capital investment is reduced, but loss of time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system enables continuous processing where the cart automatically moves between workstations and the inflation equipment operates without interruption. Multiple tire-wheel assemblies can be processed in sequence without manual repositioning or setup time, significantly reducing total processing time while the modular design keeps capital investment reasonable.
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
This system reduces the need for extensive capital investment and human oversight by enabling efficient, automated processing of tire-wheel assemblies, improving productivity and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a fluid, F, which may or may not be pressurized, into a tire-wheel assembly, TW
Implementation Method 2
seals, S, against at least a portion of the tire, T, and wheel, W
Data Source
AI summary
An inflation work station for inflating a tire-wheel assembly including a tire mounted to a wheel is disclosed. The inflation work station includes a working device having an end effecter. The end effecter includes a wheel-engaging plunger member, a retaining apparatus connected to the wheel-engaging plunger member, and an inflation apparatus connected to the wheel-engaging plunger member. The retaining apparatus includes at least one tire-engaging portion extending from a retaining apparatus base member. The inflation apparatus includes at least one inflation probe extending from an inflation apparatus base member. A method for operating an inflation work station is also disclosed.