Laser-Assisted Wheel Balancer for Flangeless Rim Weight Placement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Balancing wheels without flanges poses challenges in accurately placing corrective weights, particularly on the inner surface, due to 'hidden' locations and the proximity of weights, leading to potential mislocation and increased costs from discarded misplaced adhesive weights.

Innovation Solution

A wheel balancer equipped with a first laser device that produces a movable laser spot on the inner surface of the rim, assisted by an A&D arm with a second laser device to create a visible marker, allowing precise placement of weights at designated locations, including angular and radial adjustments, and enabling accurate placement of adhesive weights without visible cues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive weights are placed on hidden locations on the inner surface of the wheel, then the wheel can be balanced, but the accuracy of weight placement deteriorates due to lack of visible cues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to balance wheels without flangesVSAvoidaccuracy of weight placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A laser device is introduced as an intermediary tool to project a visible reference point onto the hidden inner surface of the wheel. This laser reference point serves as a mediator between the operator and the difficult-to-reach weight placement location, enabling accurate positioning without direct visibility of the target location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement and alignment tools with an optical laser system. The laser provides a precise, visible reference point that eliminates the need for complex mechanical alignment devices, improving both accuracy and ease of use in placing weights on hidden surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If corrective weights are placed closer together on wheels without flanges, then the wheel can be balanced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring placement accuracy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to balance modern wheel designsVSAvoiddifficulty of locating proper radial position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The laser device acts as an intermediary reference system that projects visible points onto the wheel surface. These laser reference points serve as visual mediators that make the close-spaced weight locations easily detectable and measurable, solving the problem of difficulty in locating proper radial positions when weights are placed near each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If adhesive weights are used for correction, then the wheel can be balanced, but the loss of time increases due to one-time use and need for replacement of mislocated weights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to balance wheelVSAvoidtime for replacing mislocated weights

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The laser reference point is established beforehand on the wheel surface before the adhesive weight is applied. This preliminary visual marking allows the operator to accurately position the weight on the first attempt, eliminating the need for time-consuming removal and replacement of mislocated weights.

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

Enhances the accuracy of weight placement, reducing the need for multiple attempts and minimizing waste, thereby reducing time and costs associated with incorrect placements.

Implementation Method 1

A first laser device is mounted at a fixed location relative to the chassis and is operable to produce a laser spot at a desired weight placement location on an inner surface of the rim

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS7882738B2Wheel balancer having laser-assisted weight placement system

Publication Date: 2011.02.08 COATS CO LLC

AI summary

A wheel balancer for balancing a wheel having a rim and tire. The wheel balancer comprises a chassis and a driven shaft extending away from the chassis for rotating the wheel. An A&D arm, pivotal and axially extendible with respect to the chassis, is also provided. A first laser device is operable to produce a laser spot at a desired weight placement location on an inner surface of the rim. The first laser device is manipulable by an operator to move the laser spot to the desired weight placement location. A second laser device is attached to the A&D arm and movable therewith. The second laser device produces a visible marker on the inner surface of the rim for determining when the A&D arm is in a plane of the desired weight placement location.