Lubrication Conditioning System for Tire Bead Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire-wheel assembly methods require significant capital investment and human oversight, involving complex and costly processes that can be inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A simple system and method for assembling tire-wheel assemblies using a single-cell workstation with a lubrication conditioning system that adjusts the temperature of lubricants for improved viscosity and phase transition, allowing for efficient seating of tire beads on wheel beads without the need for multiple workstations or extensive manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional tire-wheel assembly methods are used, then assembly can be performed, but significant capital investment and human oversight are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple assembly operations into a single integrated workstation that performs wheel mounting, tire seating, and lubrication application simultaneously. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate workstations needed and decreases overall system complexity while maintaining assembly capability
Solution Approach 2:
The workstation is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform various assembly tasks including wheel mounting, tire seating, and lubrication application in a single location. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized workstations, reducing capital investment and simplifying the manufacturing process
2Extent of automation
If conventional assembly methods are used, then assembly can be performed, but extensive human oversight is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automatic lubrication application where the lubricant is dispensed automatically based on the assembly process stage, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The workstation automatically sequences operations and applies lubrication at the appropriate times, reducing human oversight while maintaining controlled assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the position and state of tire beads during assembly, providing feedback to the control system. This automatic feedback mechanism allows the workstation to adjust its operations in real-time without human intervention, increasing automation while keeping the control logic manageable
3Manufacturing precision
If lubricant temperature is not controlled, then application is simple, but tire bead seating on wheel bead is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls the temperature of the lubricant as a critical parameter to optimize its viscosity for proper tire bead seating. By maintaining the lubricant within a specific temperature range, the system ensures optimal lubrication properties without requiring complex temperature control mechanisms, achieving precise bead seating through parameter optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication system utilizes the phase transition properties of the lubricant by controlling its temperature to maintain it in an optimal state for application. The temperature control ensures the lubricant remains in the appropriate phase or viscosity state for effective tire bead seating, leveraging material phase behavior rather than complex control systems
4Productivity
If multiple workstations are used, then assembly can be performed, but capital investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple assembly functions that would traditionally require separate workstations into a single unified system. The workstation performs wheel mounting, tire seating, and lubrication application in sequence without requiring transfer between stations, improving productivity while reducing the total number of workstations needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and positions components in advance during the assembly sequence, with the lubrication system pre-positioned and the workstation configured to perform operations in an optimized sequence. This preliminary preparation within the single workstation eliminates the need for multiple stations while maintaining high assembly efficiency
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 system reduces capital investment and human oversight by streamlining the assembly process, improving the seating of tire beads on wheel beads through controlled lubricant temperature adjustments, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
A lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a light source arranged relative to the lubricant reservoir for directly changing a temperature of a lubricant contained by the lubricant reservoir from a first temperature to a second temperature
Implementation Method 2
allowing for efficient seating of tire beads on wheel beads through controlled lubricant temperature adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.