Pneumatic Wheel Gripper With Parallelogram Rotation for Tire Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel mounting and removing solutions in mechanical workshops are bulky, unsuitable for traditional workshops, and require significant manual effort, especially during seasonal tire changes, which are labor-intensive and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An equipment using tubular elements with pneumatic means for manual operation, allowing 90° rotation and movement of wheels between horizontal and vertical positions, adaptable to any workshop space, comprising a gripping device with a parallelogram element and pneumatic pistons for easy wheel handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic robot heads with pneumatic drives are used for wheel mounting and removing, then automation level increases, but device complexity and cost increase, making them unsuitable for traditional mechanical workshops
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping head is designed to be manually operated by the technician themselves, eliminating the need for complex automated robot systems. The simple manual gripping mechanism allows the operator to perform wheel mounting and removing tasks directly, achieving adequate automation through self-service rather than through complex automated systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If heavy wheels weighing more than 40kg are handled manually, then equipment cost is reduced, but operator effort and physical strain increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The parallelogram mechanism with pneumatic cylinder provides mechanical advantage that counteracts the weight of heavy wheels. The system uses pneumatic pressure to assist in lifting and moving wheels that would otherwise require significant manual effort, effectively providing counterweight support without requiring complex heavy-duty equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
A pneumatic cylinder is integrated into the parallelogram mechanism to provide assisted lifting and movement force. The pneumatic system generates sufficient force to handle heavy wheels (over 40kg) with minimal operator effort, reducing physical strain while keeping the equipment relatively simple and cost-effective.
3Device complexity
If wheels are moved and rotated manually through 90° positions, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but time consumption and productivity decrease during seasonal tire changes
Solution Approach 1:
The parallelogram mechanism is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing smooth rotation and positioning of wheels through 90° angles. The mechanism can be easily reconfigured between different positions (horizontal/vertical) to accommodate various wheel mounting orientations, enabling quick position changes without complex mechanisms while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic cylinder provides powered assistance for rotating and repositioning wheels through 90° positions. This reduces the time and effort required for position changes compared to purely manual rotation, significantly improving productivity during seasonal tire changes while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
4Extent of automation
If bulky automatic equipment is installed in mechanical workshops, then automation capabilities improve, but workshop space requirements increase and adaptability to traditional workshops decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment is divided into modular components: a gripping head, a parallelogram mechanism, and a pneumatic cylinder. This segmentation allows the system to be compact and adaptable to various workshop spaces, while still providing automated assistance for wheel handling tasks. The modular design enables installation in traditional workshops without requiring large dedicated spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallelogram mechanism provides dynamic adaptability to different wheel positions and orientations. The system can adjust its configuration to work in confined workshop spaces and accommodate various vehicle types and wheel positions, maintaining high adaptability to traditional workshop environments while providing automated capabilities.
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
Enables efficient, low-effort tire changes in traditional workshops, increasing productivity by allowing operators to perform multiple tire changes daily with reduced physical strain.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic means for moving the gripping device vertically
Implementation Method 2
a pneumatic cylinder for moving the parallelogram element, so as to be able to rotate the wheel between a horizontal position and a vertical position
Data Source
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AI summary
An equipment (1) is described for mounting and removing a wheel on/from a motor vehicle, and moving the wheel in a mechanical workshop, comprising a gripping device (3) for a wheel, wherein the gripping device (3) is provided with pneumatic gripping means (9). The equipment (1) further comprises support means (2) of the gripping device (3), wherein the gripping device (3) is provided with a head (6). The head (6) comprises a C-shaped support (7), control means and a parallelogram element (8) rotatably fixed to the C-shaped support (7) and rotatable about a horizontal axis with respect to the C-shaped support (7) in order to vary its position between a horizontal position and a vertical position. (Figure 1).