Automatic Rim Centering via Speed Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic centering of wheels on vehicle wheel service machines is often not accurately achieved, leading to manual adjustments and potential damage or wear of the rim mounting device and delicate wheel rims due to slipping between the wheel and the rim mounting plate.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle wheel service machine with a rotatable rim mounting device equipped with a motor, detectors for rotational speed measurement, and a controller to synchronize the rotational speeds of the rim mounting plate and the wheel, eliminating slipping and eliminating the need for a drive pin, thereby simplifying the centering process and reducing wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a drive pin is used to transmit torque between the rim mounting plate and the wheel, then torque transmission is improved, but the complexity of the rim mounting device increases and the risk of damage or wear to the wheel rim and rim mounting plate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidrim mounting device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the drive pin component from the rim mounting device. Instead of using a mechanical drive pin to transmit torque, the system relies on friction between the rim mounting plate and the wheel rim, combined with rotational speed synchronization control, to eliminate the need for this complex mechanical element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical drive pin system with a friction-based rotational coupling system controlled by electronic sensors and motors. The friction coupling between the rim mounting plate and wheel rim, combined with electronic speed matching, substitutes the mechanical torque transmission method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of the wheel or rim is required for centering, then the ease of operation is reduced, but the risk of damage or wear to the rim mounting device and wheel rim is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic centering operationVSAvoiddamage or wear to rim mounting device and wheel rim

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects rotational speeds and adjusts the motor drive to synchronize the rim mounting plate with the wheel rim. This self-regulating system eliminates the need for manual intervention and prevents damage by maintaining proper operational parameters without human input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs sensors to detect the rotational speeds of both the rim mounting plate and the wheel rim, feeding this information back to a control system. The controller adjusts the motor drive in real-time to maintain speed synchronization, ensuring automatic centering and preventing harmful slipping that would cause wear or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the rotational speeds of the rim mounting plate and wheel are not synchronized, then the productivity is improved by simpler operation, but the loss of energy increases due to slipping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice operation speedVSAvoidenergy loss due to slipping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors the rotational speeds of the rim mounting plate and wheel rim through sensors, comparing these values in real-time. When speed differences indicating slipping are detected, the system automatically adjusts the motor drive to restore synchronization, minimizing energy loss while maintaining high operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Facilitates automatic and improved rim centering, reduces the risk of damage or wear to the service machine and wheel rims, and enhances torque transmission by eliminating slipping, thus accelerating service operations.

Implementation Method 1

a first detector adapted to detect the rotational speed of the rim mounting plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational speed detection:

Implementation Method 2

a second detector adapted to detect the rotational speed of the wheel mounted to the rim mounting plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational speed detection:

Implementation Method 3

eliminating slipping between the wheel and the rim mounting plate... torque transmission is improved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8544520B2Automatic rim centering system for a tyre changing machine

Publication Date: 2013.10.01 SNAP ON EQUIP SRL

AI summary

The invention concerns vehicle wheel service machines, in particular automatic tire changers, having a wheel or rim mounting device (2) which is mounted rotatably about an axis (11) and to which a wheel (1) is to be fixed. The vehicle wheel service machine comprises first and second detectors (6, 7) and a controller to detect the rotational speeds of the rim mounting device (2) and the wheel (1) respectively. Furthermore, a method for controlling the rotational speed of the rim mounting device (2) is provided. If the detected rotational speeds are different, slipping is determined and eliminated by approximating the rotational speed of the rim mounting device (2) to that of the wheel (1). A rim mounting device (2) can comprise a rim mounting plate (23) having a rim support surface (24) with a high-friction lining adapted to increase friction between the rim mounting plate (23) and the wheel (1).