Robot Tire Mounting on Rims With Coordinated Assembly Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting pneumatic tires on vehicle wheels require multiple handling devices, which are costly and complicated to maintain, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of errors.

Innovation Solution

A method using a handling robot with a gripper on an articulated arm to coordinate the movement of a tire and a handling device, allowing the tire to be mounted efficiently by a single robot, eliminating the need for separate tools and simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple handling devices are used for mounting pneumatic tires on rims, then the mounting process can be performed with separate specialized tools, but the device complexity and maintenance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting process capabilityVSAvoidnumber of handling devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate handling devices into a single integrated handling robot system. The robot performs multiple functions including gripping the tire, positioning it on the rim, and coordinating with mounting tools, thereby reducing the overall number of devices required while maintaining full mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handling robot is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple operations in the tire mounting process. It can grip tires of different sizes, position them accurately, coordinate with mounting tools, and adapt to various rim configurations, replacing the need for multiple specialized handling devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple handling devices are used for tire mounting, then each device can be optimized for its specific task, but the maintenance complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask-specific optimizationVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple handling devices into a single robot system, the patent reduces the total number of components that require maintenance. While the robot performs multiple functions, this consolidation simplifies the overall maintenance structure compared to maintaining several separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single handling robot performs all mounting operations, then the number of devices and costs are reduced, but the robot must execute complex coordinated movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of handling devicesVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handling robot incorporates feedback mechanisms including sensors and control systems that monitor the tire position, rim configuration, and mounting tool status. This real-time feedback enables the robot to automatically adjust its movements and coordination with mounting tools, simplifying the operation of complex multi-function tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If conventional mounting methods are used with multiple devices, then each device can operate independently, but the cycle time and production efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The handling robot enables continuous operation by seamlessly transitioning between different mounting tasks without the need for device changes or repositioning. The robot can grip, position, and coordinate with mounting tools in a continuous workflow, eliminating idle time associated with multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4436802B1Process for mounting a pneumatic tire on a rim
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 SCHENCK ROTEC GMBH
  • EP4436802B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4436802B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4436802B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method in which a handling robot (1) is provided with an an articulated arm (3) which can be moved in three directions and the free end of which carries a gripper (2) for gripping and holding pneumatic tyres (4). The pneumatic tyre (4) is held by the gripper (2) on its tread, and is taken from a provision position and fed to an optional wetting station (5) for wetting the pneumatic tyre (4) with lubricant. The wetted pneumatic tyre (4) is then fed to an assembly station (9) comprising a clamping device (11) for releasably holding a wheel rim (10), which clamping device comprises a handling device having an assembly head (14) equipped with assembly tools (15) that can be guided along between the tyre bead (6, 7) and the wheel rim flange (12). The pneumatic tyre (4) is mounted on the wheel rim (10) by means of a coordinated movement of the handling robot (1) and the assembly head (14).