Robotic On-Vehicle Tire Balancing for High-Throughput Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automobile service industry faces challenges with a shortage of skilled technicians, inefficient tire changing processes, and suboptimal tire balancing methods that require constant human intervention, leading to labor intensity, safety risks, and limited throughput.
Innovation Solution
An automated tire changing system with robotic components and sensors that enable on-vehicle tire balancing, allowing simultaneous tire changes and balancing without human intervention, using instruments and actuators to measure and apply balancing weights accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional tire changing methods (fully manual, manual with machine assist, or semi-automated) are used, then tire changing can be performed, but the number of tire changes that can be performed in a given time is limited by the number of machines and vehicle service technicians available
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tire changing process into multiple independent workstations, each capable of performing complete tire changing and balancing operations. This segmentation allows multiple tire changes to occur simultaneously across different stations, thereby increasing overall productivity without requiring a proportional increase in the number of technicians at each individual station.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated tire changing and balancing machines are designed to perform operations with minimal human intervention. The systems can autonomously execute tire removal, installation, and balancing procedures, reducing the dependency on the number of technicians required and thereby increasing the number of tire changes that can be performed in a given time period.
2Ease of operation
If semi-automated tire machines are used, then labor involved with tire change is reduced, but constant vehicle service technician presence is required making multiple simultaneous tire changes unfeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent automated workstations, each capable of performing complete tire changing and balancing operations autonomously. This allows multiple tire changes to occur simultaneously across different stations without requiring constant technician presence at each station, thereby maintaining ease of operation while increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each automated workstation is designed to perform multiple functions including tire removal, installation, and balancing operations within a single integrated system. This multi-functionality allows a single technician to monitor and service multiple workstations simultaneously, reducing the labor required per tire change while enabling multiple simultaneous operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional tire balancing methods (off-vehicle balancing or balancing beads) are used, then tire/wheel assembly can be balanced, but constant vehicle service technician presence is required limiting the number of tires that can be changed in a given time period
Solution Approach 1:
The automated balancing systems are designed to perform tire/wheel assembly balancing autonomously without requiring constant technician presence. The systems can independently measure imbalance, calculate corrective weights, and apply balancing weights to the wheel, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while increasing the number of tires that can be processed in a given time period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual balancing operations with automated mechanical and electronic systems that can quickly and accurately balance tire/wheel assemblies. This substitution eliminates the need for constant technician presence while maintaining or improving balancing precision, thereby increasing overall productivity.
4Reliability
If senior vehicle service technicians are assigned to perform certain types of work, then quality of service is maintained, but it is not cost-effective given their high salary and expertise level
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments tasks by complexity and assigns them appropriately - routine automated tasks are performed by machines while senior technicians focus on complex diagnostic and customer service tasks. This segmentation maintains service quality by utilizing senior technicians' expertise where it adds most value while reducing costs by automating routine operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated systems are designed to perform multiple functions including tire changing, balancing, and basic diagnostics, thereby reducing the need for senior technicians to perform routine tasks. This allows senior technicians to focus on higher-value activities that require their expertise, improving cost-effectiveness while maintaining service quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle component balancing apparatus and system for on vehicle balancing of one or more of a tire, a wheel, bearings, brake components, and vehicle components that impart vibrations to the vehicle.