Robotic Wheel Alignment Using Vehicle Dimension Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual process of removing and replacing vehicle wheels and tires is time-consuming and poses physical hazards, as it requires jacking up vehicles and manually removing lug nuts.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a robotic apparatus and a processing device that obtains vehicle dimension data, determines reference points on the vehicle, and aligns its coordinate system to perform automated wheel removal and replacement tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operations are used to remove and replace wheels and tires, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the operation time is excessive and physical hazards occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel replacement speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic apparatus autonomously performs wheel removal and replacement operations without human intervention. The system self-determines reference points on the vehicle, calculates positioning information, and executes the wheel change process automatically, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system that uses sensors, processors, and automated actuators. The robotic apparatus substitutes human physical effort with programmed mechanical motion, achieving faster wheel replacement while reducing physical hazards associated with manual jack handling and lug nut removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a robotic apparatus is introduced to automate wheel removal and replacement, then productivity increases and safety improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic apparatus performs preliminary actions by first determining reference points on the vehicle and calculating positioning information before executing wheel removal. This pre-positioning and reference establishment phase ensures accurate and safe operation, allowing the system to adapt to different vehicle configurations while maintaining consistent safety standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters dynamically by calculating positioning information based on determined reference points. The robotic apparatus adjusts its movement coordinates, approach angles, and tool positioning according to the specific vehicle geometry, enabling safe and accurate wheel removal across different vehicle types without requiring hard-coded parameters for each model

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If manual handling of wheels and tires is performed, then equipment requirements are minimal, but physical hazards are created for the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical hazard exposureVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If the robotic apparatus uses vehicle dimension data and reference point determination, then positioning precision improves, but the time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference point accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12337613B2Robotic apparatus interaction with vehicle based on vehicle dimension translation

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 THE REINALT THOMAS CORP D B A DISCOUNT TIRE

AI summary

Vehicle dimension data describing dimensions of a vehicle are obtained, a robotic apparatus is moved to a position about the vehicle, a reference point of the vehicle is determined, and the robotic apparatus is caused to move to positions about the vehicle based on the reference point. The reference point is a center point of a selected wheel of the vehicle. A coordinate system of the robotic apparatus is aligned to the reference point of the selected wheel of the vehicle. Based on the aligned coordinate system of the robotic apparatus, operations are performed by the robotic apparatus to remove lug nuts from a wheel hub of the vehicle.