Robotic Wheel Balancing Cell for Variable Tire Assembly Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel and tire assembly (WTA) systems require cumbersome assembly processes and specific equipment for large assemblies, often necessitating customized setups for each size and configuration, and pose safety risks to technicians due to the need for enclosed stations.
Innovation Solution
A robotic cell system with a movable arm and end effector that can transport and balance WTAs within a defined perimeter, eliminating the need for conveyors and elevators, and incorporating a controller to manage movement between stations, including load, balancer, and weight apply stations, with safety features to protect technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional WTA systems use conveyors, elevators, and enclosed stations, then large WTAs can be handled, but the system becomes cumbersome and requires customized setups for each size and configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system with movable arm and end effector serves multiple functions: transporting WTAs, positioning them at balancing stations, and handling various WTA sizes without requiring customized setups. This single robotic platform replaces traditional conveyors, elevators, and enclosed stations, providing universal handling capability across different WTA configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a selectively movable arm with dynamic positioning capability that can adapt its movement range and positioning precision based on the specific WTA size being handled. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for fixed, size-specific equipment while maintaining safe and efficient handling operations.
2Reliability
If traditional systems use enclosed stations and specific equipment, then safety is improved, but assembly time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical enclosed station systems with a robotic system that uses controlled movement and positioning within a defined perimeter. The robotic arm with end effector provides safe handling through programmable precision movements, eliminating the need for physical enclosures while maintaining safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system enables continuous operation by seamlessly transitioning WTAs between loading, balancing, and unloading stations without interruption. The movable arm continuously positions WTAs at each station in sequence, eliminating idle time between operations and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the balancing process.
3Manufacturing precision
If a robotic system moves WTAs between multiple stations, then balancing precision is improved, but the time required for each operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the WTA at each station before the actual balancing operation. The robotic arm pre-positions the WTA in the optimal location for balancing, ensuring precision is achieved quickly during the actual measurement and correction phases, rather than requiring multiple adjustment attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system rapidly transitions WTAs between stations using efficient movement paths and speeds. The movable arm moves quickly between loading, balancing, and unloading stations, minimizing the time spent in transit while maintaining precise positioning when actually performing balancing operations at each station.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel and tire assembly (WTA) balancing system configured to transport a WTA within a defined perimeter may include a robot including a selectively movable arm and an end effector connected to the movable arm and configured to selectively engage a portion of a WTA, and a controller configured to provide instructions to the robot to selectively move the WTA to at least one of a plurality of stations within the perimeter.