Sensor-Guided Tire Dressing Head for Precise Sidewall Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire dressing machines lack precision and efficiency in applying tire dressing, often resulting in wasteful application, overspray hazards, and inadequate coverage, particularly for tires of varying sizes and profiles, due to their inability to distinguish between tire walls and rims.
Innovation Solution
A tire dressing machine equipped with a longitudinal and lateral linear guide system, a coordinated motion control system, and a sensor-activated applicator head that can rotate and elevate to contour the tire, allowing for precise application of tire dressing chemical, separate from the rim, and accommodate different tire diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a long cylinder shaped applicator is used for media contact transfer, then tire dressing can be applied to the tire, but the machine cannot distinguish between different tire sizes and profiles, resulting in wasteful application to rims and inadequate coverage on large profile tires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation to accommodate different tire sizes and profiles. The arm moves along guided rails and can position the applicator head at various locations around the tire, enabling precise application regardless of tire dimensions. This dynamic positioning system replaces the static long cylinder applicator with an adaptable robotic mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect tire characteristics and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the robotic arm to adjust its motion and the applicator head positioning in real-time, ensuring precise dressing application tailored to each specific tire's size and profile, thereby preventing waste on rims and ensuring adequate coverage on large profile tires.
2Area of stationary object
If transfer media are mounted close to the floor, then the machine structure is compact, but the tire must take a full revolution to transfer dressing, requiring excessive linear space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a floor-mounted horizontal transfer system to a vertically oriented robotic arm system that operates in three-dimensional space. The robotic arm can position the applicator head at various heights and angles, allowing dressing application without requiring the tire to complete a full revolution. This dimensional change enables compact machine structure while minimizing linear space requirements in the carwash bay.
3Productivity
If spinning brushes are used for media contact transfer, then tire dressing can be applied, but unwanted misting occurs and dressing is disposed onto the car and floor creating hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful misting function from the spinning brush system by replacing it with a controlled robotic applicator. The robotic arm positions a precise applicator head that applies dressing directly to the tire surface without generating mist. This extraction eliminates the source of the harmful effect while maintaining productive dressing application through controlled, targeted delivery of the dressing material.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tire dressing machine comprises a longitudinal linear guide system and a lateral linear guide system. The longitudinal linear guide system is adjacent and parallel to a transport conveyor for a vehicle having a vehicle tire, and the longitudinal linear guide system has a drive motor and is adapted for reciprocal motion thereon.