Single-Cell Tire Assembly Workstation Merging Tasks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire-wheel assembly methodologies require significant capital investment and human oversight, involving multiple steps and successive workstations, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single-cell workstation with a robotic arm and adjustable tire-engaging devices that minimizes handling and integrates multiple assembly tasks, allowing for the efficient mounting of tires to wheels within a compact, automated system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional multi-workstation assembly methodologies are used, then assembly tasks can be completed, but capital investment and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple assembly tasks (tire mounting, wheel mounting, bead seating) that were previously performed at separate workstations into a single integrated workstation. This consolidation reduces capital investment and device complexity while maintaining complete assembly functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single workstation is designed to perform multiple functions: holding the tire, mounting the wheel, seating the beads, and inflating the tire. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized workstations, reducing overall system complexity while preserving manufacturing capability.
2Productivity
If multiple successive workstations are used, then complete assembly tasks are achieved, but human oversight and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all assembly operations into one workstation, the system eliminates the need for operators to monitor and manage multiple successive workstations. The single integrated system requires less human oversight while maintaining complete assembly functionality, resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional assembly methods are used, then tires can be mounted to wheels, but handling and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The workstation is designed to perform preliminary actions in sequence: the tire is mounted first, then the wheel is mounted to the tire, followed by automatic bead seating. This predetermined sequence of preliminary actions reduces unnecessary handling and operational steps, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.