Tire Alignment Device Using Encoder Feedback for Automated Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The manual insertion of foam inserts into fully vulcanized vehicle tires is complex and of fluctuating quality due to the need for precise alignment and stress-free insertion, making automation difficult due to the tires' soft and elastically deformable state.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing clamping jaws with rotatably mounted rollers and rotary encoders to center and align vehicle tires of varying sizes, ensuring precise positioning and speed adjustment to maintain alignment during the tilting and upright positioning, allowing for automated and reproducible application of components like foam inserts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual insertion of foam insert is used, then flexibility in handling soft tires is maintained, but quality consistency and productivity are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is pre-aligned horizontally on the support table with movable rollers before the foam insert insertion process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures the tire is correctly oriented and stable, enabling subsequent automated operations to achieve precise alignment without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The support table is designed to be tiltable, allowing dynamic adjustment between horizontal and upright positions. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt to different stages of the insertion process, maintaining precision while facilitating automated operation.
2Productivity
If automated applicator is used, then productivity is improved, but alignment precision and reproducibility deteriorate due to tire deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is pre-aligned horizontally on the support table with movable rollers before the foam insert insertion process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures the tire is correctly oriented and stable, enabling subsequent automated operations to achieve precise alignment without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the tire positioning by transitioning from horizontal to upright position. This parameter change (orientation) allows the tire to maintain its shape better during automated insertion, improving reproducibility while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of operation
If tire is held in upright position, then foam insert application is facilitated, but tire migration and alignment loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is pre-aligned horizontally on the support table with movable rollers before the foam insert insertion process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures the tire is correctly oriented and stable, enabling subsequent automated operations to achieve precise alignment without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The support table is designed to be tiltable, allowing dynamic adjustment between horizontal and upright positions. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt to different stages of the insertion process, maintaining precision while facilitating automated operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the precise, reproducible, and automated alignment and insertion of components into vehicle tires, ensuring consistent quality and alignment regardless of tire size or shape, facilitating the automated introduction of components like foam inserts into vehicle tires.
Implementation Method 1
each have a rotary encoder for determining the speed and/or the rotational position of the respective tensioning roller
Implementation Method 2
one tensioning roller of each clamping jaw is driven in rotation in order to rotate the vehicle tire
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for aligning and erecting a vehicle tire during the automated insertion of a component into the vehicle tire, in which the vehicle tire is provided in a horizontal lying position on a support table (2) with movable rollers (20), is then tilted into an upright position, and the component is then applied to the inside of the tire, wherein the vehicle tire provided on the support table (2) is clamped and centered in the region of its outer circumference between clamping jaws (3, 3') that are diametrically opposed to the vehicle tire and movable relative to each other, wherein each clamping jaw (3, 3') comprises two spaced-apart, rotatably mounted clamping rollers (30, 31, 30', 31') which are applied to the circumference of the vehicle tire and each has a rotary encoder for determining the rotational speed and/or rotational position of the respective clamping roller (30, 31, 30', 31').31') and wherein one tension roller (30, 30') of each clamping jaw (3, 3') is rotary-driven to rotate the vehicle tire and the other tension roller (31, 31') has no rotary drive, wherein the rotational speeds of the tension rollers (30, 31, 30', 31') are compared and, if deviations occur, the rotational speed of the driven tension rollers (30, 30') is readjusted and then the clamping jaws (3, 3') together with the support table (2) and the clamped vehicle tire are tilted into the upright position and subsequently the component is applied.