Tire Changer Rim Defect Detection via Bead Breaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing vehicle tires from wheels do not effectively identify rim shape defects, leading to the risk of fitting tires on defective rims, which can be overlooked during manual visual inspections and result in inefficient operations.
Innovation Solution
A tire changer machine equipped with bead breaking tools and a rotary gripping unit that automatically detects the internal shape of the rim by comparing the detected shape with a reference shape, allowing for the identification of mismatches and reporting defects, thereby eliminating the need for manual visual inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual visual inspection is performed to identify rim defects, then the operator can detect some obvious defects, but the inspection process is time-consuming and prone to human error, and defects on the inner surface remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual inspection system with an automated optical measurement system. The bead breaking tool is equipped with sensors that automatically measure the inner surface geometry of the rim during the bead breaking operation, eliminating the need for separate manual inspection and providing reliable defect detection without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs defect detection during the bead breaking operation itself, before the tire is completely removed from the rim. The measurement system captures the inner surface geometry while the bead breaking tool is in contact with the rim, allowing defect identification to occur as part of the existing process rather than as a separate subsequent step.
2Measurement precision
If the bead breaking tool remains in contact with the internal bearing surface during wheel rotation, then the mutual movement can be detected to identify rim shape defects, but this requires precise measurement and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the bead breaking tool multi-functional by integrating both the bead breaking function and the defect detection function into a single tool. The same tool that breaks the bead also serves as the measurement probe, eliminating the need for separate detection equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bead breaking tool performs self-measurement by detecting its own mutual movement relative to the rim during the bead breaking operation. The tool's position sensors automatically track its movement along the sliding direction, and this data is used to reconstruct the inner surface geometry without requiring external measurement systems.
3Productivity
If automated detection system is implemented to identify rim defects, then defect identification accuracy is improved and manual inspection time is eliminated, but the device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the defect detection system with the existing bead breaking mechanism. The measurement sensors, rotary gripping unit, and bead breaking tool are integrated into a single coordinated system that performs both tire preparation and rim inspection functions, improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the mutual movement between the bead breaking tool and the rim during rotation, automatically comparing the measured inner surface geometry against reference data, and providing immediate defect identification results that guide subsequent tire fitting decisions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method for removing tires (P) of wheels (R) of vehicles comprises at least the following steps: - supplying a machine (1) for the assembly and removal of tires (P) of wheels (R) of vehicles comprising: - at least one bead breaking tool (4a, 4b) movable for bead breaking a tire (P) from a rim (H) of a wheel (R) of vehicles; and - at least one rotary gripping unit (30) adapted to support the wheel (R) and set it in rotation around a work axis (B); wherein the bead breaking tool (4a, 4b) and the rotary gripping unit (30) are mutually movable along a sliding direction (C) substantially transverse to the work axis (B); - bead breaking the wheel (R) by inserting the bead breaking tool (4a, 4b) between a bead (T', T") of the tire (P) and a flange (F', F") of the rim (H) and by setting in rotation the wheel (R) by means of the rotary gripping unit (30), during the setting in rotation the bead breaking tool (4a, 4b) remaining in contact with an internal bearing surface (S', S") of the rim (H); - during the bead breaking, detecting the mutual movement of the bead breaking tool (4a, 4b) and of the rotary gripping unit (30) along the sliding direction (C) to obtain a detected shape (100) of the internal bearing surface (S', S"); - comparing the detected shape (100) with a reference shape (101) of the internal bearing surface (S', S") to identify mismatches (102) between the detected shape (100) and the reference shape (101); - reporting the mismatches (102).