Tire Changer Position Verification for TPMS-Safe Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting and demounting tires on vehicle wheels rely heavily on operator skill, leading to potential damage to TPMS sensors, inflation valves, and tire components due to improper positioning and stress, with inadequate documentation and management of wheel condition, causing disputes and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a vehicle wheel maintenance apparatus with a control unit to automatically position a reference point, such as a TPMS sensor or inflation valve, at a safe distance from mounting/demounting tools, monitoring stress levels, and documenting the process to ensure correct execution and minimize damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual positioning by operator is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but positioning precision and reliability deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning system with an automated optical/electronic positioning system. The apparatus uses sensors and control systems to automatically detect the position of reference points on the wheel and adjust the positioning of mounting/demounting tools, eliminating reliance on operator skill while maintaining system adaptability through programmable control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions before the actual tire mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus pre-positions the wheel and tools by detecting reference points and automatically adjusting positions, ensuring correct alignment is established before the main operation begins, thereby improving precision without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
2Reliability
If automated positioning system is implemented, then positioning precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it detects reference points, calculates optimal positions, controls tool positioning, monitors operation progress, and records data. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as one system performs what would otherwise require multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs self-positioning and self-adjustment through automated detection and control. The system independently identifies reference points, calculates required positions, and adjusts tool locations without continuous human intervention, thereby improving reliability while keeping the operator's role supervisory rather than operational, which effectively manages system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If visual checking by operator is used, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision and detection accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection with automated optical or electromagnetic sensors that detect the position of reference points on the wheel. These sensors provide precise numerical data about sensor and tool positions, eliminating the imprecision of human visual estimation while using well-established sensing technologies that do not significantly increase system complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If manual monitoring of stress levels is used, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability and protection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor stress levels on the tire and rim during mounting/demounting operations. This feedback is transmitted to the control system, which automatically adjusts tool positions and forces to keep stress within safe limits, providing active protection against damage. The feedback mechanism uses standard sensing and control technologies, managing complexity while significantly improving protection capability.
5Loss of information
If comprehensive documentation system is implemented, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the documentation function with the existing control and data acquisition systems. The same sensors and control unit that manage positioning and monitoring also automatically record operation data, eliminating the need for separate documentation hardware. This integration reduces overall system complexity while achieving comprehensive documentation of sensor positions, tool positions, stress levels, and operation outcomes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and method for mounting a tire on a wheel rim and/or for removing a tire from a vehicle wheel rim. Such an apparatus is usually known as a tire changer. The tire changer of the present invention is capable of verifying that the position of the inflation valve and/or of the TPMS sensor of the wheel, relative to the position of the portions of tire most subject to stresses and/or relative to the position of the mounting/demounting tools, as well as the intensity of such stresses, lie within ranges defined as acceptable. The result of such verifications is then made available via a suitable report document.