Tire Handling Fork Elements Centering and Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire handling systems face challenges in efficiently centering and rotating tires for processing, such as lubrication, measurement, and identification, as they often rely on complex camera systems and conveyor belts that may not accommodate tires of varying sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with three parallel conveyor tracks and pivotable fork elements that transport tires from a lying to a standing position, allowing for centralized handling and rotation, utilizing rollers for smooth transition and adjustable camera positioning for efficient data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If complex camera systems and conveyor belts are used to handle and identify tires, then tire identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent modules: conveyor tracks for transport, fork elements for positioning, and camera systems for identification. Each module performs a specific task, allowing the system to handle tire identification without requiring a monolithic complex design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fork elements serve multiple functions: they position tires laterally, support tires during conveyor transitions, and provide a stable base for camera-based identification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
2Productivity
If conventional conveyor systems are used to transport tires, then tire transport capability is improved, but adaptability to varying tire sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fork elements are designed to be laterally movable and pivotable, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate different tire widths and sizes. This enables the same conveyor system to handle various tire dimensions without requiring multiple fixed conveyor configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the position and orientation parameters of the fork elements based on the tire size being processed. By adjusting lateral position, vertical height, and rotation angle of the fork elements, the conveyor adapts to different tire specifications while maintaining continuous transport capability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to capture tire information from different angles, then identification accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fork elements position the tire in a standardized orientation before the cameras capture images. This preliminary positioning ensures that the tire sidewall with identification markings is presented at the optimal angle to the camera, improving identification accuracy without requiring complex multi-angle imaging and processing.
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 efficient handling and processing of tires of different sizes by centering and rotating them for lubrication, measurement, and identification, simplifying the data capture process with a focused camera field, thereby improving handling efficiency and data processing.
Implementation Method 1
at least the first leg (15') has a driven roller (18) for rotating the tire (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a device and a method for handling tires (2). The device comprises a tire conveyor for conveying the tires (2), which has three conveyor tracks (10, 11, 12) arranged parallel to each other, spaced apart from each other by a gap (13) between one of the outer conveyor tracks (10, 12) and the middle conveyor track (11) transversely to the conveying direction (a). Furthermore, the device (1) has two fork elements (15, 16) parallel to each other, each having a first leg (15', 16') and a second leg (15", 16"), wherein a common pivot axis (S) of the fork elements (15, 16) passes through the connection point (17) of each pair of legs (15', 16', 15", 16").In each of the lanes (13) one of the fork elements (15,16) is arranged to pivot about the connection point such that - in a first position the second leg (15",16") of each of the fork elements (15,16) is received in a conveyor plane, and - in a second position both legs (15',16', 15",16") of each of the fork elements (10,11,12) extend out of the conveyor plane.