Tire Handling End Effector With Movable Blocks for Dense Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire handling systems are inefficient, labor-intensive, prone to worker strain, cause mechanical damage to tires, and result in suboptimal storage arrangements with low packing density and high error rates.
Innovation Solution
A handling system comprising a vehicle base with a drive, positioning device, conveying device, transfer device, optical detection unit, and end effector with a block structure of movable elements that forms a non-destructive connection with tires, allowing precise and gentle placement into storage arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual tire loading is performed by workers, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but physical strain on workers increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated handling system performs tire loading operations autonomously without requiring human physical intervention. The robotized end effector with block structure independently executes the complete loading sequence including approach, gripping, lifting, positioning, and placement, thereby eliminating worker physical strain while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robotized end effector uses controlled mechanical movements to handle tires, substituting human workers' physical actions with programmable mechanical automation that achieves both high speed and precision
2Device complexity
If simple gripping elements are used to pick up tires, then device complexity is reduced, but mechanical damage to tires increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism is divided into multiple block elements (at least three) that can independently move and position themselves. These segmented blocks work together to distribute contact points around the tire, reducing localized stress and preventing mechanical damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tire receive different types of contact from the block elements. The blocks make contact at specific locations (sidewalls, bead areas) rather than uniformly across the tire surface, applying gentle localized forces that avoid damaging the tread and critical tire structures
3Device complexity
If one-sided grip is used to handle tires, then device complexity is reduced, but asymmetric defects in tire rolling behavior occur
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism deliberately uses asymmetric block element positioning and movement patterns to achieve symmetric gripping forces on the tire. The blocks are distributed around the tire circumference and move in coordinated patterns that balance forces, preventing asymmetric deformation that would affect rolling behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The block elements dynamically adjust their positions and movement sequences during the gripping and handling process. This dynamic coordination ensures that forces are evenly distributed around the tire, maintaining its structural integrity and preventing asymmetric defects that would compromise rolling performance
4Productivity
If automated handling systems are implemented, then productivity increases, but packing density in storage areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotized end effector performs preliminary positioning and orientation adjustments of tires before final placement in the storage area. This preliminary action ensures that each tire is correctly oriented and positioned to maximize packing density, allowing automated high-speed loading to achieve optimal space utilization without manual intervention
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a handling system (10) for the automated arrangement of vehicle tires (12) to a storage arrangement (14), comprising: i) a vehicle base (18), ii) a positioning device (20) for positioning a vehicle tire (12) in a receiving area (22), iii) a conveying device (24) for conveying a vehicle tire (12) and transferring the vehicle tire (12) to the positioning device (20), iv) a transfer device (26) for receiving a vehicle tire (12) from the receiving area (22) of the handling system (10), wherein the transfer device (26) comprises an automated motion unit (28) and an end effector (30) for receiving vehicle tires (12), v) an electronic optical detection unit for detecting optical environmental information, and vi) an electronic control device for controlling the handling system (10).wherein the end effector (30) comprises a block structure (32) with three or more movable block elements (34a-c) which can be changed reversibly and non-destructively such that different values of ABlock are obtained for the block structure (32) in different states, where ABlock is the area of the smallest theoretical circle through which the block structure (32) can still be completely passed.