Tire Handling Arm Kinematics for Single-Space Loading and Unloading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire handling devices are limited by their kinematics, requiring separate devices for loading and unloading, which increases spatial requirements, safety concerns, and handling times due to restricted movement patterns and the need for multiple handling spaces.
Innovation Solution
A handling device with integrated loading and unloading capabilities, featuring a first and second extension arm pivot location that allows for linear and rotational degrees of freedom, enabling a single device to perform both functions efficiently and reduce spatial requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate handling devices are used for loading and unloading, then the handling functions are specialized, but the spatial requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines loading and unloading handling functions into a single handling device. The device includes a receiving member with extension arms that can perform both loading operations (transferring tire blanks to the vulcanization machine) and unloading operations (removing completed tires from the machine), eliminating the need for separate handling devices and reducing spatial requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The handling device is designed as a universal system that can perform multiple functions. The receiving member and extension arms are configured to handle both loading and unloading tasks, making the device adaptable to different handling requirements while occupying less space than multiple specialized devices would require
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate handling devices are used for loading and unloading, then the handling functions are specialized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple handling devices into one integrated system. The single handling device includes a receiving member with extension arms that can perform both loading and unloading operations, reducing the total number of devices from two (separate loading and unloading devices) to one, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity
3Productivity
If multiple handling spaces are required, then loading and unloading can be performed simultaneously, but the safety requirements and spatial footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension to enable simultaneous loading and unloading operations within a single handling space. The extension arms can operate at different vertical levels or positions, allowing one arm to load while another performs unloading, thereby maintaining productivity without increasing the horizontal spatial footprint
4Productivity
If multiple handling spaces are required, then loading and unloading can be performed simultaneously, but the safety measures and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vertical positioning and spatial coordination within a single handling space to enable simultaneous operations. By controlling the extension arms to operate in different vertical zones or positions, the system achieves simultaneous loading and unloading without requiring multiple separate handling spaces, thereby reducing the complexity of safety systems needed to manage multiple independent handling zones
Data Source
AI summary
A handling device for tires having at least one extension arm, wherein the at least one extension arm is secured with a first extension arm pivot location to a receiving member in such a manner that a pivoting of the at least one extension arm relative to the receiving member is supported and the at least one extension arm has a second extension arm pivot location so that at least one gripping tool is coupled to the at least one extension arm. At least a second gripping tool is coupled to the second extension arm pivot location, and the at least two gripping tools can be pivoted relative to at least one extension arm pivot location. The invention further relates to a method for carrying out a loading and unloading cycle with tires of a tire vulcanization machine.