Tire Service Drive Assembly Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive assemblies for tire service machines require powerful and large motors to achieve sufficient torque, leading to high costs and bulky machine frames, and also necessitate high operational forces during tire mounting and balancing processes.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly with a gear unit that includes a gearbox connected directly to a drive motor, allowing for a direct torque transmission between the motor and the wheel support, enabling the use of smaller and less powerful motors, and providing structural support to reduce the need for large machine frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a powerful motor is used to provide sufficient torque for rotating the wheel support, then the torque requirement is met, but the motor becomes larger and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A gear unit is introduced as an intermediary between the drive motor and the wheel support. The gear unit includes a gearbox with reduction gearing that transmits and amplifies the motor's torque to the wheel support, allowing a smaller motor to generate the required torque for rotating heavy wheels and rims.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a self-locking mechanism in the reduction transmission that allows the main shaft to be braked by self-locking action after an unbalance measuring run. This periodic engagement and disengagement of the self-locking mechanism enables torque multiplication only when needed, reducing the continuous power requirements of the motor.
2Strength
If a solid frame is used to accommodate the drive assembly and withstand high operational forces, then structural stability is ensured, but the machine frame becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The gear unit housing serves multiple functions: it houses the reduction gearing, provides structural support for the drive assembly, and acts as part of the machine frame. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to bear both mechanical loads and support components, reducing the overall frame size while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the drive assembly housing with the machine frame structure. The gear unit housing and support structures are merged into a unified design where the frame elements simultaneously support the drive assembly and withstand operational forces during tire mounting and balancing procedures.
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
This solution allows for a more compact and cost-effective design of tire service machines by using smaller motors and reducing the need for bulky frames, while maintaining the necessary torque and support for tire service operations.
Implementation Method 1
a gear unit (30) having at least one gearbox (40), wherein the at least one gearbox (40) has at least a gearbox input shaft (44C) and a gearbox output shaft (46)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a drive assembly for tire service machines comprising a drive motor (22, 122, 222) having a rotatable output drive shaft, and a wheel support (60, 160, 260) and further comprises a gear unit (30, 130, 230) having at least one gearbox (40, 140, 240), wherein the at least gear box has at least a gear box input shaft (44) and a gear box output shaft (46, 146, 246). The wheel support is in a direct torque transmitting connection with the gear box output shaft, and the output drive shaft (26) of the drive motor (22, 122, 222) is in a direct torque transmitting connection with the gear box input shaft of the gear box. Furthermore, the drive assembly is adapted to provide structural support.