Traverse Tire-Changing Bot for Dynamic Wheel Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive service facilities face challenges in efficiently changing tires due to labor shortages, skill level mismatches among technicians, and varying consumer demand, leading to limitations in throughput and efficiency, especially with manual and semi-automated tire changing methods that require constant technician presence and are labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An automated tire changing system that includes autonomous traverse tire changing bots and a control architecture, allowing a single technician to monitor multiple tire changes by using robotic arms and tools to perform tasks such as tire mounting, balancing, and inflation, with the ability to change tires with the wheel remaining on the vehicle or being removed, and integrating with a cloud-based management system for inventory and billing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual or semi-automated tire changing methods are used, then a technician can perform tire changes with available tools, but the throughput and efficiency are limited by the number of technicians and machines available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire change throughputVSAvoidnumber of machines and technicians required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous tire changing bot performs tire changing tasks independently without requiring constant human intervention. The bot autonomously navigates to vehicles, positions itself, and executes tire changing operations using onboard tools and sensors, enabling the system to service multiple vehicles simultaneously with minimal technician involvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an autonomous robotic system equipped with sensors, actuators, and control algorithms. The bot uses computer vision and navigation systems to locate vehicles and wheels, and employs automated mechanical tools for bead breaking, tire removal, and tire installation, substituting human labor with intelligent automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If senior vehicle service technicians are assigned to perform tire changes, then high-quality service can be provided, but the cost increases and availability decreases due to skill level mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidtechnician skill level matching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous bot performs tire changing tasks independently without requiring constant human intervention. The bot autonomously navigates to vehicles, positions itself, and executes tire changing operations using onboard tools and sensors, enabling the system to service multiple vehicles simultaneously with minimal technician involvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous tire changing bot serves as an intermediary between technicians and vehicles, handling routine tire changing tasks that would otherwise require technician intervention. This allows technicians to focus on more complex tasks while the bot manages standard procedures, optimizing the skill utilization across the service facility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If a single technician monitors multiple tire changes simultaneously, then labor intensity is reduced, but constant technician presence is required which limits the number of simultaneous tire changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of simultaneous tire changesVSAvoidtechnician presence time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous bot can continuously perform tire changing operations across multiple vehicles without interruption or relocation. The system maintains continuous productive action by having the bot service one vehicle while simultaneously navigating to and preparing for the next vehicle, maximizing throughput without requiring technician repositioning or setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11872685B2Autonomous traverse tire changing bot, autonomous tire changing system, and method therefor

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 AUTOMATED TIRE INC

AI summary

An autonomous traverse tire changing bot includes a carriage having a carriage frame with a carriage drive section effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the bot rests, and a bot frame including at least one actuator mounted to the carriage and a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle, and a controller effects traverse of the bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.