Autonomous Traverse Tire Bot for Technician-Free Wheel Service
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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 the need for constant technician presence in semi-automated systems.
Innovation Solution
An automated tire changing system featuring autonomous traverse tire changing bots that can change tires both with and without the wheel remaining on the vehicle, utilizing robotic arms and vision systems to perform tasks independently, allowing a single technician to monitor multiple vehicles and reducing labor intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If semi-automated tire changing machines are used, then labor intensity is reduced, but constant technician presence is required limiting throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The tire changing bot is designed to perform tire changing operations autonomously without requiring constant technician presence. The bot navigates independently to vehicles, positions itself, and executes the tire changing process using onboard tools and sensors, thereby eliminating the need for continuous human supervision while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical tire changing machines with an autonomous mobile robot system. The bot uses robotic arms, sensors, and automated tools to perform functions previously requiring both manual labor and machine assistance, thereby reducing labor intensity while increasing throughput through continuous autonomous operation.
2Productivity
If more vehicles are serviced simultaneously, then productivity increases, but more technicians are needed increasing labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The tire changing bot is designed as a universal system capable of servicing multiple different vehicle types and tire configurations. A single bot can perform various tire changing tasks across multiple vehicles using its articulated robotic arms and interchangeable tools, thereby increasing the number of vehicles processed without proportionally increasing the number of technicians needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous bot independently navigates between vehicles, positions itself, and executes tire changing operations without requiring technician intervention for each vehicle. This self-service capability allows a single bot to service multiple vehicles sequentially or in parallel, thereby increasing productivity while minimizing the number of technicians required.
3Reliability
If senior technicians perform all tasks, then quality is maintained, but labor costs increase and availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for skilled human technicians with an autonomous robotic system equipped with sensors, vision systems, and automated tools. The bot performs tire changing operations with consistent precision and quality control through programmable algorithms and feedback mechanisms, thereby maintaining service quality while eliminating dependence on technician availability and reducing labor costs.
Data Source
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.