Tyre Mounting Arm Alignment for Versatile Wheel Rim Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art machines for mounting and demounting vehicle tires relative to wheel rims are not versatile, robust, or reliable, often requiring excessive mechanical adjustments and being cumbersome, which complicates operations and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a wheel-holder unit movable in rotation and translation, equipped with a clamping chuck, mounting and demounting tools connected to independent supporting arms, and a main arm with adjustable sidewall pressing tools, allowing precise positioning and operation without constant operator intervention, facilitated by a control console for automated movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art articulated arms are used for mounting and demounting tires, then the machine can perform basic tire mounting operations, but the machine lacks versatility and requires excessive mechanical adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be moved along the column to different vertical positions and rotated about a vertical axis. This dynamic configuration enables the arm to adapt to different tire sizes and mounting requirements without requiring excessive mechanical adjustments, thereby improving versatility while controlling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it supports both mounting and demounting operations, can be positioned at different heights along the column, and can be rotated to align with different wheel positions. This multi-functionality increases versatility without proportionally increasing mechanical adjustment complexity
2Reliability
If prior art articulated arms are used for mounting and demounting tires, then the machine can perform basic operations, but the arms are not robust or reliable after prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm incorporates a rotatable connection about a vertical axis that maintains proper alignment between the arm and the wheel during operations. This dynamic alignment capability prevents mechanical slack and maintains reliability after prolonged use by continuously adapting to the wheel's position rather than relying on fixed mechanical joints that develop wear and slack
3Ease of operation
If prior art machines require constant operator intervention for positioning, then operations can be performed, but the ease of operation is reduced and operator burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm is designed to automatically align itself with the wheel through rotation about a vertical axis during mounting and demounting operations. This self-alignment capability reduces the need for constant operator intervention for positioning, thereby improving ease of operation while increasing the extent of automation in the system
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
A machine (M) for mounting and demounting a tyre (P) relative to a corresponding rim (C) of a vehicle wheel (R) comprises a wheel-holder unit (200) that is movable in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation (Y) and movable in translation along an axis of translation (X) towards and away from the machine (M). The machine (M) comprises a main arm (400) and a working unit (500) connected to the main arm (400) and including a first arm (501a) pivoted to the main arm (400) at a hinge point (F) and a first sidewall pressing tool (502a) which is configured to come into abutment against a sidewall of the tyre (P) of the wheel (R) mounted on the wheel-holder unit (200) and which is connected to the first arm (501a). The main arm (400) is movable by translation parallel to the horizontal axis of translation (X) towards and away from a column (101) to keep the hinge point (F) vertically aligned with the vertical axis of rotation (Y) of the wheel-holder unit (200), responsive to a movement in translation of the wheel-holder unit (200).