Tyre Changing Machine Single Piston Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tyre-changing machines are complex, costly, and require excessive operator effort due to the use of multiple pneumatic cylinders and cumbersome operation mechanisms, particularly in the wheel lifting process.
Innovation Solution
A tyre-changing machine design that utilizes a single movable piston operable by pedals to selectively control both the bead breaking arm and the lifting member, allowing for intuitive operation with reduced pneumatic cylinder usage, where the piston is connected via non-permanent coupling means such as cables and pulleys to facilitate both bead breaking and wheel lifting without requiring the operator to manually move the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pneumatic cylinders are used to operate the bead breaking arm and lifting member independently, then the machine can perform both functions, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single pneumatic cylinder is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially operating both the bead breaking arm and the lifting member. The cylinder serves as a universal actuator that can drive different mechanisms at different times, eliminating the need for separate cylinders for each function and thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the connection between the pneumatic cylinder and the mechanisms it controls. Through non-permanent coupling means, the cylinder can be connected to the bead breaking arm during bead breaking operations and then disconnected and reconnected to the lifting member for lifting operations, allowing one actuator to adaptively serve multiple functions throughout the operational cycle.
2Device complexity
If one or two pneumatic cylinders are used to control both bead breaking and lifting, then component count is reduced, but the operator must change position and manually move the wheel, increasing operation time and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism is designed to automatically perform the wheel lifting operation once the pneumatic cylinder is connected to it. The system self-actuates the lifting process without requiring manual wheel movement by the operator, and the centralized pedal control allows the operator to remain in a fixed position while the machine performs the work.
3Ease of operation
If a lifting device is added to reduce operator physical effort, then ergonomics improve, but the device complexity and cost increase due to additional pneumatic cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic cylinder serves as a multi-functional actuator that provides both bead breaking capability and lifting capability. By designing the lifting mechanism to share the same power source as the bead breaking mechanism, the system achieves improved ergonomics without proportionally increasing the number of pneumatic cylinders, as one cylinder performs both functions at different times.
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 design simplifies operations, reduces fatigue, lowers component complexity and cost, and enhances ergonomic efficiency by enabling the operator to perform bead breaking and wheel lifting with fewer actions and less physical exertion.
Implementation Method 1
the first flexible element 42 being wound on at least a rotating element 44, 46, 48 on which is also wound at least a second flexible element 50
Implementation Method 2
The rotating element 44, 46, 48 is associated with the bedplate 12 in a rotatable manner around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation Y
Data Source
AI summary
The machine (10) for fitting/removing a tyre comprises: - a bedplate (12) for resting on the ground; - a spindle (16), mounted on the bedplate (12) and configured to tighten a rim of a wheel on it; - a demounting tool (14), mounted on the bedplate (12) and able to remove a tyre from the rim when the wheel is loaded on the spindle (16); - a bead breaking arm (30), movably connected to the bedplate (12) and having a bead breaking tool (32) able to bead break the tyre from the rim; - a lifting member (52, 54, 56), movably connected to the bedplate (12) and able to lift the wheel to load it on the spindle (16) after bead breaking; and - an operating device (40) which is selectively connectable either to the bead breaking arm (30) or to the lifting member (52, 54, 56) and able to operate the bead breaking arm (30) or the lifting member (52, 54, 56) according to choice.