Sensor-Guided Tyre Removal Tool Control for Precise Bead Breaking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tyre-removal apparatuses are not sufficiently reliable, safe, precise, or easy to use, often resulting in incomplete bead separation or damage to tyres, rims, and tools during the bead breaking and demounting processes.

Innovation Solution

A tyre-removal apparatus with a base and a support arm system that includes sensors and actuators to control the movement of tools along specific trajectories, ensuring precise contact and movement relative to the wheel, using hydraulic or pneumatic actuators and sensors to detect contact parameters, allowing for optimized bead breaking and demounting operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual positioning and movement of the bead breaker tool is used, then the operator has flexibility in positioning, but the precision and reliability of tool positioning relative to the wheel are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool positioning precisionVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors detect the actual position of the bead breaker tool relative to the wheel and provide signals to a control unit. The control unit processes this information and adjusts the tool positioning automatically, creating a closed-loop system that ensures precise and reliable tool positioning without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the bead breaker tool is moved manually during bead breaking, then the operator can adjust positioning, but the completeness of bead separation and prevention of damage are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebead separation completenessVSAvoidoperation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the bead breaker tool to perform the bead breaking operation autonomously through automated control. The system self-adjusts the tool position and movement trajectory based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while ensuring complete and reliable bead separation without damage to the tyre or rim.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If simple tool movement control is used, then the system is easier to operate, but the precision of tool trajectory and contact with the wheel is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool trajectory precisionVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning and tool movement control with an automated control system that uses sensors, control units, and actuators. This substitution of mechanical manual control with automated electro-mechanical systems enables precise tool trajectory control while maintaining ease of operation through automated sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If no sensor feedback is implemented, then the system is simpler, but the ability to detect contact between tool and wheel is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sensors as intermediary detection devices that mediate between the physical contact event (tool touching the wheel) and the control system. These sensors act as intermediaries that convert physical contact into electrical signals that the control unit can process, enabling reliable contact detection without requiring complex direct measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The apparatus ensures accurate and efficient bead breaking and demounting operations, reducing the risk of damage and improving user safety and ease of use, even for unskilled operators, while enhancing the robustness and maintainability of the system.

Implementation Method 1

The actuator able to move the support arm along the direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel is a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic or pneumatic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4032730B1Tyre-removal apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SNAP ON EQUIP SRL
  • EP4032730B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4032730B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4032730B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Tyre-removal apparatus comprising a base having a support for receiving and rotating the wheel. A frame having an upright with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel is joined to the base of the tyre-removal apparatus. A support arm is associated with the upright and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. A tool for operating on the wheel is mounted on the support arm. An actuator is able to move the support arm along the direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. At least one sensor, able to detect at least one parameter representing contact between the tool and the wheel, is associated with said actuator. Said at least one sensor is operationally connected to a control unit able to control the actuator and/or at least one further actuator, associated with the support arm, so as to move the tool along a trajectory determined by the control unit, depending on the at least one parameter representing the contact between the tool and the wheel.