Uncured Viscoelastic Polymer Wheel Balancing Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheel balancing methods face challenges with manual selection and attachment of weights, leading to errors and a lack of automation, and previous solutions using continuous polymer tape are less robust and more expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method involving uncured viscoelastic polymer balancing weights that can be easily formed and attached to wheels without pre-curing, using a combination of high-density fillers and a copolymer, which cures in place due to ambient or applied heat, and optionally includes a self-adhesive tape for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If pre-cured balancing weights are used, then the weights have robust mechanical properties, but additional processing steps and tooling costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional sequence by applying uncured balancing weight material to the rim first, then curing it in place. This reversal eliminates the need for pre-curing tooling and processing steps while maintaining robust mechanical properties after curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The uncured balancing weight material is applied directly to the rim where it cures in place using ambient or applied heat. The material serves itself by curing on the rim without requiring separate pre-curing equipment or tooling, simplifying the overall process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pre-cured balancing weights are used, then the weights have stable material properties, but energy and production time are consumed during pre-curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the balancing weight material in its uncured state directly to the rim before the curing process. This preliminary application allows the material to be positioned and shaped on the rim itself, eliminating the need for energy-intensive pre-curing operations while ensuring stable material properties through controlled curing in place.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cured balancing weights are used, then the weights have stable material properties, but forming and adaptation to the rim is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by applying the balancing weight material in its uncured, formable state directly to the rim. This allows easy adaptation to the specific rim geometry and positioning requirements, after which the material cures to provide stable mechanical properties. The inversion of sequence enables both ease of forming and material stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If cured balancing weights are used, then the weights have stable material properties, but adhesive attachment to the rim is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the balancing weight material in its uncured state directly to the rim, where the material exhibits plastic characteristics and enhanced adhesion. This allows the material to bond effectively to the rim surface, and subsequent curing in place provides both strong adhesive attachment and stable mechanical properties.
5Device complexity
If manual selection of balancing weights from boxes is used, then the supply system is simple and cheap, but errors occur and automation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a continuous extrusion process to supply uncured balancing weight material directly to the rim. This continuous supply method eliminates manual selection from discrete boxes, preventing errors while maintaining system simplicity. The material can be extruded continuously and applied directly, enabling potential automation without complex handling systems.
6Extent of automation
If continuous polymer tape is used instead of discrete weights, then automation is improved, but the material is less robust and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material state parameter by using uncured polymer that is then cured in place. This transformation allows the material to exhibit both the formability and adhesion characteristics needed for automated application and the robust mechanical properties required for durable wheel balancing. The parameter change from uncured to cured state resolves the contradiction between ease of application and material strength.
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 approach simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and provides robust, reliable wheel balancing with improved adhesive properties, allowing for quicker and more accurate weight attachment without additional processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
uncured balancing weights have a much more adhesive surface compared to cured balancing weights. Therefore, the adhesive force of the surface of uncured weights may be sufficient to hold the weight to a rim
Implementation Method 2
Curing of the balancing weights takes place after the balancing weights have been attached to a rim. Curing happens by time even under ambient temperatures. When a vehicle having uncured balancing weights is in operation, curing is accelerated by higher temperatures as they are caused by sun radiation, by frictional heat of the tires, or by heat dissipated from the brakes
Implementation Method 3
the polymer comprises at least one filler, preferably resulting in a total density of more than 0.9 kg/dm3
Data Source
AI summary
A method for balancing a wheel comprises at least the steps of extruding a profile of an uncured and/or non-vulcanized viscoelastic polymer comprising at least one filler having a total density of more than 0.9 kg/dm3, cutting a section from an extruded profile of said polymer, wherein the length of the section correlates with the required mass for balancing, applying the balancing weight to the rim of the wheel, and curing of the balancing weight at the wheel.