Automatic Wheel Alignment Adjustment Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual wheel alignment adjustment systems in vehicle production lines are prone to stoppages due to the weight and complexity of heavy robots, making it difficult to replace or repair them without halting production.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising front and rear wheel adjustment apparatuses with sliding robots and adjustable tools, allowing malfunctioning components to be moved out of the working space for service without stopping the entire production line, utilizing tie-rod and cam-bolt adjustment mechanisms with wireless and electric operation for efficient alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a heavy robot with high payload is used for wheel alignment adjustment, then the robot can handle heavy tools and perform alignment tasks, but the robot weight exceeds 100 kg making it difficult to replace or repair without stopping production
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wheel alignment adjustment function into separate apparatuses: a front wheel adjustment apparatus and a rear wheel adjustment apparatus. Each apparatus uses a lighter robot (front robot or rear robot) instead of one heavy robot, allowing individual replacement without stopping production. The front wheel adjustment apparatus includes a front robot with tie-rod gripper and lock-nut runner, while the rear wheel adjustment apparatus includes a rear robot with cam-bolt gripper and cam-nut runner.
2Reliability
If a heavy and large wheel alignment adjustment apparatus is used, then the robot can perform alignment tasks, but the apparatus cannot be replaced easily when broken, requiring production line stoppage for repair
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wheel alignment adjustment into independent front and rear wheel adjustment apparatuses. Each apparatus can be serviced independently, allowing continuous production. When one apparatus malfunctions, the other continues operating, preventing complete production line stoppage.
Solution Approach 2:
The front and rear wheel adjustment apparatuses are designed to be movable along rails. The front robot moves along front rails and the rear robot moves along rear rails, allowing dynamic repositioning and replacement of malfunctioning apparatuses without fixed installation constraints.
3Productivity
If manual work is used for wheel alignment adjustment, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but automation is required to improve efficiency and reduce labor
Solution Approach 1:
The automation system is divided into modular front and rear wheel adjustment apparatuses, each with dedicated robots and tools. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity compared to a single comprehensive automation system, while maintaining high productivity through specialized functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-contained adjustment mechanisms where the front robot automatically adjusts tie-rod and lock-nut, and the rear robot automatically adjusts cam-bolt and cam-nut. Each apparatus performs its own alignment tasks without requiring external intervention, improving efficiency while keeping control logic localized and manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automatic wheel alignment adjustment of a vehicle in an inspection line is provided. The system is disposed under a mounting table mounted with a vehicle and includes a front wheel adjustment apparatus disposed in correspondence with a front wheel of the vehicle and configured to adjust alignment of the front wheel by adjusting a tie-rod and a lock-nut employed in a linkage structure of the front wheel, a rear wheel moving apparatus disposed in correspondence with a rear wheel of the vehicle and slidable in a vehicle width direction, and a rear wheel adjustment apparatus disposed in correspondence with the rear wheel of the vehicle, connectable to the rear wheel moving apparatus, and configured to adjust alignment of the rear wheel by adjusting a cam-bolt and a cam-nut employed in a linkage structure of the rear wheel.