Wheel Balancing Fixture Using Expanding Flaps and Centrifugal Steel Balls
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Solution Overview
Problem
The wheel balance out of tolerance in the machining industry is a significant issue affecting the comfort and safety of automobiles, primarily due to machining traces on the outer rim during the wheel machining process, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A precision fixture comprising a chuck, servo motor, hydraulic cylinder, steel balls, rubber strip, and beveled expanding flaps that synchronously expand and contract to compress the wheel rim, preventing machining traces and improving balance precision by offsetting vibrations during high-speed rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional wheel machining procedures are used, then the wheel machining process can be completed, but machining traces are formed on the outer rim causing balance out of tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture applies preliminary anti-action by using expanding flaps to compress the outer rim before machining, and steel balls to counterbalance vibrations during machining. This pre-compression and vibration offsetting prevents machining traces from forming, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of poor balance precision without requiring additional machining steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture converts the harmful vibrations during wheel machining into a beneficial effect by using steel balls that generate counterbalancing vibrations. These counter-vibrations offset the harmful vibrations caused by machining, transforming the harmful vibration energy into a useful force that maintains balance precision and prevents machining traces.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple machining procedures are used to improve wheel quality, then the wheel quality can be improved, but the complexity of the machining process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the expanding flaps provide compression support, the steel balls provide vibration counterbalancing, and the hydraulic system provides automated control. This combination allows the fixture to perform what would otherwise require multiple separate machining procedures, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high wheel quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture exhibits multi-functionality by simultaneously providing mechanical support through expanding flaps, vibration control through steel balls, and automated operation through hydraulic control. This universal fixture can handle various wheel machining requirements in a single setup, eliminating the need for multiple specialized machining procedures and reducing process complexity.
3Productivity
If manual operation is used for wheel machining, then the process can be completed, but the productivity and consistency are low
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture implements self-service through automated hydraulic control that automatically adjusts the expanding flaps and steel ball positioning based on the wheel's requirements. The system self-regulates the compression force and vibration counterbalancing without manual intervention, enabling consistent high-precision machining while significantly improving productivity compared to manual operations.
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 fixture effectively enhances wheel balance precision by eliminating machining traces on the outer rim, improving machining effects, and ensuring stable performance suitable for automatic production, with high precision and simplicity in design.
Implementation Method 1
the steel balls are thrown outward through centrifugal force, the steel balls drive the rubber strip to move out and to compress the inner rim of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a precision fixture for improving the balance precision of a wheel, comprising a chuck, a base, a servo motor, a lower pressure plate, a rubber strip, steel balls, an upper pressure plate, a mounting plate, a connecting shaft, a shaft sleeve, a hydraulic cylinder, a bearing end cover, bearings, a guard, an expanding core, expanding flaps, a flange plate, springs, pins, a flange, a connecting shaft and limiting columns. The fixture can meet the requirement for improving the balance precision of a wheel, at the same time, has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient manufacture, stable performance and precision that can meet the machining requirement, and can meet the requirements of automatic production.