Integrated Wheel Balancing Machine with Lifting Guard

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wheel balancing machines are cumbersome, heavy, and pose safety risks due to their large size and manual operation requirements, which can lead to operator fatigue and hazardous accidents.

Innovation Solution

A compact balancing machine with a multifunctional device that integrates a lifting mechanism and protection guard, utilizing self-balancing gas springs and a sliding arm system to facilitate easy wheel positioning and rotation, reducing operator effort and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional balancing machines are equipped with protection guards and lifting equipment, then operator safety is improved and wheel positioning is facilitated, but the machine size and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidmachine weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the protection guard and lifting equipment into a single integrated multifunctional device. The U-shaped arm structure serves both as a protective enclosure during wheel rotation and as a lifting mechanism when positioned vertically, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall machine weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multifunctional device performs multiple functions: it acts as a protection guard during balancing operations, serves as a lifting mechanism for wheel positioning, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and decreases machine weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If balancing machines include auxiliary devices such as protection guards and lifting equipment, then functionality is improved, but the overall dimensions increase reducing operator movement space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine functionalityVSAvoidmachine footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The protection guard structure is designed to fold or retract alongside the balancing spindle when not in use. The U-shaped arm can be positioned vertically during lifting operations and then folded horizontally during balancing operations, allowing compact storage and minimizing the machine's footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The multifunctional device transitions between different configurations: vertical position for lifting wheels, horizontal position for protecting during rotation, and folded position for compact storage. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the machine to adapt its footprint based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If manual wheel positioning is required on the balancing spindle, then machine complexity is reduced, but operator fatigue and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine complexityVSAvoidwheel positioning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting mechanism utilizes the wheel's own weight and the mechanical advantage of the U-shaped arm configuration to lift and position the wheel automatically. The operator simply guides the wheel into position while the mechanism provides the lifting force, reducing physical strain while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 machine allows effortless wheel lifting and positioning while ensuring operator safety, with a lightweight and cost-effective design that minimizes the risk of accidents and improves operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

self-balancing gas springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2113762B1Balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels
Publication Date: 2013.06.19 SICAM SRL
  • EP2113762B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2113762B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2113762B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels comprises a base frame supporting a balancing spindle for balancing a vehicle wheel, a lifting device associable with the base frame and suitable for fitting and removing the wheel onto and off the balancing spindle, and a protection guard associable with the base frame and suitable for covering the wheel fitted on the balancing spindle, the lifting device and the protection guard being integrated together in a multifunctional device.