Wheel Rim Counterweight Application With Variable Strip Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for balancing wheel rims are inefficient due to manual application of counterweights, leading to non-repeatability and potential imbalances caused by tolerances in the coupling between the rim and balancing machine, as well as uncertainties in manual positioning.
Innovation Solution
An automated machine that applies adhesive counterweights to the inner and outer parts of wheel rims, utilizing a strip of counterweights with a removable protective film, featuring accumulating systems, separating means, and applying mechanisms to ensure precise and efficient application, including sensors for optimal strip and film management, and a cutting device for precise weight application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual application of counterweights is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but positioning precision and repeatability deteriorate due to tolerances in coupling and manual uncertainties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated applying device that uses a movable support positioned by a driving mechanism. This substitution eliminates human uncertainty and coupling tolerance issues, achieving precise and repeatable counterweight application while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated applying device is implemented, then positioning precision and repeatability improve, but device complexity increases due to additional accumulating systems and separating means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the counterweight application process into distinct functional modules: a first accumulating system for the strip, separating means for the protective film, an applying device with movable support, and a second accumulating system for the film. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve precise automation, making the complexity manageable and beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements accumulating systems that store the counterweight strip and protective film in advance before application. The first accumulating system pre-stores the strip, and the second accumulating system pre-stores the film, allowing the applying device to operate continuously without frequent interruptions for material replenishment, thus justifying the added complexity through improved efficiency.
3Productivity
If strip accumulating system with movable support is used, then application efficiency and productivity improve, but machine stoppages may increase due to strip management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a first accumulating system that stores the counterweight strip in advance, allowing the applying device to maintain continuous operation. The movable support ensures smooth strip feeding, and the system is designed to minimize interruptions, thereby maintaining high productivity while reducing machine stoppages through proactive material management.
4Manufacturing precision
If protective film accumulating system is implemented, then material management precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional accumulating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective film from the counterweight strip using dedicated separating means, then manages it independently through a second accumulating system. This extraction allows precise control of film application timing and positioning, ensuring the film is applied only when needed, which justifies the additional complexity through improved material management precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a machine (100) for applying at least one counterweight to a rim of a wheel to balance said wheel, wherein said at least one counterweight is a part of a strip (210) comprising a plurality of counterweights (211 ), which are placed next to one another and provided with a respective adhesive side, and a protective film (220) which is removable and placed on said adhesive side of said counterweights; said machine (100) comprising: a frame (110); a first accumulating system (130) configured for accumulating said strip (210) in a variable fashion and comprising at least one first element (131, 132) having a fixed position in said frame (110), on which said strip (210) is able to be at least partly wound, and at least one second element (133, 134), on which said strip (210) is able to be at least partly wound, which is movable relative to said at least one first element (131, 132) between a position of minimum storage of said strip (210), where said at least one second element (133, 134) is at a first distance from said at least one first element (131, 132), and a position of maximum storage of said strip (210) where said at least one second element (133, 134) is at a second distance, which is larger than said first distance, from said at least one first element (131, 132); separating means (181 ) configured for progressively separating said protective film (220) from said plurality of counterweights (211 ) and operatively placed downstream of said first accumulating system (130); applying means (170) configured for applying at least one counterweight (211 ) to a rim and operatively placed downstream of said separating means (181); and a second accumulating system (150) which is operatively placed downstream of said separating means (181 ) and configured to accumulate, in use, in a variable fashion said protective film (220), said second accumulating system (150) comprising at least one third element (151 C, 151 D) having a fixed position in said frame (110), on which said protective film (220) is able to be at least partly wound, and at least one fourth element (152), on which said protective film (220) is able to be at least partly wound, which is movable relative to said at least one third element (151C, 151 D) between a position of minimum storage of said protective film (220), where said at least one fourth element (152) is at a third distance from said at least one third element (151 C, 151 D), and a position of maximum storage of said protective film (220) where said at least one fourth element (152) is at a fourth distance, which is larger than said third distance, from said at least one third element (151 C, 151 D), such that a storage of said plurality of counterweights (211 ) is allowed in said first accumulating system (130) and a storage of said protective film (220) is allowed in said second accumulating system (150) which is variable on the basis of the frequency of application of said counterweights (211 ) on said rim by said applying means (170).