Wheel Rim Fastening Surface Cleaning for Automated Balance Weight Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cleaning the fastening surface of vehicle wheel rims for compensating elements are not reproducible and cannot be integrated into a fully automatic unbalance compensation process, often resulting in variable adhesion due to inconsistent cleaning agent usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a handling device to move a rotatable cleaning device coated with a cleaning agent to the rim, ensuring mechanical and chemical cleaning, allowing for precise control and efficient cleaning of multiple surfaces in a single step, with the cleaning agent evaporating before attachment, ensuring secure fastening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual cleaning with cleaning cloth and cleaning agent is used, then cleaning effect is improved, but reproducibility and automation capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidautomation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated rotating cleaning device that is mechanically driven. The cleaning device rotates against the fastening surface to provide consistent mechanical cleaning action, eliminating variability in manual wiping while maintaining effective cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device is designed to automatically apply and distribute cleaning agent through its rotation, without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates the cleaning process through controlled rotation and automated positioning, enabling both effective cleaning and automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If large amount of cleaning agent is used, then cleaning effect is improved, but evaporation completeness and fastener impairment risk worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidfastener impairment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device applies cleaning agent locally and precisely to the fastening surface through controlled rotation and positioning. The cleaning agent is distributed evenly only where needed on the rim's fastening surface, avoiding excessive application that would prevent complete evaporation and potentially harm the fastener.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls the amount and distribution of cleaning agent by adjusting rotation parameters and positioning. By optimizing the cleaning device's rotation speed and contact pressure, the cleaning agent is applied in precise quantities that ensure effective cleaning while allowing complete evaporation before fastener attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple fastening surfaces are cleaned separately, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but processing time and efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning thoroughnessVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is designed with multi-functionality to clean multiple fastening surfaces on the rim through a single rotating motion. By positioning the device to rotate against the rim's interior surface, it can sequentially clean multiple fastening locations without requiring separate cleaning operations for each surface.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning device maintains continuous rotation and contact with the rim surface to clean multiple fastening surfaces in sequence without interruption. This continuous action eliminates the need to stop and reposition between surfaces, maintaining thorough cleaning while significantly improving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution provides reproducible and efficient cleaning of the fastening surfaces, ensuring secure attachment of compensating elements by automating the process, reducing cleaning agent usage, and preventing impairment of the fastener, enabling integration into an assembly line for permanent and secure fastening.

Implementation Method 1

the cleaning device is set in rotation about its axis by a motor and rotatably cleans at least one fastening surface on the inside of the rim

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cleaning: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

a small amount of cleaning agent is used for cleaning, so that it is also ensured that the cleaning agent essentially completely evaporates by the time the compensating element is attached

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3156139B1Method for cleaning a fastening surface for a balancing element on a vehicle wheel
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SCHENCK ROTEC GMBH
  • EP3156139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3156139B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

In a method for cleaning a mounting surface (2) for a compensating element on the inner side (3) of a rim (4) of a vehicle wheel (5), the vehicle wheel (5) is positioned in a holding device (13) such that a cleaning device (9) can be moved to the mounting surface (2) on the inner side of the rim (4) of the positioned vehicle wheel (5) by means of a handling device (6). The cleaning device (9) is arranged at a free end of the handling device (6). Subsequently, the cleaning device (9) is moved by the handling device (6) to a wetting device (15) filled with a cleaning agent (11) and wetted with cleaning agent (11) in the wetting device (15).The cleaning device (9) moistened with cleaning agent (11) is then moved by the handling device (6) into the rim (4) and moved there in such a way that the cleaning device (9) cleans at least one mounting surface (2) on the inside (3) of the rim (4).