Wheel Rim Balancing Weight Mounting on Undercut Inner Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching balancing weights to vehicle wheels with undercut rims are inefficient due to limited axial mounting space and require complex robot control or time-consuming surface measurement, leading to reduced adhesion and increased cycle times.

Innovation Solution

A device with a radially displaceable fastening head and axially movable probe element allows for self-adhesive balancing weight attachment on concave surfaces without prior surface measurement, using a probe head with a convex receptacle and contact surface that follows the rim's curvature, enabling precise and rapid positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex robot control or surface measurement is used for attaching balancing weights to undercut rims, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cycle time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The probe element automatically detects the fastening surface position through its own movement and contact with the rim surface, eliminating the need for external surface measurement systems. The probe element serves both as a positioning tool and a detection device, allowing the system to self-determine the correct attachment location on the undercut rim surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The probe element acts as an intermediary between the fastening head and the rim surface. It physically contacts the boundary surface to detect the fastening surface position, translating mechanical contact into positioning information without requiring complex measurement systems or advanced robot control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex robot control or surface measurement is used for attaching balancing weights, then positioning precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The probe element performs preliminary detection of the fastening surface position during the approach phase, before the actual attachment operation. This preliminary action integrated into the movement sequence eliminates the need for separate measurement steps, reducing cycle time while ensuring precise positioning for the subsequent weight attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning and attachment operations are merged into a single continuous motion sequence. The probe element's detection function is combined with the fastening head's movement, allowing the system to transition smoothly from detection to attachment without separate measurement and positioning phases, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If force is increased for positioning on limited axial mounting space, then attachment reliability is improved, but risk of damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidrisk of damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed with radial displacability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during the attachment process. This dynamic capability enables the system to apply necessary attachment forces while accommodating variations in rim geometry and adhesive thickness, maintaining reliable attachment without excessive force that could damage the rim.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the degree of freedom of the support element from fixed to radially movable, allowing continuous adjustment of the positioning parameter. This parameter change enables precise force control during attachment, ensuring sufficient pressure for reliable bonding while preventing damage to the undercut rim structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3513159B1Device and method for attaching a balancing weight to a mounting surface on an inner side of a wheel rim
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 SCHENCK ROTEC GMBH
  • EP3513159B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3513159B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for attaching a balancing weight (2) to a mounting surface (17) on an inner side (3) of a rim dish of a wheel rim (4) and provides for a mounting head (1) to be dimensioned in such a way that it fits into the rim dish. The mounting head (1) includes a support element (5), which is radially displaceable relative to the wheel rim (4) and on which a feeler element (6) is axially movably arranged, the feeler element (6) having a convex contact surface (14) and a receptacle (12) for at least one balancing weight (2), said receptacle being oriented towards the inner side (3). The mounting head (1) is configured in such a way that the contact surface (14) can be brought into contact with a boundary surface (18) of the inner side (3), and can be displaced along said boundary surface until the balancing weight (2) comes radially into contact with the mounting surface (17).