Continuous Wheel Weight Dispensing and Cutting System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight balancing systems for wheel/tire assemblies face challenges with lead weights due to toxicity concerns, rust issues with iron weights, and limited accuracy and waste with segmented designs, as they require precise control and handling of incremental weights.
Innovation Solution
A continuous strip of high-density weight material is used, which is flexible and can be cut to precise lengths, allowing for arbitrary weight control and minimizing waste, with an adhesive backing for secure attachment to wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If segmented lead weights are used for wheel balancing, then weight distribution can be adjusted in increments, but toxicity concerns and potential mixing of different weight sizes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the weight material from segmented discrete units to a continuous flexible strip that can be cut to any length, allowing precise weight adjustment while eliminating the need to handle multiple segmented lead weights with different increment values
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material structure combining high-density weight material with a flexible substrate and adhesive backing, creating a continuous strip that can be precisely cut and applied, replacing traditional segmented lead weights
2Measurement precision
If multiple part numbers of lead weights are inventoried for precise balancing, then weight distribution accuracy improves, but inventory management complexity and risk of inadvertent mixing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal weight material system where a single continuous strip can be cut to produce any required weight increment, eliminating the need to maintain multiple part numbers and different sized weight units in inventory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the weight material from discrete segmented units with fixed increments to a continuous flexible strip that can be cut to any length, allowing precise control of weight distribution using a single universal material form
3Object-affected harmful factors
If iron pound-on weights are used instead of lead, then toxicity concerns are eliminated, but rust and corrosion become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite material system with a flexible substrate and adhesive backing that protects the weight material from environmental exposure, eliminating rust and corrosion issues while maintaining high density and reliability
4Ease of operation
If segmented weight strips with adhesive backing are used, then application to wheels is simplified, but cutting precision and weight accuracy are limited by the segmentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the weight material from segmented discrete units to a continuous flexible strip that can be cut to any precise length, enabling both easy application with adhesive backing and precise weight adjustment by controlling the cut length
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for balancing a wheel includes a tool that is mechanically coupled to an arm. The tool includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a face surface that forms an arc between the leading and trailing edges. The apparatus includes an arm control module that actuates the arm to position the leading edge of the tool a predetermined distance from an edge of a deck to receive a wheel weight. The apparatus includes a cutting apparatus for separating the wheel weight from a supply feed of wheel weight material. The apparatus includes a sensor that detects presence or absence of the wheel weight on the tool.