Wireless Handle Wheel Balancer Clamping System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel clamping systems for motor vehicle wheels on balancers are inconvenient to use, as they require holding the wheel and actuating a foot pedal simultaneously, and may risk deforming the wheel rim during clamping due to over-tightening.
Innovation Solution
A wheel clamping system with a handle equipped with a force detecting device that wirelessly communicates with the balancer's actuator to control clamping and unclamping operations, ensuring a predefined force is applied to the wheel rim, and a force detecting device integrated into the wheel clamping system to monitor and control the clamping force, preventing rim deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foot pedal is used to actuate the clamping mechanism, then the clamping operation can be performed, but the operator cannot simultaneously hold the wheel and actuate the pedal, and the pedal may be obstructed from view by the wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical foot pedal actuation system with a wireless electronic control system. The handle incorporates a force detecting device that senses when clamping force is applied, and a signal emitter that wirelessly transmits activation signals to the actuator, eliminating the need for mechanical foot pedal connection and improving operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless signal as an intermediary between the operator's manual action on the handle and the actuator. The force detecting device and signal emitter act as intermediaries that convert mechanical force into wireless control signals, allowing remote activation of the clamping mechanism without direct mechanical connection.
2Productivity
If manual clamping force is applied without control, then the clamping operation can be performed, but the wheel rim may be deformed due to over-tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a force detecting device in the handle that provides feedback on the clamping force being applied. This feedback mechanism monitors the force in real-time and can prevent over-tightening by signaling when the appropriate clamping force has been reached, thereby protecting the wheel rim from deformation while maintaining efficient operation.
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 system allows for convenient and controlled clamping of motor vehicle wheels, reducing the risk of rim deformation and improving user safety by ensuring the correct clamping force is applied, enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of wheel service operations.
Implementation Method 1
The handle further comprises at least one force detecting device for determining an amount of force exerted by the handle on the rim of the wheel mounted on the spindle
Implementation Method 2
The at least one signal emitter is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal to at least one signal receiver of the wheel balancer operatively connected to the actuator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel clamping system (3) for reversibly clamping a motor vehicle wheel (W) with a rim (R) on a wheel balancer (1), comprising a hollow spindle (5) for mounting a wheel thereon, the spindle (5) defining an axial direction (X) and being coupled to a driving device (D) of the wheel balancer (1) for causing rotational movement of the spindle (5); a turntable (7) for providing an abutment for a rim (R) of a wheel (W) mounted on the spindle (5), the turntable (7) being fixedly connected to the spindle (5) and configured to abut against a wheel (W) mounted on the spindle (5); a pull rod (9) for pulling a wheel (W) mounted on the spindle (5) into abutment with the turntable (7), the pull rod (9) having a first end portion (9a) slidably received within the spindle (5) and a second end portion (9b) protruding beyond the turntable (7), wherein the first end portion (9a) is coupled to an actuator (A) of the wheel balancer (1) for causing axial movement of the pull rod (9), and the second end portion (9b) is provided with clamping jaws (17) moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, when the clamping jaws (17) are in the closed position, the clamping jaws (17) are fully received within an outer circumference (5a) of the spindle (5), and when the clamping jaws (17) are in the open position, the clamping jaws (17) protrude beyond the outer circumference (5a) of the spindle (5); and a handle (11) for acting on a rim (R) of a wheel (W) mounted on the spindle (5), the handle (11) having a coupling surface (11a) for engaging with the clamping jaws (17) when the clamping jaws (17) are in the open position; wherein the handle (11) further comprises at least one force detecting device (19) for determining an amount of force exerted by the handle (11) on the rim (R) of the wheel (W) mounted on the spindle (5), and at least one signal emitter (21) operatively connected to the at least one force detecting device (19), wherein the at least one signal emitter (21) is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal to at least one signal receiver (23) of the wheel balancer (1) operatively connected to the actuator (A) when the determined amount of force reaches a predefined threshold such that the actuator (A) is actuated and the wheel clamping system (3) performs a reversible clamping operation.