US 2014/0209252 A1 · METHOD AND MACHINE FOR AUTOMATED TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A programmable wheel and tire assembly machine and method of assembly is disclosed which compensates for different wheel and tire combinations, as well as dynamically manipulates the present arms during the mounting process. An upper present arm is supported in a manner to provide at least two axes of movement, the upper present arms capable of independent manipulation along/about each axis. A lower present arm is supported in a manner to provide at least one axis of movement, the lower present arm capable of manipulation in a horizontal plane. Wheel and tire data is collected and used to generate a mounting protocol for individual tire & wheel combination. Continuous position feedback of the present arms may be employed to further control movement throughout the mounting process.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An automated method for tire and wheel assembly comprising:

acquiring wheel and tire data;
generating a mounting protocol based on the wheel and tire data;
transferring a wheel into a mounting station;
positioning a clamp from an unclamped position to a clamped position for securing the wheel in the mounting station;
transferring a tire into the mounting station;
positioning a lower present arm from a home position to a bead mount position for locating the tire relative to the wheel;
positioning an upper present arm from a home position to a tire hold down position for restricting movement of the tire relative to the wheel;
manipulating a mounting head along a tire mounting path based on the mounting protocol for assembling the tire on the wheel;
and
manipulating at least one of the upper present arm and the lower present arm based on the mounting protocol while the mounting head is manipulated along the tire mounting path.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and machine for automated tire and wheel assembly

Life of this patent

Method and machine for automated tire and wheel assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20