Robotic wheel gripper with a tmp sensor
AssigneeArkk Engineering
InventorKevin R. KERWIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A robotic wheel gripper unit that is configured for gripping and transporting a wheel to a predetermined position during an assembly operation with a tire is disclosed. The robotic wheel gripper unit comprises a selectively moveable arm that includes a gripper tool connected thereto. The gripper tool further includes a plurality of gripper fingers and at least one sensor. The gripper fingers are configured for selectively engaging a portion of a wheel. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined element on the wheel, such as a TPMS valve stem, to assist in placement of the wheel during an assembly operation.
Claims17
A robotic wheel gripper unit configured for gripping and transporting a wheel to a predetermined position;
- comprising:
- a selectively moveable arm;
- and
- a gripper tool that is connected to a first end of the moveable arm;
- wherein the gripper tool further comprises a plurality of gripper fingers that are configured for selectively engaging a portion of a wheel;
- and wherein the gripper tool further comprises at least one sensor that is configured to detect a location of a predetermined element on the wheel.
A method of locating a tire pressure monitor system valve stem during a wheel assembly operation, comprising:
- positioning a robotic wheel gripper unit above a wheel such that a gripper tool, which comprises a plurality of gripper fingers and at least one sensor configured to detect a location of a tire pressure monitor system valve stem on a wheel, is positioned above the wheel;
- lowering the gripper tool into a scanning position so as to dispose the gripper fingers about an outer periphery of the wheel and to position the sensor between a top and a bottom surface of the wheel;
- rotating the gripper tool about the wheel until the sensor detects the location of the tire pressure monitor system valve stem;
- recording the location of the tire pressure monitor system valve stem relative to a fixed reference point;
- moving the gripper tool into a gripping configuration, wherein the gripper fingers engage a portion of the wheel;
- rotating the wheel to position the tire pressure monitor system valve stem at a predetermined location;
- and
- releasing the wheel by moving the gripping tool into a releasing configuration, whereby the gripping fingers are no longer in contact with the wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.