Wheel Clamp Assembly For Semi-Autonomous Tire Changer Machine
AssigneeHunter Engineering Company
InventorCharles Polster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tire changer machine, and method of operation, configured with a tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly to secure a wheel assembly consisting of a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon to a drive assembly, and for demounting of the tire from the wheel rim. Upon dismounting of the tire from the wheel rim, a recessed surface and annular flange of the tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly is configured to catch and retain a rim or bead of the demounted tire, restricting movement of the tire upon dismounting from the wheel rim, until retrieved by an operator.
Claims15
A tire changer machine comprising:
- a drive assembly configured to receive a wheel rim for rotation about an axis;
- a clamping assembly configured to releasably engage the drive assembly to secure the wheel rim to the drive assembly;
- a plurality of tools selectively positionable to mount a tire on the wheel rim and demount a tire from the wheel rim;
- a control system configured to coordinate operation of the plurality of tools and said clamping assembly;
- a control input element configured to be selectively operable by a human operator to direct said control system to complete a tire service procedure for a wheel assembly secured by said clamping assembly;
- and
- wherein said clamping assembly includes a tire retention member shaped to retain a demounted tire in proximity to an upper surface of the wheel rim secured to the drive assembly.
A method for demounting a tire from a wheel assembly, implemented with a tire changer machine including a drive assembly configured to receive a wheel rim for rotation about an axis, a clamping assembly configured to engage the drive assembly to secure the wheel rim to the drive assembly, a plurality of tools selectively positionable to mount a tire on a wheel rim and demount a tire from a wheel rim, a control system configured to coordinate the tools and clamping assembly to complete a tire change procedure, and a control input element configured to be operable by said single human operator, the method comprising:
- positioning a first face of said wheel rim on said drive assembly;
- securing said wheel rim to said drive assembly with said clamping assembly;
- in response to an operator instruction, coordinating with said control system, actuation of said plurality of tools to carry out a demount procedure to demount a tire from said wheel rim, said demount procedure disposing said demounted tire adjacent said second face of said wheel rim;
- retaining said demounted tire at least partially adjacent said second face of said wheel rim by engaging a portion of said clamping assembly with a circumferential bead lip of said demounted tire to await complete removal of said demounted tire from said tire changer machine by an operator.
A method for operating a tire changer machine comprising:
- receiving a wheel rim on a drive assembly for rotation about an axis;
- engaging said drive assembly with a clamping assembly to secure said wheel rim to said drive assembly;
- positioning at least one tool to demount a tire from said wheel rim;
- coordinating operation of said at least one tool and said drive assembly to demount said tire from said wheel rim;
- and
- automatically retaining said demounted tire in proximity to an upper surface of said wheel rim with said clamping assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.