Wheel assembly machine and method
AssigneeCaterpillar Tractor Co.
InventorRonald L. Satzler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheel assembly machine (10) for mounting first and second rim halves (20) on a tire (14). Means (34) for expanding at least a portion of a first circumferential portion (24) permits mounting of the second rim half (20) without excessive difficulty or damage to the tire (14). An elevator (58) evenly forces a belt (56) onto the tire (14) avoiding misalignment between the belt (56) and the tire (14). The present invention lessens the likelihood of tire damage or tire-rim misalignment during assembly of a wheel (12).
Claims27
A method for mounting a two-piece rim (16) having first and second rim halves (20) on a closed torus tire (14), the closed torus tire (14) having a rim abutting surface (22), said rim abutting surface (22) having a first portion (24) abuttable with the first rim half and a second portion (26) abuttable with said second rim half (20), said method comprising:
- supporting the first portion (24) of the tire (14);
- positioning the second rim half (20) into abutment with the second portion (26) of the tire (14);
- releasing the first portion (24) of the tire (14);
- and
- positioning the first rim half into abutment with the first portion (24) of the tire (14).
A machine (10) adapted for assembling first and second rim halves (20) and a closed torus tire (14), said tire (14) having a rim abutting surface (22), said rim abutting surface (22) having a first portion (24) abuttable with a first rim half, and a second portion (26) abuttable with said second rim half (20), comprising:
- a base (29);
- support means (30) for supporting said tire (14) and locating said tire (14) axially on said machine (10), said support means (30) being mounted on said base;
- means (28,42) for controllably drawing said second rim half (20) into abutting relationship with said second portion (26), said drawing means (28,42) being mounted on said base (29);
- and
- expander means (34) adapted for restraining said first portion (24) of said tire (14) from substantial radial movement relative to said drawing means (24,42), said expander means being mounted on said base (29) and adapted for abutment with said first portion (24).
A method for mounting a two-piece rim (16) having first and second rim halves (20) on a closed torus tire (14), the closed torus tire (14) having a rim abutting surface (22), said rim abutting surface (22) having a first portion (24) abuttable with said first rim half and a second portion (26) abuttable with said second rim half (20), said first portion (24) having an expandible inter-hoops area (25), said tire (14) being adapted to receive a belt (56) circumferentially therearound, said method comprising:
- expanding the diameter of said inter-hoops area (25) of said tire (14);
- supporting said belt (56) a spaced axial distance from said tire (14);
- axially aligning said belt (56) and said tire (14);
- drawing said belt (56) onto said tire (14);
- axially aligning said second rim half (20) with said tire (14), said second rim half (20) and tire (14) being a spaced axial distance apart;
- drawing said second rim half (20) into abutment with said second portion (26) of said tire (14);
- releasing said inter-hoops area (25);
- axially aligning said first rim half with said tire (14), said first rim half and tire (14) being a spaced axial distance apart;
- and
- positioning said first rim half into abutment with said first portion (24) of said tire (14).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.