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US 7,185,410 B2Granted
Robotic apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem on a wheel rim
AssigneeBurke E. Porter Machinery Company
InventorsLawrence Lawson, Karl D Sachs
Life of this patent
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AssigneeBurke E. Porter Machinery Company
InventorsLawrence Lawson, Karl D Sachs
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an vehicle wheel includes engaging a valve stem with a robotic manipulator, moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel, coaxially aligning the valve stem with the aperture in the rim, and inserting the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. Preferably, the aperture location in the rim is determined at a gauging station by a machine vision system. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem. Alternately, the gauging station can use a table which rotates the wheel about a central axis, and an optical sensor detects the location of the aperture. Optionally, a probe mounted on the gauging station can be extended into the aperture to confirm the aperture position and to reposition the rim slightly if required.
A method for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising the steps of:
The method of claim wherein the moving step further comprises the steps of:
An apparatus for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising:
A method for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising the steps of:
An apparatus for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an aperture formed therein comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.