Tire changing machine with force detection and control methods
AssigneeHunter Engineering Company
InventorsDouglas S. Hanneken, David A. Voeller, Charlie Polster, Joel Clasquin, Michael D. Gerdes, Nicolas J. Colarelli, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Tire changing machines having force feedback and position control systems are described that may be used to control operation of one or more components of the machine during a tire change procedure. Information may be provided to a machine operator concerning detected operating conditions during the procedure. Excessive or abnormal forces or component positions can be detected and corrective action may be taken at any point in the tire change procedure. Successful component position profiles may be saved for future recall and execution by the machine.
Claims41
A tire changer machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim of a wheel assembly, the machine comprising:
- a base;
- a drive assembly coupled to the base and configured to rotate a wheel rim and associated tire about a rotational axis;
- and
- a control system comprising:
- at least one component tool configured to engage said wheel assembly in a tire change procedure;
- an actuator configured to move said component tool in the tire change procedure;
- at least one sensor providing a feedback signal indicative of at least a measure of a varying amount of force applied by the at least one component tool to said wheel assembly during the tire change procedure;
- a controller operating at least one of said drive assembly and said actuator, in response to said feedback signal provided by the sensor during the tire change procedure, to alter a continued operation of either said actuator or said drive assembly;
- wherein said feedback signal is further indicative of a rate of change of said varying amount of force applied to said wheel assembly;
- and
- wherein said controller of said control system is further configured to alter operation of said drive assembly or said actuator responsive to a combination of said measure of, and said rate of change of, said varying amount of force.
A method of performing a vehicle wheel assembly service procedure on a wheel assembly consisting of elements including at least a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon, using a tire changer machine including a drive assembly configured to engage and rotate the wheel rim, the machine including at least one component tool configured to engage the wheel rim assembly, an actuator associated with the component tool, a controller operating the actuator, and a sensor-generated feedback signal indicative of at least a varying amount of force applied by the component tool to the wheel assembly, during the vehicle wheel assembly service procedure, the method comprising:
- monitoring, with the controller, said feedback signal indicative of the varying amount of force during the wheel assembly service procedure;
- detecting, with the controller, based on a monitored feedback signal, physical contact of said component tool with said wheel assembly;
- altering a continued operation of either said actuator or said drive assembly in response to said detected physical contact;
- wherein said sensor-generated feedback signal is further indicative of a rate of change of said varying amount of force applied to said wheel assembly;
- and
- upon detecting physical contact of said component tool with said wheel assembly, identifying with said controller, an element of said vehicle wheel assembly in contact with said component tool, based on said rate of change of said varying amount of force.
A method of performing a vehicle wheel assembly service procedure on a wheel assembly consisting of elements including at least a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon, using a tire changer machine including a drive assembly configured to engage and rotate the wheel rim, the machine including at least one component tool configured to engage the wheel rim assembly, an actuator associated with the component tool, a controller operating the actuator, and a sensor-generated feedback signal indicative of at least a varying amount of force applied by the component tool to the wheel assembly, during the vehicle wheel assembly service procedure, the method comprising:
- monitoring, with the controller, said feedback signal indicative of the varying amount of force during the wheel assembly service procedure;
- detecting, with the controller, based on a monitored feedback signal, physical contact of said component tool with said wheel assembly;
- altering a continued operation of either said actuator or said drive assembly in response to said detected physical contact;
- and
- wherein said control system further includes a position sensor providing feedback to said controller concerning a position of said component tool, the method further comprising identifying, responsive to said feedback signal indicative of the varying amount of force and a rate of change of said varying amount of force, one of a position of a wheel weight, a position of a wheel sensor, and a position of an edge of the wheel rim.
A tire changer machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim of a wheel assembly, the machine comprising:
- a base;
- a drive assembly coupled to the base and configured to rotate a wheel rim and associated tire about a rotational axis;
- and
- a control system comprising:
- at least one component tool configured to engage said wheel assembly in a tire change procedure;
- an actuator configured to move said component tool in the tire change procedure;
- at least one sensor providing a feedback signal indicative of at least a measure of a varying amount of force applied by the at least one component tool to said wheel assembly during the tire change procedure;
- and
- a controller operating at least one of said drive assembly and said actuator, in response to said feedback signal provided by the sensor during the tire change procedure, to alter a continued operation of either said actuator or said drive assembly;
- wherein said feedback signal is indicative of said varying amount of force applied to said wheel assembly along a first axis parallel to said rotational axis;
- and
- further including a second sensor providing a feedback signal indicative of at least a measure of a second varying amount of force applied along a second axis perpendicular to said rotational axis by the at least one component tool to said wheel assembly during the tire change procedure.
A method of performing a vehicle wheel assembly service procedure on a wheel assembly consisting of elements including at least a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon, using a tire changer machine including a drive assembly configured to engage and rotate the wheel rim, the machine including at least one component tool configured to engage the wheel rim assembly, an actuator associated with the component tool, a controller operating the actuator, and a sensor-generated feedback signal indicative of at least a varying amount of force applied by the component tool to the wheel assembly, during the vehicle wheel assembly service procedure, the method comprising:
- monitoring, with the controller, said feedback signal indicative of the varying amount of force during the wheel assembly service procedure;
- detecting, with the controller, based on a monitored feedback signal, physical contact of said component tool with said wheel assembly;
- altering a continued operation of either said actuator or said drive assembly in response to said detected physical contact;
- wherein said feedback signal is indicative of said varying amount of force applied to said wheel assembly along a first axis parallel to a rotational axis of said drive assembly;
- and
- monitoring, with the controller, a second feedback signal indicative of at least a measure of a second varying amount of force applied by the component tool to the wheel assembly along a second axis perpendicular to said rotational axis during the vehicle wheel assembly service procedure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.