Tire changing machine with automated tire bead pressing devices, controls and methods
AssigneeHunter Engineering Company
InventorsMicah Nathan Vaninger, Joel Clasquin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tire changing machines with automated positioning and closed loop control of bead pressing devices are described to maintain and control operation of the bead pressing devices during tire mount and de-mount procedures. Methodology is also disclosed.
Claims24
A machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim, the machine comprising:
- a base;
- a drive assembly coupled to the base and defining a drive axis;
- a clamping mechanism configured to retain the wheel rim to the drive assembly;
- a plurality of bead pressing devices engageable to a tire associated with the wheel rim, the plurality of bead pressing devices mounted for rotation about a first rotational axis, the first rotational axis being coincident with the drive axis as the wheel rim is rotated thereabout in a tire changing procedure;
- and
- a controller operatively connected to the plurality of bead pressing devices and at least one sensor communicating with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to automatically monitor a position of at least one of the plurality of bead pressing devices relative to the drive axis.
A machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim, the machine comprising:
- a base;
- a drive assembly coupled to the base and defining a drive axis;
- a clamping mechanism configured to retain the wheel rim to the drive assembly;
- at least one bead pressing device structurally engageable to a tire associated with the wheel rim;
- a rotational drive mechanism associated with the at least one pressing device;
- and
- a position sensor associated with the at least one bead pressing device.
A method of changing a tire associated with a wheel rim, the method utilizing a machine having a drive assembly defining a drive axis, a traction point drive mechanism, and a plurality of bead pressing devices engageable with the tire, the method comprising:
- positioning the plurality of bead pressing devices in contact with the tire;
- rotating the wheel rim about the drive axis;
- operating the traction point drive mechanism to rotate at least one of the pressing devices in position on a tire;
- and
- monitoring a position of the at least one pressing device.
A machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim, the machine comprising:
- a base;
- a drive assembly coupled to the base and defining a drive axis;
- a clamping mechanism configured to retain the wheel rim to the drive assembly;
- at least one bead pressing device structurally engageable to a tire associated with the wheel rim;
- a traction point drive mechanism associated with the at least one bead pressing device;
- and
- a closed loop control system monitoring an operation of the traction point drive mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.