Automatic detector device for a tire assembling-disassembling machine

• US 7,188,656 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2005
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vehicle Service Group Italy Srl (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Butler Engineering & Marketing SpA (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Gonzaga, Tullio
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas; David B.
• Application Number:
  US11/101,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20050241776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 157/1.1, 157/1.11, 157/1.17, 157/1.21, 157/1.22, 157/1.24, 157/1.26, 157/1.28, 157/1.44, 157/14
• US Class Current: 157/1.17
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/0551 mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 25/138 with rotary motion of tool or tyre support

Abstract

An automatic detector device for a tire assembling-disassembling machine having at least one support group (G) mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation of a tired wheel (9) whose bead is to be released, and at least one bead-releasing roll-carrying extending-retracting arm (T₁, T₂). Each arm (T₁, T₂) can be extended and retracted and suppports a respective bead-releasing roll (R₁, R₂). The arm (T₁, T₂) are located, in use, on opposite sides with respect to the tired wheel (9). The detector device further comprises a sensor member (3) movably supported at a respective bead-releasing roll (R₁, R₂), driving means (5) for each sensor member (3), so that it can be moved between a backward rest position and an extended working position, and control means (34) arranged to act in response to control signals generated by sensor member (3) in its working position.

Claims

1. An automatic detector device for wheel assembling-disassembling machine comprising at least one support group mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation of a tired wheel the tire to be released, at least one extending-retracting, bead-releasing roll-carrying arm supporting at least one respective bead-releasing roll and said arm being located in use, on an opposite sides with respect to said tired wheel, and at least one sensor member movably supported at a respective bead-releasing roll, driving means for each sensor member, whereby said sensor member can be moved between a backward rest position and an extended working position, and a control means arranged to act in response to control signals generated by said sensor member in its working position.

2. A detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises at least one linear actuator having a rod-shaped component designed to support a respective sensor member and controlled by a respective linear actuator, thereby moving between said extended working position and said backward rest position.

3. A detector device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a support member or casing for said driving means.

4. A detector device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support member is located at a respective bead-releasing roll.

5. A detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor member is a mechanical sensor.

6. A detector device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an articulation and resilient return means arranged between a support member or casing and its respective driving means.

7. A detector device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising switch means arranged to act in response to an angular movement between said support member and said driving means thereby sending signals to said electronic control unit.

8. A detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor member is an optical sensor.

9. A detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensor member is a capacitive or inductive sensor.

10. A detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit is designed to receive at least one control signal from said sensor member, when the sensor member abuts against an edge of wheel-rim of said tired wheel.

11. A detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic control unit is arranged to start an operation sequence comprising:

returning of said rod-shaped component to its rest position,

controlling a composite movement including approaching movement of said roll-carrier arm and forward movement towards said axis of rotation,

setting in rotation of said rotating support group and locking said roll-carrying arm.

12. A detector device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rod-shaped component of said linear actuator is kept in its extended working position by a control member.

13. A detector device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said control member is an electrovalve.

14. A detector device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said control member is a switch.