Tire changing machine with force detection and control methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tire changer machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim, comprising:
- a drive assembly configured to rotate a wheel rim and associated tire about a rotational axis;
at least one component configured to engage one of the tire and wheel rim in a tire change procedure; and
a control system comprising;
at least one actuator configured to move said at least one component;
a first sensor configured to provide a first signal indicative of an amount of force applied to the tire or wheel rim by said at least one component;
a second sensor configured to provide a second signal indicative of the position of said at least one component; and
a controller configured to;
operate said at least one actuator to move said at least one component toward a first portion of one of the tire and wheel rim;
monitor said first sensor to detect a contact force when said at least one component contacts the first portion of at least one of the tire and wheel rim;
monitor said second sensor to detect a first position of said at least one component where the contact with the first portion was made; and
record the first position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tire changing machines including force and position sensors facilitating automated detection of wheel rim and tire features by a controller. Dimensional and location information for features of interest may be detected and recorded for use by the controller to perform tire change procedures. Positioning error and malfunctioning machine components, including feedback sensors, may also be detected in an automated manner.
30 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A tire changer machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim, comprising:
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a drive assembly configured to rotate a wheel rim and associated tire about a rotational axis; at least one component configured to engage one of the tire and wheel rim in a tire change procedure; and a control system comprising; at least one actuator configured to move said at least one component; a first sensor configured to provide a first signal indicative of an amount of force applied to the tire or wheel rim by said at least one component; a second sensor configured to provide a second signal indicative of the position of said at least one component; and a controller configured to; operate said at least one actuator to move said at least one component toward a first portion of one of the tire and wheel rim; monitor said first sensor to detect a contact force when said at least one component contacts the first portion of at least one of the tire and wheel rim; monitor said second sensor to detect a first position of said at least one component where the contact with the first portion was made; and record the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of changing a tire on a wheel rim, the method implemented on a tire changer machine having a drive assembly configured to rotate a wheel rim and associated tire about a rotational axis, at least one component configured to engage one of the tire or rim in a tire change procedure, and a control system including at least one actuator configured to move the at least one component, a first sensor configured to provide a first signal indicative of an amount of force applied to the tire or rim by the at least one component, a second sensor configured to provide a second signal indicative of the position of the at least one component, and a controller;
- wherein the method comprises;
operating the at least one actuator, with the controller, to move the at least one component toward a first portion of one of the tire and wheel rim; monitoring the first sensor, with the controller, to detect a contact force when the at least one component contacts the first portion of at least one of the tire and wheel rim; monitoring the second sensor, with the controller, to detect a first position of the at least one component where the contact with the first portion was made; and recording the first position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- wherein the method comprises;
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17. A tire changer machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim, comprising:
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a drive assembly configured to rotate the wheel rim and tire about a rotational axis; and a control system comprising; at least one actuator element; at least one movable component being driven by the actuator element; a first sensor configured to provide a first signal indicative of a load associated with the actuator element; a second sensor configured to provide a second signal indicative of the position of said at least one movable component; and a controller configured to; operate said at least one actuator element to move said at least one movable component to a predetermined position to perform a step of a tire change procedure; monitor the first and second signals while the at least one actuator is being operated; and evaluate the first monitored signal in relation to the second monitored signal to determine if the machine is operating within normal parameters. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A tire changer machine for changing a tire on a wheel rim of a wheel assembly, the machine comprising:
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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 configured to engage said wheel assembly; an actuator configured to move said at least one component; at least one sensor providing a feedback signal related to an amount of force applied by the at least one component to said wheel assembly; and a controller configured to; operate at least one of said drive assembly and said actuator to effect a step of a tire change procedure; monitor a relationship between the feedback signal and a predetermined threshold during the tire change procedure; evaluate, based on the monitored relationship whether a rate of change of the feedback signal exceeds a predetermined rate of change threshold; and alter an operation of either said actuator or said drive assembly, when the evaluated rate of change of the feedback signal exceeds the predetermined rate of change threshold during the step of the tire change procedure.
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Specification