Wheelwright machines – Rubber tire mounting and/or demounting apparatus – With carrier
Patent
1999-02-25
2000-11-21
Smith, James G.
Wheelwright machines
Rubber tire mounting and/or demounting apparatus
With carrier
157 1, B60C 2505
Patent
active
061488925
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates generally to automated assembly line equipment for inflating wheel-mounted tires.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In modern automotive vehicle assembly plants, automated equipment is used to assemble and inflate tires on wheels in preparation for mounting on a vehicle. This invention concerns the construction and operation of the equipment used to inflate the wheel-mounted tires.
At a typical tire inflation station, a wheel-mounted tire is conveyed onto a stationary bed beneath an overhead tire inflation head. Centering arms then engage the tire and slide it across the bed toward alignment with the inflation head. The inflation head is then moved downwardly into engagement with the wheel-mounted tire and inflation air is delivered into the interior of the tire around its bead. The head is then retracted, allowing the bead of the tire to seat and seal against the rim of the wheel.
An inherent disadvantage with the above existing technology is that it is difficult to locate the tires precisely and repeatedly in the same position beneath the inflation head. Even small variations in the positioning of the tires can produce objectionably large variation in the resultant air pressure of the tires.
With the existing tire inflating device, the tires rest directly on the stationary bed, introducing considerable frictional resistance to the sliding of the tires across the bed. Consequently, the tires resist movement by the centering arms and lead discrepancies in the uniform positioning and inflation of the tires.
The present invention overcomes or greatly minimizes such deficiencies of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus according to the invention for positioning and inflating wheel-mounted tires includes a frame having stationary support member with a support surface. A tire inflation device having an inflation head is arranged above the support member and is movable along a generally vertical working axis between a raised position and lowered position. A tire platen assembly is provided having a lower surface supported by the support surface and an upper surface adapted to support a wheel-mounted tire on its side beneath the inflation head such that a central axis of the tire is generally parallel to the working axis of the inflation head. The platen assembly is movable relative to the stationary support member in any select one of a plurality of directions transverse to the working axis. A tire positioning device is operative to engage and displace the wheel-mounted tire and the platen assembly on which is rests transversely of the working axis for locating the tire in a predetermined position with respect to the inflation head prior to movement of the inflation head to the lowered position.
According to a characterizing feature, the platen is acted upon by a plated hovering device to selectively cause the platen assembly to float above the support surface of the stationary support member during positioning, so as to provide friction-free or near friction-free movement of the platen assembly and thus the tire. According to a preferred construction, the hovering device includes a pressurized air floatation system that operates to supply flotation air beneath the platen exerting sufficient lifting force to float the platen assembly above the support surface. The flotation air is discontinued once the platen is positioned, causing the platen to come to rest on the stationary base and be supported thereby during inflation of the tire in precise alignment with the inflation head.
The invention also contemplates a method for positioning and inflating a wheel-mounted tire, which includes placing the wheel-mounted tire on a platen that is movable relative to a stationary base, engaging and displacing the tire and platen on the base transversely relative to a generally vertical working axis of an overhead tire inflation head so as to locate the wheel-mounted tire in a predetermined position relative to the inflation head, and then lowering the inflation head into engagement with
REFERENCES:
patent: 2900015 (1959-08-01), Harrison
patent: 3461938 (1969-08-01), Mueller
patent: 3797889 (1974-03-01), Wilkinson
patent: 3978903 (1976-09-01), Mueller et al.
patent: 4004693 (1977-01-01), Tsuji et al.
patent: 4113083 (1978-09-01), Friese et al.
patent: 4179106 (1979-12-01), Bergman
patent: 4183392 (1980-01-01), Kane
patent: 4451963 (1984-06-01), Karr et al.
patent: 4618303 (1986-10-01), Irie
patent: 4714505 (1987-12-01), Goodfellow et al.
patent: 4746258 (1988-05-01), Loomer et al.
patent: 4840697 (1989-06-01), Goodfellow et al.
patent: 4846334 (1989-07-01), Cargould
patent: 4947919 (1990-08-01), Timlin
patent: 5035274 (1991-07-01), Kinnick et al.
patent: 5072765 (1991-12-01), Kane et al.
patent: 5094284 (1992-03-01), Curcuri
patent: 5141040 (1992-08-01), Curcuri
patent: 5170828 (1992-12-01), Curcuri
patent: 5509456 (1996-04-01), Bonko et al.
Doan Paul G.
Koerner Arthur
Fori Automation, Inc.
Smith James G.
LandOfFree
Tire inflation apparatus and method having floating platen does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tire inflation apparatus and method having floating platen, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tire inflation apparatus and method having floating platen will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1248936