JP2019512683A - Balancing weight mounting machine and method of using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The wheel balancing weight mounting device has a supply module and a mounting module. The supply module includes a first wheel balancing weight strip and a second wheel balancing weight strip, and the first wheel balancing weight strip and the second wheel balancing weight strip include different characteristics. The mounting module secures a portion of one of the first wheel balancing weight strip and the second wheel balancing weight strip to the wheel. Here, the selection of the wheel balancing weights from the first wheel balancing weight strip and the second wheel balancing weight strip is based on the wheel characteristics in order to match the wheel balancing weight characteristics with the identified wheel characteristics. Methods of using the balancing weight attachment apparatus are also provided.

Description

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for preparing and mounting wheel balancing weights. More precisely, the invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing the shape, structure of the wheel, the management of the procurement of the wheel balancing weights and the mounting of the wheel at specific locations, and the method of using the apparatus.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Wheel balancing weights (or wheel weights, wheel balancing weights, etc.) are commonly used in wheeled vehicles to improve the static and dynamic balance of the wheel assembly. For wheel balancing, each wheel is rotated by a balancing weight attachment that analyzes and detects its unbalanced weight distribution. In this case, if there is an unbalanced weight distribution, violent vibrations may occur when the wheel rotates at various rotational speeds. Such undesirable wheel vibrations will be transmitted throughout the vehicle if not corrected. If necessary, the compensating wheel balancing weights are fixed on the circumference of the wheel both inside and outside the wheel. By adding the required wheel balancing weights, the weight distribution of the polar coordinate system of the wheel assembly is corrected to balance the wheels and the wheels rotate without causing unwanted vibrations.

  There is an increasing demand for wheels that match the vehicle design. The aesthetic values of the wheel are therefore a matter of increasing interest to the wheel manufacturer. In order to improve the look of the wheel, preferably wheel balancing weights which are not visible from the outside of the vehicle are used. Unlike visible wheel balancing weights, which are generally clipped to the outer edge of the wheel, the concealed wheel balancing weights are thus glued to the inner surface of the wheel.

  Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved device for detecting wheel and tire construction, preparing wheel balancing weights and attaching them to wheels. There is also a demand for a system for analyzing the structure of the wheel, managing the required number of wheel balancing weights, and attaching the wheel balancing weights to the wheels. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for an autonomous device that is designed to minimize human intervention for wheel balancing. There is also a need for improved consistency between polymer coated wheel balancing weights and methods of manufacturing wheel balancing weights through existing technology.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One aspect of the present invention is to address one or more of the disadvantages of the background art by addressing one or more of the needs present in the art.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, an integrated wheel balancing weight attachment system is provided in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a balancing weight attachment apparatus wherein automatic detection of wheel characteristics is performed to properly attach the balancing weights to the wheel.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, in order to mount the weights at predetermined locations on the wheel, the balancing weights are applied to the wheel without the need for a database of wheel structures. A balancing weight attachment device for attachment is provided.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, designed to receive a wheel balancing weight strip and deliver the strip to distribute the desired amount of weight for the purpose of attachment to the wheel. A wheel balancing weight mounting system is provided.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a wheel balancing weight load adapted to provide weights based on corrective wheel balancing weight data provided by another system. A system is provided.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a modular wheel balancing weight mounting system is provided in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. The modules can include supply modules, feed modules, dispense modules, mounting modules and transport modules.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a wheel balancing weight attachment system capable of balancing different types of wheels without reprogramming the wheel balancing weight attachment system. .

  According to one aspect of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, each different color (e.g. gray, black etc), weight finish (e.g. matte, semi-mat etc), and / or weight plating ( For example, a wheel balancing weight mounting system is provided that can manage chrome, zinc, etc.) for different color, finish and plating wheels, respectively.

  According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a wheel balancing weight mounting system comprising a plurality of dispense modules for reloading a weight strip without stopping the dispensing process, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. Provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be operatively positioned to feed weight strips so as to distribute the desired mass weight for the purpose of balancing the wheels. A compatible, replaceable spool support pallet is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a spool receiver adapted to operatively interact with a plurality of weight support spools for the purpose of selectively unwinding the spools. .

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a spool receptacle comprising a plurality of axially stackable strip receptacle spools, wherein the spools have different weights. It is adapted to provide a structure.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a weight strip thickness sensor is provided which is configured to sense the remaining amount of strip in the strip receiving spool.

  According to one object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a balancing weight loading device is provided that includes a strip receiving spool identification mechanism. In this case, the spool identification mechanism can include RFID spool recognition, bar code recognition and identification numbers for compatibility with the device and traceability of weights.

  According to one object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, to damp strip feed rate fluctuations and to mitigate lateral misalignment between the strip receiving spool and the strip feeder SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A balancing weight attachment system is provided that includes a weight strip loop behind a strip receiving spool.

  According to one object of the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a balancing weight attachment apparatus that includes an automatic transverse weight strip alignment mechanism.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a feed mechanism with a toothed drive wheel is provided which comprises a shape engaging with a weight cross section.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a weight strip loop is included behind the feed module in order to attenuate fluctuations in the strip feed rate between the feed module and the dispense module. A balancing weight attachment device is provided.

  According to one object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a balancing weight attachment apparatus is provided that includes automatic initialization, threading and feeding of a new weight strip.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a balancing weight mounting device is provided which includes a robot for mounting a desired amount of weights on a wheel. Alternatively, a mechanical arm can be used to attach the desired amount of weights to the wheel in order to avoid significant robot procurement costs.

  According to one object of the present invention, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a balancing weight attachment device comprising a robot for pulling and pushing on a weight strip, said robot comprising a pull on a weight strip of a predetermined length. And are configured to push.

  According to one object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the pull in the weight strip is engaged with the protective tape liner for the purpose of removing the protective tape liner prior to attaching the weight to the wheel. A balancing weight attachment apparatus is provided that includes a pushing robot.

  According to one object of the present invention, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a weight and a length of strip for mounting on a wheel are provided in order to pull and push on the weight strip. A servomotor is provided for driving the engaged toothed member.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a weight strip for engaging the protective tape liner with the liner peeler mechanism for the purpose of removing the protective tape liner prior to attaching the weight to the wheel A balancing weight attachment apparatus is provided that includes a servomotor that selectively pulls or pushes.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the weight is supported on itself and the tool takes out the weight placed on it and directs the weight to the wheel A movable support member is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, a dispensing module is provided according to at least one embodiment of the invention, including a guide rail for holding the weight strip in the desired position when cutting the weight strip to the desired length. Provided.

  According to one subject of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the ability to automatically sense the presence of a weight strip junction is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a peeler mechanism of a protective liner is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a tool is provided for routing and severing a protective liner.

  According to one object of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a protective liner sensing mechanism is provided that is operatively configured when the protective liner is sensed behind the peeler mechanism.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a strip cutting tool comprising a ratcheting movement.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a robot provided with a tool comprising a plurality of weight holders is provided. In this case, the weight holders are positioned in opposite directions and optionally offset from one another.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a robot is provided for securing weights to a wheel without touching the wheel.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tool for moving weights towards the wheel while using magnetic force to temporarily fix the weights to the tool .

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the weight end is used to start the weight on the wheel in order to start the continuous application of the weight strip of the desired length on the wheel A tool for fixing is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a weight locking tool is provided which receives weights at the end of the tool.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a robot is provided for securing weights to a wheel, which robot arranges its tools on the wheel and follows the profiling of the wheel Use trigonometric sensing of the wheel to determine the weight attachment location.

  According to one object of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a robot with a weight fixing tool that can be used to cut off a portion of a weight strip using pivoting movement relative to the longitudinal direction of the strip Is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a robot is provided which comprises a weight locking tool which can lock weights on both sides of the wheel.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a torque sensing (i.e. servo float) function is used to use a predetermined force and pressure when securing weights to a wheel Robot control is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a conveyor is provided for moving the wheel to the weight mounting position.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, according to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a conveyor is provided which comprises a calibration standard.

  According to one object of the present invention, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a balancing weight attachment device adapted to fasten a weight strip to a wheel, wherein the wheel is provided on a conveyor It does not have to be in position.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a balancing weight mounting device is provided which identifies the cross section of the wheel by sensing the wheel characteristics by means of sensors while the wheel is moving on the conveyor. Provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the relevant characteristics of the assembly consisting of wheels and tires are identified for each wheel to be balanced without resorting to a database of wheel characteristics A balancing weight mounting device is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the wheel size, the wheel center position, the wheel collar, the weight locating marks on the wheels of the wheel, the identification number, the wheel model number, the wheel diameter, the wheel A balancing weight attachment device is provided that automatically identifies offsets and other markings by a camera sensor.

  According to one object of the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a balancing weight attachment apparatus using a color camera flash.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a sensor for acquiring the cross section of a wheel (e.g. laser sensor, 3D image capture, distance sensor, grating deformation sensing by laser, line scanner etc. ) Is provided.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a wheel presence sensor arranged at a predetermined angle for sensing wheel locations on a conveyor without interfering with the threads of the tire A conveyor is provided that includes:

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, a wheel balancing weight mounting device is provided as follows. That is, the device comprises a supply module, a control module and an attachment module, the supply module comprising a first wheel balancing weight strip and a second wheel balancing weight strip, but with the first wheel balancing The weight strip and the second wheel balancing weight strip each include different wheel balancing weight characteristics, and the control module is operatively connected to the sensor of the wheel balancing weight mounting device to identify the wheel characteristics, The mounting module secures selected portions of the wheel balancing weight strip to the wheel, where the first wheel balancing weight strip and the second wheel balance are Selection of the wheel balancing weights from the grayed weight strip is performed based on the identified wheel characteristics.

  According to one object of the invention, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a wheel balancing weight strip as follows. That is, the method selectively supplies a first strip of wheel balancing weight portions and a second strip of wheel balancing weight portions, provided that the first wheel balancing weight strips and the second wheel balancing weights are provided. The strips include different wheel balancing weight characteristics, sensing the wheels, identifying the sensed characteristics of the wheels, and based on the identified characteristics of the wheels, a first wheel balancing weight strip and a second From the wheel balancing weight strip, selecting the wheel balancing weight and attaching a portion of the selected wheel balancing weight strip to the wheel.

  Other objects and further scope of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, since various variations and modifications within the concept and scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this detailed description, the detailed description and the specific embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that it represents an embodiment, but is merely an exemplary means.

  Additional and / or alternative advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description disclosing preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to the drawings which form a part of this initial disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a balancing weight attachment apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) i) a) ii) a) iii) b) i) b) ii) and b) iii) are elevations of a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the invention. a), b) and d) are elevations of a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the invention, c) is an isometric view of a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the invention. a) and b) are isometric views of a spool according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are isometric views of a portion of a balancing weight strip according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and d) are isometric views of a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the invention; b) and c) are elevations of the supply module according to at least one embodiment of the invention. a) and b) are elevations of a double feed module and a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are elevations of a double feed module and a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and c) are elevations of a spool according to at least one embodiment of the invention, b) is a cross-sectional view of a spool according to at least one embodiment of the invention, d) is an invention of the invention FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a spool according to at least one embodiment of a) and b) are elevations of a spool according to at least one embodiment of the present invention and c) is an isometric view of a spool according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) is a cross-sectional view of a feed module and a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; b) is a plan view of a feed module and a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a feed module and a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a feed module and a supply module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a), b) and c) are isometric views of a feed module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are elevations of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the invention, b) is an isometric view of a portion of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the invention; c) FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a portion of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a), b), d) and e) are cross-sectional views of a portion of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; c) is a portion of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention It is a perspective view. a) is an elevation view of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, b) and c) is an isometric view of a portion of the dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are isometric views of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are isometric views of a portion of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are cross-sectional views of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are side elevational views of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the invention; c) and d) are isometric views of a dispensing module according to at least one embodiment of the invention is there. a), b) and c) are elevations of a portion of a dispensing module, more particularly a cutting mechanism, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, d) according to at least one embodiment of the present invention FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a portion of the dispense module, and more particularly the cutting mechanism. FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of a portion of a dispensing module, more particularly a cutting mechanism, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of a dispense module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, b) and c) is an elevation view of a portion of a dispense module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is there. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of a dispensing module in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a portion of a dispensing module in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) and b) are elevations of a portion of a balancing weight attachment apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a), b) and c) are elevations of a portion of a mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, d) is an isometric of a portion of the mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention Fig. 6 e) is an elevation view of a portion of the mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the invention; f) a cross-sectional view of a portion of the mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the invention . a) i) a) ii) b) i) b) ii) c) i) c) ii) the attachment module according to at least one embodiment of the invention, more particularly the movement of the robot tool FIG. a), b), c) and d) are isometric views of a portion of a mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) is an isometric view of a portion of a mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, b) is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention in relation to a wheel And c) is a plan view showing a part of the mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the invention in relation to the wheel. a) is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention in association with the wheel, and b) a portion of the mounting module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention associated with the wheel It is a top view shown. a), b) and c) are elevations of a transport module according to at least one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a transfer module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. a) is an elevation view of a portion of the transfer module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, b) and d) is a perspective view of a portion of the transfer module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention , C) and e) are elevations of a portion of a transport module according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computerized system with modules and sensors according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a raw chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a flow chart of process steps according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

5. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An exemplary balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. The balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 is designed to manage the procurement of wheel balancing weights 70 of a particular mass coming as strips 74 to be fixed to the wheels and to balance the wheels. The illustrated embodiment of the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 is divided into a plurality of exemplary modules for ease of understanding. The first module is a supply module 20, followed by a feed module 30, a dispense module 40, a mounting module 50 and a transport / transport module 60.

  The embodiment shown in the drawings and described in the specification has the possible configuration of one supply module 20 followed by one feed module 30, one dispense module 40, one mounting module 50 and one transport module 60. The balancing weight mounting apparatus 10 is described. However, in order to provide redundancy and to prevent the wheel balancing weight assembly line from stopping for maintenance or reloading purposes, the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of supply modules 20, a plurality of feed modules 30, and a plurality of feed modules. A dispense module 40 can be included. Redundancy can also be used to provide weights 70 of different colors, shapes, finishes or different masses without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The supply module 20 supplies a continuous strip 74 of weights 70 to the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10. The strip 74 is generally a series of weights 70 secured and taped together with one another to continuously supply the desired number of weights 70 to the balancing weight mounting apparatus 10. Each weight 70, which generally consists of a heavy material such as steel, lead or tungsten, is usually separated separately from the other adjacent weights 70 and can therefore move somewhat between them. The proportions or lengths and heights and widths of the weights 70 illustrated herein are standardized to facilitate packaging and handling predictions. However, the balancing weight attachment system 10 can handle various proportions of weights 70 that can be better adapted to a particular application. The strips 74 allow for a long capacity cycle without the need to refill the supply module 20 with additional strips 74 of weights 70. Other alternative weight supply structures may also be used by the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 and although there are illustrated embodiments, those structures remain within the scope of the present application. These other alternative weight supply structures are shown only for some of the structures that are considered for illustrative purposes.

  The supply module 20 generally uses a strip 74 of weights 70 wound on a spool 78 for compact shipping and easy operation. Each spool 78 of weights 70 may be operatively mounted within balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 in a manner suitable for supplying weights 70 to feed module 30. The spool 78 of the weight 70 can be secured to the spool support 82 to further facilitate its shipping and operation. Spool support 82 may support spool 78 and may allow for controlled unwinding of strip 74. In this configuration, the spool support 82 is equipped with a bearing portion (shown in FIG. 4) to rotate the spool 78 to unroll the strip 74 and to supply the weight 70 to the balancing weight mounting device 10. According to one embodiment of the spool support 82, the spool support 82 can be sized and designed to be transportable by a forklift.

  One different embodiment of the spool support 82 is shown in FIG. The spool support 82 may be configured to support the strip 74 stored in the spool 78 and the spool support 82 in order to activate and control the delivery of the strip 74 as it is fed to the balancing weight attachment device 10. An internally contained spool 78 and an operatively connected spool actuator 86 can cooperate. The spool actuator 86 is preferably disposed along the spool axis 118 to operatively connect the spool 78 in a compact arrangement. In certain circumstances, for example, when too much slack is found in the strip 74 of the weight 70, the spool actuator 86 can reduce the speed of rotation or the spool 78 can be wound. A first arrangement is shown in FIG. 2 a) in which a portion of the spool 78 is not operatively connected to the spool actuator 86. Conversely, FIG. 2 b shows a second arrangement in which the spool support 82 is operatively connected to the spool actuator 86. Further details regarding the engagement between the spool actuator 86 and the spool support 82 will be described later.

  The embodied spool support 82 includes a frame 90, the lower portion 94 of which is adapted to contact the floor, and the upper portion 98 generally allows rotational movement of the spool 78. Additionally, the spool 78 is configured to secure and protect. The lower portion 94 optionally includes a fork receiver 102 sized and designed to cooperate with a forklift for efficient transport. The upper portion 98 generally extends vertically on each side of the spool 78 to maintain the spool 78 in the vertical position. An optional anchor 106 is provided on the upper portion 98 of the spool support 82 to further allow for locking and lifting. These anchors 106 can also be configured to align them when securing the spool support 82. As best seen in FIG. 1, to position the bearing member 114 rotatably supporting the spool axis 118 so as to rotate the spool 78 relative to the spool support 82 about the spool axis 118, The spool support member 110 is disposed at a height corresponding to the radius of the spool 78. A locking mechanism 122 is provided to lock the rotation of the spool 78 relative to the spool support 82 so as to prevent any unwinding of the spool 78. Locking mechanism 122 is embodied as a spring suspended stem for purposes of illustration.

  A spool actuation portion 126 is connected with the spool 78 and is used to cooperate with the spool actuator 86 to rotate the spool 78. In these figures, the spool actuating portion 126 is embodied as a circular member 130 lateral to the spool support 82, which, as shown in FIG. 2b), is a spool support When the spool 82 is disposed at the operating position relative to the spool actuator 86, it comes into contact with the spool actuator 86. In the illustrated embodiment, the spool actuation portion 126 is laterally disposed relative to the spool support 82 and is axially aligned with the spool axis 118.

  The spool actuator 86 is positioned at an appropriate position relative to the feed module 30 such that the strip 74 is properly aligned with the feed module 30 in operation. According to the present embodiment, the spool actuator 86 is disposed to the side of the spool support 82 and is held in the desired location so as to properly engage the spool actuation portion 126 of the spool support 82, Preferably, it is fixed to the ground. In practice, the spool actuator 86 includes a mechanism for rotatably actuating the spool 78 in the spool support 82. According to one embodiment, the spool actuator 86 may be used to directly actuate the spool 78, in which case the spool 78 may be directly actuated without the spool support 82. According to another embodiment, the strips 74 of the weights 70 can be sent directly to the balancing weight attachment 10, but this is less desirable considering that the unwind control of the strips 74 is reduced.

  The mechanism 134 for operating the spool 78 in this situation is embodied as a pair of rollers 138 adapted to selectively engage the circular member 130 of the spool support 82. The pair of rollers 138 are made of a material strong enough to maintain the mechanical load on them and to provide sufficient friction to rotate the spool 78. For example, a rubber covered metal wheel would be an acceptable choice. A motor operatively connected to the gear box 146 and the transmission element 150, which illustratively changes the gear ratio, to rotatably drive the spool 78 to feed the strip 74 of the weight 70 to the balancing weight attachment 10 A drive portion comprising 142 (i.e. servo, AC motor, DC motor, variable frequency drive etc) is used. The tensioner 154 applies pressure to the chain 158 (or belt) between the gearbox 146 and the roller 138. An electrically, hydraulically or otherwise drivable motor 142 is electronically controlled to rotate the spool 78 and to provide the weight 70 at a desired speed.

  In order to change the height of the roller 138 to selectively engage the spool actuating portion 126 at the pull-up position 166 shown in FIG. 3 a), the spool actuating portion 126 is also shown in FIG. A lift mechanism 162 is used to disengage at the pull down position 170 shown in FIG. The contact between the roller 138 and the spool actuation portion 126 must be sufficient to transmit rotational motion without slip, and does not necessarily require a lateral pull of the spool 78. According to this embodiment, a pivoting movement 174 of the main member 178 of the spool actuator frame 182 about the pivot 184 is proposed between the pull up position 166 and the pull down position 170. An actuator 188 is operatively secured between the distal end 186 of the main member 178 and the stationary portion 190 of the spool actuator frame 182. The sensor A detects the remaining amount of the strip 74 on the spool 78, for example, by detecting the presence of the strip 74 in the axial direction through the opening 214 at the proximal end. Alternatively, alternative arrangements may be made to allow such determinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

  Included in the present application are the various configurations of the spool 78. In the supply module 20, a single spool 78 can be used. Alternatively, multiple spools 78 may be used in the supply module 20. In the following, some possible embodiments will be described in more detail, but other non-illustrated embodiments are not excluded. For example, a spool 78 containing a strip 74 of about 70 pounds (about 20 pounds) of weight 70 may be used to allow for easy replacement. Also, a spool 78 containing a strip 74 of about 90 kg (about 200 pounds) of weight 70 may be used for long-term continuous operation, and a weight 70 of about 225 kg (about 500 pounds) may be used to further extend operation. The spool 78 can be used, including a strip 74 of Alternatively, the large spool 78 can be adapted to a strip 74 of weights 70 up to 900 kg (about 2000 pounds) and can be used to extend the operating period. Referring now to FIG. 4 which illustrates a plurality of adjacent spools 78, it can be seen that a plurality of thin spools 78 can be used in combination. One thin spool 78 has the width of a weight 70, and thus accommodates one strip 74, where the weight 70 is superimposed on each other as the spool 78 rotates. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has eight adjacent spools 78, which are separated by a spool wall 194 between them. In other words, this can be similarly represented as a single spool 78 with a plurality of strip receiving slots 198 separated by slot separating walls 202. A plurality of adjacent spools 78 may provide different weight weights 70 and / or different color weights 70 to match the color of the balancing wheel. For example, to reduce the visual impact of the weight 70 attached to the wheel 748, the black weight 70 can be used for black wheel balance correction, and for the gray wheel balance correction Can use gray weights 70.

  Side slot separation wall 206 includes stiffening ribs 210. Using the opening 214 at the proximal end of the axial direction to hold the end of the strip 74 in place and begin winding the strip 74 on the spool 78, the number of strips 74 in the strip receiving slot 198 is Fix the end of 1 An axial distal end opening 218 is disposed at the periphery of the slot separation wall 202 (or on the side wall of the single spool 78), thereby locking the second end of the strip 74 to the spool 78. And prevents the strip 74 from being undesirably fed out when the spool 78 is full. The locking clip 222 shown in FIG. 5 can be used as an example of a feasible locking mechanism, which can be attached to the spool 78 axially through the opening 218 at the distal end, so that the strip Unwanted unwinding of 74 is prevented. The fastening clip 222 has a bottom 226 slipped under the preceding strip layer 74.1 joined with the top 230, which is optionally in the cross-sectional shape of the weight 70, by means of which The superposed strip layer 74.2 is held against the preceding strip layer 74.1 so that the unwanted unwinding of the strip 74 from the spool 78 is prevented. A handle 234 is provided on the clip 222 so that the securing clip 222 can be easily removed.

  Each spool 78 can be associated with a unique identifier. An RFID embedded in each spool 78, a bar code on spool 78, a unique identification number, or other identification means can be used to identify each spool 78 and the product thereon. This allows for product acceptance and compliance with the requirements of the device 10. Compliance with the spool 78 can be implemented automatically, or an associated key code can be requested to be received by the device 10. Since the spool is uniquely identified and the number of weights 70 above it is known, traceability of weights 70 is possible. For example, Spool # 2016 A 200 includes a plurality of weights 70 of 200 kg, each weight 70 having 100 g in width, length and thickness of known size. It can be seen that in the case of the exemplary embodiment, 2000 weights 70 are accommodated on the spool 78. Each wheel 748 is also uniquely identified in the mounting line. For example, it can be seen that weights # 242 to # 249 of spool # 2016A200 are attached to wheel # 762898. Additionally, the mounting pressure used by robot 636 to secure weight 70 to wheel 748 is also known, and this pressure is recorded for complete product traceability. The mounting pressure of the unique weight 70 for a particular wheel 748 can be identified if it is later found that the weight 70 is not secured to the wheel 748 with sufficient strength, and pressure adjustment can be performed. Can.

  One embodiment of a spool manager assembly 240 is shown in FIG. The illustrated spool manager assembly 240 includes a frame 244 that is configured to receive one of the plurality of spools 78 within the spool receptacle 242. The illustrated spool manager assembly 240 includes a spool support shaft 248 adapted to receive and support a plurality of individual spools 78 thereon. In the illustrated configuration, each spool 78 includes, for example, one strip 74 of a plurality of weights 70, each about 9 kg (about 20 pounds). As mentioned above, each individual spool 78 is adaptable to weights 70 of different configurations, sizes, finishes, colors or masses to supply a plurality of different weights 70. The illustrated embodiment of the spool manager assembly 240 includes a spool support shaft 248 secured to the frame 244, which in the illustrated embodiment is secured as a cantilever, thereby axially aligning the spool 78. It can be inserted and removed. Although various numbers of spools 78 can be used, the illustrated spool manager assembly 240 is adaptable to ten spools 78. The spool 78 stored in the spool receptacle 242 is centered on the spool axis 118 by one or more of a plurality of spool angular position determining members 250 axially projecting from the side holding the spool support shaft 248 It is limited to being able to rotate. Spool angular positioning members 250 engage openings 274 in each spool 78 to prevent undesired rotation of the spools 78. In fact, the spool 78 may have a tendency to unwind given the large mass of the strip 74 of the weight 70 contained therein. The pattern of the openings 274 is designed as follows. That is, it is designed such that the spools 78 are all located at a single possible angular position and the ends of the strips 74 will be located at the same position for each of the spools 78. The spool angular positioning member 250 preferably has the same axial length as the length of the spool support shaft 248 in order to axially push all the spools 78 on the spool support shaft 248.

  Spool manager assembly 240 further includes a push member 254 adapted for axial movement to axially push spool 78 from spool support shaft 248. The axial movement of the member 254 in the illustrated configuration is a servomotor 256 (herein referred to) which is operatively connected to the push member 254 by a pair of pulleys 260 and a belt 264 which is tensioned by an optional tensioner 268. According to the invention, another alternative means of grasping the information of the angular position and / or the linear position of the push member 254 is conceivable. The servomotor 256 is capable of selectively moving the push member 254 in both axial directions and is configured to move by increasing the thickness of the one or more spools 78. This embodied mechanism moves the push member 254 axially without rotating the push member 254 about the spool support shaft 248.

  The spool receptacle 242 of the spool manager assembly 240 is used to cooperate with the spool dispenser 270. Spool dispenser 270 receives spool 78 from spool receptacle 242 when in spool loading position 232, as seen in FIG. The spool dispenser 270 then moves to the feed position 234, and if there is no strip 74 on the spool 78, moves to the discharge position 236 to discharge the empty spool 78, which is simply an empty spool receptacle (not shown). Can be dropped). The push member 254 is used in cooperation with the spool dispenser 270 to push the spool 78 towards the spool dispenser 270. Thus, the spool dispenser 270 axially secures the spools mounted thereon in order to deliver the strips 74 of weights 70 to the balancing weight mounting apparatus 10. The spool 78 to be unwound and fed to the balancing weight attaching device 10 is disposed at the feed position 234 in the axial direction, and the spool unwinding device 270 rotates to strip the strip 74 into the strip receiver 392 attached to the strip receiving position 394. The end of the drop is dropped and sent to the path for attaching the strip 74 to the wheel. As will be appreciated, the spool dispenser 270 is rotatably actuated by the servomotor 256 in both directions at a desired speed to engage the strip 74 of the weight 70 in the apparatus 10.

  The supply module 20 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is embodied by a plurality of spool manager assemblies 240.1 and 240.2. This results in the selection of weights 70 with different characteristics to be sent to the device 10. For example, the first spool manager assembly 240.1 may provide the gray colored weights 70 to match the gray colored or grayish wheels 748, alternatively the second The spool manager assembly 240.2 can supply weights 70 with different characteristics such as black-colored weights 70 to match black or dark wheels 748, such wheels Identified by the sensors listed. Referring to FIG. 7, the spool manager assembly 240.1 and its half-out, spool delivery machine 270.1 are in the loading position 232, in which position the spool 78 is mounted on the delivery machine 270.1. As best seen in FIG. 7 b), the spool unwinder 270.1 is moved slightly towards the feed position, away from the spool manager assembly 240.1, which is the lower unwinder 270. It is represented by position 2. The axial movement of the dispenser 270 is generated by a motor (not shown) that is controlled accordingly.

  The plurality of spool manager assemblies 240 are each separately slidably attached to the guide rails 266 and actuated by the actuator 262 to be arranged as a spool loading arrangement 258 as shown in FIG. 8 b). Be done. In the spool loading arrangement 258, a new spool 78 containing a strip of weights 70 can be added to the spool manager assembly 240. Because the spool manager assembly 240 is not also axially covered by its corresponding dispenser 270. The installation of the new spool 78 can be done automatically or manually by the operator. It should be noted that although the rails 266 are illustrated for the reader's convenience and without a support structure, it is noted here that these rails can be frame or wall to ensure proper mechanical strength in real operation. It is fixed to Also, the spool dispenser 270 may be used with or without the feed module 30. In such a case, the spool dispenser 270 will replace the feed module 30, and the strip 74 of the weight 70 will be unwound at the desired speed and engaged with the toothed drive wheel 412 located downstream. The strip will be pulled out.

  The spool 78 used in the previously described embodiments is adapted to receive a strip 74 of weights 70 which are superimposed on the spool 78 each time it is rotated. A mandrel 272 is shown with an empty spool 78 in FIG. 9 and a spool 78 filled with strips 74 in FIG. 10 to prevent the spool 78 from rotating freely about the spool support shaft 248. And the spool support shaft 248. The mandrel 272 is attached to the spool support shaft 248 with a mechanism that prevents the mandrel 272 from rotating relative to the spool support shaft 248, for example, where the spool support shaft 248 is provided with a key lock, or It is engaged with the hole 276 of the spool 78.

  In FIG. 11, another possible embodiment of the supply module 20 is shown. A wide spool management module 280 associated with the feed module 30 is shown in FIG. The wide spool management module 280 includes a frame 284 that is configured to support the wide spool 290. The frame 284 has a single wide spool 290 thereacross, for example, a strip 74 comprising a plurality of weights 70, for example about 225 kg (about 500 pounds), to extend the operating period without having to reload or replace the spool 290. Are adapted to receive at. In the illustrated embodiment, the wide spool 290 is supported directly by a series of support wheels 294 in contact with the side edges 298 of the wide spool 290. Of the support wheels 298, two wheels 302 are free to rotate and the other two support wheels 298 are actuated support wheels 306 actuated by a motor 310, where the motor 310 comprises a pair of pulleys 314 and It is operatively connected to their actuated support wheels 306 via belts 318. The wide spool 290 is in contact with the tensioner 322 at an appropriate position, which is also optionally an encoder 326 adapted to provide a signal representative of the rotation of the wide spool 290.

  The feed module 30 may be separate from the supply module 20 or connected to the supply module 20 without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the case of the present embodiment, the feed module 30 is associated with the supply module 20, in particular the wide spool 290 having a long strip 74 wound thereon. Is wound around the entire axial width of the wide spool 290. This causes a lateral feed 330 of the strip 74 about the centerline 334 of the wide spool 290 as the strip 74 is unwound or wound. Lateral feeding of the strip 74 causes an awkward twist in the juxtaposed set of solid weights 70 which can cause the weight 70 to come off the strip 74 or the strip 74 to break. . One approach to reducing this obstacle is to adjust the first loop 378 to reduce stress in the strip 74 and / or align the feed module 30 with the axial modules of the strip 74 on the spool 290. is there. The feed module 30 shown in FIGS. 11-14 includes a carriage 338 configured to be aligned with the axial position of the strip 74 on the wide spool 290. Feed module 30 includes a side actuator 342 that actuates threaded rod 346 to move carriage 338 on rail 350. The carriage 338 includes a take-in pulley 354 which receives the strip 74 of weights 70 from the wide spool 290. The strip 74 then travels over the support floor 358 to reach a pair of pulleys 362 stacked one on top of the other. One of the pulleys 362 stacked one on top of the other is a driven pulley 366 driven by a servomotor 370 or any other means to accomplish this task, which is optionally engaged with the weight 70 to strip It can be toothed to prevent slippage along 74. Accurate contact with the weight 70 is ensured by the contact pulley 374 opposite the actuated pulley 366.

  Multiple sensors are used to control the feed of the strip 74 from the spool 290 by the feed module 30. Capital letters are used to identify those sensors, as listed herein below as Table 1. The list of sensors that can be used in the balancing weight attachment device 10 is as follows.

  That is, the proximity sensor B is used to detect the approach of the strip 74 in the first loop 378 behind the spool 290 and in front of the intake pulley 354 of the feed module 30. Control of the motor 310 can change the speed at which the spool 290 is actuated and the strip 74 is unwound to maintain the first loop 378 within the desired range. If the range of the first loop 378 is too small, the unwinding of the strip 74 will be accelerated and conversely if the range of the first loop 378 is too large, the unwinding of the strip 74 Will be decelerated. Two proximity sensors C, D detect the lateral approach of the strip 74 to these sensors in order to control and adjust the lateral location of the carriage 338 accordingly. If the strip 74 is moving closer to the side sensor C, the carriage will move in the direction of the side sensor C, which causes the strip 74 between the two side sensors C, D to move. Position is realigned. In contrast, if the strip 74 is moving closer to the side sensor D, the carriage will move in the direction of the side sensor D, which causes the two side sensors C to move. , D between the positions of the strip 74 are realigned. Yet another sensor E detects the presence of the strip 74 in front of the superimposed pulleys 362 of the feed module 30. A sensor F detects the presence of the strip 74 behind the superposed pulleys 362 of the feed module 30. 12 and 13 show the lateral movement of the carriage 338 in both lateral directions. In FIG. 14, the feed module 30 is extracted and shown as a perspective view, and it can be seen that the feed module 30 is supported by its frame 382.

  The sensor G detects the approach of the second loop 386 in order to adjust the range of the second loop 386 of the strip 74 within the desired range. Loops 378 and 386 are required to reduce possible variations in the supply speed of strip 74 relative to the remainder of balancing weight attachment 10. For example, if the supply rate is too slow or fast, the first loop 378 will attenuate the speed variation. Another example is during replacement of the spool 78. When attaching a new spool 78, additional strips 74 in the first loop 378 and the second loop 386 can be used. When replacing the empty spool 78 with a new spool 78 full of weights 70, the first loop 378 and the first loop 378 to prevent the balancing weight attachment device 10 from stopping and maintain continuous function. Additional strips 74 in the second loop 386 can be adjusted. Optionally, a removable bridge 390 can be attached between the feed module 30 and the dispense module 40, which facilitates the connection between the end of the strip 74 and the beginning of a new strip 74.

  An exemplary drive mechanism 400 for the dispense module 40 is embodied in FIG. According to this embodiment, a drive mechanism 400 is used to move the strip 74 of the weight 70 towards the mounting module 50. The drive mechanism 400 is in particular driven by a servomotor 404 which operatively rotates the circular drive portion 408. The circular drive portion 408 of the illustrated embodiment is a toothed drive wheel 412 where each tooth is sized to engage the weight 70. The toothed wheel 412 includes an array of radial protrusions that are configured to engage the intervening sides of the weight 70 to drive the strip 74 without slip. The illustrated embodiment depicts a toothed drive wheel 412 that optionally includes a radial void portion 416, which fits the strip support members that engage at this portion 416. In accordance with the displacement of the strip 74 and the transport to or from the wheel 748, a continuous vertical support for the strip 74 is provided. The radial gap portion 416 allows lateral contact between the toothed drive wheel 412 and the weight 70 while remaining supported. The reverse configuration can also be used, and alternatively, the toothed drive wheel 412 can include a pair of radial gaps on each axial side of the wheel. The strips 74 are driven on the support rails 420 and guided laterally by removable side rails 424. As an option, the side rails 424 include an upper rail 426 to prevent the strips 74 of the weight 70 from being lifted out of the toothed drive wheel 412. The side rails 424 are removably secured by a number of fasteners. A toothed drive wheel 412 is disposed generally below the rail 420 and extends partially into the rail 420 to engage the weight 70. Motor 404 is a servomotor and can be selectively actuated to move a strip 74 of a desired length / mass to distribute the desired number of weights 70 to be mounted on the wheel. The motor 404 is interconnected with a gearbox 428 that can change the gear ratio of the motor 404 as needed. Furthermore, the gearbox 428 also changes the direction of the drive axis 432 of the motor 404 by 90 °, according to the mechanical requirements of the illustrated embodiment.

  In contrast, FIG. 17 shows the rail 420 of the dispense module 40, which, in the case of the motorless embodiment of the present invention, cooperates with the servomotor 404 and the drive wheel 412. Is not used. Rather, the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 uses the robotic tool 640 of the mounting module 50 to pull out and drive the strip 74 instead of the previously described drive wheel 412. According to this configuration, the robot 636 of the loading module 50 will draw and / or push the strip 74 of the weight 70 along the rail 420 as a result of the instructions provided by the control module 1066.

  The strip 74 of the weight 70 includes a tape 76 covered by a protective liner 436, which prevents the adhesive portion 456 of the tape from undesirably sticking to other objects, or may be soiled. In some cases, it prevents you from sticking properly to the wheel. Before attaching the weight 70 to the wheel, the protective liner 436 needs to be removed. As depicted in FIG. 17 which shows a motorless embodiment as described above, liner peeler 440 is part of an embodiment of dispense module 50 for removing liner 436. The peeler 440 is operatively disposed near the end of the rail 420 to peel off the liner 436 before the weight 70 or series of weights 70 are taken by the mounting module 50 to be secured to the wheel. As shown in this embodiment, the peeler 440 has a hook shape, which includes a liner contact portion 444 moving between a low liner engagement position 448 and a high liner removal position 452. include. The liner engagement position 448 causes the liner contact portion 444 to be placed low on the tape 76 to rub the tape 76 and remove the liner 436 from the tape 76. As shown in FIG. 17 d), the liner contact portion 444 of the peeler 440 is nevertheless at the adhesive portion 456 of the tape 76 which is thinner than the thickness of the liner 436, which is approximately between 0 mm and 1 mm. It can interfere with the thickness of the tape 76, thereby engaging the beginning of the liner 436. When the liner 436 is engaged, the liner contact portion 444 of the peeler 440 may be between approximately 0 mm and 4 mm, as shown in FIG. It can be lifted to a liner removal position 452 slightly higher than some tape 76. A liner guide edge 454 located slightly higher than the tape 76 is used to cooperate with the peeler 440 to direct the liner 436 in a different direction than the weight 70. The removed liner 436 can optionally be drained into the liner guide 460, which helps to prevent the tape 76 from being mistakenly confused in the mechanism. The motion of the peeler 440 between the liner engagement position 448 and the liner removal position 452 is controlled by the peeler actuator 464 which performs a portion of rotation about the peeler shaft 468 to reach these two positions 448, 452 Ru. The peeler actuator 464 can be embodied as a stroke limited pneumatic cylinder or as another actuator adapted to perform the desired movement. An optional strip lock mechanism is depicted in FIG. 17 c). The strip locking mechanism 472 selectively locks the strip 74 in the rail 420 when it is desired that the strip 74 not move. In order to detect the presence of the strip 74, a sensor H for detecting the presence of the strip 74 is arranged in front of the peeler 440. A sensor I, which detects the presence of weight strip bonding tape, is positioned just in front of the peeler 440, thereby lowering the peeler 440 low and detecting the liner engagement position when a break in the liner 436 is detected. The peeler 440 is actuated so that it can be placed at 448.

  An alternate embodiment for removing liner 436 from strip 74 is shown in FIG. Tape 76 can be manufactured with some additional properties. For example, the liner 436 protecting the tape 76 can be made to peel off the adhesive portion 456 of the tape 76 in response to heat. To heat the tape 76, the heat gun 480 blows hot air through the directional nozzle 484 to peel the liner 436 and engage the tape 76 with the peeler 440. Hot air from the nozzle 484 is directed to the area of the peeler 440 to locally heat the tape 76 for a predetermined time to avoid overheating of the tape 76. Selectively activate the heat gun 480 if a new strip 74 of the weight 70 is fed into the balancing weight mounting apparatus 10 when the sensor I detecting the presence of the strip bonding tape detects a break in the tape 76 As a result, the peeler 440 is placed at the liner engagement position 448, and the front end of the liner 436 is engaged with the peeler 440. The actuating mechanism controlling the displacement of the strip 74 in the dispense module can move the strip 74 back if the binding tape or liner 436 is sensed by the presence detection sensor I when the strip 74 is moved back. Subsequent forward motion of strip 74 may attempt to re-engage liner 436 with peeler 440.

  It can also be seen from FIGS. 18 and 19 that the dispense module 50 is optionally equipped with a liner cutting mechanism 490. The liner cutting mechanism 490 includes an actuator 494 that actuates the stagnation portion 498 following the liner guide 460 (not shown in FIG. 18). Thus, the liner 436 can be cut to a predetermined length, which makes the removed liner 436 more manageable.

  In addition to this, the strip cutting mechanism 502 is also shown in FIGS. 18-24. A strip cutting mechanism 502 is used to cut a portion of the strip 74 so as to provide a predetermined number of weights 70 equivalent to the mass required for wheel balancing. Strip cutting mechanism 502 is positioned near the end of rail 420 of dispensing module 50 to cut strip 74 between two adjacent weights 70. Undesirable is that the strip cutting mechanism 502 attempts to cut the strip 74 at the center of the weight 70. Thus, with the additional sensor K located near the end of the rail 420, the presence of the weight 70 is detected. The sensor K is preferably mounted orthogonal to the strip 74 and is placed at a location where the weight 70 or the empty space between two adjacent weights 70 can be detected. If properly adjusted, at a position along its first sensing line 526 aligned with the strip cutting mechanism 502, the sensor K should not detect the presence of the weight 70, thereby the strip to be actuated It is ensured that no weight 70 is present along the cutting line of the cutting mechanism 502. In order to further detect the presence of the weight 70 when it is not assumed to be present, the sensor K has an optional second sensing line 530 arranged shorter than the length of the weight 70. As can be seen from FIG. 20a), the siderail 426 includes an opening for passing the first sensing line 526 and reaching the strip 74 to identify the position of the weight 70. One of the side rails 424 is removably secured in its operative position by a rail clamp 534. The side rails 424 are moveable along the stoppered guide rails 538 to facilitate manipulation of the strips 74 on the rails 420 as needed.

  Strip cutting mechanism 502 includes a housing 506 that supports cutting member 510 in a position perpendicular to strip 74. As best seen in FIG. 21, the cutting member 510 embodied as a circular blade 514 is reciprocated along the support rail 522 by the actuator 518. In FIG. 21 the structure of the strip lock mechanism 472 is depicted in more detail for the interior. As can be seen from this figure, the strip locking mechanism 472 includes a weight engaging portion 546, which is preferably provided with a co-operating surface 550, which has the shape of the weight 70, each weight Match the protruding portions 552 that engage between 70, thereby locking the weight 70 within the rail 420. This prevents the strip 74 from moving longitudinally along the rail when the strip cutting mechanism 472 is actuated. The weight engagement portion 546 is movable between the weight engagement position 554 shown in FIG. 21 a) and the release position 558 shown in FIG. 21 b). This embodiment includes a pneumatic cylinder 562 that actuates the weight engagement portion 546 when the desired amount of weight 70 is supplied by the dispense module 50.

  A sensor J is shown in FIG. The purpose of sensor J is to use the reflectivity, color or contrast of strip 74 to monitor whether liner 436 has been removed from strip 74 passed through blade 514. The liner 436 has a different reflectance, color or contrast than the adhesive portion 456, and the sensor J is one means to verify that the liner 436 has been removed.

  Reference is now made to FIGS. 23 and 24, which depict in greater detail the strip cutting mechanism 502 embodied for illustrative purposes. The cutting member 510 is illustrated as a circular blade 514, which is supported by a blade housing 566 manufactured by two housing halves 570, 574. Housing half 570 is releasably secured in position by locking mechanism 578 to allow for access to blade 514. The blade 514 of the illustrated embodiment is not toothed and is not motorized and rotates when it contacts the strip 74 by linear movement of the housing 566. The combined action of the linear movement of the housing and the contact between the blade 514 and the strip 74 causes a rotation of the blade 514 sufficient to cut the tape 76 holding the weights 70 together. The blade 514 is supported by an arrangement consisting of a shaft 582 and a bearing 586. Optionally, one-way bearings are used to cause rotation of the blade 514 in a single direction, as opposed to reciprocating motion. Unidirectional rotation of blade 514 also ensures that the entire circumference of blade 514 is used to cut strip 74, and that blade 514 wears equally throughout, prolonging the blade replacement cycle Be done. The housing 566 also includes an opening 590 towards the lubricant reservoir 594 that interacts with the blade 514, which smooths the blade 514 and facilitates the cutting of the strip 74. A lubricant, oil or other suitable lubricant can be soaked in the material of the sponge 598 to prevent any leakage.

  An alternative embodiment of a dispensing module 40 using two dispensers 852.1 and 852.2 is shown in FIG. 25 and each of the dispensers 852.1 and 852.2 is unique to them. A liner removal mechanism 856 is provided. As described above with reference to FIG. 17, the peeler 440 remains pivotally connected. As the liner 436 is removed from the strip 74, the liner 436 is guided within the arched conduit 860 to the automatic shredder 864 to be cut into liner pieces, which generate a vacuum through the pipe 868. The air is evacuated to a vessel 872 and withdrawn from the process by the air flow of the vacuum generator 872. The strip 74 is cut by a knife mechanism 876, which actuates a straight or curved blade 884 of a predetermined angle, and the blade 884 is moved downward to cut the strip 74. Prior to cutting the strip 74, a strip stopper 888 using the actuator 892 and the break member 896 is pivotally connected to the frame. Thus, the break member 896 is actuated between the relaxed position and the break position so that when the strip 74 is cut between the rails 424 slightly before the predetermined angled blade 884 of the knife mechanism 876 The strip 74 is squeezed momentarily in the direction towards. Since the break member 896 is engaged with the last weight 70 in front of the blade 884, this allows the strip 74 of the weight 70 to be stopped if there is only a slight weight 70 left in the strip 74. . The two dispensers 852.1 and 852.2 are arranged in parallel and adapted to provide redundancy for maintenance purposes. Two dispensers 852.1 and 852.2 are also used to distribute various forms of weights 70 to provide a choice that is determined according to the wheel 748 to be balanced. For example, black weights 70 can be distributed by dispenser 852.1 and used for balancing black and dark wheels 748. In contrast to this, the dispenser 852.2 supplies gray weights 70 which are chosen for the aluminum or light wheel 748. According to the present application, further uses of two or more dispensers 852 are also conceivable, and while remaining within the scope of the present application, they can be used for other advantages. It can likewise be understood that each of the two dispensers 852.1 and 852.2 be provided with their own sensor J, taking into account the reflection properties of the liner and other parts of the strip 74. The sensors J are arranged at angles from the vertical to the opposite direction, respectively, in order to extend their sensing, mainly because they maximize the caption capability of the sensors. The optimal sensing angle appears to be approximately between 30 ° and 40 °.

  Yet another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 26-27. In practice, the dispensing module 50 can be used without the mounting module 60 (shown in FIG. 1) if embodied differently. In this regard, the dispensing module 50 may alternatively be equipped with a weight receiver 602, which collects them for the clerk to manually attach the cut portion of the strip 74. Thus, the worker can pick up the cut portion of the strip 74 at the weight receiving ramp 606. The height and angle of the weight receiving ramp 606 can be adjusted by the adjustment mechanism 610, thereby providing a plurality of between the lower position 614 shown in FIG. 26 and the higher position 618 shown in FIG. Ergonomic position of is provided. The weight receiving ramp 606 terminates at a stop 614 to prevent the weight 70 from falling off the weight receiving ramp 606. A sensor L may be positioned behind the peeler 440 and the blade 884 to ensure that the weight 70 is ready to be collected by the tool 640 (not shown) of the robot 636. As another option, the sensor L can be placed on the weight receiving ramp 606 to confirm the manual pick-up of one or more weights 70.

  The mounting module 60 is automated by an industrial robot 636, as best seen in the embodiment shown in FIG. The robot 636 is equipped with a weight attachment tool 640, which is designed to move one or a series of weights 70 from the dispense module 40 to the balancing wheel. In FIG. 29, a possible embodiment of the tool 640 is shown with additional details. Tool 640 includes at least one weight holder 644, which includes a series of juxtaposed weight receivers 648. Each weight receiver 648 is preferably bordered by a ridge 652 to individually position each weight 70 on a weight holder 644. The weight holder 644 has a semi-circular shape 656, which fits inside the wheel and is sized and designed to secure the weight 70 to the wheel surface. Preferably, the outer diameter of the assembly of tool 640 and weight holder 644 is smaller than the inner diameter of the wheel to facilitate movement and mounting of weight 70 inside the wheel. Weight holder 644 may be manufactured as a single part with tool hub portion 660 or as a separate part. Tool hub portion 660 is embodied by a series of radially extending portions 664. The weight holder 644 can include a central recess 668, which is designed to cooperate with the weight support 672 when the tool 640 receives the weight 70 from the dispense module 50 (FIG. 20). best shown in a)). Once the dispensing module 50 has cut the desired strip 74 length, the cut portion of the strip 74 of the weight 70 remains supported by its central area by the weight support 672 while the weight holder 644 supports the weight It moves under the body 672 and further rises towards the weight 70 and engages the weight 70 to move it. According to the illustrated embodiment, the central recess 668 of the weight holder 644 utilizes the thickness of the tool hub portion 660 that secures two different weight holder portions 676.

  The tool hub portion 660 is also configured to secure the first weight holder 644.1 and the second weight holder 644.2 thereon. The second weight holder 644.2 may be desirable to reduce the travel time of the robot 636 between the dispense module 50 and the wheel. In fact, the second weight holder 644.2 can be loaded with a second set of weights 70, by means of which the weight loading tool 640 can dispense the second set of weights 70 with the dispensing module 40. Can be fixed to the wheel with a single motion between the wheel and the wheel. For example, dynamic balancing of the wheel, generally placing weights 70 at various axial distances within the wheel, can be achieved with a single motion of the tool 640 between the dispense module 50 and the wheel. According to one embodiment, the weight holder 644 can have an axial offset 680 with respect to the tool hub portion 660. The offset weight holder 644 allows for more accurate placement of the weight 70, a reduction in the travel distance of the robot 636, and allows the weight 70 to be axially fixed closer to the central hub of the wheel. For example, the first weight holder 644.1 is fully offset on one side of the tool hub portion 660, while the second weight holder 644.2 is centered with the tool hub portion 660. Other uses of the spacer, various angular positions of the weight holder 644, and other adjustments of the weight holder 644 remain within the scope of the present invention.

  As best seen in FIGS. 21, 29 and 30, each weight holder 644 has a trailing end 684 and a leading end 688. The robot 636 can use the tool 640 to collect the weights 70 on the weight holder 644 in any rotatable orientation relative to the beginning 688 and the end 684 of the weight holder 644. According to a first arrangement, a portion of the start side 688 of the weight holder 644 is used to receive the weight 70 on the weight holder 644. Thus, the weight 70 occupies the required magnet receiving portion 704 at the start side 688. This arrangement is shown in FIG. Conversely, according to the second arrangement, the terminal end 684 of the weight holder 644 is used to receive the weight 70 on the weight holder 644. This arrangement is shown in FIG. By using the end of the weight holder 644 to receive the weight 70, the additional use of the weight holder 644 is facilitated.

  In the second configuration, the end side 684 is an edge that is moved next to the dispense module 50 when the weight holder 644 receives the weight 70 from the dispense module 50. Beginning end 688 is an edge that is located farther from dispense module 50 when weight holder 644 receives weights 70 from dispense module 50. In other words, the tool 640 fills the weight receiver 648 so as to start toward the start side 688 in consideration of the number of weights 70 to be fixed to the tool, and sequentially toward the end side 684, the last Of the weight holder 644 toward the end side 684. Thus, every last weight receiver 648 is filled with weights 70.

  An enlarged view of weight holder portion 676 is shown in FIG. The weight holder portion 676 has a semi-circular shape centered on a radius 692 and this semi-circular outer periphery 696 is ideally also a strip on the adjacent surface of the wheel to fit in the wheel Smaller than the inner diameter of the wheel to secure a portion of 74. The weight holder portion 676 is preferably made of a non-ferromagnetic material such as aluminum, plastic or stainless steel so that the magnetic means can hold the weight 70 thereon. The weight holder portion 676 uses a series of magnets 700, which are housed along the outer periphery 696 of the weight holder portion 676 in a magnet receiving portion 704 disposed on the weight holder portion 676. Magnets 700 are press fit or glued to their respective magnet receiving portions 704. The radial openings 708 provide rearward access to each magnet 700 to further push the magnets 700 out of the magnet receiving portion 704 to push the magnets 700 through the radial openings 708. , Insert the pin tool 724. As can be appreciated, the termination side 684 includes a larger and stronger magnet 712 within the larger magnet receiving portion 716. The larger magnet 712 helps to sufficiently secure the single weight 70 to the weight holder portion 676 when a single weight 70 is required. The larger magnet 712 is also a tool in cutting the strip 74 by tearing the strip 74 between adjacent weights 70, as shown in FIG.

  As can be seen more clearly from the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the weight holder 644 optionally comprises a pair of side weight holders 736 for the weight 70. A pair of side holders 736 for weights 70 are arranged on each side of the weight holder 644 in contact with the last weight holder portion 676.1, whereby the weight 70 is arranged in the last holder portion 676.1. It is further held as it is. It is desirable that the weight 70 in the last weight holder portion 676.1 be held firmly in place and twist or be dislodged from the weight holder 644 It is to prevent it. This is particularly useful when the single weight 70 is held by the weight holder 644 and not aided by the adjacent weights 70 to hold it in place within the individual weight holder portions 676. is there. The risk of twisting or unscrewing the weight 70 in the last weight holder portion 676.1 is increased when the tool 640 is used to remove the weight 70 or the series of weights 70 from the strip 74 of the weight 70 . The use of tool 640 to split tape 76 holding weights 70 to strip 74 is an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. In order to cut the tape 76, the pivoting movement of the tool 640 is shown in FIG. A tool 640 is depicted with a weight holder 644 in FIG. The weight holder 644 secures the single weight 70 thereon to the last weight holder portion 676.1, in which case the weight holder 644 is longitudinally aligned with the strip 74. In FIG. 30 b) the pivoting movement 740 of the weight holder 644 is shown, whereby tension is increased on one side of the tape 76 and the tape 76 is broken and fixed in the weight holder 644 The weight 70 is separated. The side holders 736 also properly adjust the weight 70 when pivoting movement 740 is performed by the weight holder 644 to prevent the weight 70 from pivoting and to hold it in place on the weight holder 644 properly. Hold in place. In FIG. 30 c) the translational movement 744 of the tool 640 is shown, which further separates the weight 70 fixed in the weight holder 644 from the strip 74. This embodiment can be used without the strip cutting mechanism 502 or can be used in conjunction with the strip cutting mechanism 502 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 31 according to which the sensor R detects the presence of one or more weights 70 on the tool 640. The tool 640 of the illustrated embodiment is equipped with a pair of weight holders 644.1, 644.2 spaced apart by a recess 668, which allows projection by the sensor R and the area of the weight receiver 648 The whole is sensed to detect the unwanted presence of one or more weights 70 on the tool 640. The recesses 668 can be spaced apart by spacers 918 or by the thickness of the hub portion 660 or tool 640. The sensor R can be held stationary and when the central recess 668 is aligned with the projection path 914 of the sensor R, the tool 640 is translated to move the projection by the sensor R through the central recess 668, the tool 640 The undesired presence of weights 70 possibly remaining above is detected. For example, in FIG. 31 a, the weight 70 left on the tool 640 is shown, which is sensed by the sensor R. On the other hand, a projection path 914 of the sensor R is shown in FIG. When the undesired weight 70 is detected by the sensor R, the tool 640 is moved next to the way trim 918 so that the central recess 668 of the tool 640 is dimensioned and designed to fit in this central recess 668 Engage with the way trimmer member 922. Translation and rotation of the tool 640 may cause the way trimmer member 922 to remove the weight 70, which is disengaged from the tool 640 and ready to receive the new weight 70 thereon.

  The tool 640 is equipped with three proximity sensors M arranged at approximately 120 ° to each other with respect to the axis 642 of the tool 640, which is illustrated in FIG. 32 which shows this embodiment. These proximity sensors M can be embodied as laser sensors, which as a group are wheels 748 shown with the tires 750 mounted thereon, for example using trigonometry etc. Sense the location of the tool 640 inside the The projection line 752 of these laser sensors M is shown by FIG. The robot 636 moves the tool 640 inside the central portion of the wheel 748 and when the tool 640 is moving towards the central hub 756 of the wheel 748, the sensor M has the shape of the wheel, the inner cross section 764 and the dimensions Get the measured value. This is a non-contact measurement of the tool 640 and the wheel 748, as a result of which the characteristics of the wheel 748 are automatically detected. By using the obtained measurement values of the wheel characteristics, the tool 640 of the robot 636 can be three-dimensionally arranged at the desired location exactly without referring to the database of wheel characteristics. Because this process for obtaining measurements of wheel characteristics is performed in real time for each wheel 746 arriving at the wheel transport module 60, weights 70 can be attached to the wheels 748 of various shapes and sizes. In other words, wheels 748 of different characteristics can be simply balanced one after the other without requiring an exact order or grouping, for example, into a set of four similar wheels. According to one embodiment, the axial position of the tool 640 can be identified by an axial sensor N located at the tool 640. The tool 640 can alternatively utilize the sensing capabilities of the robot 636 if available, to position the tool 640 axially with respect to the central hub 756 of the wheel 748. The tool 640 can be moved axially within the wheel 748 until contact occurs with the central hub 756 of the. According to an embodiment in this regard, the robot 636 can record the pressure applied to the weight 70 when securing the weight 70 to the wheel 748. Thus, the pressure used to secure each weight 70 to its associated wheel 748 is recorded for product traceability.

  Based on the data provided by sensor M using projections 752 that detect wheel geometry, tool 640 of robot 636 can be controlled with respect to the assembly of wheels and tires. In contrast, the tool 640 of the robot 636 can be controlled based on the image of the wheel and tire assembly provided by the camera sensor P and sensor O. The two methods of acquiring these data are good, the latter obviating the need for the sensor M.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 34, an assembly consisting of wheels 748 and tires 750 is brought into conveyor 780 for mounting of balancing weights 70. This embodiment relates to a conveyor 780 for transporting the assembly consisting of the wheels 748 and the tires 750, but the assembly consisting of the industrial robot 636, the suspension mechanism, the wheels 748 and the tires 750 is rolled up to the next station. Other means for transporting the assembly consisting of the wheels 748 and the tires 750, such as rails, are also within the scope of the present invention. Although the above description has focused on the conveyor mechanism to make the specification easier to read, other suitable alternative systems are not excluded. While the assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750 may be brought in a vertical orientation or other suitable position, including suspension in a suitable mechanism, without departing from the scope of the present application, wheel 748 is illustrated here. The assembly consisting of the tire and the tire 750 is shown supported on a conveyor 780 in the horizontal direction. Conveyor 780 is supported by frame 784 and is at a height sufficient to allow weights 70 to be mounted from below. Attachment of the weight 70 from above is another embodiment not illustrated which is encompassed by the present specification. The conveyor 780 of the illustrated embodiment is equipped with a pair of wheel support belts 788 selectively actuated by a motor 792. Conveyor 780 can be actuated in an advancing direction 808 and a reversing direction 812 to position the assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750 on conveyor 780 as desired. A pair of wheel support belts 788 support the two sides of the assembly consisting of the wheels 748 and the tires 750, whereby the wheels 748 are reached for the tools 640 of the robot 636 between them. In addition to providing a space for fixing the weight 70, sensors O and P can be used to perform a wide variety of sensing. The motor 792 can be a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated servomotor, stepper motor, to accurately convey the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 to the weight loading position 796. The illustrated embodiment includes a servo motor 800 interconnected with a gearbox 804 as an option to drive the conveyor 780. A pair of side rails 808 fixed at an appropriate height to the frame 784 are shown as an option to provide additional features to hold the assembly consisting of the wheels 748 and the tires 750 on the conveyor 780. It is done.

  The balancing weight attachment device is thus adapted to automatically identify the characteristics of the wheel and to secure the wheel balancing weight to that wheel, which moves the wheel towards the wheel balancing weight fixed position, and the wheel A characteristic is sensed, a wheel reference location is sensed, a first predetermined amount of wheel balancing weight is provided, and the first predetermined amount of wheel balancing weight is fixed at a first position on the wheel. The balancing weight attachment can sense the wheel characteristics by means of a camera and / or a laser sensor, in which case the sensing of the wheel characteristics is such that the assembly of wheels and tires moves towards the wheel balancing weight attachment position While the wheel properties are not collected from the property database of the assembly of wheels and tires, a second position is identified based on the first position, and the second position is A second predetermined amount of wheel balancing weight is fixed to the wheel based thereon.

  The conveyor 780 functions to cooperate with the sensor O capable of capturing the cross section of the inner portion of the wheel 748. The sensor O is embodied in FIGS. 34 and 35 as a laser proximity sensor, which is fixed to the frame 784 and directed at an angle towards the conveyor 780. The projection beam 816 is projected at a predetermined angle so that multiple readings can be obtained as the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 is moving on the conveyor 780. It is efficient to sense the cross section of the wheel 748 when the wheel 748 is moving, because the wheel 748 and tire 750 assembly was stationary to analyze the shape of the wheel 748 It is because it is not necessary to leave it. The speed of the conveyor 780 is known and cooperates with the belt encoder and / or the individual timely distance sensing between the wheel 748 and the sensor O to generate the cross section 820 of the inner part of the wheel 748 The speed of the conveyor 780 is used. A common timestamp is one way to put all the data together. All data from the sensors are associated with this common timestamp. The data associated with the same common time stamp is summarized to obtain all the information needed to operate the tool 640 of the robot 636 or any other related equivalent system. Control the movement of the robot 636 to the desired location so that the weight 70 is accurately fixed to the inner portion of the wheel 748 according to the assembly required for balancing the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 To position the tool 640, the logic of the system uses the cross section of the inner portion of the wheel 748.

  In order to obtain an axial image of the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750, another sensor P embodied as a camera is operatively arranged near the conveyor 780. The sensor P may be located at another location suitable for obtaining the desired image without departing from the scope of the present application, but here the sensor P is shown below the conveyor 780. The image of the assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750 is acquired by sensor P when the assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750 is moving on conveyor 780 or when it is stationary. The image obtained from the sensor P can be used for various purposes. Among the possible purposes, the identifier of the wheel 748 radius, the color of the wheel 748, the part number of the wheel, the orientation of the lightest part / lightest part of the tire 750, mostly colored dots, an identifier The image can be used to identify the location on the 824 tire 750. The identifier 824 is also used to position the weights 70 needed to balance the assembly of the wheels 748 and the tires 750 at a predetermined angle. The angular locations of weights 70 are based on the reference to this identifier 824 by a wheel balancing analyzer (not shown), and the data available for securing weights 70 at their intended locations is determined by the system It is at least partially based. In order to dynamically balance the wheels, multiple weights 70 must be attached to one wheel. A first set of weights 70 can be placed and fixed to the wheel based on the dots on the wheel. The dots or any other identifiers provided thereon to place the weights on the wheel / tire are used as the first reference, and the other set (s) of weights 70 are It can be arranged and fixed using positions relative to the first set of locations.

  The assembly of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 reaches a predetermined location on the conveyor 780, at which location the robot 636 is moved relative to the weight mounting position 828 of the assembly of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 Other sensors are located on the wheel transport module 60 to verify the weight mounting position 828 of the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 as it becomes. The assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750 may slip on conveyor 780, or the assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750 may move unintentionally on conveyor 780, which causes the assembly to There is a discrepancy between the calculated weight mounting position 828 of the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 and the physical weight mounting position 828 of the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750. The sensor Q shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 has a transverse projection orientation to sense the tire 750 when the assembly of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 has reached the weight attachment position 828, It is arranged on the side of the conveyor 780. Thus, the physical location of the assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750 is known when sensor P is sensing the edge of tire 750 on conveyor 780. With this information, the motion of the conveyor 780 is stopped and the calculated weight mounting position 828 of the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 and the physical weight mounting position of the assembly consisting of the wheel 748 and the tire 750 A possible inconsistencies between 828 and 828 can be calculated. The reference position used by robot 636 will be adjusted as a result, which ensures that robot 636 will not interfere with the assembly of wheel 748 and tire 750, and is required The weight 70 is fixed to the wheel 748 at a proper position. As can be seen, the sensor Q is shown to project its sensing beam at a predetermined angle to the horizontal. This is intended to help prevent the acquisition of readings from the sensor Q, which are undesirably obtained with the reading of the relatively low part of the threads of the tire 750. Reading from the bottom of the thread may lead to an erroneous reading of the actual location of the tire 750, which may cause a reduction in the mounting accuracy of the weight 70. To achieve the same result, it is not preferred that the straight thread be exactly aligned with the angle of projection of the sensor Q, although still other constructions are possible.

  The sensor O can be calibrated to ensure proper reading of the distance and angle of the projection beam 816. One possible calibration embodiment using two calibration rules 840.1 and 840.2 is shown in FIG. The first calibration ruler 840.1 is disposed on the horizontal surface of the conveyor frame 784. The second calibration ruler 840.2 is fixed to the removable frame support 844. The distances and angles between both calibration rulers 840.1 and 840.2 are known and both calibration rulers 840.1 to accurately identify the location, distance and projection angle of sensor O relative to conveyor 780. , 840.2 may be used. The calibration ruler 840.1 is embodied on a transparent support plate 848 through which the projection beam 816 of the sensor O can be passed to reach the second calibration ruler 840.2. . In order to adapt to the angle of the projection beam 816 that needs to reach the inner diameter of the wheel 748, the second calibration ruler 840.2 is a temporary and removable support at a predetermined height above the conveyor 780. It is placed on top of the 844.

  In FIG. 37 and the following description, a brief and general description of an exemplary computing device is presented, upon which at least some aspects of the present invention may be relied upon for implementation. Certain aspects of the present invention are described in the general context of computer-executable instructions. The instructions are executed by a computer device that interacts with the robot 636. However, the method according to the invention may also be implemented by another device. Program modules may include routines, programs, objects, sequences, components, data structures, and other networked centralized applications, etc., as they are validated by the above-described sensors ( Perform one or more) tasks, or perform particular functions. Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, at least some aspects of the present invention can be practiced with other configurations, including programmable logic controllers, industrial handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessors, and the like. It includes based or programmable consumer electronics, network computers, minicomputers, set top boxes, mainframe computers etc. At least some aspects of the present invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in local and / or remote memory storage devices 1164.

  Referring to FIG. 37, an exemplary apparatus 1100 for implementing at least some aspects of the present invention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a conventional computer 1120. The computer 1120 may include a processing unit 1121, a system memory 1122 and a system bus 1123, which connects various system components including the system memory 1122 to the processing unit 1121. The system bus 1123 can be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory can include read only memory (ROM) 1124 and / or random access memory (RAM) 1125. A basic input / output system 1126 (BIOS) may be stored in the ROM 1124 including basic routines that assist information transfer between elements in the computer 1120, such as during start up. The computer 1120 is a hard disk drive 1127 for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown), a magnetic disk drive 1128 for reading from or writing to a (eg removable) magnetic disk 1129, and An optical disc drive 1130 may also be included for reading from or writing to removable (magnetic) optical discs 1131 such as compact discs or other (magnetic) optical media. The hard disk drive 1127, the magnetic disk drive 1128 and the (magnetic) optical disk drive 1130 can be connected to the system bus 1123 via the hard disk drive interface 1132, the magnetic disk drive interface 1133 and the (magnetic) optical disk drive interface 1134, respectively. These drives and their associated storage media provide nonvolatile (or persistent) storage of machine readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for computer 1120. The exemplary environment described herein employs hard disks, removable magnetic disks 1129 and removable optical disks 1131, but as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges Other types of storage media, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), etc. may be used in place of or in addition to the storage device 1164 described above.

  A plurality of program modules may be stored in hard disk 1127, magnetic disk 1129, (magnetic) optical disk 1131, ROM 1124 or RAM 1125, which may be, for example, operating system 1135 (eg Microsoft (Redmond, Washington, Windows (R) NT.RTM. 4.0), one or more application programs 1136, other program modules 1137 (e.g. "Alice", which are available from www.Alice.org, sold by the Corporation). Research system developed by the Carnegie Mellon University User Interface Group, OpenGL by Silicon Graphics Inc. of Mountainview, California, or Direct 3D by Microsoft Corporation of Bellevue, Washington, and / or program day It is 1138.

  A user can enter instructions and information into computer 1120 through input devices, such as, for example, a keyboard 1140, a camera 1141 and a pointing device 1142. Also include other input devices (not shown) such as microphones, joysticks, game pads, parabola antennas, scanners, touchscreens, accelerometers etc. adapted to sense user movement or device movement. it can. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 1121 via a serial port interface 1146 connected to the system bus. However, the input device can also be connected via other interfaces such as parallel port, game port, Bluetooth connection or universal serial bus (USB). For example, the video camera 1141 can be connected to the system bus 1123 via a video capture card (not shown) because the bandwidth of the camera 1141 may be too wide for the serial port. A video monitor 1147 or other type of display device may also be connected to the system bus 1123 via an interface such as, for example, a video adapter 1148. Video adapter 1148 may include a graphics accelerator. One or more speakers 1162 can be connected to the system bus 1123 via a sound card 1161 (eg, a wavetable synthesizer such as Milpitas, California's Creative® Labs product number AWE64 Gold Card, etc.). In addition to monitor 1147 and speaker (s) 1162, computer 1120 may include other peripheral output devices (not shown) such as, for example, a printer. As an alternative to or in addition to video monitor 1147, a stereo video output device may be used, such as a head mounted display or LCD shutter glass.

  Computer 1120 can operate in a networked environment that provides a logical connection to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer 1149. The remote computer 1149 may be another personal computer, server, router, network PC, peer device, or other common network node, and although only the memory storage device 1164 is shown in FIG. Can include many or all of the components described above in connection with.

  If a LAN is used, the computer 1120 can be connected to the LAN 1151 via a network interface adapter (or “NIC”) 1153. If a WAN, such as the Internet, is used, computer 1120 can include a modem 1154 or other means to establish communications over wide area network 1152 (eg, Wi-Fi, WinMax). A modem 1154, which can be internal or external, can be connected to the system bus 1123 via a serial port interface 1146. In a networked environment, at least a portion of the program modules depicted in connection with computer 1120 may be stored on a remote memory storage device. The illustrated network connections are exemplary and other means of establishing communication links between multiple computers may be used.

  Referring now to FIG. 38, an exemplary control module 1266 used to control the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 is depicted. Control module 1266 communicates with a plurality of modules, such as supply module 1270, feed module 1274, dispense module 1278, mounting module 1282, and transport module 1086. Each module is operatively connected to control module 1266. The sensors shown in FIG. 38 are listed in Table 1 above with additional details.

  A general flow chart of the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. In this case, the process begins at step 1300, which receives the mass needed for wheel balancing. The mass required for wheel balancing is provided by another system, which rotates the wheel and tire assembly to provide the required location for balancing the wheel and tire assembly and Identify the mass. The balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 may be part of the present application, although it does not disclose details regarding this stage. Next, at step 1304, wheel balancing weights 70 are provided. At step 1308, the weight 70 is sent to the balancing weight attachment device 10. Next, in step 1312, weights 70 are allocated to be equivalent to the required balancing mass. At step 1316, the wheel and tire structure is analyzed and at step 1320, the mounting location (s) of the wheel balancing weights 70 are identified. Finally, weights 70 are provided and secured to the wheels 748 by the tool 640.

  Referring to FIG. 40, a flow chart of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment uses a tool 640 without the sensor, which tool 640 is provided by steps 1334, 1338, 1342 and 1346 to identify the trajectory and location of the weight 70 to be fixed to the wheel 748. Use data If the condition "no" of step 1362 is satisfied, a "wait" step may be added between step 1362 and step 1358.

  The flow chart of FIG. 41 illustrates one embodiment associated with spool management schematically illustrated in FIGS. The operation of the spool axial actuation mechanism to receive and supply the spool from the spool receptacle is shown in an exemplary series of steps 1380-1416.

  Steps 1420-1436 of FIG. 42 are directed to one embodiment of the present invention directed to adjusting feed module 30 in the transverse direction when strip 74 moves laterally as it is unwound from the wide spool. It is illustrated.

  Referring to FIG. 43, a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of aligning the strips 74 is illustrated. As best seen in FIG. 11, the strip feed module 30 is configured to move the strip 74 laterally beyond a predetermined threshold which, if sensed by the sensor D, corrects this situation. Is operated sideways. Between the first step 1450 and the last step 1506, exemplary steps are shown.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 44 includes a series of steps 1520-1580, which illustrate the sending of a new strip 74 in the feed module 30 of the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10. Here, the retracting and advancing motions of the toothed feed wheel 412 are described to properly engage the weight 70.

  Embodiments of the balancing weight attachment apparatus 10 using the toothed drive wheel 412 and the tool 640 may use the subsequent steps 1600-1636 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 46 relates to counting weights 70 and blocking the strip 74 before cutting the strip 74, as shown in steps 1650-1666. It is desirable to block the strip 74 to avoid the risk of interference between the means for cutting the strip 74 and the weight 70. When cutting of the strip 74 is performed, any movement of the strip 74 is blocked.

  Another exemplary sequence for cutting and blocking strips 74 is shown in FIG. 47, along with a series of steps 1680-1712. One step can be added between steps 1662 and 1666, which causes the robot to stand by at an appropriate position before releasing the strip 74.

  The aforementioned storage loops 378, 386 of the strip 74 are controlled to maintain a predetermined loop range. Steps 1720-1736 of FIG. 48 and steps 1750-1766 of FIG. 49 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention.

  While the present invention has been described in conjunction with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and elements, and vice versa It is intended to cover various modifications, combinations of features, equivalent constructions and equivalent elements that fall within the concept and scope of the appended claims. Additionally, the dimensions delimiting the components recited herein and their sizes may be different from the sizes that may be depicted in the drawings recited herein. Thus, it is intended herein that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of the present invention provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

A wheel balancing weight mounting device,
The device comprises a supply module, a control module and a mounting module.
The supply module includes a first wheel balancing weight strip and a second wheel balancing weight strip, and the first wheel balancing weight strip and the second wheel balancing weight strip have different wheel balancing weights. Including the characteristics,
The control module is operatively connected to the sensor of the wheel balancing weight mounting device to identify the characteristics of the wheel;
The mounting module secures a selected portion of the wheel balancing weight strip to the wheel, wherein the selection of wheel balancing weights from the first wheel balancing weight strip and the second wheel balancing weight strip Is performed based on the identified characteristics of the wheel,
Wheel balancing weight mounting device. The first wheel balancing weight strip is sent by a first feed module and the second wheel balancing weight strip is sent by a second feed module.
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. A wheel balancing weight strip of predetermined length is cut by one of the first dispensing module and the second dispensing module.
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. The at least one sensor sensing the wheel is an imaging device,
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. Sensing of the wheel is performed without stopping the wheel moving towards a wheel balancing weight mounting position,
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. The characteristics of the wheel are identified without resorting to a database containing wheel characteristics,
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the color of the wheel balancing weight,
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the shape of a wheel balancing weight.
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the mass of the wheel balancing weight,
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the structure of a wheel balancing weight.
The wheel balancing weight mounting device according to claim 1. A method of mounting a wheel balancing weight strip, said method comprising
Selectively supplying a first strip of wheel balancing weight portions and a second strip of wheel balancing weight portions, provided that the first wheel balancing weight strips and the second wheel balancing weight strips are different , Including different wheel balancing weight characteristics,
Sensing the wheel,
Identifying characteristics of the sensed wheel;
Selecting a wheel balancing weight from the first wheel balancing weight strip and the second wheel balancing weight strip based on the identified characteristics of the wheel, and a portion of the selected wheel balancing weight strip Attached to the wheel,
including,
How to attach the wheel balancing weight strip. The method further includes sending the first wheel balancing weight strip by a first feed module, and sending the second wheel balancing weight strip by a second feed module.
The method of claim 11. The method comprises cutting a portion of the first wheel balancing weight strip by a first dispensing module and cutting a portion of the second wheel balancing weight strip by a second dispensing module. In addition,
The method of claim 11. Sensing the wheel includes taking an image of the wheel,
The method of claim 11. Sensing of the wheel is performed without stopping the wheel moving towards a wheel balancing weight mounting position,
The method of claim 11. Identify the characteristics of the wheel without relying on a database containing the wheel characteristics,
The method of claim 11. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the color of the wheel balancing weight,
The method of claim 11. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the shape of a wheel balancing weight.
The method of claim 11. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the mass of the wheel balancing weight,
The method of claim 11. The wheel balancing weight characteristics include the structure of a wheel balancing weight.
The method of claim 11.

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