CA2521351A1 - Valve stem installation system and method of installing valve stem - Google Patents
Valve stem installation system and method of installing valve stem Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2521351A1 CA2521351A1 CA002521351A CA2521351A CA2521351A1 CA 2521351 A1 CA2521351 A1 CA 2521351A1 CA 002521351 A CA002521351 A CA 002521351A CA 2521351 A CA2521351 A CA 2521351A CA 2521351 A1 CA2521351 A1 CA 2521351A1
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- Prior art keywords
- valve stem
- aperture
- set forth
- wheel
- sensor
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- Abandoned
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 26
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 title abstract description 9
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 abstract description 7
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 14
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N methamphetamine Chemical compound CN[C@@H](C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001934 delay Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- B60C25/00—Apparatus or tools adapted for mounting, removing or inspecting tyres
- B60C25/18—Tools for mounting or demounting air valves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
- B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P19/04—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Automatic Assembly (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
Abstract
A valve stem installation system includes a robotic arm for moving a valve stem insertion device around the lip of wheel. The system also includes a pair of valve stem aperture sensors positioned on the robotic arm adjacent the valve stem insertion device and moveable around the lip of the wheel. The sensors can be positioned on opposite sides of the valve stem insertion device. When the first sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be slowed. When the second sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be stopped. The conveyor unit can include an identification station to sense the configuration of the wheel. A
controller can select the appropriate valve stem to insert in the valve stem aperture in response to the sensed configuration of the wheel.
controller can select the appropriate valve stem to insert in the valve stem aperture in response to the sensed configuration of the wheel.
Description
VALVE STEM INSTALLATION SYSTEM AND
METHOD OF INSTALLING VALVE STEM
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the provisional patent application 60/453,262 for a VALVE STEM INSTALLATI~N SYSTEM AN7~
METH~D ~F INSTALLING VALVE STEM, filed on March 10, 2003, and claims the benefit of the provisional patent application 60/460,153 for a TIRE PRESSURE
M~NIT~RING VALVE STEM 1NSTALLATI~N SYSTEM AND METH~I~ ~F
INSTALLING TIRE PRESSURE M~NITORING VALVE STEM, filed April 3, 2003, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
METHOD OF INSTALLING VALVE STEM
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the provisional patent application 60/453,262 for a VALVE STEM INSTALLATI~N SYSTEM AN7~
METH~D ~F INSTALLING VALVE STEM, filed on March 10, 2003, and claims the benefit of the provisional patent application 60/460,153 for a TIRE PRESSURE
M~NIT~RING VALVE STEM 1NSTALLATI~N SYSTEM AND METH~I~ ~F
INSTALLING TIRE PRESSURE M~NITORING VALVE STEM, filed April 3, 2003, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject invention relates to the assembly of wheels, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for locating a valve stem aperture in a wheel and mounting the valve stem to the wheel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the past, a valve stem was manually mounted to a wheel with a stem-iliserting tool. Such manual processes are expensive because of the labor and time involved. In addition, operations performed manually axe subject to a relatively greater frequency of processing errors in comparison to robot-performed processes.
[0004] Several prior art patents disclose processes for mounting a valve stem to a wheel with programmable machines. For example, U.S. Patent No.
6,481,083 teaches a valve stem assembly line that includes an input conveyor to supply wheels, a locator station positioned at the end of the input conveyor to locate the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel, and a robotic manipulator to grasp the wheel in the locator station and to move the wheel to the mounting station where a valve stem is inserted. U.S. Patent No. 6,026,552 teaches a spinning device to spin the wheel, an optical sensor to locate the valve stem aperture while the wheel is spinning, and press fitting device that can slide relative to a wheel and insert a valve stem after the valve stem aperture has been located. U.S. Patent No. 5,940,960 teaches and automatic valve stemming apparatus including a spinning device to spin the wheel, an optical sensor to locate the valve stem aperture, and a valve stem insertion tool to insert a valve stem after the valve stem aperture has been located.
6,481,083 teaches a valve stem assembly line that includes an input conveyor to supply wheels, a locator station positioned at the end of the input conveyor to locate the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel, and a robotic manipulator to grasp the wheel in the locator station and to move the wheel to the mounting station where a valve stem is inserted. U.S. Patent No. 6,026,552 teaches a spinning device to spin the wheel, an optical sensor to locate the valve stem aperture while the wheel is spinning, and press fitting device that can slide relative to a wheel and insert a valve stem after the valve stem aperture has been located. U.S. Patent No. 5,940,960 teaches and automatic valve stemming apparatus including a spinning device to spin the wheel, an optical sensor to locate the valve stem aperture, and a valve stem insertion tool to insert a valve stem after the valve stem aperture has been located.
[0005] One of the areas of continuous development and research is the pursuit of flexible systems operable to receive and process several differently configured rims. Another area is the pursuit of less costly valve stem insertion devices.
Costliness can be defined by the capital investment required for putting the valve stem insertion system on the factory floor as well as the operating cost associated with the system. In pursuit of these goals, it would be desirable to develop a valve stem insertion system having improved flexibility, cost and efficiency.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Costliness can be defined by the capital investment required for putting the valve stem insertion system on the factory floor as well as the operating cost associated with the system. In pursuit of these goals, it would be desirable to develop a valve stem insertion system having improved flexibility, cost and efficiency.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] a The invention provides an apparatus and method for locating a valve stem aperture in a wheel and inserting the valve stem in the valve stem aperture.
The valve stem and the valve stem aperture are moved relative to one another at a predetermined relative speed in a first rotational direction along a craved path of the wheel perimeter to align the valve stem with the valve stern aperture. The valve stem is supported with a pin and the pin is moved around the wheel with a robotic apparatus. A
first sensor locates the valve stem apeuture when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path.
In response to the first sensor locating the valve stem aperture, the relative speed of movement between the valve stem and the valve stem aperhue is reduced. A second sensor locates the valve stem aperture when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path.
The valve stem and the valve stem aperture are moved relative to one another at a predetermined relative speed in a first rotational direction along a craved path of the wheel perimeter to align the valve stem with the valve stern aperture. The valve stem is supported with a pin and the pin is moved around the wheel with a robotic apparatus. A
first sensor locates the valve stem apeuture when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path.
In response to the first sensor locating the valve stem aperture, the relative speed of movement between the valve stem and the valve stem aperhue is reduced. A second sensor locates the valve stem aperture when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path.
[0007] One of the advantages of the present invention is that processing time for inserting the valve stem in the valve stem aperture is reduced.
Specifically, the relative movement between the valve stem and the valve stem aperture can be maximized prior to the locating step and the first and second sensor can be spaced from one another to accommodate the braking capacity of the system. In other words, the invention substantially eliminates time delays associated with confirming the location of the valve stem aperture that are common in prior art locating systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Specifically, the relative movement between the valve stem and the valve stem aperture can be maximized prior to the locating step and the first and second sensor can be spaced from one another to accommodate the braking capacity of the system. In other words, the invention substantially eliminates time delays associated with confirming the location of the valve stem aperture that are common in prior art locating systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[000] Figure 1 is an overhead schematic view of a valve stem installation system according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0010] Figure 2 is a side view of an identification station for the valve stem installation system shown in Figure 1 for identifying an individual wheel from a plurality of differently configured wheels;
[0011] Figure 3 is a top view of a portion of the valve stem installation system shown in Figures 1 and 2 showing pin stop assemblies positioned along a roller conveyor for preventing movement of a wheel along the roller conveyor;
[0012] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem installation system shown in Figures 1-3 showing a positioning device for positioning a wheel and a locating and inserting assembly for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel;
[0013] Figures 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem installation system shown in Figures 1-4 and offset ninety degrees fiom the view in Figure 4, showing the positioning device and the locating and inserting assembly;
[0014] Figure 6 is a side view of the valve stem installation system shown in Figure 1 with additional structural details; and [0015] Figure 7- 10 are perspective views illustrating a sequence of locating a valve stem aperture and inserting a valve stem in the valve stem aperture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring now to Figure 1, the present invention provides a method and apparatus 10 for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel. The apparatus 10 includes a conveyor 12 for moving wheels 14 past a robotic apparatus 16. Valve stems are inserted in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel 14 by the robotic apparatus 16. Wheels 14 can be received at a beginning 18 of the conveyor 12 and move in a direction 20 to an end 22 of the conveyor 12.
[0017] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, during movement of the wheel I4 between the beginning I8 and end 22 of the conveyor 12, the wheel 14 passes through an identification station 24. The identification station 24 can include a camera 26 for identifying the wheel 14 from a plurality of differently configured wheels. When a wheel 14 moves within the visual range of the camera 26, the camera 26 communicates an image of the wheel 14~ to a controller 28. The image includes structural features of the wheel 14 including the position of the valve stem aperture. The controller compares the image received from the camera 26 with a plurality of images stored in memory. The images in memory correspond to all of the differently configured wheels that can pass through the identification station 24. Each of the images stored in memory is associated with structural characteristics and physical dimensions of a corresponding wheel I4. The controller 28 controls processing steps performed downstream of the identification station 24 based, at least in part, on the physical dimensions of the wheel 14 identified from the image received from the camera 26.
[0018] Referring now to Figures 1 and 3, the conveyor 12 includes clutch-assisted, driven rollers 30 to move the wheel 14 from the identification station 24 to a first position 32 along the conveyor 12. The wheel 14 can move along the conveyor I2 in the direction 20 until the wheel 14 engages a pair of pin stops 34, 36.
The conveyor 12 includes undriven rollers 38 between the first position 32 and the pin stops 34, 36. The pin stops 34, 36 are actuated between an extended position above the conveyor 12 and a retracted position below the conveyor 12 to stop movement of the wheel I4 in the direction 20 along the conveyor 12. The pin stops 34, 36 are controlled in movement by the controller 28. Sensors (not shown) are positioned along the conveyor I2 to sense the position of the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 and communicate the sensed position of the wheel I4 to the controller 28.
[0019] Referring now to Figures 1 and 3-5, a positioning device 40 is disposed along the conveyor 12 adjacent the robotic apparatus 16. The positioning device 40 includes a first positioning mechanism 42 and a second positioning mechanism 44. The positioning mechanisms 42, 44 are substantially similar with respect to one another and are disposed along the conveyor 12 between the frst position 32 and a second position 46. The first positioning mechanism 42 includes a housing 47.
The housing 47 defines apertures 48, SO and 52 for receiving guide tracks 54, 56 and 58, respectively as best seen in figures 4~ and 5. The guide tracks 54, 56 and 58 guide movement of the housing 48 along the conveyor 12. A metal piston (not shown) is disposed internally of the guide track 58 and cooperate magnetically with the housing 48. For example, the housing 48 houses a magnet to attract the metal piston in the guide track 58. The piston is moved by selectively directing pressurized air to opposite sides of the piston in the guide track 58. The housing 4~8 moves in response to movement of the piston. The second positioning mechanism 44 is structured similarly and function similarly as the first positioning mechanism 4~2. For example, the second positioning mechanism 44 includes a housing 60 defining apertures 62, 64, 66 for receiving guide tracks 68, 70, 72, respectively, as best shown in figures 4 and 5. A metal piston is disposed internally of the guide track 72 and cooperates with the housing 60 to move the housing 60 along the conveyor 12. Movement of the pistons inside the tracks 58, 72 are controlled by the controller 28.
[0020] Refen-ing now to Figures 3-5, the first positioning mechanism 42 includes an engaging device 74 for engaging and moving the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12. The engaging device 74 is connected to the housing 47 and includes an arm 76 rotatable about an axis 78. An engaging portion 80 is disposed at the end of the arm 76 and is shaped to correspond to the shape of the wheel 14. During movement of the housing 47 along the conveyor 12 in the direction 20, the arm 76 is located in a first position shown in solid line in Figure 4. After the housing 47 has moved a predetermined distance along the conveyor 12 in the direction 20, the arm 76 is moved to a second position shown in phantom in Figure 4. The arm 76 is moved to the second position to prevent the engaging portion 80 from interfering with movement of a following wheel moving along the conveyor 12 and is therefore positioned below the conveyor 12. The positioning device 42 moves the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 to a position along the conveyor 12 at which the second positioning mechanism 44 can engage the wheel 14. The second positioning mechanism 44 includes an engaging device 82 structured similarly and functioning similarly as the first engaging device 74.
For example, the engaging device 82 includes an arm 84 rotatable about an axis 86 and an engaging portion 88 positioned at the end of the arm 84. The second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel 14 away from the robotic apparatus 16 after a valve stem has been inserted in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel, a process described in greater detail below. ~nce the second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel 14, the first positioning mechanism 42 moves a second wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 until the second wheel 14 engages a second pair of pin stops 90, 92.
[0021] Referring now to Figures 1 and 6, after the wheel 14 is positioned adjacent the robotic apparatus 16 by the positioning device 40, the robotic apparatus 16 inserts a valve stem in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel 14. The robotic apparatus 16 moves a locating and inserting assembly 90 around the wheel 14, shown schematically in Figures 1 and 6. The assembly 90 receives valve stems from one or more valve stem feeding stations 92 disposed along the conveyor 12. Each station 92 includes a hopper 94 for receiving valve stems and a sorting device 96 for sorting the valve stems and arranging the valve stems in an orientation to be received by the assembly 90. The different valve stem feeding stations 92 sort different configurations of valve stems. A nut runner 98 is attached to the assembly 90 to insert nuts on valve stems that require nuts. The nut runner 98 receives nuts from a nut feeding station 100 through a conduit 102. The station 100 can be disposed along the conveyor 12.
[0022] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the assembly 90 includes a locating device 104 and a stem inserting device 106. The locating device 104 includes a pair of light emitters, such as light emitter 108, and a pair of light receivers, such as light receiver 110. The inserting device 106 includes a valve stem holding pin 112, a support plate 114, and a moving device 116 for moving the holding pin 112 and the support plate 114 relative to one another.
[0023] The method for locating the valve stem aperture in the wheel is shown schematically in Figures 7-10. In Figure 7, the embodiment of the assembly 90a includes a pair of light emitters 108a and 108b, as well as a pair of light receivers 110a and 1 10b. The assembly also includes a support plate 114a and a valve stem holding pin 112a. The assembly 90a is moved around the wheel 14 in the direction 122. The light emitters 108a, 108b are disposed on an opposite side of a lip 120 of the wheel 14 with respect to the light receivers 110a, 110b. The valve stem aperture 118 is defined in the lip 120. The assembly 90a is moved in the direction 122 and the light receiver 110a receives light from the light emitter 108a through the valve stem aperture 118. The assembly 90a moves in the direction 122 at a predetermined angular velocity and is slowed by the controller 28 in response to the communication between the light emitter 108a and the light receiver 1 10a through the valve stem aperture 118.
[0024] Referring now to Figure 8, the assembly 90a is stopped after passing the valve stem aperture 118. Due to the delay between sensing the light by the first receiver 110a, signaling the controller 28, the assembly 90a typically passes the aperture 118 prior to stopping the robot 16. The assembly 90a is moved in the direction 124 until the light receiver 110b receives light from the light emitter 108b through the valve stem aperture 118, shown in Figure 9. In response to the communication between the light receiver 110b and the light emitter 108b through the valve stem aperture 118, the assembly 90a is moved in the direction 122 until the valve stem holding pin 112 is aligned with the aperture 118 and the valve stem is then inserted, as shown in Figure 10.
The assembly 90a moves much faster in the direction of avow 122 than in the direction of arrow 124 because more distance is typically traveled to first locate the aperture 118.
Once the aperture 118 is located, the assembly moves at a slower rate in the direction of avow 124 to determine a more precise location of the aperture 118 prior to aligning the stem holding pin 112a with the aperture 118.
[0025] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the valve stem is inserted in the valve stem aperture 118a defined in the lip 120a of the wheel 14 by engaging the moving device to move the valve stem holding pin 112 relative to the support plate 114. The moving device 116 includes a plate 126 attached to the robotic apparatus 16.
The moving device 116 also includes a cylinder 128 attached to the plate 126 and a rod 130 extendable and retractable with respect to the cylinder 128. The valve stem holding pin 112 is fixedly associated with the end of the rod 130 and the support plate 114 is rotatably associated with the cylinder 128. After the valve stem aperture 118 has been located the robotic apparatus moves the support plate 114 to engage the lip 120a of the wheel 14. The rod 130 is retracted in the cylinder 128, moving the valve stem holding pin 112 through the aperture 118a. The rod 130 is extended to remove the valve stem holding pin 112 from the aperture 118a, leaving the valve stem in the valve stem aperture 118a.
[0026] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, after the valve stem has been inserted in the valve stem aperture 118a, the second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel with the inserted valve stem along the conveyor 12 past the retracted pin stops 90-92. The wheel 14 now continues along the conveyor 12 for further processing operations.
[0027] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the incentive novelty exercises its utility. In addition, the reference nuanerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.
[000] Figure 1 is an overhead schematic view of a valve stem installation system according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0010] Figure 2 is a side view of an identification station for the valve stem installation system shown in Figure 1 for identifying an individual wheel from a plurality of differently configured wheels;
[0011] Figure 3 is a top view of a portion of the valve stem installation system shown in Figures 1 and 2 showing pin stop assemblies positioned along a roller conveyor for preventing movement of a wheel along the roller conveyor;
[0012] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem installation system shown in Figures 1-3 showing a positioning device for positioning a wheel and a locating and inserting assembly for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel;
[0013] Figures 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem installation system shown in Figures 1-4 and offset ninety degrees fiom the view in Figure 4, showing the positioning device and the locating and inserting assembly;
[0014] Figure 6 is a side view of the valve stem installation system shown in Figure 1 with additional structural details; and [0015] Figure 7- 10 are perspective views illustrating a sequence of locating a valve stem aperture and inserting a valve stem in the valve stem aperture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring now to Figure 1, the present invention provides a method and apparatus 10 for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel. The apparatus 10 includes a conveyor 12 for moving wheels 14 past a robotic apparatus 16. Valve stems are inserted in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel 14 by the robotic apparatus 16. Wheels 14 can be received at a beginning 18 of the conveyor 12 and move in a direction 20 to an end 22 of the conveyor 12.
[0017] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, during movement of the wheel I4 between the beginning I8 and end 22 of the conveyor 12, the wheel 14 passes through an identification station 24. The identification station 24 can include a camera 26 for identifying the wheel 14 from a plurality of differently configured wheels. When a wheel 14 moves within the visual range of the camera 26, the camera 26 communicates an image of the wheel 14~ to a controller 28. The image includes structural features of the wheel 14 including the position of the valve stem aperture. The controller compares the image received from the camera 26 with a plurality of images stored in memory. The images in memory correspond to all of the differently configured wheels that can pass through the identification station 24. Each of the images stored in memory is associated with structural characteristics and physical dimensions of a corresponding wheel I4. The controller 28 controls processing steps performed downstream of the identification station 24 based, at least in part, on the physical dimensions of the wheel 14 identified from the image received from the camera 26.
[0018] Referring now to Figures 1 and 3, the conveyor 12 includes clutch-assisted, driven rollers 30 to move the wheel 14 from the identification station 24 to a first position 32 along the conveyor 12. The wheel 14 can move along the conveyor I2 in the direction 20 until the wheel 14 engages a pair of pin stops 34, 36.
The conveyor 12 includes undriven rollers 38 between the first position 32 and the pin stops 34, 36. The pin stops 34, 36 are actuated between an extended position above the conveyor 12 and a retracted position below the conveyor 12 to stop movement of the wheel I4 in the direction 20 along the conveyor 12. The pin stops 34, 36 are controlled in movement by the controller 28. Sensors (not shown) are positioned along the conveyor I2 to sense the position of the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 and communicate the sensed position of the wheel I4 to the controller 28.
[0019] Referring now to Figures 1 and 3-5, a positioning device 40 is disposed along the conveyor 12 adjacent the robotic apparatus 16. The positioning device 40 includes a first positioning mechanism 42 and a second positioning mechanism 44. The positioning mechanisms 42, 44 are substantially similar with respect to one another and are disposed along the conveyor 12 between the frst position 32 and a second position 46. The first positioning mechanism 42 includes a housing 47.
The housing 47 defines apertures 48, SO and 52 for receiving guide tracks 54, 56 and 58, respectively as best seen in figures 4~ and 5. The guide tracks 54, 56 and 58 guide movement of the housing 48 along the conveyor 12. A metal piston (not shown) is disposed internally of the guide track 58 and cooperate magnetically with the housing 48. For example, the housing 48 houses a magnet to attract the metal piston in the guide track 58. The piston is moved by selectively directing pressurized air to opposite sides of the piston in the guide track 58. The housing 4~8 moves in response to movement of the piston. The second positioning mechanism 44 is structured similarly and function similarly as the first positioning mechanism 4~2. For example, the second positioning mechanism 44 includes a housing 60 defining apertures 62, 64, 66 for receiving guide tracks 68, 70, 72, respectively, as best shown in figures 4 and 5. A metal piston is disposed internally of the guide track 72 and cooperates with the housing 60 to move the housing 60 along the conveyor 12. Movement of the pistons inside the tracks 58, 72 are controlled by the controller 28.
[0020] Refen-ing now to Figures 3-5, the first positioning mechanism 42 includes an engaging device 74 for engaging and moving the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12. The engaging device 74 is connected to the housing 47 and includes an arm 76 rotatable about an axis 78. An engaging portion 80 is disposed at the end of the arm 76 and is shaped to correspond to the shape of the wheel 14. During movement of the housing 47 along the conveyor 12 in the direction 20, the arm 76 is located in a first position shown in solid line in Figure 4. After the housing 47 has moved a predetermined distance along the conveyor 12 in the direction 20, the arm 76 is moved to a second position shown in phantom in Figure 4. The arm 76 is moved to the second position to prevent the engaging portion 80 from interfering with movement of a following wheel moving along the conveyor 12 and is therefore positioned below the conveyor 12. The positioning device 42 moves the wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 to a position along the conveyor 12 at which the second positioning mechanism 44 can engage the wheel 14. The second positioning mechanism 44 includes an engaging device 82 structured similarly and functioning similarly as the first engaging device 74.
For example, the engaging device 82 includes an arm 84 rotatable about an axis 86 and an engaging portion 88 positioned at the end of the arm 84. The second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel 14 away from the robotic apparatus 16 after a valve stem has been inserted in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel, a process described in greater detail below. ~nce the second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel 14, the first positioning mechanism 42 moves a second wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 until the second wheel 14 engages a second pair of pin stops 90, 92.
[0021] Referring now to Figures 1 and 6, after the wheel 14 is positioned adjacent the robotic apparatus 16 by the positioning device 40, the robotic apparatus 16 inserts a valve stem in the valve stem aperture defined by the wheel 14. The robotic apparatus 16 moves a locating and inserting assembly 90 around the wheel 14, shown schematically in Figures 1 and 6. The assembly 90 receives valve stems from one or more valve stem feeding stations 92 disposed along the conveyor 12. Each station 92 includes a hopper 94 for receiving valve stems and a sorting device 96 for sorting the valve stems and arranging the valve stems in an orientation to be received by the assembly 90. The different valve stem feeding stations 92 sort different configurations of valve stems. A nut runner 98 is attached to the assembly 90 to insert nuts on valve stems that require nuts. The nut runner 98 receives nuts from a nut feeding station 100 through a conduit 102. The station 100 can be disposed along the conveyor 12.
[0022] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the assembly 90 includes a locating device 104 and a stem inserting device 106. The locating device 104 includes a pair of light emitters, such as light emitter 108, and a pair of light receivers, such as light receiver 110. The inserting device 106 includes a valve stem holding pin 112, a support plate 114, and a moving device 116 for moving the holding pin 112 and the support plate 114 relative to one another.
[0023] The method for locating the valve stem aperture in the wheel is shown schematically in Figures 7-10. In Figure 7, the embodiment of the assembly 90a includes a pair of light emitters 108a and 108b, as well as a pair of light receivers 110a and 1 10b. The assembly also includes a support plate 114a and a valve stem holding pin 112a. The assembly 90a is moved around the wheel 14 in the direction 122. The light emitters 108a, 108b are disposed on an opposite side of a lip 120 of the wheel 14 with respect to the light receivers 110a, 110b. The valve stem aperture 118 is defined in the lip 120. The assembly 90a is moved in the direction 122 and the light receiver 110a receives light from the light emitter 108a through the valve stem aperture 118. The assembly 90a moves in the direction 122 at a predetermined angular velocity and is slowed by the controller 28 in response to the communication between the light emitter 108a and the light receiver 1 10a through the valve stem aperture 118.
[0024] Referring now to Figure 8, the assembly 90a is stopped after passing the valve stem aperture 118. Due to the delay between sensing the light by the first receiver 110a, signaling the controller 28, the assembly 90a typically passes the aperture 118 prior to stopping the robot 16. The assembly 90a is moved in the direction 124 until the light receiver 110b receives light from the light emitter 108b through the valve stem aperture 118, shown in Figure 9. In response to the communication between the light receiver 110b and the light emitter 108b through the valve stem aperture 118, the assembly 90a is moved in the direction 122 until the valve stem holding pin 112 is aligned with the aperture 118 and the valve stem is then inserted, as shown in Figure 10.
The assembly 90a moves much faster in the direction of avow 122 than in the direction of arrow 124 because more distance is typically traveled to first locate the aperture 118.
Once the aperture 118 is located, the assembly moves at a slower rate in the direction of avow 124 to determine a more precise location of the aperture 118 prior to aligning the stem holding pin 112a with the aperture 118.
[0025] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, the valve stem is inserted in the valve stem aperture 118a defined in the lip 120a of the wheel 14 by engaging the moving device to move the valve stem holding pin 112 relative to the support plate 114. The moving device 116 includes a plate 126 attached to the robotic apparatus 16.
The moving device 116 also includes a cylinder 128 attached to the plate 126 and a rod 130 extendable and retractable with respect to the cylinder 128. The valve stem holding pin 112 is fixedly associated with the end of the rod 130 and the support plate 114 is rotatably associated with the cylinder 128. After the valve stem aperture 118 has been located the robotic apparatus moves the support plate 114 to engage the lip 120a of the wheel 14. The rod 130 is retracted in the cylinder 128, moving the valve stem holding pin 112 through the aperture 118a. The rod 130 is extended to remove the valve stem holding pin 112 from the aperture 118a, leaving the valve stem in the valve stem aperture 118a.
[0026] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, after the valve stem has been inserted in the valve stem aperture 118a, the second positioning mechanism 44 moves the wheel with the inserted valve stem along the conveyor 12 past the retracted pin stops 90-92. The wheel 14 now continues along the conveyor 12 for further processing operations.
[0027] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the incentive novelty exercises its utility. In addition, the reference nuanerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.
Claims
What is claimed is:
40. An apparatus for inserting a valve stem into a wheel having first and second lips each presenting opposite surfaces and a valve stem aperture defined in one of the first and second lips to receive the valve stem, said apparatus comprising:
a conveyance device for moving the wheel;
a robotic device sequentially movable around one of the first and second lips in first and second rotational directions for inserting the valve stem into the valve stem aperture; and a sensing device operatively communicating with said robotic device and movable with said robotic device between said first and second rotational directions thereby detecting a location of the valve stem aperture and aligning the valve stem with the valve stem aperture for inserting the valve stem into the valve stem aperture.
41. An apparatus as set forth in claim 40 wherein said sensing device is further defined by a pair of spaced support plates connected to said robotic device with each of said spaced support plates exposed to one of the opposite surfaces of one of the first and second lips.
42. An apparatus as set forth in claim 41 wherein said sensing device includes a first sensor defined in one of said spaced support plates.
43. An apparatus as set forth in claim 42 wherein said sensing device includes a pin extending from the other of said spaced support plates for holding and supporting the valve stem insertable in the valve stem aperture.
44. An apparatus as set forth in claim 43 wherein said sensing device includes a second sensor for locating the valve stem aperture and connected to said pin on an opposite side of said pin relative to said first sensor.
45. An apparatus as set forth in claim 44 wherein said first sensor includes a first optical emitter and a first optical receiver.
46. An apparatus as set forth in claim 45 wherein said second sensor includes a second optical emitter and a second optical receiver.
47. An apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said first optical emitter and said first optical receiver are aligned along a first path extending substantially parallel to said pin and said second optical emitter and said second optical receiver are aligned along a second path extending substantially parallel to said valve stem holding pin.
48. An apparatus as set forth in claim 47 wherein said conveyance device is further defined by a frame having a plurality of rollers and a motor for rotating said rollers for moving the wheel along said conveyance device.
49. An apparatus as set forth in claim 48 including an identification device being cooperable with said conveyance device for identifying configuration of the wheel as the wheel passes through said identification device.
50. An apparatus as set forth in claim 49 including a controller having a software program comprising a plurality of programmed path corresponding to a plurality of different configurations and dimensions of the wheel and the valve stem.
51. An apparatus as set forth in claim 50 wherein said controller is electronically communicated with said robotic device and said identification device for communicating said plurality of programmed path to said robotic device and said identification device with respect to different operational modes of said apparatus.
52. A method for inserting a valve stem into a wheel having a valve stem aperture defined in one of the first and second lips to receive the valve stem, said method comprising the steps of:
moving a valve stem and a valve stem aperture relative to one another in a first rotational direction along a curved path to align the valve stem with the valve stem aperture;
locating the valve stem aperture with a first sensor when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path; and moving the valve stem and the valve stem aperture relative to one another in a second rotational direction along the curved path to align the valve stem with the valve stem aperture; and locating the valve stem aperture with a second sensor when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a second predetermined angular distance from one another along the curved path while moving in a second rotational direction.
53. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of reducing a relative speed of the valve stem and the valve stem aperture relative to one another in the first rotational direction in response to first sensor locating the valve stem aperture.
54. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of positioning the first and second sensors on opposite sides of the valve stem along the curved path.
55. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of moving the valve stem and the valve stem aperture relative to one another at a greater speed in the first rotational direction than in the second angular direction.
56. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of moving the valve stem to the valve stem aperture with a robotic apparatus.
57. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of controlling the robotic apparatus in response to the first and second sensors.
58. An apparatus for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel comprising;
a first sensor for locating a valve stem aperture in the wheel, a tire stem pin for supporting the valve stem insertable in the valve stem aperture and connected to said first sensor, and a second sensor for locating the valve stern aperture and connected to said tire stem pin on an opposite side of said tire stem pin relative to said first sensor.
59. An apparatus as set forth in claim 58 including a robotic apparatus for moving said tire stem pin and said first and second sensors around the wheel for locating the valve stem aperture.
60. An apparatus as set forth in claim 58 wherein said first sensor includes a first optical emitter and a first optical receiver and said second sensor includes a second optical emitter and a second optical receiver.
61. An apparatus as set forth in claim 58 wherein said first optical emitter and said first optical receiver are aligned along a first path extending substantially parallel to said valve stem holding pin and said second optical emitter and said second optical receiver are aligned along a second path extending substantially parallel to said valve stem holding pin.
62. A method for inserting a valve stem into a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a work station proximate a robotic stemming assembly having first and second sensors and a stemmer;
moving the wheel to the work station;
moving the robotic stemming assembly around the wheel in a first direction until the first sensor detects the valve stem aperture;
moving the robotic stemming assembly around the wheel in a second direction until the second sensor detects and locates the valve stem aperture; and inserting the valve stem into the valve stem aperture with the stemmer.
63. A method as set forth of claim 62 including the step of providing a controller operably connected to the robotic stemming assembly.
64. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of signaling the controller with the first sensor a general location of the valve stem aperture.
65. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of signaling the controller the location of the valve stem aperture with the second sensor more precisely than the location signaled by the first sensor.
66. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of aligning the stemmer with the valve stem aperture in response to the signal generated by the second sensor.
67. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of moving the robotic stemming assembly in the first direction at a faster rate than the second direction.
68. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of receiving the wheel from the work station.
40. An apparatus for inserting a valve stem into a wheel having first and second lips each presenting opposite surfaces and a valve stem aperture defined in one of the first and second lips to receive the valve stem, said apparatus comprising:
a conveyance device for moving the wheel;
a robotic device sequentially movable around one of the first and second lips in first and second rotational directions for inserting the valve stem into the valve stem aperture; and a sensing device operatively communicating with said robotic device and movable with said robotic device between said first and second rotational directions thereby detecting a location of the valve stem aperture and aligning the valve stem with the valve stem aperture for inserting the valve stem into the valve stem aperture.
41. An apparatus as set forth in claim 40 wherein said sensing device is further defined by a pair of spaced support plates connected to said robotic device with each of said spaced support plates exposed to one of the opposite surfaces of one of the first and second lips.
42. An apparatus as set forth in claim 41 wherein said sensing device includes a first sensor defined in one of said spaced support plates.
43. An apparatus as set forth in claim 42 wherein said sensing device includes a pin extending from the other of said spaced support plates for holding and supporting the valve stem insertable in the valve stem aperture.
44. An apparatus as set forth in claim 43 wherein said sensing device includes a second sensor for locating the valve stem aperture and connected to said pin on an opposite side of said pin relative to said first sensor.
45. An apparatus as set forth in claim 44 wherein said first sensor includes a first optical emitter and a first optical receiver.
46. An apparatus as set forth in claim 45 wherein said second sensor includes a second optical emitter and a second optical receiver.
47. An apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said first optical emitter and said first optical receiver are aligned along a first path extending substantially parallel to said pin and said second optical emitter and said second optical receiver are aligned along a second path extending substantially parallel to said valve stem holding pin.
48. An apparatus as set forth in claim 47 wherein said conveyance device is further defined by a frame having a plurality of rollers and a motor for rotating said rollers for moving the wheel along said conveyance device.
49. An apparatus as set forth in claim 48 including an identification device being cooperable with said conveyance device for identifying configuration of the wheel as the wheel passes through said identification device.
50. An apparatus as set forth in claim 49 including a controller having a software program comprising a plurality of programmed path corresponding to a plurality of different configurations and dimensions of the wheel and the valve stem.
51. An apparatus as set forth in claim 50 wherein said controller is electronically communicated with said robotic device and said identification device for communicating said plurality of programmed path to said robotic device and said identification device with respect to different operational modes of said apparatus.
52. A method for inserting a valve stem into a wheel having a valve stem aperture defined in one of the first and second lips to receive the valve stem, said method comprising the steps of:
moving a valve stem and a valve stem aperture relative to one another in a first rotational direction along a curved path to align the valve stem with the valve stem aperture;
locating the valve stem aperture with a first sensor when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a first angular distance from one another along the curved path; and moving the valve stem and the valve stem aperture relative to one another in a second rotational direction along the curved path to align the valve stem with the valve stem aperture; and locating the valve stem aperture with a second sensor when the valve stem and the valve stem aperture are a second predetermined angular distance from one another along the curved path while moving in a second rotational direction.
53. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of reducing a relative speed of the valve stem and the valve stem aperture relative to one another in the first rotational direction in response to first sensor locating the valve stem aperture.
54. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of positioning the first and second sensors on opposite sides of the valve stem along the curved path.
55. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of moving the valve stem and the valve stem aperture relative to one another at a greater speed in the first rotational direction than in the second angular direction.
56. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of moving the valve stem to the valve stem aperture with a robotic apparatus.
57. A method as set forth in claim 52 including the step of controlling the robotic apparatus in response to the first and second sensors.
58. An apparatus for inserting a valve stem in a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel comprising;
a first sensor for locating a valve stem aperture in the wheel, a tire stem pin for supporting the valve stem insertable in the valve stem aperture and connected to said first sensor, and a second sensor for locating the valve stern aperture and connected to said tire stem pin on an opposite side of said tire stem pin relative to said first sensor.
59. An apparatus as set forth in claim 58 including a robotic apparatus for moving said tire stem pin and said first and second sensors around the wheel for locating the valve stem aperture.
60. An apparatus as set forth in claim 58 wherein said first sensor includes a first optical emitter and a first optical receiver and said second sensor includes a second optical emitter and a second optical receiver.
61. An apparatus as set forth in claim 58 wherein said first optical emitter and said first optical receiver are aligned along a first path extending substantially parallel to said valve stem holding pin and said second optical emitter and said second optical receiver are aligned along a second path extending substantially parallel to said valve stem holding pin.
62. A method for inserting a valve stem into a valve stem aperture defined by a wheel, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a work station proximate a robotic stemming assembly having first and second sensors and a stemmer;
moving the wheel to the work station;
moving the robotic stemming assembly around the wheel in a first direction until the first sensor detects the valve stem aperture;
moving the robotic stemming assembly around the wheel in a second direction until the second sensor detects and locates the valve stem aperture; and inserting the valve stem into the valve stem aperture with the stemmer.
63. A method as set forth of claim 62 including the step of providing a controller operably connected to the robotic stemming assembly.
64. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of signaling the controller with the first sensor a general location of the valve stem aperture.
65. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of signaling the controller the location of the valve stem aperture with the second sensor more precisely than the location signaled by the first sensor.
66. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of aligning the stemmer with the valve stem aperture in response to the signal generated by the second sensor.
67. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of moving the robotic stemming assembly in the first direction at a faster rate than the second direction.
68. A method as set forth in claim 62 including the step of receiving the wheel from the work station.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US46015303P | 2003-04-03 | 2003-04-03 | |
| US60/460,153 | 2003-04-03 | ||
| PCT/US2004/008889 WO2004094099A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 | 2004-03-24 | Valve stem installation system and method of installing valve stem |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2521351A1 true CA2521351A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
Family
ID=33310717
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002521351A Abandoned CA2521351A1 (en) | 2003-04-03 | 2004-03-24 | Valve stem installation system and method of installing valve stem |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2521351A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE112004000577T5 (en) |
| MX (1) | MXPA05010622A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2004094099A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN105479152A (en) * | 2015-12-18 | 2016-04-13 | 苏州凡特斯测控科技有限公司 | Alignment adjusting mechanism |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3558396B2 (en) * | 1995-01-06 | 2004-08-25 | 富士重工業株式会社 | Automatic tire valve insertion device for tubeless tires |
| US5940960A (en) * | 1997-01-21 | 1999-08-24 | Fori Automation, Inc. | Automatic valve stemming method and apparatus |
| US6481083B1 (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2002-11-19 | Burke E. Porter Machinery Company | Robotic apparatus and method for mounting a vale stem on a wheel rim |
| US6886231B2 (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2005-05-03 | Burke E. Porter Machinery Company | Robotic apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem on a wheel rim |
-
2004
- 2004-03-24 WO PCT/US2004/008889 patent/WO2004094099A1/en active Application Filing
- 2004-03-24 CA CA002521351A patent/CA2521351A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-03-24 DE DE112004000577T patent/DE112004000577T5/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-03-24 MX MXPA05010622A patent/MXPA05010622A/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2004094099A1 (en) | 2004-11-04 |
| WO2004094099B1 (en) | 2005-01-06 |
| DE112004000577T5 (en) | 2006-01-26 |
| MXPA05010622A (en) | 2006-04-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |