B23P19/069

AUTOMATED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLE WHEELS AND TIRES

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

TORQUE WRENCH SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE TORQUE STATIONS

An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.

SIMULTANEOUS RUN-IN DRIVING TOOL
20200223021 · 2020-07-16 ·

A driving tool for driving jackset screws includes an input shaft, output shafts, gear assembly, driver heads, and a yoke. The input shaft is configured to receive torque. The first and second output shafts are operably connected to the input shaft via the gear assembly. The gear assembly includes a differential gear assembly rotatably engaged with the input shaft. The first driver head is attached to a distal end of the first output shaft. The second driver head is attached to a distal end of the second output shaft. The yoke is connected to and extends between ends of the first and second output shafts. The yoke defines a position of the distal ends of the first and second shafts relative to each other and is configured to adjust a distance between the first and second driver heads.

Automated removal and replacement of vehicle wheels and tires

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

WHEEL LOCK KEY ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL LOCK KEY RETENTION MECHANISM
20200139760 · 2020-05-07 ·

A wheel lock key assembly includes a wheel lock key portion configured to engage with keyslot features on a wheel lock. A driving tool coupling portion is connected to the wheel lock key portion and includes a surface structured to be rotationally coupled to a driving tool so as to enable rotation of the wheel lock key portion by the driving tool by a force acting on the surface. The surface extends along a plane extending parallel to the wheel lock key portion rotational axis. A retaining member is deformable to vary a radial distance the exterior surface extends from the rotational axis. A retaining member deformation mechanism is actuatable to deform the retaining member to vary the radial distance, such that the exterior surface extends at least a predetermined distance past the plane prior to rotational coupling of the wheel lock key assembly to the driving tool.

Automated Removal and Replacement of Vehicle Wheels and Tires

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Torque controlled driver apparatus and method

Embodiments herein relate to torque controlled drivers to simultaneously drive fasteners to secure a thermal transfer device to an integrated circuit package. In various embodiments, a torque controlled driver may include a gearbox, a driver with a torque controller and a motor with a rotating shank, a motor gear coupled concentrically with the rotating shank, a bit drive gear in rotational engagement with the motor gear to drive a bit sized to drive a fastener to secure a thermal transfer device to an integrated circuit package, where the gearbox is to hold the motor gear in a position about a motor gear rotational axis and the drive gear about a drive gear rotational axis such that the motor gear and the bit drive gear maintain rotational engagement as the motor gear rotates. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Tool switching/holding device and robot system
10562141 · 2020-02-18 · ·

Provided is a tool switching/holding device including: a base; a Y-axis slide base; a Y-axis actuator that moves the Y-axis slide base in a Y-axis direction; X-axis slide bases that are provided on the Y-axis slide base; tool mounting members that are provided on the X-axis slide bases and on which a tool is mounted; an X-axis actuator that selectively holds one of the tool mounting members and that moves the held tool mounting member in the X-axis direction; and retreating/locking sections that cause the tool mounting member other than the tool mounting member that is selectively held by the X-axis actuator to retreat to a position away from the X-axis actuator in the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction and that lock the retreating tool mounting member.

PORTABLE ROADSIDE ASSISTANT SYSTEMS
20200039304 · 2020-02-06 ·

A portable roadside assistant device; a system which includes a tool designed to ease the process of removing and changing a tire for any user. The present invention is superior to other systems in that it effectively automatically loosens and tightens lug nuts to assist users in changing a flat tire.

FASTENING METHOD

This fastening method is a method for fastening a plurality of types of fastening members stored in a cartridge, the cartridge includes a plurality of attachments, the attachment has one end in which a first fitting part that fits to a fastening force receiving part of a corresponding fastening member of the plurality of types of fastening members is formed and another end in which a second fitting part that fits to a fastening force working part of the fastening means is formed, and the cartridge is supplied in a state in which the plurality of types of fastening members and the plurality of attachments are arranged based on the order of fastening the plurality of types of fastening members to the object to be fastened.