U.S. patent application number 10/824109 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for valve stem installation system and method of installing valve stem.
Invention is credited to Hoy, Brian, Pellerin, Dan, Sinke, Chad A..
Application Number | 20040187282 10/824109 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46205056 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040187282 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pellerin, Dan ; et
al. |
September 30, 2004 |
Valve stem installation system and method of installing valve
stem
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.
Inventors: |
Pellerin, Dan; (Howell,
MI) ; Sinke, Chad A.; (Hartland, MI) ; Hoy,
Brian; (Brighton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS, P.C.
THE PINEHURST OFFICE CENTER, SUITE #101
39400 WOODWARD AVENUE
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-5151
US
|
Family ID: |
46205056 |
Appl. No.: |
10/824109 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10824109 |
Apr 14, 2004 |
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10740296 |
Dec 18, 2003 |
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60453262 |
Mar 10, 2003 |
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60460153 |
Apr 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/221.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/53061 20150115;
B60C 25/18 20130101; Y10T 29/4941 20150115; Y10T 29/53591 20150115;
Y10T 29/49769 20150115; Y10T 29/49778 20150115; Y10T 29/53087
20150115; B23P 19/04 20130101; Y10T 29/49526 20150115; Y10T 29/4978
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
029/221.5 |
International
Class: |
B23P 019/04 |
Claims
1-16 (Canceled)
17. A method for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an
aperture formed therein comprising the steps of determining a
location of the aperture relative to a gauging station; coaxially
aligning a central axis of the aperture and a longitudinal axis of
the valve stem with respect to one another prior to insertion of
the valve stem through the aperture; and moving the valve stem
relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel during the
coaxially aligning step and along the aligned axes to insert the
valve stem through the aperture, the path of travel defined with a
programmable robotic manipulator having an arm capable of compound,
multi-axial movement and having a plurality of programmed paths
corresponding to a plurality of different size wheel rim and valve
stem combinations to be assembled.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the determining step further
comprises the step of: identifying at least one physical feature of
the rim with a machine vision system.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the aligning step further
comprises the step of: selectively moving the valve stem to the
gauging station from one of a plurality of valve stem delivery
stations in response to the determining step, each delivery station
having a differently configured valve stem mounted thereon.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein the determining step further
comprises the step of: identifying the rim as one of a plurality of
different types of rims in response to inspection with a machine
vision system.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein the determining step further
comprises the steps of: positioning the rim on a rotatable table;
directing an optical sensor at the rim; rotating the table and the
rim; and stopping rotation of the table and rim when the optical
sensor is directed at the aperture.
22. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:
tightening a nut over a threaded portion of the valve stem
extending from the rim after the valve stem has been inserted with
respect to the aperture.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the nut is tightened to the
valve stem by a nut runner mounted on the robotic manipulator.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein the nut is tightened to the
valve stem by a nut runner mounted adjacent to the gauging
station.
25. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:
conveying valve stems to the delivery station in a serial fashion
with conveying means.
26. The method of claim 17 wherein the moving step further
comprises the steps of: holding the rim substantially stationary;
and urging the valve stem toward the rim with the robotic
manipulator.
27. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: moving
the rim and attached valve stem from a gauging station to a
subsequent processing station such that the rim is oriented with
the valve stem in a predetermined angular position relative to the
subsequent processing station.
28. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: grasping
the valve stem with the robotic manipulator and moving along the
path of travel in response to computer-controlled signals.
29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of:
actuating the robotic manipulator to move the valve stem to the rim
located at a delivery station.
30. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: grasping
the valve stem with the robotic manipulator computer-controlled and
having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment articulatable and
positionable to be in a predetermined orientation with respect to
the aperture in the rim.
31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of:
orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location
with respect to the valve-stem-gripper-attachment as a result of
articulation and positioning of the valve-stem-gripper-attachment
by the robotic manipulator prior to the inserting step.
32. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of:
orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location
with respect to gauging station as a result of rotational movement
of the rim until the aperture is properly located with respect to
the gauging station prior to the inserting step; and the inserting
step performed with the valve-stem-gripper-attachment in a
predetermined position with respect to the gauging station as a
result of articulation and positioning of the
valve-stem-gripper-attachment by the robotic manipulator prior to
the inserting step.
33. An apparatus for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having
an aperture formed therein comprising: means for determining a
location of the aperture relative to a gauging station; means for
coaxially aligning the central axis of the aperture and a
longitudinal axis of the valve stem with respect to one another
prior to insertion of the valve stem through the aperture; and
means for moving the valve stem relative to the rim along a
programmable path of travel including alignment of the central axis
of the aperture with the longitudinal axis of the valve stem and
along the aligned axes to insert the valve stem through the
aperture, the path of travel defined with a programmable robotic
manipulator having arm capable of compound, multi-axial movement
and having a plurality of programmed paths corresponding to a
plurality of different size wheel rim and valve stem combinations
to be assembled.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for determining
further comprises: a machine vision system to identify at least one
physical feature of the rim.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the aligning means further
comprises: the robotic manipulator to selectively move the valve
stem from one of a plurality of delivery stations having different
valve stems mounted thereon in response to the identification by
the machine vision system.
36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for determining
further comprises: a machine vision system to identify the rim as
being one of a plurality of different rims.
37. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the means for tightening
further comprises: a nut runner mounted on the robotic
manipulator.
38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for tightening
further comprises: a nut runner mounted adjacent to a gauging
station where the valve stem is moved relative to the rim to insert
the valve stem with respect to the aperture.
39. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising: means for
supplying valve stems in a serial fashion to a delivery station
where the valve stem is moved relative to the rim to insert the
valve stem with respect to the aperture.
40. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the means for moving further
comprises: the robotic manipulator to urge the valve stem toward
the rim.
41. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising: the robotic
manipulator for moving the rim and attached valve stem from a
gauging station where the valve stem is mounted with respect to the
aperture to a processing station while maintaining the valve stem
in a predetermined angular position relative to the processing
station.
42. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising: means for
grasping the valve stem with the robotic manipulator
computer-controlled and having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment
articulatable and positionable to be in a predetermined orientation
with respect to the aperture in the rim.
43. The method of claim 42 further comprising: means for orienting
the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location as a
result of movement of the rim at the gauging station prior to the
valve stem being inserted by the robotic manipulator.
44. A method for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having an
aperture formed therein comprising the steps of: determining the
location of the valve stem aperture in the rim; and operably
engaging the valve stem with a robotic manipulator; moving the
valve stem relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel;
coaxially aligning the valve stem and the aperture; and inserting
at least a portion of the valve stem through the aperture in the
rim, wherein the path of travel is defined with a programmable
robotic manipulator having an arm capable of compound, multi-axial
movement and having a plurality of programmed paths corresponding
to a plurality of different size wheel rim and valve stem
combinations to be assembled.
45. The method according to 44 further comprising the steps of
operably engaging the valve stem and moving the valve stem towards
the rim.
46. The method according to claim 44 further comprising the step of
securing the valve stem to the rim by tightening a nut over a
threaded portion of the valve stem extending from the rim.
47. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of: grasping
the valve stem with the robotic manipulator computer-controlled and
having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment articulatable and
positionable to be in a predetermined orientation with respect to
the aperture in the rim.
48. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of:
orienting the aperture in the rim to a predetermined location
during movement of the valve stem with the robotic manipulator as a
result of articulation and positioning of the
valve-stem-gripper-attachment.
49. The method of claim 47 further comprising the step of:
orienting the aperture in the rim to a predetermined location at a
station prior to the inserting step.
50. An apparatus for assembling a valve stem to a wheel rim having
an aperture formed therein comprising: means for determining the
location of the valve stem aperture in the rim; and means for
operably engaging the valve stem; means for moving the valve stem
relative to the rim along a programmable path of travel; and means
for coaxially aligning the valve stem and the aperture to insert at
least a portion of the valve stem through the aperture in the rim,
wherein the path of travel is defined with a programmable robotic
manipulator having an arm capable of compound, multi-axial movement
and having a plurality of programmed paths corresponding to a
plurality of different size wheel rim and valve stem combinations
to be assembled.
51. The apparatus of claim 50 further comprising: means for
grasping the valve stem with the robotic manipulator
computer-controlled and having a valve-stem-gripper-attachment
articulatable and positionable to be in a predetermined orientation
with respect to the aperture in the rim.
52. The apparatus of claim 51 further comprising: means for
orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location
with respect to the valve-stem-gripper-attachment as a result of
articulation and positioning of the valve-stem-gripper-attachment
by the robotic manipulator prior to inserting the valve stem.
53. The apparatus of claim 52 further comprising: means for
orienting the aperture of the wheel rim in a predetermined location
with respect to gauging station as a result of rotational movement
of the rim until the aperture is located with respect to the
gauging station prior to inserting the valve stem; and the grasping
means including the valve-stem-gripper-attachment in a
predetermined position with respect to the gauging station as a
result of articulation and positioning of the
valve-stem-gripper-attachment by the robotic manipulator prior to
inserting the valve stem.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the provisional
patent application 60/453,262 for a VALVE STEM INSTALLATION SYSTEM
AND METHOD OF INSTALLING VALVE STEM, filed on Mar. 10, 2003, and
claims the benefit of the provisional patent application 60/460,153
for a TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE STEM INSTALLATION SYSTEM AND
METHOD OF INSTALLING TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE STEM, filed
Apr. 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
[0003] In the past, a valve stem was manually mounted to a wheel
with a stem-inserting tool. Such manual processes are expensive
because of the labor and time involved. In addition, operations
performed manually are 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.
Pat. 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. Pat. 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.
Pat. 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
[0006] 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 curved path of the wheel
perimeter to align the valve stem with the valve stem 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 aperture 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 aperture 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
[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:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an overhead schematic view of a valve stem
installation system according to the exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of an identification station for the
valve stem installation system shown in FIG. 1 for identifying an
individual wheel from a plurality of differently configured
wheels;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of a portion of the valve stem
installation system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing pin stop
assemblies positioned along a roller conveyor for preventing
movement of a wheel along the roller conveyor;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem
installation system shown in FIGS. 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] FIGS. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the valve stem
installation system shown in FIGS. 1-4 and offset ninety degrees
from the view in
[0014] FIG. 4, showing the positioning device and the locating and
inserting assembly;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the valve stem installation system
shown in FIG. 1 with additional structural details; and
[0016] FIGS. 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
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 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.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, during movement of the wheel
14 between the beginning 18 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 28 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 14. 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.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 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 12 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 14 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 12 to sense the position of the
wheel 14 along the conveyor 12 and communicate the sensed position
of the wheel 14 to the controller 28.
[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 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 first position 32
and a second position 46. The first positioning mechanism 42
includes a housing 47. The housing 47 defines apertures 48, 50 and
52 for receiving guide tracks 54, 56 and 58, respectively as best
seen in FIGS. 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 48 moves in response to movement of the piston. The second
positioning mechanism 44 is structured similarly and function
similarly as the first positioning mechanism 42. 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 FIGS. 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.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 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 FIG.
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 FIG. 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 defmed by the wheel, a process described
in greater detail below. Once 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.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 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 FIGS. 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.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 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.
[0024] The method for locating the valve stem aperture in the wheel
is shown schematically in FIGS. 7-10. In FIG. 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 110b. 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 110a through the valve
stem aperture 118.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 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
FIG. 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 FIG. 10. The assembly 90a moves
much faster in the direction of arrow 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 arrow 124 to
determine a more precise location of the aperture 118 prior to
aligning the stem holding pin 112a with the aperture 118.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 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.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 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.
[0028] 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 numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are
not to be read in any way as limiting.
* * * * *