Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of adhesive weighted tape includes a controller adapted to receive a request for a desired amount of adhesive weighted tape and an elongated track member adapted to receive a supply of the adhesive weighted tape. A sensor is mounted adjacent a second end of the track member. The sensor in communication with the controller is operable to transmit a signal to the controller corresponding to a measured amount of weighted tape passing thereby. A motive apparatus in communication with the controller is adapted to move the weighted tape from a first end to the second end of the track member in response to the signal from the sensor. A cutting member disposed adjacent the second end of the track member is in communication with the controller and is adapted to cut the weighted tape in response to the signal from the sensor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to automotive wheels and wheel assemblies and, in particular, to an apparatus for dispensing adhesive wheel weights for wheel assemblies. 
     In automobile assembly plants, wheel assemblies, which typically include a flanged wheel having a tire attached thereto, are balanced prior to installation on the vehicle. The wheel assembly is attached to a balancing machine, which analyzes the wheel assembly and provides an output to an operator indicating an amount equal to a weight necessary to balance the wheel assembly. The operator then selects a corresponding weight from a container adjacent his or her workstation. Typically, the workstation includes a large number of containers with weights ranging from ¼ ounce to nine ounces. For example, there may be as many as 36 individual containers, with the operator required to choose the weight needed from the correct container and also keep track of which of the 36 containers are running low on weights and correctly order more parts to fill these containers. A typical prior art wheel assembly having a flanged wheel includes at least one location for attaching “pound on” wheel weights thereto for balancing the wheel assembly prior to attaching the assembly to the vehicle. These weights are typically constructed of lead alloy. The malleable material properties of the lead alloy allow the weight to conform to the attachment point of the wheel flange. 
     With the introduction of flangeless wheels, the traditional method of balancing tires with the lead alloy “pound on” wheel weights is impractical because there is no location for attaching the “pound on” wheel weights. As a result, adhesive attachment is an alternative method of attaching weights to wheel assemblies. By providing wheel weights on adhesive tape, the wheel weights easily conform to the radius of the wheel. But again, the workstation needs a large number of individual containers. Moreover, vehicle production may be mixing flanged and flangeless wheels, thus requiring containers for both conventional “pound on: weights as well as adhesive attached wheel weights. Consequently, the space required for wheel weight material on the assembly line is prohibitive. Also, the burden on the operator of choosing the weights from one of the very large number of containers, as well as ordering correct replacement parts, is more than is desirable. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to provide an apparatus for providing and dispensing wheel weights attached to adhesive tape that does not occupy much space in the assembly line. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of adhesive weighted tape includes a controller adapted to receive a request for a desired amount of adhesive weighted tape and an elongated track member adapted to receive a supply of the adhesive weighted tape. A sensor is mounted adjacent a second end of the track member. The sensor in communication with the controller is operable to transmit a signal to the controller corresponding to a measured amount of weighted tape passing thereby. A motive apparatus in communication with the controller is adapted to move the weighted tape from a first end to the second end of the track member in response to the signal from the sensor. A cutting member disposed adjacent the second end of the track member is in communication with the controller and is adapted to cut the weighted tape in response to the signal from the sensor. 
     In operation, the adhesive wheel dispensing apparatus is fed a signal from the tire balancing equipment describing the correct mass of weight material required to balance a tire and wheel. The apparatus draws wheel weight material from a spool and, using a sensor such as a photo electric eye, counts the number of weight segments. After the correct number of segments has been advanced from the spool, a cutting edge mounted to a linear actuator, such as an electric or pneumatic powered cylinder, advances to slice through the adhesive tape. The trimmed material then falls into a tray where the operator selects it and applies it to the waiting tire and wheel assembly. 
     When the weight material is dispensed from a spool, the need to provide as many as 36 containers of pre-packaged wheel weights (in ¼ oz. increments) is eliminated, which saves both line space for the material and the logistics of accounting for 36 container part numbers. Even on a line with mixed flanged and flangeless wheels, the number of containers and line space is significantly reduced. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention is compatible with steel and copper alloy wheel weights. The apparatus is very compact, which saves assembly line space, is capable of communicating directly with the tire balancing equipment, which reduces potential error, and is capable of keeping up with the assembly line speed. The apparatus also will lend itself to the development of the robotic application of wheel weights. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of adhesive weighted tape in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view in an enlarged scale of the encircled portion  2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of adhesive weighted tape in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary perspective end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart view of a method of operating the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of weighted tape in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a motive apparatus, indicated generally at  12 , in communication with and operable to selectively move a supply of weighted adhesive tape  14 . The adhesive tape  14  includes a plurality of weight segments or weights  16  disposed thereon. The weights  16  are preferably formed of a steel alloy or the like. The adhesive tape  14  is preferably double-sided adhesive tape wherein the weights  16  are embedded in the adhesive on one of the sides of the tape  14  and a backing member (not shown) is attached to the other side of the tape  14  to protect the adhesive on the opposite side. Each of the weights  16  preferably has a predetermined and equal weight value, such as two ounces, ¼ ounce or the like. The weights  16  are preferably evenly spaced along the length of the tape  14  and include a gap of a predetermined distance therebetween. The supply of adhesive tape  14  is coiled about and is operable to be dispensed from a spool member  18  that rotates about a central shaft  20 . The shaft  20  may be a part of the spool member  18  or may be a distinct member upon which an aperture (not shown) of the spool member  18  is placed for rotation therearound. The term “spool” as used herein can include other forms of storing the weighted adhesive tape  14  prior to use, but is the preferred way to do so. 
     The motive apparatus  12  includes a motor  22  having a drive shaft  24  extending therefrom. The motor  22  is preferably an electric motor and is connected to an electrical power source (not shown). A gear  26  on a free end of the drive shaft  24  engages with a drive chain, shown partially schematically at  28 , that in turn engages with corresponding gears  30  extending from a pair of drive rollers  32 . Alternatively, the drive shaft  24  may directly engage with the gears  30  of the drive rollers  32  without the use of a drive chain or employ a similar attachment means, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. An elongated track member  34  is disposed adjacent and preferably attached to a housing  36  for the motive apparatus  12  and includes a first end  38  adjacent the spool member  18  and a second end  40 . The adhesive tape  14  is operable to move along the track member  34 . The track member  34  is preferably formed of, or at least partially coated with, a teflon material, a nylon material, or the other low friction material and has a generally U-shaped cross section for receiving and supporting the adhesive tape  14 . 
     After a free end of the adhesive tape  14  is placed on the track member  34  at or near the first end  38 , the drive rollers  32  are operable to engage with the free end of the adhesive tape  14  and move the tape  14  from the first end  36  to the second end  40  of the track member  34 . A pair of guide rollers  42  are disposed on a side of the track member  34  opposite from the drive rollers  32 . The drive rollers  32  and the guide rollers  42  each contact the adhesive tape  14  on respective engaging surfaces and aid in maintaining the adhesive tape  14  in a vertical orientation within the track member  34  (i.e., the weights  16  are oriented parallel to the engaging surfaces of the rollers  32  and  42 ). 
     A guide frame  44  is disposed adjacent the second end  40  of the track member  34 . The frame  44  includes a sensor  46  attached at an upper portion thereof and a cutting member  48  disposed on a side surface thereof. The sensor  46  is preferably a photo electric eye, an electronic eye, or other sensing means capable of detecting an amount of dispensed tape  14 , the number of weight segments  16 , or other indicator relating to the weighted adhesive tape  14 . The sensor  46  is also in communication with a controller, discussed in more detail below, such as by an electrical connection through a wire  50 . The cutting member  48  is oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis  52  of the track member  34  and thus the adhesive tape  14 . A blade  49  of the cutting member  48  is operable to selectively extend outwardly from the cutting member  48 . The cutting member  48  also includes an engaging arm  47  extending outwardly therefrom and in communication with the blade  49  on one end and an actuator  45 , such as a pneumatic cylinder or the like on the end opposite the blade  49 . While the cutting member  48  is illustrated with a blade  49  for separating a portion of the adhesive tape  14  from the spool member  18 , other means of cutting may be employed, as are known to those skilled in the art. 
     A portion  54  of the second end  40  of the track member  34  is operable to pivot about a pivot point (not shown). An actuator  58  is disposed adjacent the pivoting portion  54  of the track member  34  and includes an extension member  60  in contact with the pivoting portion  54 . The extension member  60  engages with the pivoting portion  54  in a gap  62  formed between a pair of engaging fingers  64 , best seen in  FIG. 2 . The actuator  58  is operable to move the extension member  60  between an extended position and a retracted position in a direction indicated by an arrow  66  and thus move the pivoting portion  54  in a direction indicated by an arrow  68  between a first position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  52  of the track member  34  and a second position indicated by a line  70  during operation of the apparatus  10 , discussed in more detail below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  a schematic view of the apparatus  10  is shown. A controller  72  is in communication with the motive apparatus  12 , the sensor  46 , such as through the wire  50 , the cutting member  48 , and the actuator  58 . The controller  72  is preferably a microprocessor or similar computing means operable to receive, send, and process signals. The controller  72  is also preferably in communication with and operable to receive signals from a wheel balancer  74 . The wheel balancer  74  may be any type of wheel balancing apparatus capabilities known to those skilled in the art, preferably with the ability to communicate with the controller  72 . The signals sent from the wheel balancer  74  preferably correspond to a required amount of weights, such as the number of weight segments  16  or the amount of weight in ounces, needed to balance a tire and wheel assembly (not shown). The controller  72  is also operable to send signals to the motive apparatus  12  to commence and end operation of the motive apparatus  12 , to receive signals from the sensor  46 , and to send signals to the actuator  58  and the cutting member  48 , discussed in more detail below. The respective communication links between the controller  72  and the motive apparatus  12 , the sensor  46 , the cutting member  48 , the actuator  58 , and the wheel balancer  74  may be through a wired connection, such as the wire  50  on the sensor  46 , or through a wireless connection, such as a through corresponding transmitters and receivers on the controller  72 , the sensor  46 , the cutting member  48 , the actuator  58 , and the wheel balancer  74  or through other conventional means for communicating between such components. 
     In operation, an operator (not shown) places and attaches a tire and wheel assembly (not shown) on a tire balancer, such as the wheel balancer  74  of  FIG. 3 . The wheel balancer  74 , when operated by the operator, provides a signal to a controller, such as the controller  72  of  FIG. 3 . The signal sent from the wheel balancer  74  to the controller  72  corresponds to a required amount of weights to balance the tire and wheel assembly. The apparatus  10  is in a rest position, with the pivoting portion  54  in the first position parallel to the longitudinal axis  52  of the track member  34 . The controller  72  sends a signal to the motive apparatus  12  to engage the free end of the adhesive tape  14  and begin moving the adhesive tape  14  from the first end  38  to the second end  40  of the track member  34 . As the adhesive tape  14  passes by the guide frame  44 , the sensor  46  detects the weights  16  of the tape  14  as the weights  16  pass thereby. Each time a weight  16  passes by the sensor  46 , the sensor  46  provides a signal to the controller  72 , which increments a counter, for example (not shown). The free end of the adhesive tape  14  moves beyond the second end  40  of the track member  40 . When the counter equals the required amount of weights sent by the wheel balancer  74  to the controller  72 , the controller  72  sends respective signals to stop the motive apparatus  12  and actuate the actuator  58 . 
     After receiving the signal from the controller  72 , the actuator  58  moves the extension member  60  in the direction  66 , and one of the arms  64  engages the pivoting portion  54  and moves the pivoting portion  54  from the first position parallel to the longitudinal axis  52  to the second position  70 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The tape  14  remaining between the guide frame  44  and the second end  40  of the frame member  34  is also pivoted in the direction  68 , which exposes one of the gaps between the weights  16  in the tape  14 . When the pivoting portion  54  and the trapped portion of the tape  14  reaches the second position  70 , the controller  72  sends a signal to the actuator  45  of the cutting member  48 , which moves the engaging arm  47  and the blade  49  of the cutting member  48  towards the gap in the tape. The blade  49  cuts the tape  14  at the predetermined location, allowing the tape downstream of the frame  44  to drop to an operator accessible receiving location (not shown). 
     After the adhesive tape  14  has been cut, the controller  72  sends a signal to the actuator  58  and the other of the arms  64  of the extension member  60  moves the pivoting portion  54  from the second position  70  to the first position parallel to the longitudinal axis  52 . The operator then takes the cut adhesive tape  14  and attaches it to the tire and wheel assembly, preferably by removing the backing strip from the tape  14  and placing the adhesive on a predetermined mounting location (not shown) on the wheel. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an alternative embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing a predetermined amount of weighted tape in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at  10 ′. The apparatus  10 ′ includes a motive apparatus  12 ′ in communication with and operable to selectively move the supply of weighted adhesive tape  14 . The adhesive tape  14  includes the plurality of weights  16  disposed thereon. The supply of adhesive tape  14  is coiled about and is operable to be dispensed from a spool member, such as the spool member  18  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The motive apparatus  12 ′ includes a motor  22 ′ and a shuttle member  80 . The motor  22 ′ is preferably a reversible electric motor and is connected to an electrical power source (not shown). The motor  22 ′ is preferably connected to the shuttle member  80  by a gear and drive belt assembly (not shown) or similar connection that is operable to move the shuttle member  80  between a first end  82  and a second end  84  of a shuttle track  86  in a direction indicated by an arrow  88 . The shuttle member  80  includes a first gripper arm  90  and a second gripper arm  92  extending therefrom. The second gripper arm  92  includes a gripper shoe  93  on a free end thereof. The shuttle track  86  is arranged or oriented substantially parallel to the elongated track member  34  and the first end  82  is disposed adjacent the first end  38  and the second end is disposed adjacent the second end  40 . The adhesive tape  14  may be easily slid along the track member  34 . 
     The shuttle member  80  includes an actuator (not shown) that is operable to move the second gripper arm  92  and gripper shoe  93  in a direction indicated by an arrow  94  (i.e., either move the shoe  93  towards or away from the shuttle member  80 ). The motive apparatus  12 ′ is in communication with a controller, such as the controller  72  of  FIG. 3 . The apparatus  10 ′ also includes the guide frame  44 , the sensor  46  having the wire  50 , and the cutting member  48  having the engaging arm  47 , the actuator  45 , and the blade  49  of the apparatus  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The apparatus  10 ′ may also include an actuator and a pivoting portion of the track member  34  (not shown), such as the actuator  58  and the pivoting portion  54  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The controller  72  in the apparatus  10 ′ is in communication with the motive apparatus  12 ′, a wheel balancer, such as the wheel balancer  74  of  FIG. 3 , the cutting member  48  and the sensor  46  and the actuator  58 , if applicable, in a manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     In operation, an operator (not shown) places and attaches a tire and wheel assembly (not shown) on a tire balancer, such as the wheel balancer  74  of  FIG. 3 . The wheel balancer  74 , when operated by the operator, provides a signal to a controller, such as the controller  72  of  FIG. 3 . The signal sent from the wheel balancer  74  to the controller  72  corresponds to a required amount of weights to balance the tire and wheel assembly. The controller  72  sends a signal to the motive apparatus  12 ′ to engage the free end of the adhesive tape  14  and begin moving the adhesive tape  14  from the first end  38  to the second end  40  of the track member  34 . The motive apparatus  12 ′ moves the tape  14  by first engaging the motor  22 ′ to move the shuttle member  80  in the direction  88  towards the motor  22 ′. When the shuttle member  80  has reached a point close to the motor  22 ′ or has moved a predetermined distance, the shuttle  80  is stopped and the actuator on the shuttle  80  is activated to move the arm  92  and the shoe  93  towards the shuttle  80 , gripping the adhesive tape  14  between the shoe  93  and the track member  34  in the process. The motive apparatus  12 ′ then engages the motor  22 ′ in an opposite direction to move the shuttle  80  away from the motor  22 ′, moving the adhesive tape  14  from the first end  38  to the second end  40  of the track member  34 . As the adhesive tape  14  passes by the guide frame  44 , the sensor  46  detects the weights  16  of the tape  14  as the weights  16  pass thereby. Preferably, each time a weight  16  passes by the sensor  46 , the sensor  46  provides a signal to the controller  72 , which increments a counter (not shown). The free end of the adhesive tape  14  moves beyond the second end  40  of the track member  40 . When the counter equals the required amount of weights sent by the wheel balancer  74  to the controller  72 , the controller  72  sends respective signals to stop the motive apparatus  12 ′and to the actuator  45  of the cutting member  48 , which moves the engaging arm  47  and the blade  49  of the cutting member  48  towards the gap in the tape. The blade  49  cuts the tape  14  at the predetermined location and the tape downstream of the frame  44  drops to a receiving location (not shown). The operator then takes the cut adhesive tape  14  and attaches it to the tire and wheel assembly, preferably by removing the backing strip from the tape  14  and placing the adhesive on a predetermined mounting location (not shown) on the wheel. 
     If the apparatus  10 ′ includes the pivoting portion  54  and the actuator  58  of the apparatus  10 , the controller  72  sends a signal to the actuator  58  to pivot the pivoting portion  54  to aid in cutting the tape  14  and, after the adhesive tape  14  has been cut, the controller  72  sends a signal to the actuator  58  and the other of the arms  64  of the extension member  60  moves the pivoting portion  54  from the second position  70  to the first position parallel to the longitudinal axis  52 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a method for operating the apparatus  10  or  10 ′ in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at  100 . The method  100  begins in a step  102 , where a required weight is calculated, such as by placing the tire and wheel assembly on the wheel balancer  74  of  FIG. 3 . In the step  104 , the required weight is provided, such as the signal provided from the wheel balancer  74  to the controller  72  of  FIG. 3 . In a step  106 , the weighted material, such as the adhesive tape  14 , is drawn, such as by moving the adhesive tape  14  from the first end  38  to the second end  40  of the track member  34  by either the motive apparatus  12  or the motive apparatus  12 ′. In a step  108 , the weighted material is counted, such as by the sensor  46  providing a signal to the controller  72  as the adhesive tape  14  passes thereby. In a step  110 , the weighted material is cut, such as by actuating the cutting member  48  of the apparatus  10  or  10 ′. In a step  112 , the cut weighted material is moved, such as by the operator taking the adhesive tape  14  from the apparatus  10  or  10 ′ and attaching the tape  14  to the tire and wheel assembly as discussed above. Alternatively, a robot arm or the like (not shown) takes the adhesive tape  14  from the apparatus  10  or  10 ′ and attaches the tape  14  to the tire and wheel assembly. 
     The simplified flowchart shown in  FIG. 6  is exemplary of the method  100  of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, therefore, that the steps  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  110  of the method  100  may be executed in sequences other than those shown in  FIG. 6  including, but not limited to, the execution of a subset of the steps  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  110  and the simultaneous execution of one or more steps  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  110 . 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.