US 11,986,947 B2
Autonomous traverse tire changing bot, autonomous tire changing system, and method therefor
Andy Chalofsky, Cleveland, OH (US); Josh Chalofsky, Cleveland, OH (US); Stephen Toebes, Cleveland, OH (US); Kenny Pratt, Cleveland, OH (US); and Seth Allen, Cleveland, OH (US)
Assigned to Automated Tire, Inc., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed by Automated Tire, Inc., Cleveland, OH (US)
Filed on May 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/313,072.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/022,983, filed on May 11, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0347057 A1, Nov. 11, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B25J 5/02 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B25J 13/08 (2006.01); B25J 15/00 (2006.01); B60C 25/05 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 11/00 (2013.01) [B25J 5/02 (2013.01); B25J 9/162 (2013.01); B25J 13/08 (2013.01); B25J 15/0019 (2013.01); B25J 15/0052 (2013.01); B60C 25/0512 (2013.01); B60C 25/0515 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An autonomous traverse tire changing bot comprising:
a carriage having:
a carriage frame,
wheels supporting the carriage frame,
and a carriage drive section with at least one motor defining at least one degree of freedom powering at least one of the wheels effecting autonomous traverse of the carriage, along a traverse path, relative to a traverse surface or a floor on which the autonomous traverse tire changing bot rests;
a bot frame including:
at least one actuator mounted to the carriage so that the bot frame traverses with the carriage as a unit along the traverse path, and
a bot drive section with a motor defining an actuator degree of freedom, separate and distinct from the at least one degree of freedom,
wherein the at least one actuator has an end effector having a tire engagement tool disposed so that articulation of the at least one actuator with the actuator degree of freedom effects engagement contact of the tire engagement tool and a tire mounted on a vehicle; and
a controller communicably connected to the carriage drive section and the bot drive section so as to effect traverse of the autonomous traverse tire changing bot along the traverse path effecting dynamic positioning of the at least one actuator relative to a variable position of the vehicle with the tire mounted thereon.