Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
1
Mobile wheel reconditioning facility
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates automotive road wheels and in
particular to a mobile wheel reconditioning facility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Road wheels are among the most prominent features of an
automobile. Indeed, consumers somet,imes spend significant sums
to replace the factory "standard" road wheels with larger or
more ornate or stylish wheels. Automotive road wheels are
generally fabricated from an aluminium alloy or steel, with
aluminium alloy wheels being the most common.
A common structural attribute or feature of automotive
wheels is an annular outer rim bead which extends in sealed
engagement with the tire mounted to the wheel. The outer rim
bead typically defines the outermost or distal portion of the
wheel, and thus is the most susceptible to damage when the tire
is inadvertently subjected to abrasive contact from, for
example, a curb, as often occurs during turning and parallel
parking of the automobile. Because of the orientation of the
outer rim bead relative to the tire, the abrasive contact of the
tire to a curb or similar obstruction often results in harmful
impact or abrasive contact to the outer rim bead, frequently
causing abrasive damage and/or superficial fragmentation damage
to one or more sections thereof. Due to the visual prominence of
the automotive wheels and the location of the outer rim bead
relative to the tire, damage to even a relatively small section
of the outer rim bead is easily noticed even at a glance. The
face of the wheel, the spokes and other parts of wheels also can
be damaged.
Due to the relatively high cost of automotive wheels,
it is often more economical to repair a damaged outer rim bead
or other wheel part rather than to purchase a complete
replacement wheel.
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
2
Of course, it will be appreciated that the degree of
damage to the outer rim bead of the wheel should be such that
repair or reconditioning is practical, and that extensive damage
will often necessitate a complete replacement of the wheel.
United States Patent 6,347,444 discloses a method for
refurbishing an automotive wheel comprising a first grinding
process and a second grinding process followed by a painting
step. The '444 patent discloses that a damaged automotive wheel
can be refurbished on-site without removing the wheel from the
vehicle and without removing the tire from the
wheel. A disadvantage of the method disclosed in the '444 patent
is that it applies only to automotive wheel beads that are
painted.
Accordingly, it can be seen that'a need yet remains for
a method and apparatus for mobile reconditioning of painted
automotive wheels, as well as unpainted wheels. It is to the
provision of such a method and portable apparatus that the
present invention is primarily directed.
SUNlMAR~ OF THE INVENTION
In one preferred form, the present invention comprises
a mobile wheel reconditioning facility. The wheel reconditioning
facility includes an enclosure, a wheel straightening station,
and a metal preparation station. The mobile wheel reconditioning
facility further includes a wheel painting booth housed within
the enclosure.
Preferably, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility
comprises a trailer adapted to be towed behind another vehicle.
Optionally, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility can be
truck-mounted (or van-mounted), dispensing with the need for a
separate trailer.
Optionally, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility
can be provided further with a wheel/tire separator apparatus
for removing a tire from a wheel and for subsequently remounting
a tire to the wheel.
Preferably, the enclosure is partitioned into at least
two chambers, including a paint booth chamber and a preparation
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
3
chamber. Preferably, the preparation chamber houses the wheel
straightening stations and the metal preparation station.
Optionally, a movable door can be provided for providing
convenient access to the paint booth chamber from the
preparation chamber. Also preferably, the mobile wheel
reconditioning facility is provided with a compressed air
compressor. Also, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility can
be provided with an electric power generator. Preferably, the
painting booth is provided with a downdraft exhaust for drawing
paint fumes and overspray out of the painting booth and for
directing the same out beneath the mobile wheel reconditioning
facility, rather than to the side of the mobile wheel
reconditioning facility. Preferably, the metal preparation
station includes a device for spinning a wheel to facilitate
abrasive finishing and/or light machining of parts of the wheel.
Advantageously, the mobile wheel reconditioning
facility can be provided with wheel rotation apparatus to allow
the wheel to be rotated slightly to provide better access for
preparing the wheel for paint and/or for painting the wheel.
.=Such a wheel rotation apparatus can be in the;.form of an
inclined table with support rollers for engaging the tire or
wheel for smoothly supporting the wheel at an incline as it is
rotated.
In another preferred form, the present invention
comprises a mobile wheel reconditioning facility. The mobile
wheel reconditioning facility according to the second preferred
form of invention includes a wheel spinning station for
facilitating preparation of the wheel for painting and a
painting station for applying paint to the wheel. The wheel
spinning station provides powered rotation of the wheel,
enabling an operator to lightly machine the wheels or wheel
beads, such as by polishing or simulating lathe lines with
abrasive pads. Accordingly, the range of operations for
reconditioning wheels is expanded by the facility according to
the invention, while the mobile nature of the facility allows
on-site service.
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
4
The painting station and/or the wheel spinning station
may be adapted to function within the facility and may be fixed
to one or more of the walls of the facility. Fixation of one or
more reconditioning stations may be advantageous for a mobile
facility.
The invention further relates to a paint station for
painting wheels or wheel beads comprising a housing, the paint
station being adapted to connect a high volume low pressure
paint gun, and ventilation means provided in said housing
adapted to generate an air flow for exhausting, in use, volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) from the paint station. The combination
of the high volume low pressure paint gun and the ventilation
means provides for a paint station that is adapted to function
within a mobile facility.
The invention also relates to a reconditioning station
for a wheel comprising a flywheel, capturing means to secure
said wheel and driving means for rotating said flywheel. Such a
reconditioning station is advantageous for a mobile wheel
reconditioning facility in that it expands the range of on-site
machining operations for reconditioning>;.of the wheels.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are
defined in the dependent claims and.will be explained in more
detail in the description of the invention.
The invention will be further illustrated with
reference to the attached drawings, which schematically show a
preferred embodiment according to the invention. It will be
understood that the invention is not in any way restricted to
this specific and preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Fig. 1 shows a plan of the interior of a mobile wheel
reconditioning facility according to a first preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Figs. 2A and 2B are side and front views, respectively,
of portions of the mobile wheel reconditioning station of Fig.
1, and in particular show a diagrammatic illustration of a paint
station in side view and front view respectively.
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
Figs. 3A and 3B are diagrammatic illustrations of a
wheel spinner portion in side-view and in top view of the
invention of Fig. 1.
Figs. 4A - 4D are diagrammatic illustrations of a wheel
5 straightener portion of the mobile wheel reconditioning station
of Fig. 1, and in particular show the wheel straightener in
cross-section and in side-view according to an embodiment of the
invention.
Fig. 5A is a rear perspective view of a mobile wheel
reconditioning facility according to a second preferred form of
the invention.
Fig. 5B is a front perspective view of a portion of the
mobile wheel reconditioning facility of Fig. 5A.
Fig. 6 shows a plan of the interior of a mobile wheel
reconditioning facility of Fig. 5A.
Fig. 7 is a schematic, perspective interior view of a
portion of the mobile wheel reconditioning facility of Fig. 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein
like reference numerals depict like parts throughout the several
views, Fig. 1 shows a plan of the interior of a mobile wheel
reconditioning facility 1, e.g., a trailer. It should be
understood that although the invention is shown in the form of a
trailer by way of example, it could be made to be self-
propelled, as in the form of a truck with preparation and paint
booth chambers located within an enclosed housing. The trailer 1
is defined by walls 2 having entry doors 3 for entry and leaving
the facility. The room provided by the walls 2 is divided by a
partition wall 4, also comprising a door 3'. The roof (not
shown) of the trailer 1 comprises vents 5. The trailer 1 further
has a structure 6 for transporting the trailer 1 by means of
another vehicle. The structure 6 may comprise a support 7, e.g.,
a wheel, to allow stand-alone operation of the trailer 1. It
should,be appreciated that the facility 1 may also comprise a
driving compartment and a motor itself, allowing movement of the
facility 1 without the aid of another vehicle. In the embodiment
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
6
of Fig. 1, the dimensions of the trailer 1 are a length of
approximately 3,5 metres, a width of approximately 1,8 metres
and a height of 2,2 metres.
The equipment of the trailer 1 allows a range of
operations to be performed for reconditioning wheels, amongst
which are a painting station 10 and a wheel spinning station 11.
The painting station 10 and wheel spinning station 11 will be
described in more detail with respect to Figs. 2A and 2B
respectively, Figs. 3A and 3B. The trailer 1 further comprises a
preparation station 12 and a drying station 13. Moreover several
compartments 14 are provided for storage of tools and materials.
Finally, a power supply is present.
In operation, a damaged wheel is taken into the trailer
1 through the entry door 3. First, the tire is broken from the
bead of the wheel (or removed).
Next, grinding of the wheel may be performed in the
preparation station 12 to an adequate surface for restoration.
The grinding process may e.g. involve the first and second
grinding processes disclosed in US 6,347,444. In general, the
preparation station 12 allows the wheel bead to be prepared
either to be painted in the painting station 10 or to be
machined by employing the wheel spinning station 11. The
preparation station 12 may have ventilation means V to exhaust
compounds from the inside of the trailer 1. It should be
appreciated that the extent of preparation may depend on the
amount of damage of the wheel bead.
If the wheel is to be painted, it is subsequently taken
from the preparation station 12 through the door 3 in the
further wall 4 to the painting station 10. The further wall 4
preserves appropriate conditions in the part of the trailer 1
wherein the wheels are painted and/or dried while simultaneously
preparation and/or machining of other wheels is performed. It is
avoided that dust of small particles of wheel beads generated
during preparation or machining are transported via the air to
the painted wheels.
The painting station 10 is displayed in Figs. 2A and 2B
in cross-section along 2A-2A and in front view (i.e. the
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
7
direction of the arrow B in Fig. 2A). The painting station 10
comprises a housing 20 with an open top that is fixed to a wall
2. The paint station 10 comprises a connection point 21 for a
paint gun 22 connected via a hose 23. The paint gun 22 may be a
high volume, low pressure (HVLP) paint gun. The pressure can be
obtained from a compressor air tank 24 (see Fig. 1). One
suitable paint gun 22 is an HVLP gravity spray gun as
manufactured by SATA, Inc. employing an atomising air regulator
to control the air flow. The paint flow going out of the HVLP
gun 22 can be finely tuned. Such a paint gun 22 reduces
contamination and over-spray.
The housing 20 of the paint station 10 further
comprises ventilation means to generate an air flow E for
exhausting, in use, volatile organic compounds (VOC's) from the
paint station 10. The ventilation means comprises an exhaust fan
and a filter 26. Accordingly, reconditioning of wheels by
painting can be performed in the closed room of the trailer 1,
since down draft paint stations 10 catch the VOC's sprayed in
the paint process.
20 .w Further, the paint station 10 compri;ses rotation means
for rotating the wheel. The circumference of an imaginary wheel
W is shown in Fig. 2B for illustrative purposes regarding the
rotation means. The rotation means in this embodiment comprise
rollers 27 appropriately attached to the housing 20 on a frame
25 28 and wheels 29 on supports 30. The wheel W can be provided on
the rollers 27 such that it is supported by the wheels 29 under
an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the wall 2. Accordingly,
during painting the wheel W can be rotated over the rollers 27
and supported by the wheels 29 to facilitate painting by means
of the HVLP paint gun 22. It should be appreciated that the
configuration of the rotation means may be different; the
rollers 27 may, e.g., be supported by a frame with only three
bars building respective angles of approximately 60 degrees with
each other.
After painting, the wheel may be dried either in the
painting station 10 itself or in the drying station 13. The
drying station 13, and preferably also the painting station 10,
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
8
are provided with heating means H (see Fig. 1), such as a 1500
watt heat lamp.
If the wheel or wheel bead is to be machined instead of
painted, it is taken to the wheel spinning station 11 after
preparation. Such machining may simulate lathe lines by using
abrasive pads or polishing to obtain a shiny wheel or wheel
bead.
The wheel spinning station 11 comprises a support 35 on
top of which rests a base 36. A flywheel 37 is rotatably mounted
over the base 36. A standard bead breaker 38 is attached to the
base 36 as well. A bead breaker allows reconditioning of a wheel
or wheel bead without removing the tire from the wheel. The fact
that the wheel spinner function and the bead breaking function
are combined in one apparatus, wherein the flywheel is provided
on top of the bead breaker to optimise the use of floor space in
the trailer 1. The flywheel 37 comprises a V-groove (not shown)
and an axle. The axle 39 it adapted to receive a cone 40 to
constitute capturing means for fixating a wheel.
Further, the wheel spinning station 11 comprises a
driving means 41, such as a DC-motor, allowing control of
rotation direction and speed of the flywheel 37 and,
consequently, of the wheel. The motor 41 drives a shaft 42 that
is supported by a pillow block bearing 43 just below a drive
pulley 44. The drive pulley 44 is attached to the shaft 42 on
one side and accommodated in the V-groove of the flywheel 37 on
the other side.
The wheel spinning station 11 is configured such that a
wheel can be rotated around its true centre. The inside hub of a
wheel is a machined surface.
If the wheel is positioned on flywheel 37, it is
positioned with its centre hole over the axle 39 and the inside
hub surface will rest flush against the flywheel 37. Once the
wheel is flat against the flywheel 37, it is precisely located
axially. Now the tapered cone 40 is placed over the axle 39 and
as it is pushed into the centre hole of the wheel, the wheel is
captured in the wheel spinning apparatus and is located radially
in the center. The wheel can now be spun around its true centre.
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
9
Further positioning means (not shown) may be employed to
position the wheel away from the flywheel 37 to avoid contact
between the drive pulley 44 and the wheel.
While the wheel is spinning, many different techniques
with tools and abrasives can be used to accomplish a wide
variety of surface repairs for wheels. Such surface repairs
include polishing and simulating lathe lines with abrasive pads.
Since the wheel is precisely centred in a horizontal
plane, it can safely be spun on a variable speed DC drive motor
in the range of 1 to 450 rpm in either direction. Unique results
can be achieved by spinning the wheel at a variety of speeds and
in opposite directions.
The consistency of the spinning speed enables the
operator to create simulated machining lines on the wheels.
Ultimately, the wheel spinning station can be used for
very slow spinning to provide a way to obtain accurate run-out
measurements and can be run at other speeds for effective
machining operations.
In some instances, the wheels are deformed by, e.g., a
curb. Accordingly, the trailer 1 may have a wheel straightener
50 as schematically displayed in Figs. 4A-4D. Figs. 4A and 4B
show the wheel straightener 50 in cross-section 4A-4A and in
side view (arrow 4B) respectively. The wheel straightener 50
comprises a cylinder 51 that is closed at one side by a cap
52 and a pressure member 53. Further, a plunger rod 54 is
connected to a plunger 55. The plunger rod 54 is connected to a
curved member or presser foot 56B. On the other side of the
wheel straightener 50 a corresponding curved member or presser
foot 56A is present. Curved member 56A may be stationary with
respect to the cylinder 51.
The wheel straightener 50 has a connection point 57,
e.g., a valve, for feeding a liquid, such as oil, to
hydraulically pressurize the system from a liquid reservoir (not
shown). A spring 58 is present to exert spring force.action on
the plunger 55.
The wheel straightener 50 may comprise a rod 60 with a
plurality of openings 61 connected to the cylinder 51. A
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
threaded member 62 is applied over the rod 60, and the threaded
member 62 has a central opening (not shown) such that it can
move in at least the axial direction along the rod 60. Further,
the threaded member 62 comprises an opening 63 that is adapted
5 to cooperate with the openings 61. This cooperation can be
achieved by a pin member 70 shown in Fig. 4C.
Finally, a capture cap 64 and a nut 65 are applied over
the threaded member 62, wherein at least the nut 65 is
internally threaded such that it cooperates with the threads of
10 the member 62.
The wheel straightener 50 may be portable (removable)
or it can be fixedly located in or on the trailer 1.
In operation, the rod 60 is moved through the axial
opening of the wheel W. The wheel W is positioned such that the
part to be straightened abuts at least one of the curved members
56A, 56B.
Subsequently, the threaded member 62, comprising the
capture cap 64 and nut 65, is moved axially along the rod 60 to
an appropriate position and fixated by the pin member 70. In
24,0 doing so, opening 63 is aligned with an opening 61 of the rod 60
and an end 71 of the pin member 70 is pushed through both the
openings 61, 63. The other side of the pin member 70 is bent,
enabling curvature 72 to rest or to be forced against the
threaded member 62. Then the nut 65 is turned to push the
capture cap 64 into the axial opening of the wheel W to hold the
wheel during the straightening operation.
The straightening of the wheel involves the supply of
pressurized oil in the oil chamber 80 via the valve 57, as shown
in Fig. 4D. Consequently, the curved member 562 is pushed out in
a radial direction of the wheel W such that the wheel bead is
repaired. This hydraulic operation allows a sufficient force to
be exerted on the wheel for repair. Accordingly, the presence of
the wheel straightener 50 is useful for the mobile wheel
reconditioning facility 1.
Fig. 5A shows a mobile wheel reconditioning facility
101 in a second preferred form of the invention. In this
preferred form, the mobile wheel reconditioning facility 101 is
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
11
also in the form of a trailer to be towed behind a vehicle, a
portion of which is shown in Fig. 5A. The trailer 101 is defined
by side walls 102 and has two rear entry doors 103, 103' for
entering and leaving the facility. The roof of the trailer 101
comprises vents, such as vent 105. The trailer 101 further has a
frame 106 for transporting the trailer 101 by means of another
vehicle. The frame 106 includes ground wheels, such as ground
wheels 107, 107'. In the commercial embodiment, the dimensions
of the trailer 101 are a length of approximately 10 feet, a
width of approximately 6 feet and a height of about 8 feet. As
shown in this figure, a mobile access door 108 conceals a
pullout electric power generator indicated generally at 109.
Preferably, the electric power generator produces
electric power at 110 volts, 7000 kWA.
As shown in Fig. 5B, the mobile wheel reconditioning
facility 101 also includes an air compressor indicated at 111
located at a front end of the trailer 101. Indeed, the air
compressor 111 is mounted above the tongue 112 of the frame 106.
The air compressor provides a suitable quantity of
compressed airrfor spraying and other reconditioning operations.
As shown in the schematic plan view of Fig. 6, the
mobile wheel reconditioning facility 101 has a front end
indicated at 113 and a rear end indicated generally at 114. The
tongue 112 is located at the front end 113.
As shown in the previous figure, the air compressor 111
is mounted atop the tongue 112. The rear entry doors 103, 103'
are positioned at the rear 114 of the trailer. A five drawer
toolbox 116 is positioned just inside entry door 103 in a
preparation chamber portion 120 of the trailer 101. A partition
125 divides the interior of the trailer 101 into the rear or
preparation chamber 120 and a forward or paint chamber 130. A
double workstation 117 is positioned along the left edge of the
preparation chamber 120 for grinding and sanding wheels in
preparation, such as for potential painting of the wheels. The
double workstation 117 is in the form of an open work table
arranged at an incline for supporting wheels at a comfortable
angle and height for sanding, grinding and other operations.
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
12
The double workstation includes wheel supports for
allowing the wheels to be rotated easily, as described earlier
in the application. A ceiling vent 105 is positioned in the
roof/ceiling of the preparation chamber. Inside the preparation
chamber is a roof-mounted air conditioner and heater unit 118
for providing a comfortable working environment in the
preparation chamber.
A wheel spinner and combination bead breaker 119 is
positioned in a forward portion of the preparation chamber 120,
generally near the partition 125.
The partition 125 includes a movable door 127 to
provide access from the preparation chamber 120 to the paint
booth 130 and vice versa. The movable door 127 opens rearwardly
away from the paint booth 130. Just inside the paint chamber 130
is a paint storage cabinet 131 for storing paints and paint
supplies. In a farward portion of the paint booth 130 is a paint
mixing bench 132. A double work/spray station 133 is positioned
to one side of the mixing bench 131. The double workstation 133
is in the form of an open work table arranged at an inclined for
supporting wheels at a comfortable angle and height,,for spraying
and other operations. The double workstation includes wheel
supports for allowing the wheels to be rotated easily, as
described earlier in the application. The double workstation
also includes a powerful exhaust for drawing fumes and airborne
particles out of the paint booth and exhausting the same
directly downwardly beneath the trailer, rather than out to the
side of the trailer. As the air is drawn from the paint booth or
forward chamber 130, it passes through filter material to trap
paint particles or dust and prevent the same from being
exhausted to the outside. A pair of high-intensity infrared
curing lamps 134 are positioned over the workstation 133 and can
be repositioned as needed. In this regard, the infrared lamps
134 are mounted on an articulated support frame.
Preferably, either the partition door 127 or the walls
of the partition itself 125 are provided with one or more air
inlets filled with filter material. This is shown in Fig. 7, in
which the door 127 is seen from the preparation chamber side.
CA 02564476 2006-10-23
WO 2005/118214 PCT/EP2005/052336
13
The door 127 includes upper and lower filter mats
141 and 142 which are held in place in unshown corresponding
openings in the door 127. Alternatively, instead of providing
the filter mats in either the door or the partition wall, filter
mats could be provided in both the door and the partition wall.
Alternatively, the paint booth could be vented directly from the
outside (instead of through the partition), although it might
still be advantageous to provide filtering to filter out any
dust or contaminants that might be entrained in the air coming
into the paint booth 130.
While the invention has been disclosed in preferred
forms, those skilled in the art will recognize that many
modifications, additions, and deletions may be made therein
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
set forth in the following claims.
