Abstract: The present invention relates to measuring unit for measuring forces generated by unbalance of rotor mounted on measuring shaft, particularly of vehicle wheel mounted on measuring shaft of wheel balancing machine, the measuring unit comprising stationary frame, first bearing for receiving measuring shaft rotatably about its shaft axis (Z), second bearing pivotally supporting first bearing about pivot axis (Y) which intersects shaft axis (Z) and being supported on stationary frame, first force sensor for measuring forces generated by unbalance of rotating rotor and acting on measuring shaft about pivot axis (Y), and second force sensor for measuring forces generated by unbalance of rotating rotor and acting on measuring shaft and on second bearing in direction intersecting shaft axis (Z), wherein second bearing and stationary frame are integrally formed of single element as support plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication system for tyre service machine being configured for receiving tyre and/or rim of vehicle wheel rotatably about rotation axis, the communication system comprising at least one processing unit and at least one measuring unit, at least one measuring unit comprising at least one sensor component for measuring at least one property of wheel, processing component for processing data acquired by at least one sensor component and/or for processing input data received from at least one of at least one processing unit, at least one processing unit and at least one measuring unit each comprising data communication component for receiving data from and/or transmitting data to another data communication component. The data communication component of processing unit and data communication components of at least one measuring unit are arranged for communicating wirelessly with each other in accordance with at least one sensor-independent protocol.

Abstract: A wheel service machine and a method for servicing a wheel, such as a tire changer or a wheel balancer for a vehicle wheel, comprises a rotary mounting including a shaft to which the wheel is mounted, a frame work for carrying at least the rotary mounting, and a sensing device mounted to the frame work, for determining geometrical dimensions of the wheel, or parts of the wheel. The sensing device comprises a carrier element and a first sensing unit for sensing the wheel and a computing device for determining the geometrical dimensions of the wheel based on the data received from the sensing device, the first sensing unit being mounted on the carrier element. The wheel service machine further comprises a drive element for enabling a pivotal movement of the sensing device, wherein the drive element is a micro stepper motor.

Abstract: An automatic anti-slipping system for a rotationally fixed attachment of a rim of a wheel in a wheel service machine, comprises a wheel supporting and rotating means (20), for supporting and rotating a wheel to be serviced. At least two driving pins (32) are provided at the wheel supporting and rotating means (20) for reversibly generating a rotationally fixed connection between a wheel supporting and rotating means (20) and a rim of a wheel to be serviced, wherein at least one of the at least two driving pins (32) is adapted to come in a positive locking engagement with at least one recess of a rim, and wherein the at least two driving pins (32) are adapted to be reversibly moveable, and actuator means (40) are able to reversibly move the driving pins (32) in an actuated state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel service machine and a method for servicing a wheel. The wheel service machine, like a tyre changer or a wheel balancer, for servicing a wheel (W), like a vehicle wheel, comprising a rotary mounting including a shaft (S) to which the wheel (W) is mounted, a frame work for carrying at least the rotary mounting and a sensing device mounted to the frame work, for determining geometrical dimensions of the wheel (W), or parts of the wheel (W), the sensing device comprises a carrier element and a first sensing unit for sensing the wheel (W) and computing means for determining the geometrical dimensions of the wheel (W) based on the data received from the sensing device, the first sensing unit being mounted on the carrier element, the wheel service machine further comprises a drive means for enabling a pivotal movement of the sensing device wherein the drive means is a micro stepper motor.

Abstract: A tire mounting/demounting tool assembly for a tire mounting/demounting machine comprises a carrier unit having a first as well as a second end and being provided with first support means for receiving a bead breaker tool and second support means for receiving a mounting support tool, a bead breaker tool for loosening the tire bead from the rim edge of a wheel, having a first as well as a second end, the first end is provided with at least one bead breaker tool element and the second end is adapted to be mounted to the carrier unit via the first support means, and a mounting support tool for supporting the mounting of at least one tire bead of a tire to be mounted on a rim, the mounting support tool having a first as well as a second end, the first end is provided with a mounting support tool element and the second end is adapted to be mounted to the carrier unit via the second support means.

Abstract: A tire changer, comprising: a mounting device for receiving at least a wheel rim of a wheel/tire assembly, the mounting device having an axis (S), a load belt apparatus being able to contact a peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly and to apply a predetermined force to the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly, a control device for controlling the predetermined force applied by the load belt apparatus during a rotation of the wheel/tire assembly about the axis (S) of the mounting device and a sensor device for measuring force variations acting between the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly and the load belt apparatus, wherein supports of the load belt apparatus and of the mounting device are designed for a relative movement of the load belt apparatus and of the mounting device towards each other to apply the predetermined force to the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and demounting a tire on and from a rim of a vehicle wheel. The apparatus comprises at least one fitting or removal tool for mounting and demounting the tire, and a control unit for controlling movement of the fitting or removal tool. A load measuring device measures the load applied on the tool while mounting or demounting the tire. A counterpart method comprises moving the fitting or removal tool towards or away from the vehicle wheel for mounting or demounting the tire to and from the rim, capturing the load applied to the tire by the fitting or removal tool, calculating the load applied to the tire by the fitting or removal tool while mounting or demounting the tire, and controlling movement of the fitting or removal tool on the basis of the load applied to the tire by the tool.

Abstract: A mounting/demounting tool for mounting/demounting a tire with respect to the rim of a vehicle wheel, comprising a tool body defining a first end of the tool, an extension from the tool body defining a second end of the tool, and a hook arranged at the extension in the vicinity of the second end. The hook has an inner surface section for gripping and guiding a tire bead during tire demounting, and a first outer surface section for guiding a tire bead during tire mounting. A protrusion extends from between the first outer surface section and a second outer surface section of the hook to the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for synchronously moving first and second fitting or removal tools (300, 400) of a tire fitting or removing apparatus. When an operator moves the first fitting or removal tool (300) in a substantially radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of a post (210) supporting the first and second fitting or removal tools (300, 400), a synchronization unit receives first and second input signals of first and second sensors (320, 420) coupled to the first and second fitting or removal tools (300, 400) and indicating a radial movement or position of the tools (300, 400). The synchronization unit generates, based on a comparison of the first and second input signals, an output signal causing an actuator (450) to move the second fitting or removal tool (400) synchronous to the first fitting or removal tool (300) in said substantially radial direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining geometrical dimensions of a wheel, especially a vehicle wheel, or of at least a part of the wheel, comprising the steps of pivoting at least one sensing device for scanning the wheel surface or a part of the wheel surface about a pivot axis in plane perpendicular to the wheel axis and determining the geometrical dimensions of the scanned wheel surface in dependence from the angular position of the at least one sensing device, wherein the angular position is determined from measured accelerations of the sensing device in two predetermined directions during the pivotal movement of the sensing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting/demounting tool unit for mounting a tyre to or demounting a tyre from a rim of a vehicle wheel and for being adapted to be attached to a tyre mounting/demounting machine, including: a longitudinally extending tool carrier arm having a center line and a first as well as a second end, a mounting/demounting tool having a first as well as a second end and a hook arranged in the region of the second end, and being pivotally mounted to the tool carrier arm in the region of its first end, wherein means for reversibly urging the mounting/demounting tool in a resting/operating position and for positioning the mounting/demounting tool in said resting/operating position are provided.

Abstract: A tyre mounting/demounting tool assembly for a tyre mounting/demounting machine comprises a carrier unit having a first as well as a second end and being provided with first support means for receiving a bead breaker tool and second support means for receiving a mounting support tool, a bead breaker tool for loosening the tyre bead from the rim edge of a wheel, having a first as well as a second end, the first end is provided with at least one bead breaker tool element and the second end is adapted to be mounted to the carrier unit via the first support means, and a mounting support tool for supporting the mounting of at least one tyre bead of a tyre to be mounted on a rim, the mounting support tool having a first as well as a second end, the first end is provided with a mounting support tool element and the second end is adapted to be mounted to the carrier unit via the second support means.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining rotary angle related measurement data of a body mounted rotatable about an axis of rotation, the body being a vehicle wheel or a part of a vehicle wheel, in particular a tire or a rim, the method comprising the steps of obtaining measurement data comprising a plurality of measurement data elements of the rotating body together with respective measuring times, determining at least one rotational speed or revolution period of the body for at least one point in time, and associating the obtained measurement data elements to respective rotary angles of the body based on the respective measuring times and the at least one rotational speed or revolution period of the body.

Abstract: A tire changer which comprises a mounting device (18) for receiving at least a wheel rim of a wheel/tire assembly, wherein the mounting device (18) has an axis (S), a roller (26) which is able to contact a peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly (14) and to apply a predetermined force to the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly (14), a control device (32) for controlling the predetermined force applied by the during a rotation of the wheel/tire assembly about the axis (S) of the mounting device and a sensor device (30) for measuring force variations acting between the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly and the roller (26), wherein supports (20, 22) of the roller (26) and of the mounting device (18) are designed for a relative movement of the roller (26) and of the mounting device (18) towards each other along a straight line to apply the predetermined force to the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly (14).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a wheel-clamping device for wheels on wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit and further a method for clamping wheels on a wheel-clamping device of wheel-service-machines with only one drive unit. The innovative wheel-clamping device for a wheel-service-machine according to the present invention comprises a frame 20 having a through-opening 22, and a spindle 30 being rotatably supported in the through-opening 22. Further, the spindle 30 has a through-hole 32 with a mounting-side end 30b and a driving-side end 30a, which is connectable to a drive means which is provided for a rotary movement for the spindle 30, wherein the spindle 30 has an external thread 34 on an external circumferential portion. Moreover, the wheel-clamping device comprises a sleeve 50 with a turntable 58 for the wheel to be clamped, wherein the sleeve 50 has an internal thread portion 52 which is in threaded engagement with the external thread-portion 34 of the spindle 30.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel service apparatus, in particular a wheel balancer or a tire changer, comprising a load means for applying a predetermined load onto a peripheral surface of a wheel/tire assembly, a sensor device arranged to determine forces acting between the peripheral surface of the wheel/tire assembly and the load means, wherein the forces comprise at least a first force acting in a radial direction of the wheel/tire assembly and a second force acting in a circumferential direction of the wheel/tire assembly, and an evaluation device arranged to determine a rolling resistance coefficient of the tire on the basis of the first and second forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a current fed to an electric motor during an operation to mount a tire on a rim of a wheel including the tire and the rim, or to demount the tire from the rim. The wheel is rotated by an electric motor about an axis, and the motor current fed to the electric motor is controlled dependent on the rotational speed and torque required for the mounting and/or demounting operation. The motor current is automatically changed to cause the electric motor to apply a high torque peak to rotate the wheel, when the motor current is measured to be greater than a preset limit at a low rotational speed during a preset time. Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a tire on a rim or demounting the tire from the rim.

Abstract: Apparatus including a wheel balancing device and a tire changing device, comprising a spindle shaft for rotatably supporting a vehicle wheel or rim, unbalance measuring means operatively connected to the spindle shaft and having a spatial unbalance measuring area in which unbalance forces of the wheel or rim are detected, tire changer tools for assembling a tire onto a rim, spindle supporting means supporting the spindle shaft in a force acting range in which forces are created between the tire changer tools and the tire during the assembling or disassembling of the tire, tool supporting means supporting the tire changer tools within the force acting range which is arranged outside of the spatial unbalance measuring area, and drive means driving the spindle shaft with a rotational speed and torque adapted for assembling and disassembling the tire or for measuring unbalance forces of the wheel or rim.

Abstract: A device for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a rotor, said device comprising a stationary frame, a first bearing, measuring shaft mounted rotatably about its shaft axis in the first bearing, a mounting means provided on the measuring shaft designed for attachment of the rotor, wherein the rotor is designed to be balanced in at least one compensating plane, a second bearing pivotally supporting the first bearing about a pivot axis which intersects the shaft axis and being supported on the stationary frame, a first force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting about the pivot axis, and a second force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting on the measuring shaft and on the second bearing in a direction intersecting the shaft axis.