Abstract: A tyre changing machine includes a wheel support assembly for locking and setting in rotation a rim of a wheel from which to demount or on which to mount a tyre, and a bead breaking tool disposed at an end of a bead breaking arm and able to carry out the bead breaking operation. The bead breaking arm is movable between a disengaged position and a working position. A motor device has an output drive shaft for moving the bead breaking arm between the disengaged and working positions. Means for transmitting the drive from the motor device to the bead breaking arm include threaded means having an external screw-thread and hollow counter-threaded means operatively coupled with the threaded means. Connecting means operatively associate the means for transmitting the drive to the bead breaking arm.

Abstract: A tyre changing machine includes a frame; a wheel support assembly mounted on the frame for locking and setting in rotation a rim of a wheel; at least a bead breaking arm; and a bead breaking tool adapted to carry out the bead breaking operation of the tyre of the wheel. The bead breaking arm is movable between a disengaged position, in which the bead breaking tool is substantially distanced with respect to the tyre, and a working position, in which the bead breaking tool can engage on the tyre. A motor device has an output drive shaft for moving the bead breaking arm. The tyre changing machine further includes means for transmitting drive from the motor device to the bead breaking arm or to the wheel support assembly and adapted to activate the bead breaking arm or the wheel support assembly.

Abstract: A wheel clamping system, for reversibly clamping a motor vehicle wheel with a rim onto a wheel servicing machine, includes a handle for acting on a rim of the wheel mounted on a rotatable spindle. The handle has a coupling surface for engaging with clamping jaws of a pull rod when the clamping jaws are open. The handle includes a force detecting device for determining an amount of force exerted by the handle on the rim of the wheel, and a signal emitter operatively connected to the force detecting device. The signal emitter is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal to a signal receiver of the wheel balancer operatively connected to an actuator causing axial movement of the pull rod when the determined amount of force reaches a predefined threshold, such that the actuator is actuated and the wheel clamping system performs a reversible clamping operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel clamping system for reversibly clamping a motor vehicle wheel with a rim onto a wheel servicing machine, wherein the wheel clamping system comprises at least one force measuring device for measuring the value of a clamping force exerted by the wheel clamping system on a rim of a motor vehicle wheel held on the main shaft.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for uniquely identifying tyres for wheels of vehicles as part of wheel maintenance processes. The method envisages that a vehicle wheel is mounted on a support of a wheel maintenance apparatus, said wheel comprising a rim and a tyre. Moreover, a digital code is created to uniquely identify the tyre. Finally, via a marking system, preferably of the optical type, at least one marking is created on the surface of one side wall of the tyre of said wheel, corresponding to the previously created digital code.

Abstract: A lifting device (10, 40) for at least one wheel (8) of a vehicle or for a tire (6), said device (10, 40) comprising at least one platform (12, 41, 42) on which the wheel (8) or tire (6) moves, said platform (12) being liftable relative to a fixed surface (P). The movable platform (12) is associated with a laser scanner (20) for detecting the state of wear of the tire (6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel clamping system for reversibly clamping a motor vehicle wheel with a rim onto a wheel servicing machine, wherein the wheel clamping system comprises at least one force measuring device for measuring the value of a clamping force exerted by the wheel clamping system on a rim of a motor vehicle wheel held on the main shaft.

Abstract: A tyre changing machine includes a frame; a wheel support assembly mounted on the frame for locking and setting in rotation a rim of a wheel; at least a bead breaking arm; and a bead breaking tool adapted to carry out the bead breaking operation of the tyre of the wheel. The bead breaking arm is movable between a disengaged position, in which the bead breaking tool is substantially distanced with respect to the tyre, and a working position, in which the bead breaking tool can engage on the tyre. A motor device has an output drive shaft for moving the bead breaking arm. The tyre changing machine further includes means for transmitting drive from the motor device to the bead breaking arm or to the wheel support assembly and adapted to activate the bead breaking arm or the wheel support assembly.

Abstract: A wheel clamping system, for reversibly clamping a motor vehicle wheel with a rim onto a wheel servicing machine, includes a handle for acting on a rim of the wheel mounted on a rotatable spindle. The handle has a coupling surface for engaging with clamping jaws of a pull rod when the clamping jaws are open. The handle includes a force detecting device for determining an amount of force exerted by the handle on the rim of the wheel, and a signal emitter operatively connected to the force detecting device. The signal emitter is configured to wirelessly transmit a control signal to a signal receiver of the wheel balancer operatively connected to an actuator causing axial movement of the pull rod when the determined amount of force reaches a predefined threshold, such that the actuator is actuated and the wheel clamping system performs a reversible clamping operation.

Abstract: A tyre changing machine includes a wheel support assembly for locking and setting in rotation a rim of a wheel from which to demount or on which to mount a tyre, and a bead breaking tool disposed at an end of a bead breaking arm and able to carry out the bead breaking operation. The bead breaking arm is movable between a disengaged position and a working position. A motor device has an output drive shaft for moving the bead breaking arm between the disengaged and working positions. Means for transmitting the drive from the motor device to the bead breaking arm include threaded means having an external screw-thread and hollow counter-threaded means operatively coupled with the threaded means. Connecting means operatively associate the means for transmitting the drive to the bead breaking arm.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for uniquely identifying tyres for wheels of vehicles as part of wheel maintenance processes. The method envisages that a vehicle wheel is mounted on a support of a wheel maintenance apparatus, said wheel comprising a rim and a tyre. Moreover, a digital code is created to uniquely identify the tyre. Finally, via a marking system, preferably of the optical type, at least one marking is created on the surface of one side wall of the tyre of said wheel, corresponding to the previously created digital code.

Abstract: The invention provides a drive assembly for tire service machines comprising a drive motor having a rotatable output drive shaft, and a wheel support. The inventive drive assembly further comprises a gear unit having at least one gearbox, wherein the at least gear box has at least a gear box input shaft and a gear box output shaft. The wheel support is in 5 direct torque transmitting connection with the gear box output shaft, and the output drive shaft of the drive motor is in a direct torque transmitting connection with the gear box input shaft of the gear box. Furthermore, the drive assembly is adapted to provide structural support.

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 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: A lifting device (10, 40) for at least one wheel (8) of a vehicle or for a tyre (6), said device (10, 40) comprising at least one platform (12, 41, 42) on which the wheel (8) or tyre (6) moves, said platform (12) being liftable relative to a fixed surface (P). The movable platform (12) is associated with a laser scanner (20) for detecting the state of wear of the tyre (6).

Abstract: The invention provides a drive assembly for tire service machines comprising a drive motor having a rotatable output drive shaft, and a wheel support. The inventive drive assembly further comprises a gear unit having at least one gearbox, wherein the at least gear box has at least a gear box input shaft and a gear box output shaft. The wheel support is in 5 direct torque transmitting connection with the gear box output shaft, and the output drive shaft of the drive motor is in a direct torque transmitting connection with the gear box input shaft of the gear box. Furthermore, the drive assembly is adapted to provide structural support.

Abstract: The present application relates to a wheel balancer which includes a stationary frame, a measuring shaft mounted rotatably about a shaft axis on the stationary frame and adapted to receive coaxially a rim/tyre assembly. The wheel balancer further includes an encoder configured to determine the angular positions of the measuring shaft or of the rim/tyre assembly, a load device configured to apply a load to the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly, a first measuring device configured to measure forces resulting from an unbalance of the rotating rim/tyre assembly, a second measuring device configured to measure forces acting between the load device and the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly, and a locking device configured to keep the distance between the shaft axis and a contact portion at which the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly contacts the load device constant during the measurement of the forces acting between the load device and the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring forces produced by an unbalance of a rotary member 8 includes a support device 3 for supporting the rotary member 8 rotatably about its axis 1, and having at least one measurement sensor 4 placed at a vibratory location of the support device 3, wherein the at least one measurement sensor 4 is designed to measure vibratory accelerations of the location at which the measurement sensor 4 is placed.

Abstract: The invention provides a drive assembly for tire service machines comprising a drive motor having a rotatable output drive shaft, and a wheel support. The inventive drive assembly further provides a gear unit having at least one gearbox, at least a gear unit input shaft and a gear unit output shaft. The wheel support is in direct torque transmitting connection with the gear unit output shaft, wherein the output drive shaft of the drive motor is in a direct torque transmitting connection with the gear unit input shaft of the gear unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel balancer which comprises a stationary frame, a measuring shaft mounted rotatably about its shaft axis on the stationary frame and adapted to receive coaxially a rim/tyre assembly. The invention further comprises encoder means for determining the angular positions of the measuring shaft or of the rim/tyre assembly, load means to apply a load to the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly, measuring means to measure forces resulting from an unbalance of the rotating rim/tyre assembly, measuring means to measure forces acting between the load means and the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly and locking means to keep the distance between the shaft axis and a contact portion at which the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly contacts the load means constant during the measurement of the forces acting between the load means and the periphery of the rim/tyre assembly.