Abstract: A method of generating a three-dimensional topological surface representation of a tyre on a vehicle, the method comprising: using a tread depth measurement device to record tread depth data for a tyre surface moving relative to the tread depth measurement device; generating a movement profile of the tyre surface; and using the movement profile of the tyre surface to map the tread depth data onto a base tyre structure, thereby generating a three-dimensional topological surface representation of the tyre.

Abstract: A hand-held device for obtaining a three-dimensional topological surface profile of a tire, the device comprising: a base comprising an aperture; a light source arranged in use to generate an elongate pattern of light, and to project said pattern through the aperture onto a rolling surface of the tire; a detector arranged to image a region of the rolling surface of the tire; a plurality of pairs of guide wheels mounted on respective axles mounted on the base, wherein the guide wheels on adjacent axles are linked by gears; and a rotary encoder arranged to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of an axle.

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 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 method is presented for fitting a tyre onto a rim or removing a tyre from a rim in a tyre fitting machine using an appropriate tool. A wheel, a tyre/rim assembly, or the rim alone is caused to rotate about an axis of rotation, and at least one operating parameter of the tyre fitting machine is continuously monitored during the rotation to determine every actual value. Change in or gradient of such actual value is automatically monitored over time and each actual value found and/or the change in the value over time is compared with corresponding predetermined threshold values. The predetermined threshold values define a range of present values and/or change in values delimiting an accepted operating range for the tyre fitting machine, and the machine is controlled to maintain each measured present value and/or change therein over time within the range of corresponding predetermined threshold values.

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: An apparatus for the maintenance of wheels of vehicles, like a balancer or a device for mounting/dismounting tires, comprises a support adapted to support a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. A device for detecting the eccentricity of a tire of the wheel is mounted on the support. Such device comprises an optical system configured to capture a light beam reflected by a tread of the tire and focus it on a point of an optical sensor. The optical sensor emits a signal indicative of an average value of a radial distance of the linear portion from the main axis. A control unit processes a plurality of average values corresponding to different linear portions of the tread and obtained during the rotation of the tire, and detects the eccentricity of said tire.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a vehicle wheel comprising a wheel support which is selectively movable in order to lift or lower a vehicle wheel which is positioned thereon. An actuator group is connected to the wheel support in order to actuate the lifting and lowering thereof. A control unit is operationally connected to the actuator group in order to control the actuation. A lifting sensor member is provided to detect the height of the wheel support. At least one actuation instruction brings about the actuation of the actuator group in order to lift the wheel support from a lowered rest position to a predetermined lifting position, which is detected by the lifting sensor member.

Abstract: The device includes a special tool for extracting an upper bead of a tire; the tool is of such a shape and is activated in such a way as to automate the tire dismounting operation reliably and safely. The device comprises other tools, used in the lower bead extraction operation and in the mounting of a tire, which tools are operated using compressed-air actuators which operate tool-bearing arms according to preset trajectories and runs.

Abstract: The device comprises a base for positioning a tire and a lever pivoted on a support and able to move and be fixed in position along a plane which is radial with respect to the center of the base. An active end of the lever, located on an L-shaped bend at an end of the lever, can be introduced internally of the opening to interact contactingly with the internal surface of a part of the support ring pre-inserted in the opening. By acting on the lever, the active end presses the ring against the inside of the tire with radial force. The support ring is of a type which when applied on a vehicle wheel enables the vehicle to continue moving for a considerable time even where tire pressure is suddenly lost.

Abstract: The device includes a special tool for extracting an upper bead of a tire; the tool is of such a shape and is activated in such a way as to automate the tire dismounting operation reliably and safely. The device comprises other tools, used in the lower bead extraction operation and in the mounting of a tire, which tools are operated using compressed-air actuators which operate tool-bearing arms according to preset trajectories and runs.

Abstract: In a process for reading fractions of an interval between contiguous photo-sensitive elements in a linear optical sensor, of a type used in a goniometer, an angle measured is an angle formed with a reference axis of the goniometer, perpendicular to the linear optical sensor, by a light beam which is trained on the optical sensor by an optical device. The process comprises: a reading of a current image constituted by an order totality of intensities of incident radiations read on contiguous photosensitive elements; processing of data taken from the current image by means of a process which converges towards a result defining, with respect to an origin determined by an intersection of the reference axis with an axis of the sensor, a distance d of a point of incidence on the sensor of an ideal optical axis of the light beam.

Abstract: The process of the invention can be used for measuring angles characteristic of wheels of a motor vehicle, in which a light signal is produced by a light beam having a predetermined direction with respect to which an angle to be measured is measured, the angle being formed between the direction of the light beam and a reference axis of the goniometer which reference axis is perpendicular to the linear optical sensor. The linear optical sensor is constituted by a plurality of contiguous and aligned photo-sensitive elements, by means of which elements an image of the light signal can be read. The image is constituted by an ordered totality of intensities of incident radiations recorded on the photo-sensitive elements. Measurement of the angle is a direct function of a distance of the image from an origin for measurement of distances in longitudinal direction, which is defined by an intersection of the reference axis with a longitudinal axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A process for calibrating a sensor for measuring an angle of inclination of a motor vehicle wheel, comprising a transducer which converts a unit of measurement of an angular displacement into a different quantity, constituted in the example by an electrical signal, which represents an indication of the measured angle, comprising: reading a plurality of known measurements relating to known and different angular displacements xj; reading and storing a plurality of ordered pairs (xj, fj), where xj=known measurement of angular displacement and fj=corresponding measurement of a transduced quantity obtained from a reading; calculation of a plurality of low-degree interpolating polynomials which are lower than the plurality of ordered pairs (xj, fj), each of which results from a determined number of the ordered pairs of contiguous ordered pairs (xj, fj).

Abstract: In a process for reading fractions of an interval between contiguous photo-sensitive elements in a linear optical sensor, of a type used in a goniometer, an angle measured is an angle formed with a reference axis of the goniometer, perpendicular to the linear optical sensor, by a light beam which is trained on the optical sensor by an optical device. The process comprises: a reading of a current image constituted by an ordered totality of intensities of incident radiations read on contiguous photosensitive elements; processing of data taken from the current image by means of a process which converges towards a result defining, with respect to an original determined by an intersection of the reference axis with an axis of the sensor, a distance d f a point of incidence on the sensor of an ideal optical axis of the light beam.