Abstract: Apparatus and method for mounting a tire on a wheel rim and/or for removing a tire from a vehicle wheel rim. Such an apparatus is usually known as a tire changer. The tire changer of the present invention is capable of verifying that the position of the inflation valve and/or of the TPMS sensor of the wheel, relative to the position of the portions of tire most subject to stresses and/or relative to the position of the mounting/demounting tools, as well as the intensity of such stresses, lie within ranges defined as acceptable. The result of such verifications is then made available via a suitable report document.

Abstract: Method and related apparatus for determining the geometrical dimensions of a wheel, or at least one part of a wheel, with particular reference to vehicle wheels, in the context of a wheel maintenance process. This method uses contactless sensors which comprise a scanning radar system, preferably a millimeter-wave radar system, to scan the wheel, or at least one part of the wheel, quickly and accurately, moving said contactless sensors along a trajectory lying in at least one plane which is perpendicular to a central axis of the wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for mounting a tire on a rim of a wheel and/or for removing a tire from a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. This apparatus is generally known as a tire changer. The tire changer of the present invention uses contactless sensors, in particular radar sensors, to scan the geometric dimensions of the wheel to be maintained and, in general, to accurately control the mounting/demounting tools.

Abstract: Method and related apparatus for determining the geometrical dimensions of a wheel, or at least one part of a wheel, with particular reference to vehicle wheels, in the context of a wheel maintenance process. This method uses contactless sensors which comprise a scanning radar system, preferably a millimeter-wave radar system, to scan the wheel, or at least one part of the wheel, quickly and accurately.

Abstract: Tyre-removal apparatus comprising a base having a support for receiving and rotating the wheel. The tyre-removal apparatus further comprising a frame which is joined to the base and which has an upright with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel. A support arm is associated with the upright and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. A tool for operating on the wheel is mounted pivoting on the support arm.

Abstract: Tyre-removal apparatus comprising a base having a support for receiving and rotating the wheel. A frame having an upright with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel is joined to the base of the tyre-removal apparatus. A support arm is associated with the upright and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. A tool for operating on the wheel is mounted on the support arm. An actuator is able to move the support arm along the direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. At least one sensor, able to detect at least one parameter representing contact between the tool and the wheel, is associated with said actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel (tyre/rim assembly) by an electric motor about an axis, checking the current consumption of the electric motor during the mounting and demounting operation, and continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim comprises an electric motor for rotating the wheel (rim/tyre assembly) about an axis, a sensing device for sensing the motor current and transmitting corresponding signals to a control device and an adjustment controller for continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mounting/demounting a tyre (T) on a rim (R). The method comprises the steps of: determining an initial reference position for the mounting/demounting device (U1, U2), said initial reference position being proximal to an edge (E) of the wheel rim (R); linking the position of the mounting/demounting device (U1, U2) with the initial reference position; adjusting the position of the mounting/demounting device (U1, U2) with respect to either the first or the second direction; continuously detecting the position of the mounting/demounting device (U1, U2) with respect to said either first or second direction; and continuously and automatically adjusting the position of the mounting/demounting device (U1, U2), with respect to the other one of said either first or second direction, at least in dependence of the initial reference position.

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: 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 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 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: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel (tyre/rim assembly) by an electric motor about an axis, checking the current consumption of the electric motor during the mounting and demounting operation, and continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim comprises an electric motor for rotating the wheel (rim/tyre assembly) about an axis, a sensing device for sensing the motor current and transmitting corresponding signals to a control device and an adjustment controller for continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation.

Abstract: A machine body for a wheel servicing apparatus includes a casing and a display support unit configured to support a display unit, such as a touchscreen unit, that is connectable with a processing unit of the wheel servicing apparatus. The display support unit is movably arranged at the casing to provide a first position in which a display front surface of the display unit attachable to the display support unit is visible to a user, and a second position in which a display front surface of the display unit attachable to the display support unit is shielded from the outside such that the display front surface is not visible to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel (tyre/rim assembly) by an electric motor about an axis, checking the current consumption of the electric motor during the mounting and demounting operation, and continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim comprises an electric motor for rotating the wheel (rim/tyre assembly) about an axis, a sensing device for sensing the motor current and transmitting corresponding signals to a control device and an adjustment controller for continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel (tyre/rim assembly) by an electric motor about an axis, checking the current consumption of the electric motor during the mounting and demounting operation, and continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim comprises an electric motor for rotating the wheel (rim/tyre assembly) about an axis, a sensing device for sensing the motor current and transmitting corresponding signals to a control device and an adjustment controller for continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation.

Abstract: A holding device for a rim of a vehicle wheel, comprising a base plate, a plurality of retaining elements, a synchronization element, and a locking element for locking a rotational position of at least one of the plurality of retaining elements or the synchronization element. The plurality of retaining elements and the synchronization element comprise corresponding coupling portions for form-fitting coupling of the rotational movement of the plurality of retaining elements and the synchronization element. Any one of the synchronization element or at least one of the plurality of retaining elements comprises an elastic coupling portion, biasing the corresponding coupling portions of the synchronization element and the retaining elements towards each other for ensuring the form-fitting coupling of the synchronization element and the plurality of retaining elements.