Abstract: The invention relates to a method for contactless determining non-uniformities of a loaded wheel, comprising the steps of determining outer contour of at least a portion of the unloaded wheel; simulating loading of the wheel with a virtual loading element bearing against the tire tread for a plurality of rotary positions of the wheel on the basis of the determined outer contour, a displacement of the determined outer contour caused by the virtual loading element and a predetermined spring rate associated to the tire tread; and determining non-uniformities of the loaded wheel using the simulation results.

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: 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: The wheel-clamping device comprises a frame 20 having a through-opening 22, and a spindle 30 being rotatably supported in the through-opening 22, the spindle 30 has an external thread 34 on an external circumferential portion. 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. Furthermore, a stopping or holding means 70 is able to temporarily hold the sleeve 50, and a clamping means 60 for the temporarily fixation of a fixing element 40.

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: An apparatus is provided for positioning a tired wheel 14 onto an upright rotary wheel holder unit 1 of a tire changer machine. A first frame 3 is driven by a first actuator 8 to move the wheel 14 between a lower position and an upper position from which the wheel 14 is brought onto the rotary wheel holder unit 1. A second frame 2 is connected with a second actuator 9 to be driven between a lower position to an end position above the upper position to remove the wheel 14 from the first frame 3, and to support the wheel 14 with the wheel axis 15 in alignment with a rotation axis 16 of the rotary wheel holder unit 1. The second frame 2 is lowered by the action of the second actuator 9 for positioning the tired wheel 14 onto the rotary wheel holder unit 1.

Abstract: The invention concerns vehicle wheel service machines, in particular automatic tire changers, having a wheel or rim mounting device (2) which is mounted rotatably about an axis (11) and to which a wheel (1) is to be fixed. The vehicle wheel service machine comprises first and second detectors (6, 7) and a controller to detect the rotational speeds of the rim mounting device (2) and the wheel (1) respectively. Furthermore, a method for controlling the rotational speed of the rim mounting device (2) is provided. If the detected rotational speeds are different, slipping is determined and eliminated by approximating the rotational speed of the rim mounting device (2) to that of the wheel (1). A rim mounting device (2) can comprise a rim mounting plate (23) having a rim support surface (24) with a high-friction lining adapted to increase friction between the rim mounting plate (23) and the wheel (1).

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 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: The invention relates to a method for contactless determining non-uniformities of a loaded wheel, comprising the steps of determining outer contour of at least a portion of the unloaded wheel; simulating loading of the wheel with a virtual loading element bearing against the tyre tread for a plurality of rotary positions of the wheel on the basis of the determined outer contour, a displacement of the determined outer contour caused by the virtual loading element and a predetermined spring rate associated to the tyre tread; and determining non-uniformities of the loaded wheel using the simulation results.

Abstract: A tyre changer which comprises a mounting device (18) for receiving at least a wheel rim of a wheel/tyre assembly, wherein the mounting device (18) has an axis (S), a roller (26) which is able to contact a peripheral surface of the wheel/tyre assembly (14) and to apply a predetermined force to the peripheral surface of the wheel/tyre assembly (14), a control device (32) for controlling the predetermined force applied by the during a rotation of the wheel/tyre 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/tyre 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/tyre assembly (14).

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.

Abstract: The invention concerns vehicle wheel service machines, in particular automatic tyre changers, having a wheel or rim mounting device (2) which is mounted rotatably about an axis (11) and to which a wheel (1) is to be fixed. The vehicle wheel service machine comprises first and second detectors (6, 7) and a controller to detect the rotational speeds of the rim mounting device (2) and the wheel (1) respectively. Furthermore, a method for controlling the rotational speed of the rim mounting device (2) is provided. If the detected rotational speeds are different, slipping is determined and eliminated by approximating the rotational speed of the rim mounting device (2) to that of the wheel (1). A rim mounting device (2) can comprise a rim mounting plate (23) having a rim support surface (24) with a high-friction lining adapted to increase friction between the rim mounting plate (23) and the wheel (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for mounting a tire on a rim to form a motor vehicle wheel and for demounting a tire from a rim with at least one fitting or removal tool. Images of the wheel (14) or the rim (12) are created by a vision system (21) and corresponding signals are sent to a computer (18, 28). Commands to move the at least one fitting or removal tool (16) are sent to the at least one fitting or removal tool (16) by the computer (18, 30), the signals of the vision system (21) and the commands sent to the at least one fitting or removal tool (16) are correlated to define the position of the at least one fitting or removal tool relative to the rim contour, and the movement of the at least one fitting or removal tool (16) is guided in dependence on the performed correlation without contacting the rim surface.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for fitting or removing a tire 4 of a vehicle wheel 1, in which at least one fitting or removal tool 5 is guided parallel to the axis 11 of the vehicle wheel 1 and the vehicle wheel 1 is moved controllably perpendicularly to its wheel axis 11 in dependence on a rim contour along which the fitting or removal tool 5 is to be guided at a small spacing.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a vehicle wheel, comprising a horizontally oriented measuring shaft (1) which is supported rotary about its shaft axis (2) in a rotary mounting (3) on a stationary machine frame (4) and which is adapted that a vehicle wheel (5) is fixed onto it for the measurement operation, wherein the measuring shaft (1) is movably guided in a vertical direction on the stationary machine frame (4) between a first vertical position in which the measuring operation is conducted and a second vertical position in which the shaft axis is brought into alignment with a wheel axis (6) of the uprightly positioned vehicle wheel (5).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a parameter detection system for detecting in a non-mechanical manner at least one parameter of an object (1) to be examined. The parameter detection system includes a mounting device (2) for holding the object, and a mobile unit (14) which is freely movable and adapted for indicating a position on the object. A sensing means is provided for sensing the position on the object indicated by the mobile unit and for outputting corresponding detection signals indicative of the sensed position. A calculation means (13) is provided for calculating the at least one parameter from the position on object based on the detection signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for synchronously moving first and second fitting or removal tools (300, 400) of a tyre 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: Apparatus for measuring forces which are produced by an unbalance of a rotary member, the apparatus including a measuring shaft (2) which is supported in a rotary mounting (26) rotatably about its axis (23) and to which the rotary member (1) is fixed for the measurement operation, and a support device (3) having force measuring sensors (4, 5) for supporting the measuring shaft (2) on a stationary frame (6), wherein the support device (3) has an intermediate frame (7) on which the measuring shaft is supported in a mounting plane having a force measuring sensor (4), the intermediate frame (7) is supported on the stationary frame (6) by way of a further force measuring sensor (5) and by way of a first pair (11, 12) of support levers and pivots (15 to 18), the rotary mounting (26) is fixedly connected to a stiff holding device (29) at an axial spacing with respect to the mounting plane (8) in which the force measuring sensors (5, 6) are disposed, the holding device (29) is supported on the intermediate frame (8)