Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel that removes entrapments between a bead seat of the wheel and bead of the tire is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire-wheel assembly exerciser having a tire-engaging portion. The tire-engaging portion includes at least one tire-engaging device that is adjustably-connected to a base portion. A system is disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining road force uniformity of a tire is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of imaging devices and a computer communicatively-coupled to the plurality of imaging devices. The plurality of imaging devices images a plurality of surfaces of the tire as the tire-wheel assembly is rotated about an axis of rotation. The computer receives images captured by the plurality of imaging devices in order for the computer to extract data from the images such that the computer may execute a road force uniformity simulation algorithm for the purpose of algorithmically simulating road force uniformity of the tire.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflation work station for inflating a tire-wheel assembly including a tire mounted to a wheel is disclosed. The inflation work station includes at least one inflation probe including a female portion and a male portion. The male portion is arrangeable with respect to the female portion in one of a non-mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an offline orientation and a mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an online orientation. The inflation work station further includes a working device including a controller, at least one movement actuator connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe. The at least one movement actuator imparts movement to the male portion to result in the online/offline orientation of the at least one inflation probe. The inflation work station includes at least one valve connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe.

Abstract: An inflation work station for inflating a tire-wheel assembly including a tire mounted to a wheel is disclosed. The inflation work station includes at least one inflation probe including a female portion and a male portion. The male portion is arrangeable with respect to the female portion in one of a non-mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an offline orientation and a mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an online orientation. The inflation work station further includes a working device including a controller, at least one movement actuator connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe. The at least one movement actuator imparts movement to the male portion to result in the online/offline orientation of the at least one inflation probe. The inflation work station includes at least one valve connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe.

Abstract: A system includes a processing station and a lubricant supply system in fluid communication with the processing station. The processing station is operable to process at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel to form a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes at least one of a tire lubricating sub-station or a wheel lubricating sub-station. The lubricant supply system includes a storage container configured to store a lubricant and a whipping device received by the lubricant container and operable to whip or blend the lubricant from a semi-solid state to a whipped state. The lubricant supply system also includes a pump operable to pump the lubricant in the whipped state out of the storage container.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly comprising a single-cell workstation including a plurality of sub-stations. The plurality of sub-stations includes a weight application sub-station, and an audit balancing sub-station. The apparatus also includes a tire/wheel transporting device positioned within reach of all of the plurality of sub-stations. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one linear mounter sub-station that couples the tire with the wheel for forming the tire-wheel assembly. The apparatus also includes a transporting device that transports one of the wheel and the tire along a linear path that traverses the at least one linear mounter sub-station. The component of the at least one linear mounter sub-station resists, but does not prevent, movement of one of the tire and the wheel relative the other of the tire and the wheel along the linear path in order to spatially manipulate one of the tire and the wheel relative the other of the tire and the wheel in order to at least partially couple the tire with the wheel for forming the tire-wheel assembly. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes the step of determining a spatial location of a match-mark region of each of a tire and a wheel, wherein at least one of the tire and the wheel does not include a physical match mark formed upon a surface or within a body portion of the tire and the wheel. A system is also disclosed. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel that removes entrapments between a bead seat of the wheel and bead of the tire is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire-wheel assembly exerciser having a tire-engaging portion. The tire-engaging portion includes at least one tire-engaging device that is adjustably-connected to a base portion. A system is disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly comprising a single-cell workstation including a plurality of sub-stations. The plurality of sub-stations includes a weight application sub-station, and an audit balancing sub-station. The apparatus also includes a tire/wheel transporting device positioned within reach of all of the plurality of sub-stations. A method is also disclosed.