Abstract: A tire testing machine according to the present invention, which can measure both uniformity and dynamic balance of a tire T, comprises a spindle for driving the tire T to rotate about a vertical axis, a spindle housing which supports the spindle rotatably, and a rotating drum rotatable about an axis parallel to an axis of the spindle and movable toward and away from the tire T. The spindle housing is fixed to a base through a piezoelectric sensor so that it can bear a pressing force provided from the rotating drum. The piezoelectric sensor is disposed within a plane including the axis of the spindle and perpendicular to the pressing force. With this structure, dynamic balance of the tire can be measured accurately and easily.

Abstract: A tire shape detecting apparatus includes a projector that applies a plurality line light beams in a continuously joined manner, from a direction different from the detection height direction (Z-axis direction) in one light section line, or that applies one line light beam in a condensed manner in the line length direction thereof in order that the one light section line may be formed on the one line Ls on the surface of the tire; and a camera for picking up images of the plurality of line light beams applied to the tire surface in the direction in which the principal ray of each of the plurality of line light beams performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface, or in the direction in which the principal ray of the condensed one line light beam performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface.

Abstract: A tire testing machine according to the present invention, which can measure both uniformity and dynamic balance of a tire T, comprises a spindle for driving the tire T to rotate about a vertical axis, a spindle housing which supports the spindle rotatably, and a rotating drum rotatable about an axis parallel to an axis of the spindle and movable toward and away from the tire T. The spindle housing is fixed to a base through a piezoelectric sensor so that it can bear a pressing force provided from the rotating drum. The piezoelectric sensor is disposed within a plane including the axis of the spindle and perpendicular to the pressing force. With this structure, dynamic balance of the tire can be measured accurately and easily.

Abstract: A tire shape detecting apparatus includes a projector that applies a plurality line light beams in a continuously joined manner, from a direction different from the detection height direction (Z-axis direction) in one light section line, or that applies one line light beam in a condensed manner in the line length direction thereof in order that the one light section line may be formed on the one line Ls on the surface of the tire; and a camera for picking up images of the plurality of line light beams applied to the tire surface in the direction in which the principal ray of each of the plurality of line light beams performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface, or in the direction in which the principal ray of the condensed one line light beam performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface.

Abstract: A spindle direction engaging device moves at least one of spindles in a mutually separating direction to closely engage a lock piece or a lock portion in a spindle direction of spindles while the lock piece is locked to the lock portion when a tire is not mounted. A second spindle includes a groove extending in a peripheral direction along an outer periphery thereof in sliding contact with the lock piece; sliding surfaces of the lock piece and the groove are receiving portions formed as flat surfaces to receive separating forces acting on both the spindles. A correction device corrects a gap between an inner ring of the spindle bearing and rolling elements of the spindle bearing, or a gap between an outer ring of the spindle bearing and the rolling elements of the spindle bearing, while the spindle is rotating. Preload bolts include a coolant passage formed by hollowing a corresponding portion passing a mounting hole of a detector, and a coolant can thus be supplied to the coolant passage.

Abstract: A spindle direction engaging device moves at least one of spindles in a mutually separating direction to closely engage a lock piece or a lock portion in a spindle direction of spindles while the lock piece is locked to the lock portion when a tire is not mounted. A second spindle includes a groove extending in a peripheral direction along an outer periphery thereof in sliding contact with the lock piece; sliding surfaces of the lock piece and the groove are receiving portions formed as flat surfaces to receive separating forces acting on both the spindles. A correction device corrects a gap between an inner ring of the spindle bearing and rolling elements of the spindle bearing, or a gap between an outer ring of the spindle bearing and the rolling elements of the spindle bearing, while the spindle is rotating. Preload bolts include a coolant passage formed by hollowing a corresponding portion passing a mounting hole of a detector, and a coolant can thus be supplied to the coolant passage.

Abstract: A device for clamping upper and lower rims to the respective upper and lower spindles of a tire uniformity machine. The device includes wedge component having an outer surface contacting the inner surface of a rim and a tapered inner surface contacting a similarly tapered surface of the spindle, is displaced axially relative to the tapered surface of the spindle. Such axial displacement is translated into a radial displacement of the wedge component as a consequence of the wedge effect between the tapered surface of the wedge component and tapered surface of the spindle. If the wedge component is displaced radially outward, its outer surface pushes against the inner surface of the rim and the rim is clamped through the frictional force between the inner surface of the rim and the outer surface of the wedge component.