Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an optimum suspension/chassis state and run for a first period of time under a predetermined condition, for storing information related to outputs of force sensors, as a reference value. The state of the vehicle may change due to the use thereof, thus it is run for a second period of time under the predetermined condition. An analyzing apparatus analyzes a change of an alignment state of the vehicle on the basis of information stored from the first and second periods.

Abstract: A wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus according to the present invention computes variation energy sums EA? and EB? and a reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TBR) based on an anteroposterior force variation rate dFx and a lateral force variation rate dFy generated in a reference wheel (RL). Furthermore, the alignment angle measuring apparatus computes a non-reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TNBR) of a non-reference wheel (FL), and then computes a toe angle TNBA to be specified for the non-reference wheel, based on the toe angle TNBR and a difference between a toe angle TBR and the toe angle TI.

Abstract: A wheel alignment angle measuring apparatus according to the present invention computes variation energy sums EA? and EB? and a reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TBR) based on an anteroposterior force variation rate dFx and a lateral force variation rate dFy generated in a reference wheel (RL). Furthermore, the alignment angle measuring apparatus computes a non-reference wheel referencing alignment angle (a toe angle TNBR) of a non-reference wheel (FL), and then computes a toe angle TNBA to be specified for the non-reference wheel, based on the toe angle TNBR and a difference between a toe angle TBR and the toe angle TI.

Abstract: A vehicle state analyzing system which allows the state of a vehicle to be grasped is provided. A vehicle 10 which is provided with an optimum suspension/chassis state is run for a certain period of time under a predetermined condition, such as straight running, or the like, for storing the information related to the outputs of force sensors 14 in a first storage area as the reference value. The state of the vehicle 10 may change due to the use thereof, thus it is rum under a predetermined condition in the same manner as when the reference value has been stored as appropriate, for storing the information related to the outputs of the force sensors in a second storage area An analyzing apparatus 20 is capable of analyzing the state of the vehicle 10 on the basis of the information stored in the first storage area and the information stored in the second storage area.

Abstract: A wheel balance adjustment device and wheel balance adjustment method which can improve directional stability and handling stability are provided. In a case in which one third of a rim peripheral direction length (W) of a correction weight 42 (W/3) is shorter than a rim peripheral direction length S corresponding to a ground contact length of a tire assembled to a rim 18, the directional stability and handling stability can be improved by dispersing the correction weight 42 in the rim peripheral direction and attaching at predetermined positions of the rim periphery (a point B, a point K and a point G).

Abstract: A wheel balance adjustment device and wheel balance adjustment method which can improve directional stability and handling stability are provided.

Abstract: To provide fine adjustment in replacing tires in accordance with customers' driving preference.

Abstract: A wheel alignment adjusting device is provided in which loading portions, on which wheels of a vehicle are loaded, can be positioned with high accuracy. Front and rear tire driving devices 118 at a vehicle transverse direction left side are fixed to a loading stand 18. Front and rear tire driving devices 118 at a vehicle transverse direction right side are mounted to a first sliding base 34R. The first sliding base 34R is movable in a vehicle transverse direction with respect to the loading stand 18. When a vehicle transverse direction distance between the tire driving devices 118 is to be changed in accordance with a tread base of the vehicle, the first sliding base 34R is moved. Only the tire driving devices 118 at one vehicle transverse direction side are moved, rather than the tire driving devices 118 at both vehicle transverse direction sides. Thus, a structure of the wheel alignment adjusting device is simplified because a number of driving devices for moving the tire driving devices 118 is reduced.

Abstract: A wheel alignment adjusting device in which adjustment of a toe angle can be effected accurately, precisely, easily, and in a short time. A wire is anchored to a supporting frame at which an endless track is provided. An intermediate portion of the wire is trained around a pulley of a rotary encoder. A rotational angle of the supporting frame is transmitted to the rotary encoder with the rotational angle magnified. Accordingly, a minute angle can be measured accurately.

Abstract: A tire position detecting device which correctly and accurately detects a position of a wheel of a vehicle loaded on a wheel alignment adjusting device. A jig is mounted to a disk wheel flange of a wheel. A second wire for measurement is pulled out from a distance measuring device, and a second anchoring hardware is made to catch on a first anchoring hardware of the jig. When the second wire for measurement is pulled out from the distance measuring device, a shaft of a rotary encoder rotates by an amount corresponding to a pulled-out amount, thus enabling accurate and precise measurement of dimensions.

Abstract: A wheel angle of a wheel is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of tire of the wheel such that a steering characteristics of the vehicle is substantially neutral steer. The wheel angle of a reference wheel of the vehicle (for example, a rear wheel) is adjusted. Next, the reference wheel and a non-reference wheel (for example, a front wheel) are rotated on the tire driving surface of an endless track on which are formed a plurality of plate-like protrusions of a predetermined height. The longitudinal and lateral forces generated in the tire are then measured. On the basis of the wave forms of the rate of change measured in the longitudinal force, a predetermined period is determined from the time when the tire is deformed as the wheel passes over the upward step of the protrusion until the tire is deformed as the wheel passes over the downward step of the protrusion, and data of the lateral force measured within the predetermined period is extracted.

Abstract: A mounting assistance device with which a vibrating device can be efficiently mounted to a tire and wheel assembly. In the mounting assistance device, abutting portions are made to abut against sidewall portions of a tire and then an eccentric disc is pressed against a sliding portion so as to be united therewith by lowering a lever of a handle member in a first direction. In this state, when the lever is rotated 180° about a pin member in a second direction, due to an effect of the eccentric disc, clamping members move in a mutually approaching direction. Accordingly, clamping and fixing to the tire is accomplished by the mounting assistance device. Thus, the mounting assistance device (and vibrating device) can be mounted without using tools, simply by rotating the lever in the two directions.

Abstract: A method in which the alignment of a wheel can be easily adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the tire, and in which a running stability appropriate for an actual road surface is obtained and a reduction in one-sided wear is achieved. A plurality of plate-like protrusions of a predetermined height are formed on the outer surface of an endless track at a predetermined distance apart in the direction of the rotation on which is rotated a wheel. When the endless track is rotated, the wheel is rotated on the tire driving surface and travels from the top surface of plate section over a step up climbing up onto the top surface of the protrusion. Next, from the top surface of the protrusion, the wheel travels over a step and descends back down onto the top surface of the plate section. This action is repeatedly executed.

Abstract: A weight tape for modifying unbalance of a tire wheel, which is used by cutting precisely into a length having desired weight. The weight tape comprises a tape-like base portion having a relatively thin thickness and a constant width and suitably made of a high specific gravity material such as lead, and a heat resistant adhesive portion on the rear surface of the base portion, wherein a basic scale and a subsidiary scale indicating a certain weight are marked on the base portion. The tape may be provided in a shape of an oblong object, or a wound object wherein a separable material is attached on the adhesive portion. The weight tape is used in a shape of a weight piece which is cut from the weight tape to have a desired weight by using the basic scale and the subsidiary scale.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for adjusting vehicle wheel alignment in which a positional angle of a wheel corresponding to the characteristics of a tire can be set easily, running stability suited for an actual road surface can be obtained, and one-sided wear can be reduced.

Abstract: A plate circulator includes a plurality of plates, chaining means forming a circular body by connecting the plates in a loop, an engagement groove provided to surfaces of each plate in the circular body, a guide member having a receiving groove, a frame to which a guide member is fixed so that the receiving groove faces the engagement groove, a plurality of balls disposed between the plates and the guide members so as to be brought into contact with the engagement groove and the receiving groove and support the circular body, a circulation groove for rotating and circulating the plurality of balls, and a power transmitting device for circulating the circular body. Therefore, the arrangement can be made simple, the plane formed by the plates can be made high accurate and the apparatus can be made small at the same time.

Abstract: An electron beam irradiating apparatus continuously irradiates a running metal strip with an electron beam. An electron beam source can deflect the electron beam. At least one standby target is provided to receive the electron beam from the electron beam gun in a standby period in which the metal strip is not intended to be irradiated.