Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

An tire replacement apparatus is disclosed that has an electric motor with a drive shaft and a first gear concentrically connected to the drive shaft. The first gear may connect to a symmetrical bolt locking gear array having several bolt locking gears arranged such that each bolt locking gear rotates in the same direction that the first gear rotates. Each bolt locking gear may have a cylindrical hole at its center. The cylindrical hole may be outlined with an inner spiral thread, which connects to a set of power bolts that are outlined in an outer spiral thread which interlocks with the inner spiral thread.

An tire replacement apparatus is disclosed that has an electric motor with a drive shaft and a first gear concentrically connected to the drive shaft. The first gear may connect to a symmetrical bolt locking gear array having several bolt locking gears arranged such that each bolt locking gear rotates in the same direction that the first gear rotates. Each bolt locking gear may have a cylindrical hole at its center. The cylindrical hole may be outlined with an inner spiral thread, which connects to a set of power bolts that are outlined in an outer spiral thread which interlocks with the inner spiral thread.

A wheel lock key assembly includes a wheel lock key portion configured to engage with keyslot features on a wheel lock. A driving tool coupling portion is connected to the wheel lock key portion and includes a surface structured to be rotationally coupled to a driving tool so as to enable rotation of the wheel lock key portion by the driving tool by a force acting on the surface. The surface extends along a plane extending parallel to the wheel lock key portion rotational axis. A retaining member is deformable to vary a radial distance the exterior surface extends from the rotational axis. A retaining member deformation mechanism is actuatable to deform the retaining member to vary the radial distance, such that the exterior surface extends at least a predetermined distance past the plane prior to rotational coupling of the wheel lock key assembly to the driving tool.

A wheel lock key assembly includes a wheel lock key portion configured to engage with keyslot features on a wheel lock. A driving tool coupling portion is connected to the wheel lock key portion and includes a surface structured to be rotationally coupled to a driving tool so as to enable rotation of the wheel lock key portion by the driving tool by a force acting on the surface. The surface extends along a plane extending parallel to the wheel lock key portion rotational axis. A retaining member is deformable to vary a radial distance the exterior surface extends from the rotational axis. A retaining member deformation mechanism is actuatable to deform the retaining member to vary the radial distance, such that the exterior surface extends at least a predetermined distance past the plane prior to rotational coupling of the wheel lock key assembly to the driving tool.

The disclosure discloses a wheel blank discharging position detecting device which comprises a frame, wherein a clamping system, a detecting system and a positioning system are arranged on the frame, and the detecting system comprises a distance sensor arranged on the frame above the clamping system; the positioning system comprises a detector arranged on the frame, and the device is simple to operate and improves the machining yield.

Disclosed in the present disclosure is a wheel locating surface correction device, comprising a frame, a correction ring and a correction plate. The correction plate is provided above a wheel blank. The structure can correct the roundness of the radial positioning surface of the blank, and the flatness of the axial positioning surface of the blank before machining to improve the roundness of the blank rim, improving the wheel yield and the processing quality.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

An automatic wheel changer robot has a includes a drive assembly, a torque gun, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The drive assembly has a mobile base and two wheel-clamping assemblies, each configured to engage a wheel. The controller generates a set of instructions based, at least in part, on information obtained from the sensor assembly. The drive assembly uses the set of instructions to cooperatively remove respective wheels from respective hubs on a vehicle and/or attach respective wheels to respective hubs on a vehicle. The device may have lidar sensors and Mecanum wheels that the controller is programmed to use to move between respective hubs and wheel storage locations install wheels, replace wheels, rotate tires, and perform similar operations.