In a method for detecting wheel imbalances in a vehicle, the profile of the driving state variable is ascertained by sensor over a speed range of the vehicle; a frequency analysis is performed; and a resonance step-up is indicative of a wheel imbalance.

A method for controlling the motor of a tool magazine that rotates around a horizontal rotation axis is configured so that: at least two indexing positions for the tool magazine are determined; the load torque acting on the tool magazine when stopped at said indexing positions is measured; an unbalance torque, which is the load torque when stopped at the indexing position at which the load torque when stopped is maximal, is calculated from multiple load torques when stopped; and the servo motor for the tool magazine is controlled on the basis of the unbalance torque.

An apparatus is removably attached to lug nuts of a vehicle's wheel assembly for use in determining imbalance forces of the wheel assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a plurality of data collection devices. Each data collection device is removably attachable to one lug nut of the same wheel. Each data collection device includes a single cup-shaped object and a motion measurement sensor. The data collection object is mounted to the vehicle's wheel by fitting the cup-shaped object over the lug nut of the wheel. The motion measurement sensor measures parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle. A processor receives the measured parameters from motion measurement sensors of each of the data collection devices and uses the measured parameters to identify an instantaneous center of rotation of the wheel assembly for use in determining imbalance forces of the wheel assembly of the vehicle during motion of the vehicle.

An apparatus is removably attached to lug nuts of a vehicle's wheel assembly for use in determining imbalance forces of the wheel assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a plurality of data collection devices. Each data collection device is removably attachable to one lug nut of the same wheel. Each data collection device includes a single cup-shaped object and a motion measurement sensor. The data collection object is mounted to the vehicle's wheel by fitting the cup-shaped object over the lug nut of the wheel. The motion measurement sensor measures parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle. A processor receives the measured parameters from motion measurement sensors of each of the data collection devices and uses the measured parameters to identify an instantaneous center of rotation of the wheel assembly for use in determining imbalance forces of the wheel assembly of the vehicle during motion of the vehicle.

An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle. A method for collecting measurement parameters related to imbalance forces of a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle during motion of the vehicle on a road surface by using the apparatus is also described.

An apparatus configured to be removably attached to a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle via lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly is used to determine imbalance forces of the tire/hub assembly during motion of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a disk and a plurality of cup-shaped objects fixed at one end to the disk and extending perpendicularly outward from the disk. The plurality of cup-shaped objects are arranged a fixed radial distance from a radial center of the disk in a pattern that matches the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus is mounted to the vehicle's tire/hub assembly by fitting the plurality of cup-shaped objects over the lug nuts of the tire/hub assembly. The apparatus further includes one or more inertial measurement units (IMU's) mounted to the disk to measure parameters that are used for calculating the imbalance forces during motion of the vehicle. A method for collecting measurement parameters related to imbalance forces of a tire/hub assembly of a vehicle during motion of the vehicle on a road surface by using the apparatus is also described.

A vehicle wheel balancer system having a processing system and a spindle shaft upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for measurement of imbalance characteristics and forces. The processing system is configured with software instructions to evaluate the remaining imbalance present in a vehicle wheel assembly following the application of imbalance correction weights, and to determine if the remaining imbalance is the result of the vehicle wheel assembly having deviated from an expected rotational position during the time between the measurement of the imbalance and the application of the imbalance correction weights. In the event of such a deviation, the processing system is further configured to provide the operator with a suitable warning to evaluate and correct the mounting of the vehicle wheel assembly before proceeding to rebalance or re-measure the vehicle wheel assembly.

A vehicle wheel balancer system having a processing system and a spindle shaft upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for measurement of imbalance characteristics and forces. The processing system is configured with software instructions to evaluate the remaining imbalance present in a vehicle wheel assembly following the application of imbalance correction weights, and to determine if the remaining imbalance is the result of the vehicle wheel assembly having deviated from an expected rotational position during the time between the measurement of the imbalance and the application of the imbalance correction weights. In the event of such a deviation, the processing system is further configured to provide the operator with a suitable warning to evaluate and correct the mounting of the vehicle wheel assembly before proceeding to rebalance or re-measure the vehicle wheel assembly.

A method of visualizing track and balance performance includes receiving data indicating track and balance of a rotary blade and receiving a constraint. A first performance level based on the data is determined. A second performance level based on the data and the constraint is determined. The first and second performance levels are displayed on a display unit for visualizing differences between the first and second performance levels.

A method of visualizing track and balance performance includes receiving data indicating track and balance of a rotary blade and receiving a constraint. A first performance level based on the data is determined. A second performance level based on the data and the constraint is determined. The first and second performance levels are displayed on a display unit for visualizing differences between the first and second performance levels.