An automatic tire replacement apparatus is disclosed that has a hydraulic fluid line connected to a hydraulic fluid reservoir via a reservoir at one end a hydraulic fluid retainer at the other end. At least one hydraulic piston is provided that has a hollow barrel with an inner volume and an outer volume, a piston, and a piston rod with a first end and a second end within the inner volume of the hydraulic piston. The apparatus also contains a power rod, with a spiral thread, partially within the hollow barrel outer volume. The hollow barrel is connected to the hydraulic fluid retainer via an inner piston actuator and an outer piston actuator. The power rod is connected to the piston rod. A power bolt that has a set of inward facing pins is engaged with at least the power rod spiral thread.

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.

The invention is directed to a lifting tool (10) for a vehicle wheel (4), comprising a scissor lifting mechanism (12) with scissor pivoting arms (14); wheels (20) mounted on a lower portion of the scissor lifting mechanism (12), for rolling on the floor; and two parallel bars (16) on a top portion of the scissor lifting mechanism 812), for supporting the vehicle wheel (4). The wheels (20) are mounted directly on the scissor pivoting arms (14).

A method enabling two holes belonging to two parts to be aligned relies on use of a tool, comprising a body, having a first outer surface which gradually wanders from a longitudinal axis of the body as it extends from a first end of the body, and a hollow part having a second outer surface with a complementary section to the section of the holes. The hollow part comprises a hole through which it is removably mounted on the tool so that the second outer surface extends the first outer surface on an opposite side to the first end of the body. The method comprises inserting the first end of the body into the first hole, and then operating the tool to push the body and then the hollow part together into the holes. This method especially applies to the assembly of a floor module to an aircraft fuselage.

According to examples, an apparatus may include an elongated member, a mounting assembly, and a support member. The mounting assembly may include an extension section having a first end and a second end and a first connection member connected to the first end of the extension section and having a first opening, in which the elongated member may extend through the first opening in the first connection member, and in which the first connection member may be slidable along a length of the elongated member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The mounting assembly may also include a second connection member connected the second end of the extension section and having a second opening, in which the support member may extend through the second opening.

A tire stabilizer is provided that includes an upper block, a lower block, and a biasing device. The upper block has an inclined surface that is inclined relative to a bottom surface. The biasing device is disposed between the upper block and the lower block. A method of rotating a lug nut of a vehicle that is elevated above a ground surface is also provided. The method includes positioning a tire stabilizer between the ground surface and a tire of the vehicle, placing a wrench over the lug nut, rotating the wrench, removing the wrench from the lug nut, and removing the tire stabilizer from the tire. The tire stabilizer includes an upper block having an inclined surface, a lower block partially disposed within the upper block, and a biasing device disposed between the upper block and the lower block.

Hub lifting and pick-and-place equipment includes a fixed plate. The lower portion of the fixed plate is connected with a vertical plate. One side of the bottom of the vertical plate is fixedly connected with a fixed frame. The bottom of the vertical plate is hinged with a safety plate. The safety plate and the vertical plate are also connected with each other through shielding oil cylinders. A wire holder is mounted on one side of the vertical plate.

In the context of service and maintenance of heavy road vehicles, apparatus is provided that is configured to engage and support a rack and manoeuvre it into position relative to the vehicle to facilitate removal and installation of the wheels. The rack has a frame with a base and a pair of arms, each arm being pivotally attached to opposite sides of the base to pivot between an open configuration and a folded configuration. The apparatus may be expanded and contracted between an expanded configuration, where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the open configuration, and a contracted configuration where the rack engagement assembly is configured to engage the rack in the folded configuration.

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.