A robotic wheel gripper unit that is configured for gripping and transporting a wheel to a predetermined position during an assembly operation with a tire is disclosed. The robotic wheel gripper unit comprises a selectively moveable arm that includes a gripper tool connected thereto. The gripper tool further includes a plurality of gripper fingers and at least one sensor. The gripper fingers are configured for selectively engaging a portion of a wheel. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined element on the wheel, such as a TPMS valve stem, to assist in placement of the wheel during an assembly operation.

A jaw (1) for clamping a wheel rim comprises a body (2) extending along a longitudinal orientation (L). The body (2) includes: a connecting portion (22) configured to be connected to the head of the wheel-holder unit; a base portion (21) extending along the longitudinal orientation (L); a first abutment wall (23) extending from the base portion (21) along a clamping orientation (R); a second abutment wall (24) extending from the base portion (21) along the clamping orientation (R) in a spacing-apart direction (VA) and longitudinally spaced from the first abutment wall (23) by a working distance (DL); an abutment surface (251), longitudinally interposed between the first abutment surface (23) and the second abutment surface (24) and including a first portion (251A) and a second portion (251B, 251C), disposed at an advanced position relative to the first portion (251A) in the spacing-apart direction (VA) of the clamping orientation (R) to come into contact with the wheel rim. The second portion is spaced from the first abutment wall (23) along the longitudinal orientation (L) by a first abutment distance (D1), greater than 30% of the working distance (DL).

A device for removing burrs from a back cavity of a wheel includes a lower lifting synchronous movement arrangement, an outer ring brush arrangement, an inner ring brush arrangement, a synchronous movement arrangement and an upper lifting drive arrangement. When the device is used, an upper cylinder drives four clamping blocks to clamp the wheel synchronously through an upper guide rail, an upper gear and upper racks; an upper cylinder drives the wheel to rise and separate from a roller bed through upper guide pillars and upper guide sleeves; an upper servo motor drives the clamped wheel to rotate through an upper rotating ring. The present invention can be used for not only polishing the burrs at the back cavity of the wheel, but also accurately adjusting the position of each brush according to the flange size and the back cavity diameter of the wheel.

A tire change tool comprising a generally circular and planar faceplate having a hub side and a user side, the hub side and user side being generally parallel; an upper elbow flexibly connected to the faceplate by an interface; an arm connected to the upper elbow at a first end, and connected to a lower elbow at a lower end; and a footplate flexibly connected to the lower end of the arm by the lower elbow, wherein the faceplate and the interface comprise co-aligned apertures, the co-aligned apertures having an axis perpendicular to the plane of the faceplate. A length adjustment mechanism may be incorporated into the arm and adapted to permit the arm's length to be changed. The arm may include an upper section and a lower section adjustable connected by an adjustment mechanism adapted to permit the arm's length to be changed.

In a device (1) for clamping a rim (2) of a vehicle wheel, at least four clamping elements (3) are provided which can be moved with respect to the rim (2) and comprise clamping arms (5) and support elements (7) having support surfaces (6). A rim flange of the rim (2) can be placed on the support surfaces. The clamping arms (5) are rotatably mounted, about their longitudinal axis, in the clamping elements (3), and have clamping fingers (8) at the end that protrude beyond the support surfaces (6), which fingers have clamping surfaces which can be brought into clamping contact with the placeable rim flange.

Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision are provided. A retaining member may be connectable between a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly to control motion of the wheel assembly during a collision of a vehicle with an object. The retaining member may include one or more of a first attachment point connecting the retaining member to the vehicle frame, a second attachment point connecting the retaining member to the wheel assembly, a retaining member routing, and/or one or more break-away connections attaching the retaining member to the vehicle frame and/or to the wheel assembly. The first and second attachment points, retaining member routing, and/or break-away connections may be selected to control motion of the wheel assembly within a preferred path to control loading between the object and the vehicle.

Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision are provided. A retaining member may be connectable between a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly to control motion of the wheel assembly during a collision of a vehicle with an object. The retaining member may include one or more of a first attachment point connecting the retaining member to the vehicle frame, a second attachment point connecting the retaining member to the wheel assembly, a retaining member routing, and/or one or more break-away connections attaching the retaining member to the vehicle frame and/or to the wheel assembly. The first and second attachment points, retaining member routing, and/or break-away connections may be selected to control motion of the wheel assembly within a preferred path to control loading between the object and the vehicle.

An on-line wheel airtightness detecting device where a centering device centers a wheel above a roller bed, and a sixth cylinder causes arms to drive clamping jaws through a second gear, second racks, and fifth guide rails to clamp the wheel; a servo motor turns the wheel 90; a fifth cylinder drives the wheel to a support roller through a fourth guide rail; a second cylinder drives the wheel through first guide pillars; a first cylinder drives the wheel through a first guide rail and flush with a right rubber disc; the hydraulic cylinder drives a left rubber disc through second guide pillars; a motor drives a hollow shaft and the wheel to rotate through a small pulley, a large pulley and a synchronous belt; and compressed air is charged into the hollow shaft, to detect air tightness.

Disclosed is a wheel airtight rubber ring press-fitting device, consisting of a frame, first servo motors, ball screw pairs, first guide rails, a first cylinder and the like. The device may be used for automatic continuous production. The central axis of an airtight rubber ring coincides with the central axis of the outer rim of a wheel, so that the positioning precision is improved, and high-precision press-fitting is realized. Through cyclic switching of double manipulators, the press-fitting feeding time is nested, the press-fitting cycle is shortened, and the working efficiency is improved.

Disclosed is a wheel airtight rubber ring press-fitting device, consisting of a frame, first servo motors, ball screw pairs, first guide rails, a first cylinder and the like. The device may be used for automatic continuous production. The central axis of an airtight rubber ring coincides with the central axis of the outer rim of a wheel, so that the positioning precision is improved, and high-precision press-fitting is realized. Through cyclic switching of double manipulators, the press-fitting feeding time is nested, the press-fitting cycle is shortened, and the working efficiency is improved.