Vehicle dimension data describing dimensions of a vehicle are obtained, a robotic apparatus is moved to a position about the vehicle, a reference point of the vehicle is determined, and the robotic apparatus is caused to move to positions about the vehicle based on the reference point. The reference point may be a center point of a selected wheel of the vehicle. A coordinate system of the robotic apparatus is aligned to the reference point of the selected wheel of the vehicle. Based on the aligned coordinate system of the robotic apparatus, operations are performed by the robotic apparatus to remove lug nuts from a wheel hub of the vehicle.

A wheel restraint system especially useful for restraining break-away wheels on drive axles and also to trailer axles, having a tether, a cable end component, a thrust bearing, and a wheel retention subassembly which fits over a wheel hub, wherein the tether is secured to the vehicle, such as secured to the inside wall of a hollow axle or through a hollow axle to an opposing similar wheel restraint system.

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.

A wheel hub includes a one-piece hub base body configured to surround at least a portion of a rolling-element bearing, the base body having a first axial end region configured to attach to a wheel adapter and/or to a wheel and a second axial end region axially opposite the first axial end region. An annular reinforcing body, which may be a metal band, is mounted on a radially outer surface of the second axial end region and connected to the radially outer surface at a joint.

A wheel cover assembly for a vehicle wheel may include a wheel rib that is attachable to a rim inner surface of a wheel rim of the vehicle wheel, a cover body having a cover body outer surface, a cover body inner surface, and a cover body outer edge having an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the wheel rib and less than an inner diameter of an open end flange of the wheel rim. A cover mounting mechanism operatively connected to the cover body has a cover locking position wherein the cover mounting mechanism engages the wheel rib to retain the wheel rib between the cover mounting mechanism and the cover body and secure the wheel cover assembly to the vehicle wheel when the wheel rib is attached to the rim inner surface.

An internal double beadlock system includes a centralized inner ring and one or more tire positioners. The one or more tire positioners are coupled to extend out from each side of the centralized inner ring. Each of the tire positioners has a length to detachably engage with a portion of an inner tire wall on each side of a tire positioned on a tire rim while being shorter than a width of the tire rim.

The rotor of an electric motor unit has a web portion partially enclosing the remainder of the unit and terminating in a circumferentially extending rim. The brake drum defines an engagement surface for drum brake linings, and has an outboard end defining a flange securable to the wheel hub. The brake drum also includes an open inboard end, partly covered over by a dust guard, and a circumferential wall extending between the outboard and inboard ends and surrounding the engagement surface. By way of keys and slots or recesses, a reinforcing ring interlocks the circumferentially extending rim of the web portion and the circumferential brake drum wall. The reinforcing ring is secured to the circumferentially extending rim and to the wall of the brake drum at a location disposed axially between the rim of the web portion and the brake drum lining engagement surface.

A wheel assembly for coupling to an axle may include an outer rim, and distal inboard and outboard attachment points coupled to the outer rim. An inboard axle attachment assembly may include an inboard medial portion to be coupled to the axle and angularly spaced inboard arms extending outwardly from the inboard medial portion and defining proximal inboard attachment points. An outboard axle attachment assembly may be rotationally offset from the inboard axle attachment assembly and include an outboard medial portion to be coupled to the axle and angularly spaced outboard arms extending outwardly from the outboard medial portion and defining proximal outboard attachment points. Inboard gas springs may each be coupled between respective ones of the distal inboard attachment points and the proximal inboard attachment points, and outboard gas springs may each be coupled between respective ones of the distal outboard attachment points and the proximal outboard attachment points.

A face spline coupling for transmitting torque between a wheel end unit and a driven shaft arranged in a longitudinal axis of a drive-wheel arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a first face spline formed in the wheel end unit and a second face spline formed in the driven shaft. The first face spline is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and faces the driven shaft, and the second face spline is also generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and faces the wheel end unit. The first and second face splines are meshed together and detachably coupled by inter-fitting teeth of each of the first and second face splines. In addition, the teeth in each of the first and second face splines are formed in a helical configuration.