Described is a device for locking a rim of a wheel to a wheel-holder unit (4) equipped with a supporting plate (12) and a hollow rotary shaft having an end portion projecting in a cantilever fashion from the supporting plate (12), comprising: a centring cone (16) having a through hole; a clamping rod (11) having at a first end a clamping element (10) which can be inserted inside the hollow shaft to prevent a movement of the clamping rod (11) along a first axis (A) of the wheel-holder unit (4), and having at a second end a threaded portion; a clamping element (17) coupled to the threaded portion and which can be rotated for translating along an axis of the clamping rod; a centring flange (23) operatively interposed between the centring cone (16) and the clamping element (17). The first end of the clamping rod (11) is operatively inserted in a hole of the centring flange (23), with the same direction as that in which centring rods (23b) of the centring flange project, and in the hole of the centring cone (16), with the opposite direction to that along which the centring cone (16) is tapered.

A tire changer with a controller includes a with a mount assembly adapted for contacting a wheel assembly to mount the wheel to a rotating spindle. The tire changer controller is configured to regulate the operation of a motor, and which is operatively connected to the rotating spindle to rotate the wheel assembly. A sensor coupled to the controller provides a data representative of the rotational position of the wheel assembly about a rotational axis. The controller is further configured to engage a load roller with the wheel assembly to apply a radial force to a tire mounted on a rim of the wheel assembly during rotation of the wheel, and to regulate the operation of a tire handling means and mount assembly, enabling identification, optional marking, and adjustment of the tire angular mounting position relative to the wheel rim.

A tire changer with a controller includes a with a mount assembly adapted for contacting a wheel assembly to mount the wheel to a rotating spindle. The tire changer controller is configured to regulate the operation of a motor, and which is operatively connected to the rotating spindle to rotate the wheel assembly. A sensor coupled to the controller provides a data representative of the rotational position of the wheel assembly about a rotational axis. The controller is further configured to engage a load roller with the wheel assembly to apply a radial force to a tire mounted on a rim of the wheel assembly during rotation of the wheel, and to regulate the operation of a tire handling means and mount assembly, enabling identification, optional marking, and adjustment of the tire angular mounting position relative to the wheel rim.

The machine (10) for fitting/removing a tyre includes: a bedplate (12) for resting on the ground; a spindle (16), mounted on the bedplate and configured to tighten a rim of a wheel thereon; a demounting tool, mounted on the bedplate and able to remove a tyre from the rim when the wheel is loaded on the spindle; a bead breaking arm (30), movably connected to the bedplate and having a bead breaking tool (32) able to bead break the tyre from the rim; a lifting member (52, 54, 56), movably connected to the bedplate and able to lift the wheel to load it on the spindle after bead breaking; and an operating device (40) which is selectively connectable either to the bead breaking arm or to the lifting member and able to operate the bead breaking arm or the lifting member according to choice.

The machine (10) for fitting/removing a tyre includes: a bedplate (12) for resting on the ground; a spindle (16), mounted on the bedplate and configured to tighten a rim of a wheel thereon; a demounting tool, mounted on the bedplate and able to remove a tyre from the rim when the wheel is loaded on the spindle; a bead breaking arm (30), movably connected to the bedplate and having a bead breaking tool (32) able to bead break the tyre from the rim; a lifting member (52, 54, 56), movably connected to the bedplate and able to lift the wheel to load it on the spindle after bead breaking; and an operating device (40) which is selectively connectable either to the bead breaking arm or to the lifting member and able to operate the bead breaking arm or the lifting member according to choice.

Tyre-removal apparatus comprising a base having a support for receiving and rotating the wheel. The tyre-removal apparatus further comprising a frame which is joined to the base and which has an upright with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel. A support arm is associated with the upright and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. A tool for operating on the wheel is mounted pivoting on the support arm. A sensor, associated with the tool, is able to detect at least one parameter representing contact between the tool and the wheel, said sensor being operationally connected to a control unit able to control an actuator, associated with the support arm, so as to pivot the tool between a first withdrawn position with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel and a second advanced position with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel, depending on the at least one parameter representing the contact between the tool and the wheel.

Tyre-removal apparatus comprising a base having a support for receiving and rotating the wheel. The tyre-removal apparatus further comprising a frame which is joined to the base and which has an upright with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the wheel. A support arm is associated with the upright and is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. A tool for operating on the wheel is mounted pivoting on the support arm. A sensor, associated with the tool, is able to detect at least one parameter representing contact between the tool and the wheel, said sensor being operationally connected to a control unit able to control an actuator, associated with the support arm, so as to pivot the tool between a first withdrawn position with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel and a second advanced position with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel, depending on the at least one parameter representing the contact between the tool and the wheel.

A working head (1) for an apparatus (100) for mounting and demounting a tyre to and from a corresponding rim (C) of a vehicle wheel comprises: a contoured element, having a first end (2A) and a second end (2B), spaced from each other along a longitudinal orientation (L) and including a demounting guide (22) and a mounting guide (21) juxtaposed with the demounting guide (22) along a transverse orientation (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal orientation (L); a gripping tool (3), movable in a working plane perpendicular to the transverse orientation (T) between a gripping position (PP), where it is operatively interposed between the rim and the tyre, and a prising position (PS), where the gripping tool (3) is lifted longitudinally relative to the second end (2B) of the contoured element (2); a transmission unit (4) connectable to an actuator (103) and to the gripping tool (3) and configured to move the gripping tool (3).

The demounting guide (22) is interposed, along the transverse orientation (T), between the gripping tool (3) and the mounting guide (21) of the contoured element (2), the mounting guide being removably connected to an arm (102) of the apparatus (100).

A working head (1) for an apparatus (100) for mounting and demounting a tyre to and from a corresponding rim (C) of a vehicle wheel comprises: a contoured element, having a first end (2A) and a second end (2B), spaced from each other along a longitudinal orientation (L) and including a demounting guide (22) and a mounting guide (21) juxtaposed with the demounting guide (22) along a transverse orientation (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal orientation (L); a gripping tool (3), movable in a working plane perpendicular to the transverse orientation (T) between a gripping position (PP), where it is operatively interposed between the rim and the tyre, and a prising position (PS), where the gripping tool (3) is lifted longitudinally relative to the second end (2B) of the contoured element (2); a transmission unit (4) connectable to an actuator (103) and to the gripping tool (3) and configured to move the gripping tool (3).

The demounting guide (22) is interposed, along the transverse orientation (T), between the gripping tool (3) and the mounting guide (21) of the contoured element (2), the mounting guide being removably connected to an arm (102) of the apparatus (100).

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel (tyre/rim assembly) by an electric motor about an axis, checking the current consumption of the electric motor during the mounting and demounting operation, and continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim comprises an electric motor for rotating the wheel (rim/tyre assembly) about an axis, a sensing device for sensing the motor current and transmitting corresponding signals to a control device and an adjustment controller for continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation.