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.

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 tire lifting assembly used to remove and replace a wheel and a tire on a vehicle is disclosed. The tire lifting assembly is configured to take the weight of the wheel and the tire when the service technician removes or replaces it thereby eliminating the need for manual efforts from a service technician. The assembly is rolled under the mounted wheel and tire and quickly adjusted to secure the wheel and tire by using a roller platform. A scissor jack mechanism is used to adjust the height of the roller platform which allows the rotation of the tire during the mounting procedure.

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.

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.

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.

A vehicle tire changing apparatus that is operable to assist a user in the tire changing process on a vehicle. The present invention includes a base platform member that is movably mounted onto four wheels in the corners thereof. The base platform member has a first post member and a second post member secured to the upper surface thereof that extend upward therefrom. A tire support member is movably coupled to the base platform member and is superposed thereto. The tire support member will move in an upwards-downwards movement along the first post member and second post member. The tire support member includes a first roller assembly and a second roller assembly secured to the upper surface. The first roller assembly and second roller assembly are configured to provide rotational movement of a tire engaged therewith.

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 hand lift system for positioning a wheel and tire to be placed on a vehicle hub, the system being made up of two primary components. A first paddle component provides a shovel shaped lever to be placed under the tire to be lifted up to the vehicle hub, with a handle grip to operate the lever arm. A second component provides a solid wedge chock on which the paddle component is placed to act as a fulcrum to the paddle component lever, or to act as a support once the tire is lifted to the appropriate height. The paddle component doubles as a tool for shifting the spare tire or flat tire into place. The chock component doubles as a wheel block for either a tire still on the vehicle or a spare tire that has been rolled to the side of the vehicle for use.

A wheel lift comprises a frame having ground engaging elements, a four bar linkage structure supported by the frame, lifting arms extending from the four bar linkage and for receiving and supporting a wheel and a handle for operating the four bar linkage to raise and lower the wheel. The frame defines an open space for receiving a wheel, for example a vehicle wheel. The lifting arms may be raised and lowered and locked in position to aid in removing and/or mounting vehicle wheels.