A vehicle wheel service apparatus that includes: a frame; a plurality of working tools, connected to the frame and movable to perform operations for mounting and/or demounting the tyre relative to the wheel rim; a shaft driven by an actuator rotationally about a longitudinal axis and connectable to the rim; a measuring system for generating vibration signals representing vibrations of the shaft produced by wheel imbalances; a control unit, connected to the measuring system to receive the vibration signals; a support device, connected to the frame and movable between an activated position, where it encircles the shaft while still allowing it to rotate, and a deactivated position, where it is spaced from the shaft; a connector, movable between a working position, where it mechanically connects the measuring system to the frame, and a rest position, where the measuring system is mechanically disengaged from the frame.

A machine (M) for mounting and demounting a tyre (P) relative to a corresponding rim (C) of a vehicle wheel (R) comprises a column (100) including a slideway (101) to which there is slidably coupled a tool holder carriage (300) that includes a first arm (401) with a demounting tool and a mounting tool (402, 403) connected to it. The first arm (401) runs along a first, horizontal sliding axis (X1). The tool holder carriage (300) also comprises a second arm, provided with a bead seater tool (502) and slidable along a second, horizontal sliding axis (X2) that is spaced from the first sliding axis (X1), and a third arm (601) with a bead breaker disc (602) connected to it.

Described is a machine (1) for fitting and removing a tyre from a corresponding wheel rim of a vehicle, comprising: a wheel-holder unit (4), which rotates about a first axis (A); at least one bead breaker tool (29), movable along a second axis (B) parallel to the first axis (A); a roller (2) rotating about a fourth axis (D) parallel to the first axis (A) and configured to move by rotation about a fifth axis (E) spaced from the fourth axis (D), between an active position where it is in contact with a tyre tread of the wheel mounted on the wheel-holder unit (4), to a position of non-interference relative to the tyre; at least one sensor (40) connected to the roller (2) for detecting a signal representing a force transmitted to the roller (2) by the tyre; a removal tool (37), which is movable by rotation about a sixth axis (F) parallel to the first axis (A) and spaced from it, between a first position proximal to the first axis (A) and a second position distal from the first axis (A), which is movable in a direction parallel to the first axis (A) and movable towards and away from the sixth axis (F).

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.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching or detaching a commercial vehicle tire hub drum. According to the present invention, the apparatus for attaching or detaching a commercial vehicle tire hub drum may comprise: a main body frame 100 having traveling wheels 110 mounted on a lower part thereof; a holding means 200 formed so as to face forward from the main body frame 100 for holding upright a circular load mounted on a commercial vehicle; an attachment/detachment means 300 for executing an attachment/detachment operation of the load from above the holding means 200; and a position adjustment device 400 coupled to the main body frame 100 to adjust the position of the holding means 200 and the attachment/detachment means 300. Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for attaching or detaching a commercial vehicle tire hub drum, which, by using a hydraulic device providing a hydraulic driving force, can conveniently attach or detach a load of various sizes to a vehicle from a fixed position while simultaneously adjusting the vertical position of a load-holding means.

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 tire changer machine, and method of operation, configured with a tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly to secure a wheel assembly consisting of a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon to a drive assembly, and for demounting of the tire from the wheel rim. Upon dismounting of the tire from the wheel rim, a recessed surface and annular flange of the tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly is configured to catch and retain a rim or bead of the demounted tire, restricting movement of the tire upon dismounting from the wheel rim, until retrieved by an operator.

A tyre changing machine includes a wheel support assembly for locking and setting in rotation a rim of a wheel from which to demount or on which to mount a tyre, and a bead breaking tool disposed at an end of a bead breaking arm and able to carry out the bead breaking operation. The bead breaking arm is movable between a disengaged position and a working position. A motor device has an output drive shaft for moving the bead breaking arm between the disengaged and working positions. Means for transmitting the drive from the motor device to the bead breaking arm include threaded means having an external screw-thread and hollow counter-threaded means operatively coupled with the threaded means. Connecting means operatively associate the means for transmitting the drive to the bead breaking arm.