Automatic disconnect air supply system for automotive service equipment

Abstract

A vehicle service system and method of operation thereof, having a source of pressurized air for use during tire inflation / deflation procedures. A length of air supply line or hose couples the source of pressured air to an automatic-disconnect air chuck operatively configured for temporary engagement with an inflation valve stem of a wheel assembly. The source of pressurized air, air hose, and air chuck enable a transfer of pressurized air to or from an associated tire during a wheel service procedure. The automatic-disconnect air chuck is configured to automatically disengage from the inflation valve stem in response to a signal. Upon release, the air chuck and the length of air hose are separated automatically from the wheel assembly without requiring operator intervention.

Description

AUTOMATIC DISCONNECT AIR SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EQUIPMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is related to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 613,493 filed on December 21 , 2023 and to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 595,195 filed on November 1 , 2023, both of which are herein incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable.BACKGROUND

[0003] The present application is related to vehicle wheel service systems which incorporate a supply of air pressure for inflation of tires on the rims of a wheel assembly, and in particular to an air chuck for coupling an air hose from the air pressure supply to a valve stem of the wheel assembly, which is configured to automatically disconnect from the valve stem in response to the inflation pressure of the tire reaching a predetermined or selected pressure.

[0004] Many products manufactured for the automotive service industry are designed to inflate automotive tires. These wheel service systems 10, such as the wheel balancer shown in Figure 1 , generally provide a source of pressurized air via an air hose 12 to inflate or deflate the tire. The operator must manually connect an air chuck 14 at the end of the air hose to the inflation valve stem of the tire, initiate a flow of pressurized air from the source through the air hose 12 and air chuck 14, and either monitor the flow or establish an inflation cut off point to automatically terminate the flow of pressurized air. Traditionally, the air chuck 14 is manually disconnected from the inflation valve stem when the correct airpressure within the tire is achieved, and the air hose 12 returned to a storage location. Air chucks 14 are commonly secured to the inflation valve stem during use by a simple lever mechanism which expands a set of threaded jaws within the air chuck 14 when depressed, allowing the jaws to be placed over a threaded portion of the inflation valve stem. Release of the lever closes the threaded jaws to engage with the threads on the inflation valve stem. The air chuck 14 is subsequently released from the inflation valve stem by again depressing the lever mechanism, disengaging the threaded jaws from the threads on the inflation valve stem.

[0005] To manual release the air chuck 14 from the inflation valve stem during wheel service procedures, the operator must either be present at the wheel service system to monitor the tire inflation process or must return to the wheel service system after an automated inflation I deflation of the tire has ceased, before a subsequent wheel service procedure can begin. The required operator actions lead to inefficient use of the operator’s time, and result in longer vehicle service times as well as increased costs to both the vehicle owner and vehicle repair shop. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a wheel service system with a means of air delivery which improves operator efficiency and time management.SUMMARY

[0006] Briefly stated, the present disclosure provides a vehicle wheel service system having a source of pressurized air for use during tire inflation I deflation procedures. The source of pressurized air is selectively coupled to an inflation valve stem of a tire by an air delivery assembly comprising a length of flexible air supply line or hose coupled to an automatic-release air chuck. The automatic- release air chuck is operatively configured for temporary engagement with theinflation valve stem of the tire supported on the vehicle wheel service system. The source of pressurized air, air hose, and automatic-release air chuck enable a transfer of pressurized air to or from an associated tire during a wheel service procedure. The automatic-release air chuck is further configured to automatically disengage from the inflation valve stem when an inflation pressure within the tire reaches a predetermined or selected value. Upon release, the automatic-release air chuck and the length of flexible air hose are separated from the wheel assembly and any moving components of the vehicle wheel service system at risk of entanglement, allowing the vehicle wheel service system to begin a subsequent wheel service procedure without requiring an operator to manually disconnect the air chuck and safely store the air hose.

[0007] In one embodiment, the vehicle wheel service system is a wheel balancer having a spindle for rotationally supporting a wheel assembly during a wheel balancing procedure. The air-delivery assembly comprising the automatic-release air chuck and length of flexible air supply line or hose is configured to drop away from the wheel assembly and spindle following separation of the automatic-release air chuck from a inflation valve stem, and is held away from the rotating wheel assembly by one or more means such as gravity, a magnetic force securing the air chuck against a storage surface, or a spring force drawing or recoiling the length of flexible air hose into a storage location. The wheel balancer is further configured to automatically initiate a wheel assembly service procedure such as an imbalance measurement or tire bead massage following disengagement of the automaticrelease air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the vehicle wheel service system is a tire changing machine having a set of tire manipulating tools and a drive spindle for rotationallysupporting a wheel rim during use of the set of tools for a tire demounting and / or mounting procedure. The air delivery assembly comprising the air chuck and length of flexible air supply line or hose is configured to withdraw from the operational space of the tire manipulating tools following an automatic release of the air chuck from a valve stem and is held in a storage location by one or more means such as gravity, a magnetic force securing the air chuck against a storage surface, or a spring force drawing or recoiling the length of air supply line or hose into a storage location.

[0009] In a further embodiment, the vehicle wheel service system is a vehicle lift system having an integrated air delivery assembly for delivering pressurized air to each tire of a vehicle disposed on the lift runways. The air delivery system includes a length of air hose associated with each vehicle wheel position, configured to deliver pressurized air from a source to an air chuck adapted for connection to a tire inflation valve. To eliminate the need for an operator to manually disconnect each air chuck following tire inflation, each air chuck is configured for automatic release from a connected tire inflation valve in response to either a timer or level of air pressure. Upon release, the air chucks and associated lengths of air hose recoil from the operational space of the tires to a safe location.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, a dedicated wheel inflation station, such as an inflation cage includes an air delivery assembly comprising a length of flexible air supply line or hose configured to deliver pressurized air from a source to an air chuck adapted for connection to a tire inflation valve. To eliminate the need for an operator to manually disconnect the air chuck following a tire inflation, the air chuck is configured for automatic release from a connected tire inflation valve in responseto either a timer or level of air pressure. Upon release, the air chuck and an associated length of air hose recoil from the tire to a safe location.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the vehicle wheel service system is a vehicle inspection station having an air delivery assembly configured for delivering pressurized air to each tire of a vehicle undergoing inspection. The pressurized air delivery system includes a length of air hose associated with each vehicle wheel position, configured to deliver pressurized air from a source to an air chuck adapted for connection to a tire inflation valve. To eliminate the need for an operator to manually disconnect each air chuck following tire inflation, each air chuck is configured for automatic release from a connected tire inflation valve in response to either a timer or level of air pressure. Upon release, the air chucks and associated lengths of air hose recoil from the tires to a safe location.

[0012] A method of the present disclosure enables efficient operation of a vehicle wheel service system having a source of pressurized air for use during tire inflation I deflation procedures. After a wheel assembly is secured to the vehicle wheel service system, an air delivery assembly comprising an air chuck located at an end of a length of flexible air supply line or hose coupled to the source of pressured air is secured in air-tight engagement with a valve stem of a wheel assembly supported on the vehicle wheel service system. Pressurized air is delivered from the source to the valve stem, inflating an associated tire. Once the inflation pressure within the tire reaches a predetermined or selected level, the air chuck automatically disengages from the valve stem. The air chuck and air hose are withdrawn from proximity to the wheel assembly and secured in a storage location. Following a confirmation that the air chuck and air hose are secured; the vehiclewheel service system automatically initiates one or more wheel service procedures for the wheel assembly.

[0013] The foregoing features, and advantages set forth in the present disclosure as well as presently preferred embodiments will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

[0015] Figure 1 is an illustration of a prior art air supply hose and air chuck associated with a wheel balancing system;

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wheel balancing system incorporating an automatic release air chuck and air hose storage mechanism carried by the wheel cover;

[0017] Figure 3 is a close perspective view of the wheel balancing system of Fig.2, with a wheel mounted to the spindle, and the automatic release air chuck and air hose extended from an operating position adjacent the wheel;

[0018] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of the present disclosure for wheel inflation and automatic air chuck release on a vehicle tire service system; and

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle lift system configured with multiple recoiling air hoses and automatic release air chucks of the present disclosure.

[0020] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrating the concepts set forth in the present disclosure and are not to scale. Before any embodiments of the claimed invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the claimed invention is not limited in its application to the detailsof construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the present disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure.

[0022] Wheel service equipment 10 configured to perform specific wheel service operations such as measuring imbalance forces in a wheel assembly 1 1 for the application of imbalance correcting weights (i.e., a wheel balancing system or wheel balancer), mounting I demounting a tire 1 1 a from a wheel rim 11 b of a wheel assembly 1 1 (i.e., a tire changing system or tire changer) typically includes a base structure 16 for supporting various components. The base structure or body provides support for internal components, wheel service tools, storage compartments, user interface components, and user protection components. Additional components such as pneumatic or hydraulic pumps, and a motor for rotationally driving a spindle or shaft 18 supporting a wheel assembly 1 1 may be contained within, or support by, the base or body 16 as well. Those of ordinary skill in the field will recognize that components utilized by wheel service systems 10 such as tire changers and wheel balancers can be arranged in a variety of configurations and styles without detracting from the functionality of the wheel service system or departing from the scope of the present disclosure as shown below.

[0023] To facilitate automatic tire inflation and automatic air chuck disconnections, a wheel service system 10 such as a tire changer or wheel balancer includes a source of pressurized air and an air delivery assembly comprising an automaticrelease air chuck 100 and an air supply line or hose 12 coupling the automaticrelease air chuck 100 directly or indirectly to the source of pressurized air. In exemplary configurations, the air supply line or hose 12 is routed within a rigid support 20, such as a pivoting armature as shown in Figure 2, or is free-hanging. The source of pressurized air may consist of an air pump and pressurized air tank carried by the wheel service system 10, or is a connection to a remote pressurized air supply, such as a shop-wide air distribution system. A pressure sensor may be operatively associated with the pneumatic pathway defined by the air delivery assembly of the automatic-release air chuck 100 and air supply line or hose 12 to provide a measure representative of the air pressure within a tire when the automatic-release air chuck 100 is temporarily coupled to an inflation valve stem of a wheel assembly.

[0024] With a wheel assembly 11 consisting of a tire 1 1 a and wheel rim 1 1 b is operatively secured to the supporting spindle 18 of the wheel service system 10, such as shown in Figure 3, the automatic-release air chuck 100 is positioned to temporarily coupled to the inflation valve stem of the wheel assembly 1 1 , such as by selectively clamping to the external surface of the inflation valve stem. Coupling the automatic-release air chuck 100 to the inflation valve stem permits a flow of pressurized air from the source to travel through the air supply line or hose 12 and into the tire 1 1 a as is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0025] The flow of pressurized air and / or a level of pressurization within the tire1 1 a are mechanically limited, or monitored by a suitably configured processingsystem during inflation to achieve an inflation pressure target within the wheel assembly 1 1 . In a mechanically limited system, a valve is operatively coupled to the air supply line or hose 12 and the processing system is responsive to either an air flow or an air pressure reaching a preset level to close the valve, isolating the automatic-release air chuck 100 from the air supply and triggering a disconnection of the automatic-release air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem. In an alternative embodiment the processing system is configured to receive signals representative of the tire inflation pressure. When the level of pressurization within the tire 1 1 a reaches a target level as indicated by the received signals, the processing system closes the valve associated with the air supply line or hose 1 to isolate the automatic-release air chuck 100 and triggers disconnection of the automatic-release air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem.

[0026] In one embodiment, the disconnection of the automatic-release air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem is triggered by an electrical release device, such as a solenoid operatively coupled to a tab or handle configured to actuate a clamping mechanism securing the automatic-release air chuck 100 to the inflation valve stem. The electrical power required to operate the release solenoid may be provided from an external power source under control of the processing system via wiring routed along the air supply line or hose 12, or from a rechargeable battery carried by the automatic-release air chuck 100. In one embodiment, the power source is self-contained within the automatic-release air chuck 100, and a "release signal" is communicated wirelessly to the release device from the processing system. A self-contained power source may optionally be recharged automatically when the automatic-release air chuck 100 is returned to a storage location.

[0027] Upon disconnection of the automatic-release air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem, the automatic-release air chuck 100 is displaced away from the inflation valve stem and wheel assembly 11 . The displacement may be by a variety of return or retention mechanisms such as, but not limited to, a spring force exerted between the automatic-release air chuck 100 and wheel assembly 1 1 , a blast of pressurized air discharged from the automatic-release air chuck 100, an electromagnetic force, or a mechanical force applying tension to the air supply line or hose 12 to pull the automatic-release air chuck 100 away from the inflation valve stem. In one embodiment, the automatic-release air chuck 100 is rapidly displaced away from the wheel assembly 11 upon release of the inflation valve stem by an expansion of a release spring previously compressed between the wheel rim 1 1 b and a body of the automatic-release air chuck 100 during attachment to the inflation valve stem. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the specific mechanism for releasing the automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem may vary from that which is described herein without departing from the scope of the claimed invention, so long as the automatic-release air chuck 100 is configured to fully release from the inflation valve stem 100 in response to a triggering event such as a signal.

[0028] Once released, the automatic-release air chuck 100 and air supply line or hose 12 falls, or is drawn away from the wheel assembly 1 1 , such as by means of gravity, or by the retraction or displacement of a spring-biased storage mechanism configured to ensure the air supply line or hose 12 and the automatic-release air chuck 100 do not become entangled with, or entrapped by the wheel assembly 11 or rotating components of the spindle 18. In one embodiment, a spring-biased return mechanism consists of a hose reel biased to recoil or rewind the air supplyline or hose 12 away from the wheel assembly upon a release of the automaticrelease air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem. In an alternative embodiment, as seen in Fig. 2, the air supply line or hose 12 is carried by, or retracted within, a rigid armature 20 which is configured to pivot towards a storage position upon disconnection of the automatic-release air chuck 100 from the inflation valve stem.

[0029] Preferably, the disconnection of the automatic-release air chuck 100 and air supply line or hose 12 is monitored to ensure a complete withdrawn from the vicinity of the wheel assembly 1 1 before further wheel service operations take place. For example, a limit switch may be triggered upon sufficient movement of the support arm 20 carrying the air supply line or hose 12 and automatic-release air chuck 100, or an electrical signal may be generated in response to completion of an electrical circuit by return of the automatic-release air chuck 100 to a storage location. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a variety of means to detect proper separation between the automatic-release air chuck 100 and the wheel assembly 11 may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Proper separation and confirmation thereof are required to ensure that the automatic-release air chuck 100 and air supply line or hose 12 do not become entangled with the wheel assembly 1 1 during subsequent wheel service procedures which may be initiated automatically following an inflation of the tire.

[0030] Turning to Figure 4, a method for operating a wheel balancing device equipped with an automatically disconnecting air inflation system of the present disclosure begins with securing a wheel assembly 11 to a spindle shaft 18 of the balancer (Box 300). Assuming the wheel assembly 11 is ready for inflation, the automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 is manually connected to an inflation valve stem of the wheel assembly (Box 302). If the desired inflation pressure target forthe wheel assembly 11 is not set on the wheel service device (Box 304), the operator inputs or selects the desired inflation pressure via a suitable operator interface (Box 306). With the desired inflation pressure set, a hood or safety shield 22 for the balancer is lowered into position over the wheel assembly (Box 308), and automatic inflation of the wheel assembly 11 begins with a flow of pressurized air through the air supply line or hose 12, automatic-disconnect air chuck 100, and inflation valve stem (Box 310). A controller monitors the inflation pressure of the wheel assembly (Box 312), maintaining the flow of pressurized air until the target inflation pressure is reached within the wheel assembly 11 . When the target inflation pressure is reached, the automatic disconnect mechanism of the automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 is activated, disconnecting the air chuck from the wheel assembly inflation valve stem (Box 314). The automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 and air supply line or hose 12 is automatically stowed or relocated away from the wheel assembly 1 1 and supporting spindle 18. A safety check (Box 316) confirms the separation of the automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 and air supply line or hose 12 from the wheel assembly 1 1 before a wheel imbalance measurement procedure is automatically initiated by the control system (Box 318), enabling the operator to carry out other tasks instead of returning to initiate subsequent procedures. If the automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 and air supply line or hose 12 are not confirmed to be safely stored or moved away from the wheel assembly and spindle 18, a warning to an operator is triggered, and the control system suspends further operation pending operator review of the situation. (Box 320).

[0031] In a further embodiment shown in Figure 5, the vehicle wheel service system10 is a vehicle lift system 400 having a pair of vehicle-supporting runways 402 suchas may be employed in connection with a vehicle wheel alignment system, ADAS inspection system, or in a vehicle service bay, having an integrated system for delivering pressurized air to each tire of a vehicle disposed on the lift runways. The pressurized air delivery system preferably includes a coiled length of flexible air supply line or hose 12 associated with each vehicle wheel position, but may only include one air supply line or hose 12 for each side of the vehicle. Each air supply line or hose 12 is configured to deliver pressurized air from a source to an automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 adapted for connection to a tire inflation valve stem. Many vehicle service procedures, such as alignment measurement or ADAS calibration, require that the wheels of the vehicle on the lift 400 be uniformly inflated or inflated to specific levels in order to obtain proper measurements or perform a calibration procedure. In order to save the time required for an operator to circle around a vehicle disconnecting air chucks following a tire inflation step, each automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 is configured for automatic release from a connected tire inflation valve stem in response to an event such as a timer, upon reaching a selected level of inflation pressure within the associated tire, or an operator’s release signal. Upon release, the automatic-disconnect air chucks 100 and associated lengths of air supply line or hose 12 preferably recoil from the operational space of the tires to a safe location, such as within an enclosed reel 13, allowing an operator to proceed with the vehicle service without the need to circle the vehicle and attend to each individual wheel.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the vehicle wheel service system 10 is a dedicated tire inflation station, such as a tire inflation cage, which includes a length of flexible air supply line or hose 12 configured to deliver pressurized air from a source to an automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 adapted for connection to a tireinflation valve stem. To eliminate the need for an operator to be present to manually disconnect the air chuck following a tire inflation, the automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 is configured for automatic release from a connected tire inflation valve stem in response to an event such as a timer, a level of air pressure, or an operator’s release signal, thereby allowing the operator to attend to other tasks during tire inflation. Upon release, the automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 and an associated length of air supply line or hose 12 preferably recoil to a safe location.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the vehicle wheel service system 10 is a vehicle inspection station having an integrated system for delivering pressurized air to each tire of a vehicle undergoing inspection. The pressurized air delivery system preferably includes a length of air supply line or hose 12 associated with each vehicle wheel position, but may only include one air supply line or hose 12 for each side of the vehicle, each configured to deliver pressurized air from a source to an automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 adapted for connection to a tire inflation valve stem. In order to save the time required for an operator to circle around a vehicle disconnecting air chucks following a tire inflation, each automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 is configured for automatic release from a connected tire inflation valve stem, such as in response to an event such as a timer, a level of air pressure, or an operator’s release signal, thereby enabling an operator to safely move the vehicle or complete an inspection following the tire inflation process without the need to manually disconnect the air chucks and associated air supply lines or hoses 12 from each tire. Upon release, the automatic-disconnect air chucks 100 and associated lengths of air supply lines or hoses 12 preferably recoil to a safe location.

[0034] As various changes could be made in the above constructions and procedures without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, a second air supply line or hose 12 and associated automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 may be provided on the wheel service system 10 such as a balancer or tire changer, to allow an operator to inflate a second wheel assembly disposed in proximity to the wheel service system 10. However, to ensure the second air supply line and associated automatic-disconnect air chuck is not utilized to inflate the wheel assembly on a driven spindle 18 of the wheel service system 10, a location and length of the second air supply line or hose 12 is selected so as to ensure that the second automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 cannot reach a wheel assembly on the driven spindle 18.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle service system (10) having a source of pressurized air for delivery to one or more wheel assemblies of a vehicle, comprising: at least one air delivery assembly comprising an automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and an air supply line or hose (12) configured to engage an inflation valve stem of a wheel assembly (11 ), said assembly enabling a flow of air from a pressurized air source to pass through said inflation valve stem; and wherein said at least one air delivery assembly includes an automatic release mechanism configured to release said at least one automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) from said valve stem in response to a signal.

2. The vehicle wheel service system of claim 1 wherein said air delivery assembly includes a retraction mechanism configured to withdraw said automaticdisconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (1 ) from said wheel assembly (1 1 ) following an automatic release of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) from said inflation valve stem.

3. The vehicle wheel service system of claim 2 wherein said retraction mechanism includes a sensor configured to generate a signal indicating either a presence or an absence of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) at a storage location.

4. The vehicle wheel service system of either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said retraction mechanism includes an air supply line or hose recoil mechanism to coil said air supply line or hose (12) onto a spool.

5. The vehicle wheel service system of either claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said retraction mechanism includes a magnetic component configured to securesaid automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) away from said wheel assembly (1 1 ) and said driven spindle (18).

6. The vehicle service system of any of claims 1 -5 comprising a vehicle lift structure 400 including a pair of runways (402) configured to support a vehicle during a service or inspection procedure; and further including at least one air delivery assembly for each lateral side of said vehicle lift structure (400).

7. The vehicle service system of any of claims 1 -5 further including an inflation cage structure configured to at least partially surround said wheel assembly (11 ) during a tire inflation procedure.

8. The vehicle service system of any of claims 1 -5 wherein said vehicle service system is a vehicle inspection station configured to receive a vehicle in an inspection bay during an inspection procedure, and further including at least one air delivery assembly for each lateral side of said inspection bay.

9. The vehicle service system of claim 2 further including a driven spindle (18) for supporting said wheel assembly (11 ); and a control system configured with software instructions to implement at least one wheel service procedure for a wheel assembly (1 1 ) supported on said driven spindle (18).

10. The vehicle service system of claim 9 further including at least one force transducer operatively coupled to said driven spindle (18); and wherein said at least one wheel service procedure is a wheel assembly imbalance measurement and / or correction procedure.

11. The vehicle service system of claim 9 further including at least one tire handling tool disposed in operative proximity to said driven spindle (18), said at least one tire handling tool operative under control of said control system; and wherein said at least one wheel service procedure is a tire mount or demount procedure.

12. The vehicle wheel service system of claim 9 wherein said retraction mechanism further includes a sensor configured to indicate either a presence or an absence of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) at said location; and wherein said control system is further configured with software instructions to respond to said sensor indicated presence of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) at said location to initiate said at least one wheel service procedure.

13. The vehicle wheel service system of claim 12 wherein said control system is further configured with instructions to respond to said sensor indicated absence of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) at said location to secure said driven spindle (18) against automated rotation.

14. The vehicle wheel service system of any of claims 1 -5 further including either an inflation cage structure or a hood configured to at least partially surround said driven spindle 18 and said wheel assembly (1 1 ) during an inflation procedure.

15. A method for operating a vehicle wheel service system having a driven spindle (18) for supporting a wheel assembly (11 ) comprising a tire (1 1 a) and wheel rim (1 1 b), a source of pressurized air, and a control system configured with software instructions to implement at least one wheel service procedure for said wheel assembly (1 1 ) supported on said driven spindle (18), comprising: securing a wheel assembly (11 ) to said driven spindle (18);coupling an automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 to an inflation valve stem of said wheel assembly (1 1 ), said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) operatively coupled to said source of pressurized air via an air supply line or hose (12) and configured for automatic disconnection from said inflation valve stem; inflating said tire to a target inflation pressure by directing a flow of pressurized air from said source through said air supply line or hose (12) to said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and into said inflation valve stem; monitoring an inflation pressure of said tire during said inflation; and responsive to said inflation pressure reaching said target inflation pressure, terminating said flow of pressurized air from said source and automatically disconnecting said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) from said inflation valve stem.

16. The method of claim 15 further including automatically withdrawing said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) away from said wheel assembly (1 1 ); and responsive to withdrawal of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12), automatically initiating said at least one wheel service procedure on said wheel assembly (11 ).

17. The method of claim 16 further including verifying withdrawal of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) prior to automatically initiating said at least one wheel service procedure; and responsive to a failure of said verification, suspending said automatic initiation of said at least one wheel service procedure.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein automatically disconnecting said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) from said inflation valve stem includesdisplacing said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) away from said wheel assembly (1 1 ).

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) are displaced by one of gravity, an applied spring force, an applied electromagnetic force, or an applied pneumatic force.

20. The method of any of claims 15-19 wherein said at least one wheel service procedure is an imbalance measurement procedure.

21. The method of any of claims 15-20 wherein said vehicle wheel service system is a wheel balancer having a hood (22) configured to move between an open position and a closed position at least partially enclosing said wheel assembly on said driven spindle (18); and wherein inflating said tire (1 1 a) is initiated by a closure of said hood (22) following said coupling of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) to said inflation valve stem of said wheel assembly (1 1 ).

22. A wheel balancing system having a driven spindle (18) for supporting a wheel assembly formed by a tire and rim, a source of pressurized air, and a control system configured with software instructions to implement an imbalance measurement procedure for a wheel assembly (11 ) supported on said driven spindle (18), comprising: an automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) in fluid communication with said source of pressurized air via an air supply line or hose (12), said automaticdisconnect air chuck (100) configured to temporarily engage an inflation valve stem of a wheel assembly (1 1 ) secured to said driven spindle (18) to permit a flow of air to pass through said inflation valve stem;wherein said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) further includes an automatic release mechanism configured to release said automatic-disconnect air chuck 100 from said inflation valve stem; and wherein said control system is configured with software instructions to automatically initiate said imbalance measurement procedure in response to a release of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) from said inflation valve stem.

23. The wheel balancing system of Claim 22 wherein said control system is further configured with software instructions to automatically initiate said imbalance measurement procedure in response to said release of said automaticdisconnect air chuck (100) from said inflation valve stem combined with a spatial separation of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) from said wheel assembly (1 1 ).

24. The wheel balancing system of claim 23 further including a sensor configured to indicate said spatial separation of said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) from said wheel assembly (11 ); and wherein said control system is further configured with software instructions to receive a signal from said sensor indicating said spatial separation.

25. A method for operating a wheel balancing system having a driven spindle for supporting a wheel assembly formed by a tire and rim, and a control system configured with software instructions to measure an imbalance of a wheel assembly (11 ) supported for rotation on said driven spindle (18), comprising: securing a wheel assembly (11 ) to said driven spindle (18); coupling an automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) to an inflation valve stem of said wheel assembly (11 );inflating said tire to a target inflation pressure by directing a flow of pressurized air from a source of pressurized air through an air supply line or hose (18) to said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and into said inflation valve stem; monitoring an inflation pressure of said wheel assembly (1 1 ) during said inflation; responsive to said inflation pressure reaching said target inflation pressure, terminating said flow of pressurized air from said source of pressurized air and triggering said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) to release from said inflation valve stem; spatially separating said automatic-disconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) from said wheel assembly (1 1 ) and said driven spindle (18); and responsive to said release and said spatial separation of said automaticdisconnect air chuck (100) and said air supply line or hose (12) from said wheel assembly (1 1 ) and said driven spindle (18), automatically initiating rotation of said driven spindle (18) and supported wheel assembly (1 1 ) for measurement of said wheel assembly imbalance.

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