83 results about "Tire balance" patented technology

A machine and method for performing balancing measurements on a tire or tire / wheel assembly that includes a structure defining spaced apart tire centering and tire testing positions. A first conveyor moves a tire to a centering position where a shuttle assembly is operative to center the tire and, after it has been centered, engages the tire and effects the transfer of the tire from the centering station to a testing station. The shuttle assembly includes a pair of grippers that move towards and away from each other, in a lateral direction in order to engage the tire. The first conveyor permits movement of the tire in a lateral direction; whereas it substantially resists relative movement between the tire and conveyor in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction of movement of the conveyor. The shuttle assembly is mounted for movement in a longitudinal direction and includes a drive mechanism which allows the shuttle assembly to move relative to a tire in a longitudinal direction as the grippers engage the tire so that the shuttle assembly can align itself, in the longitudinal direction with respect to the tire. The frame structure of the machine includes three spaced apart support members providing a three point support arrangement for the machine. The machine also includes at least four legs which extend downwardly, but are spaced above a plane defined by the support members and inhibit tipping of the machine beyond predetermined limits. The testing station which includes a spindle assembly for rotating the tire also includes an elevator mechanism for lowering the tire on to the spindle and for raising the tire off the spindle. A lower marking mechanism forms part of the elevator and is operative to mark a predetermined location on the tire at the conclusion of a tire testing procedure. The spindle assembly includes a drive motor comprised of a drive motor housing and an armature. The armature is maintained in its operative position by a bearing arrangement associated with a shaft assembly forming part of the spindle assembly which eliminates the need for armature supporting bearings in the drive motor housing.

The invention relates to tyre balancing compositions having improved balancing properties comprise a visco-plastic gel and solid bodies having an average smallest dimension in the range of 0.5-5 mm; preferably 1-4 mm, more preferably around 3 mm. When applied in a layer to the inside of a motor vehicle tyre, the compositions act by allowing the solid bodies move through the gel and to concentrate in areas to counteract 10 imbalances. The solid bodies preferably have an average ratio a between their smallest and their largest dimension of α≦2, more preferably α≦1.5, especially around 1. The visco-plastic gel preferably has a storage modulus (G′) between 1000 Pa and 25000 Pa at 22° C., a loss modulus (G″) smaller than the storage modulus, and a critical yield stress above 3 Pa at 22° C. The bodies may be shaped as prolate or oblate ellipsoids, cylinders, 15 rectangular paralleipipeds, or spheres, or mixtures of such bodies; they may have an apparent specific gravity in the range of 500-3000 kg / m3, preferably 600-2000 kg / m3, in particular 700-1000 kg / m3, especially 800-900 kg / m3; they may be made from polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, rubber or glass. The weight ratio between the solid bodies and the gel is from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably from 5:1 to 1:5, in particular from 20 2:1 to 3:1, such as from 1:1 to 1:2. The invention further concerns a tyre balancing kit and a method for balancing automobile wheel assemblies.

A optical imaging sensor assembly for a machine-vision vehicle service system comprising a variable lens optical assembly. The variable lens optical assembly is controlled in response to direction from a vehicle service software application to alter an optical characteristic such as a field of view, a lens focal length, or an optical axis alignment to acquire images for use in a vehicle service procedure such as a vehicle wheel alignment procedure, vehicle tire balancing procedure, or tire changing procedure.

A method of manufacturing a tire having first color characters or lines on at least one side wall part, includes the steps of stamping a second color side wall rubber and a first color side wall rubber on the side face of a carcass member formed in a toroidal shape by winding, a plurality of turns, a continuous second color rubber ribbon and a continuous first color rubber ribbon thereon, stamping a second color cover rubber on the outsides of the side wall rubbers by winding a rubber sheet whereon one turn in an annular shape, and molding a green tire, whereby the use of a large extrude can be eliminated, different types of tires can be efficiently manufactured since a size switching can be easily performed, the accuracies of the shape and the dimensions of the members thereof can be increased, the uniformity and the tire balance thereof can be increased, and the sharp profile of the first color characters or lines can be assumed, thus eliminating problems associated with the appearance.