Patent ID: 7199880
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A method of optically scanning a vehicle wheel rotatable about a stationary axis using a wheel balancing machine, wherein the wheel includes a rim and wheel disc portions, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first set of sensor devices, pivotally mounted to a frame of the wheel balancing machine, for scanning the inside of the wheel; providing a second set of sensor devices, fixed to a wheel guard hood of the wheel balancing machine, for scanning the outside of the wheel, wherein each set of the sensor devices includes a light source for emitting a light beam on to the surface of the wheel, and a receiver that moves together with the light source, for receiving a light beam reflected from the wheel surface; providing a position sensor configured to specify positions of the light sources and the receivers of the sensor devices; and determining dimensions and positions of constituent parts of the rim and the wheel disc portions of the vehicle wheel based on the respective directions of the at least one emitted light beam and the at least one reflected beam.