Patent ID: 7448267
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
1. A balancing machine for performing balance measurements on a tire/wheel assembly, comprising: a structure defining a tire centering position and a tire testing position, said tire testing position being spaced from said tire centering position; a first conveyor for moving the tire/wheel assembly to be tested to said centering position and for supporting said tire during a centering operation, wherein said first conveyor includes a plurality of rollers each having an axis of rotation oriented in a longitudinal direction such that the tire/wheel assembly supported by said first conveyor is permitted to move in a lateral direction with respect to said first conveyor, during a centering operation; a second conveyor moveably coupled to said structure; a shuttle assembly operative to center said tire/wheel assembly to be tested at said centering position and being further operative, in cooperation with said first conveyor and said second conveyor, to move the tire/wheel assembly to the testing position, wherein said shuttle assembly is further operative to engage said tire/wheel assembly after it has been centered and maintain its engagement with said tire/wheel assembly as said tire is moved from the centering position to the testing position; a spindle assembly associated with said structure at the tire testing position, said spindle assembly for acquiring balance data on the tire/wheel assembly and marking a location on the tire/wheel assembly for a balancing weight to be added, wherein the spindle assembly includes a rotatable spindle for spinning the tire/wheel assembly; wherein said second conveyor is operable to discharge the tire/wheel assembly after it has been tested, and wherein said second conveyor is located downstream of said first conveyor; and an elevator mechanism coupled to the structure and associated with the second conveyor for raising and lowering the tire/wheel assembly with respect to the rotatable spindle.