Patent ID: 6584835
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
A spindle drive assembly for a tire or wheel testing machine having a frame, the spindle drive assembly comprising:a spindle having a spindle shaft joined to a spindle hub, the spindle hub being adapted to support a wheel for rotation about a spindle axis; a support member movably joined to the frame to pivot the spindle about an axis substantially perpendicular to the spindle axis; and a drive not mounted to the support member to move therewith and adapted to rotate the wheel about the spindle axis, the drive motor having an output shaft rotatable about a motor axis, the output shaft being operably coupled to the spindle shaft, and wherein the drive motor is supported by the support member so that the motor axis forms an angle with a spindle plane having the spindle axis that is perpendicular to a hub plane defined by the spindle hub, wherein the angle is one of acute, perpendicular or obtuse.