Patent Description:
There are known "tire-removing" devices which have the objective of removing the tire from the rim. These devices are usually found in tire centers.

There are also known tire-removing devices of transportable type, used to change tires in places not typically designated for changing tires, such as at the roadside, or in emergency situations. In this case, the tire-removing device is hinged to the bed of a van. With a tipping action, the device is extracted from the van and positioned close to the truck, from which the wheel with the tire to replace has been removed. The wheel is then mounted on the device and the tire is removed from the rim. It must be noted that this operation is not simple, also in view of the fact that the wheel with the tire can reach a weight of <NUM>.

An example of a tire-removing device is disclosed in <CIT>.

Besides removal (and refitting) of the tires, it is naturally also necessary to perform balancing of the wheel with the new tire. In emergency situations, a balancing machine is also present in the van.

In general, balancing machines are provided with a supporting base for a rotating shaft, on which there is arranged, on a specific flange, the wheel to be balanced. Force measuring sensors are associated with the shaft. The shaft is rotated at a predetermined speed and the forces generated at the rotation shaft due to imbalance of the wheel are measured. Starting from these measurements, correlated to an angular position signal of the wheel, indications on the imbalance, therefore on the value and on the angular positions of the counterweights to fix to the wheel, are obtained. An example of a balancing machine is disclosed in ITMI20130844 A1.

To overcome the problems of extracting the balancing machine from the van, and of the footprint thereof, for some years now tire-removing devices integrated with balancing machines have been developed.

For example, there is known a tire-removing/balancing machine having a tire-removing device of known type of the type hinged to a van, removably fixed to the top of which is a balancing machine of known type, without the base. The shaft with flange of the balancing machine extends from the opposite side with respect to the "tire-removing" side, so as to allow either removal or balancing operations to be carried out.

It must be removable due to the fact that this tire-removing/balancing machine, when configured for both operations, is laterally bulky (due to the balancing part) and this bulk does not allow tipping inside the van. In fact, the rims of the truck wheels for which the machine is to be used are very deep and the cantilevered part (shaft plus flange for fixing to the rim) must be long enough to be inserted inside. Therefore, after the tire-removing device has been tipped out of the van, the module of the balancing part must be removed from the van and fixed, using screws, to the top of the tire-removing device. In particular, the base of the part that comprises the support for the rotating shaft with the sensors is fixed, while the shaft with the flange projects cantilevered from this part. When the operations have terminated, the balancing module is detached and placed inside the van again, while the tire-removing device is tipped into the van.

This device has the drawback that the balancing module, although of smaller dimensions with respect to a conventional balancing machine (the voluminous base has been removed), is still too heavy to be easily moved by only one operator.

There is also known a balancing machine to be combined with a tire-removing device of conventional type, of limited dimensions. This balancing machine is provided with a plate to be fixed directly to the operating arms of the tire-removing device; on the plate there are present sensors, connected to the shaft, which measure the forces applied to the shaft by the imbalance.

This system has the advantage of being of limited weight, but has the drawback of occupying the operating area of the tire-removing device and therefore, after a wheel has been balanced, the balancing module must be removed each time before a new tire can be removed. This situation can occur frequently, if several tires of the same truck need to be replaced at once, with evident loss of time.

The object of the present invention is to produce a balancing machine that has limited dimensions, but which can be used with truck wheels and is easy to transport and use.

Another important object of the present invention is to produce a balancing machine that can be integrated in tire-removing devices of known type.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to produce a tire-removing device equipped with removable fixing means for a balancing machine, which is flexible to use and easy to transport.

One more object of the present invention is to produce an integrated station for balancing and removing tires, which is of limited dimensions and easy to transport.

These and other objects, which will be more apparent below, are achieved with a wheel balancing machine, particularly but not exclusively for truck wheels, as set forth in the appended claims.

In particular, the object of the invention is a wheel balancing machine as disclosed by appended independent claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the balancing module, when in use, is laterally spaced from the column.

Preferably, the first part of the supporting structure comprises.

Preferably, the second part of the supporting structure comprises a pair of second side members, between which there is defined a housing for the balancing module.

Preferably, the reversible locking means of the second part on said first part comprise.

According to preferred embodiments, the balancing machine comprises means for fixing of said balancing module to the second part of the supporting structure, so that said module can be detached from said second part.

According to a second kind of preferred embodiments, the second part is slidingly associated with said first part, there being present means for moving said second part from a position of minimum footprint placed against said column, to a position cantilevered from said column corresponding to the operating position of said balancing module. Preferably, the balancing machine comprises means for reversible fixing of the balancing module to the second part of the supporting structure, so that the module can be detached from said structure to be transported separately.

According to the second kind preferred embodiments, the balancing machine comprises means for reversible fixing of said balancing module to the second part of the supporting structure, so that said module can be detached from said structure (M) to be transported separately.

According to the second kind preferred embodiments, said means for moving said second part comprise at least a guide for sliding said second part on said first part of the structure; preferably, said at least a guide having at least a rectilinear sliding stretch for a corresponding slider belonging to said second part of the supporting structure; preferably said rectilinear stretch ending with a recess lower with respect to the line for sliding of the slider on the same stretch, said recess being for stable positioning of said slider, corresponding to the cantilevered position of said second part (<NUM>); preferably said rectilinear stretch sloping upward in the direction from the position of minimum footprint to the cantilevered position.

According to the second kind preferred embodiments, said first part of said supporting structure comprises.

According to the second kind preferred embodiments, said second part of said supporting structure comprises a pair of second parallel side members, connected crosswise by a pair of rods, whose ends act as sliders for respective sliding guides produced on said first side members of said first part of the supporting structure; between said side members there being defined a housing for said balancing module.

According to the second kind preferred embodiments, said reversible locking means of said second part on said first part are adapted to lock said second part in said cantilevered position.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a supporting structure for a balancing module to be fixed to the top of a column, preferably of a tire-removing device.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to an integrated machine for removing tires and balancing wheels, particularly but not exclusively truck wheels, comprising a tire-removing device comprising an operating column, on a first operating side of which there are present operating arms for removing the tires, and a balancing machine as set forth in the appended claims.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a tire-removing device provided with a supporting structure designed to accommodate a balancing module.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

With reference to the aforesaid figures, an integrated machine for removing tires and balancing truck wheels according to the invention is indicated as a whole with the number <NUM>.

This machine <NUM> comprises a tire-removing device <NUM> of known type, show schematically in the figures for the sake of clarity, comprising an operating column <NUM>, on a first operating side <NUM> of which there are present operating arms <NUM>, shown schematically, for removing tires. The device is of known type and will not be described in detail.

The machine <NUM> also comprises a balancing machine <NUM> that comprises a balancing module M, substantially of known type, but of smaller dimensions with respect to modules that are already in use both alone and combined with tire-removing devices, for example similar to the device marketed by the same applicant of the present invention, described above, which required to be fixed directly to the top of columns of tire-removing devices.

This balancing module M comprises a base body <NUM> (such as a box-shaped body), a rotating shaft <NUM> with a first portion (not shown in the figures), rotatingly arranged inside the base body <NUM>, and a second portion <NUM> outside the base body <NUM>. On the second portion <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> there are present means <NUM> for fixing the wheel R, for example a fixing flange of known type.

In a known manner, inside the base body there are present electronic means (which comprise sensors adapted to measure the unbalance force at the shaft) associated with the shaft <NUM>, schematized simply by the number <NUM>, adapted to measure the imbalance of the wheel R fixed to the shaft, once again of known type.

According to the invention, the balancing machine <NUM> comprises a supporting structure <NUM> for the balancing module M. This structure <NUM> comprises a first part <NUM> for fixing to the top of the operating column <NUM> (naturally, the column supports the balancing machine) and a second part <NUM> for connection to the module M.

Advantageously, there are present means <NUM> for moving the second part <NUM> from a position of minimum footprint placed against the column <NUM> (<FIG>), to a position cantilevered from the column, corresponding to the operating position of the balancing module M (<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). Advantageously, the balancing module, when in use, is laterally spaced from the column.

In practice, the supporting structure <NUM>, when in use, comprises a portion cantilevered with respect to the column <NUM>, so that the balancing module is arranged cantilevered.

Advantageously, there are present means <NUM> for reversible fixing of the balancing module M to the second part <NUM> of the supporting structure, so that the module M can be detached from the supporting structure <NUM> to be transported separately.

In practice, the operation and construction of the balancing module M are similar to those of other known balancing machines, but it is dimensioned so as to reduce the weights and dimensions to allow it to be easily transported, even by only one operator. The smaller dimensions do not allow direct fixing thereof to the column, as the shaft is long enough to allow fixing to the wheel of the truck (which is very deep) without this striking the column. Therefore, the supporting structure produced in a fixed part and a movable part allows the module to be positioned cantilevered with respect to the column, thereby increasing the distance from the column and allowing fixing of the wheel.

There is present an electronic console <NUM> (only shown in <FIG>) for managing and controlling the balancing operations, operatively connected with the electronic means <NUM> in the balancing module M.

Advantageously, the electronic console <NUM> is separate from the base body <NUM> of the balancing module M, and is operatively connected to the electronic means <NUM> for measuring dynamic imbalance present in the base body, by means of wires (not shown in the figures) connectable by means of specific jacks (similarly, connections of wireless type could be present: WiFi, Bluetooth, and radio connections in general).

The electronic console <NUM> is, for example, in the form of a case. The console <NUM> can thus be transported separately from the balancing module M.

Advantageously, there is present a device <NUM> for supporting the console <NUM> on the supporting structure <NUM> when arranged on site to perform balancing. For example, the supporting device <NUM> is a supporting bracket with magnetic base for magnetically fixing the back of the console.

In this example, the first part <NUM> of the supporting structure <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> for fixing to the column <NUM> (to the top thereof), for example through reversible threaded connections 24A, such as four screws passing through the base and engaged on the top of the column <NUM>.

From the base <NUM> there extend a pair of first parallel side members <NUM>, on which respective sliding guides are obtained, forming part of the means <NUM> for moving the second part <NUM> between the position of minimum footprint and the operating position of the balancing module M.

In particular, on each side member there are present two separate sliding guides, formed respectively by a first rectilinear stretch <NUM>, substantially horizontal when the machine is operating, and by a second stretch <NUM>, sloping upward in the direction from the position of minimum footprint to the cantilevered position.

The second part <NUM> of the supporting structure <NUM> comprises a base plate <NUM> from which there extend a pair of second parallel side members <NUM>. The two second side members <NUM> are connected crosswise by a pair of rods <NUM>, whose ends <NUM> act as sliders for sliding on respective first and second rectilinear stretches <NUM> and <NUM> that, as stated, form the guides of the first part <NUM> of the supporting structure <NUM>. In this way the second part <NUM> can slide on the first part <NUM>.

Each second sloping rectilinear stretch <NUM> ends with a recess 27A, lower with respect to the sliding line of the respective slider <NUM> on the same stretch, which has the purpose of allowing stable positioning of this slider.

In the front end portion of the second part <NUM>, between the second side members <NUM>, there is defined a housing <NUM> for the balancing module M.

In particular, this housing, at the ends of the second side members <NUM>, has a pair of lateral slots <NUM> for insertion of corresponding first lateral abutments <NUM> of the module M; moreover, on the rear part, the housing <NUM> has a pair of abutments <NUM> for the module M, adapted to oppose an upward movement of this module.

Advantageously, the means for moving <NUM> comprise reversible locking means of the second part <NUM> on the first part <NUM>, at least when in the cantilevered position; for example, these means comprise a first handle/wing nut <NUM>, connected to the axis of a slider <NUM>, or to the respective rod <NUM>, and therefore to the second part <NUM>, adapted to clamp with pressure/lock with friction against a respective first side member of the first part <NUM>. This first handle/wing nut <NUM> can act both in the first position of minimum footprint, and in the second cantilevered operating position.

Advantageously, there are present reversible fixing means <NUM> of the balancing module, which comprise for example a second handle/wing nut <NUM>, connected to the base body <NUM> of the module M (for example at a first abutment <NUM>), adapted to clamp with pressure/lock with friction against a respective second side member of the second part <NUM>.

The balancing machine <NUM> also comprises a device <NUM> for measuring the axial position of predetermined points on the wheel to be balanced for entering the values measured in said electronic console <NUM> in order to calculate balancing parameters.

For example, the measuring device <NUM> comprises a measuring element <NUM>, preferable extending mainly longitudinally, provided in a structure <NUM> for sliding thereof parallel to the axis of the rotating shaft <NUM> (arrow f1). This measuring element <NUM> comprises a rod-like part 41A sliding in the sliding structure <NUM>.

There are associated with the measuring element <NUM> means for evaluating the axial distance of a measurement point thereof, for example its end toward the wheel, with a point fixed with respect to the sliding structure <NUM> (a point "<NUM>"), for example the part from which the rod-like part 41A of the measuring element projects. For example, these means for evaluating consist of a distance measurement scale, for example in millimeters, produced on the rod-like part 41A (for simplicity, the scale is not represented).

Advantageously, the measuring element <NUM> also comprises an end part 41B projecting cantilevered from the rod-like part 41A, rotating (arrow f2) about the axis of the rod-like part 41A, adapted to be placed in contact with the inside of the wheel in the reference area whose distance is to be measured.

Advantageously, in some embodiments (not represented here), the measuring device <NUM> can also comprise a part for measuring the radial distance from the axis of the shaft <NUM> of the predetermined points on the wheel to be balanced, which in practice corresponds to the diameter of the wheel in the points in which the balancing weights are to be positioned. The values measured are entered in the electronic console in order to calculate the balancing parameters. Advantageously, the radial distance is calculated based on the angular position (with respect to a reference point "<NUM>") of the end part 41B projecting with respect to the axis of the rod-like part 41A. Advantageously, there can be present sensors for detecting the position of this rod-like part with respect to the point fixed with respect to the sliding structure and for detecting the angular position of the end part projecting with respect to its axis of rotation, so that, in cooperation with electronic means for acquisition of the values measured by said sensors, these measured values can be loaded automatically into the electronic console.

Advantageously, the balancing machine comprises a braking device <NUM> of the rotating wheel. Preferably, this braking device <NUM> comprises a lever <NUM> articulated (rotating according to f3) to said supporting structure <NUM> and adapted to be brought into contact with a part thereof on the tire during balancing, which is rotating, to brake it through friction.

The balancing machine <NUM> also comprises means <NUM> for rotating the wheel. In this example these rotating means <NUM> comprising a handlebar <NUM> adapted to be fixed, on the opposite side of the balancing module M with respect to the wheel, on the shaft <NUM> (or on the means for fixing the wheel to the shaft, or alternatively directly to the wheel). It is understood that in other embodiments, rotating means of motorized type can be present.

Operation of the integrated machine <NUM>/balancing machine <NUM> is as follows.

The integrated machine for removing tires and balancing truck wheels <NUM> is, for example, arranged inside a van, tipped about the articulation axis X.

In this step, the part relating to the balancing machine <NUM> is partly associated with the column <NUM> of the tire-removing device <NUM>, and partly placed inside the van, detached from the device <NUM>. In particular, the supporting structure <NUM> is fixed to the top of the column <NUM>, with the second part <NUM> superimposed on the first part <NUM>. The balancing module M and the electronic console <NUM> are detached from the assembly <NUM>-<NUM> now described.

The tire-removing device <NUM> is tipped out of the van, with the supporting structure <NUM> integrated, as shown in <FIG>.

The locking means <NUM> are then released and the second part <NUM> is slid inside the rectilinear stretches <NUM> and <NUM> until reaching the cantilevered position shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. The cantilevered part is produced on the opposite side of the column with respect to the operating side for removing tires, so as not to interfere with this. The locking means <NUM> are then locked and the second part <NUM> is thus held stably in position.

At this point, the balancing module M is inserted into its housing <NUM>, on the second part <NUM>, in cantilevered position with respect to the column <NUM>, and locked in the housing.

The wheel is arranged on the shaft <NUM> and locked to the flange <NUM>. Advantageously, the wheel to be balanced can be loaded by means of the same movements carried out to load the wheel onto the tire-removing device, for example by sloping the column downward (about the axis X) and subsequently lifting it once the wheel has been inserted into and constrained on the balancing module M. The handlebar <NUM> for rotation of the tire is then fixed.

The electronic console <NUM> is arranged on the supporting structure <NUM> and connected to the balancing module, for example, by means of wires.

The measuring element is translated toward the rim, bringing the end part 41B into contact with the rim in the areas whose axial distance is to be measured (so as to define the axial dimensions of the rim, and also radial dimensions, if the value is not known or if it has not been measured in another way). From the millimetric scale, the corresponding values are read and entered in the console.

From here on, use of the balancing module M corresponds to that of a known balancing machine.

At the end of the operation, i.e. after all the wheels have been balanced, the steps described above are repeated in reverse order.

<FIG> show a variant of the balancing machine described above, which is now indicated as a whole with the number <NUM> instead of the number <NUM>. It differs from the above substantially in the fact that the first part and the second part of the supporting structure, now indicated respectively with <NUM> and <NUM>, are not slidingly associated with each other, but are separable, with the first part <NUM> fixed to the operating column <NUM>, and the second part <NUM>, detachable from and attachable to the first part <NUM>, supporting the balancing module M, arranged cantilevered with respect to the column <NUM>, according to requirements, as better described hereunder.

In this example, the tire-removing device is substantially the same as the preceding example, and therefore will have the same number <NUM> in the figures. Likewise, also the part of the balancing machine relating to the measuring device of the axial position of the points of the wheel is the same as the preceding example, as are the means for rotating the wheel, the braking device thereof, as well as the balancing module and the electronic console and its method of fixing to the supporting structure; as all these parts remain the same, for simplicity they will keep the same numbers as before.

In this example, the first part <NUM> of the supporting structure <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> for fixing to the column <NUM> (to the top thereof), for example by means of reversible threaded connections 224A, such as four screws passing through the base and in engaged on the top of the column <NUM>.

From the base <NUM> there extend a pair of first parallel side members <NUM>, adapted to contain the rear part of the second part <NUM>.

At the ends of the first side members <NUM>, there are present respective slots <NUM>, the lower parts of which have respective recesses 227A, adapted to accommodate respective appendages <NUM> of the second part <NUM>, as explained below.

The second part <NUM> of the supporting structure <NUM> comprises a base plate <NUM> from which there extend a pair of second parallel side members <NUM>. This second part has a front portion 219A for housing the balancing module M, and a rear portion 219B, for coupling to the first part <NUM>. From the second side members <NUM> there extend laterally the aforesaid appendages <NUM>.

There are present means <NUM> for fixing the balancing module M to the second part <NUM>, so that the module M can be detached from the second part <NUM>, for example in the case of having to perform maintenance on the module, or in the case of maintenance on the second part <NUM>. For example, these fixing means <NUM> consist of threaded elements engaging on the module and arranged passing through the second side members <NUM>.

There are present reversible locking means <NUM> of the second part <NUM> on the first part. These locking means <NUM> comprise the slots <NUM>, a transverse rod <NUM> arranged between the first side members <NUM>, adapted to be inserted under which is the rear portion 219B of the second part <NUM> of structure <NUM>, adapted to form an upper anti-tipping abutment for the assembly formed by the second part <NUM> supporting the module M. More in general, instead of the transverse rod there can be used any abutment that produces an undercut portion for the rear portion 219B of the second part <NUM>.

Further, the locking means <NUM> comprise a stiffening element <NUM> of the coupling of the second part <NUM> in the first part <NUM>, adapted to bring the rear portion 219B of the second part to press against the transverse rod <NUM>.

In this example, this stiffening element <NUM> comprises a threaded element with knob 231A, arranged passing through a counter-threaded passage 231B obtained on the base plate <NUM> (clearly visible in <FIG>); the free end of this threaded element <NUM> is positioned downward and is adapted to contact the base <NUM> of the first part <NUM>, so that, by clamping the threaded element <NUM> downward, the rear portion is pushed upward, i.e. pushes against the transverse rod <NUM>.

Further, in this example, locking means <NUM> comprise a handle 237A, connected to the axis of the appendage <NUM>, and therefore to the second part <NUM>, adapted to clamp with pressure/lock with friction against a respective first side member of the first part <NUM>.

Operation of this second version of balancing machine is as follows. The first part <NUM> of supporting structure <NUM> is stably fixed to the column <NUM> (they are detached only for maintenance purposes or similar). The module M is stably fixed in the front portion of the second part <NUM> of the supporting structure (they are detached only for maintenance purposes or similar). Before starting to perform the balancing operation, the first and second part of the structure <NUM> are separated.

As explained above, the column is tipped into the operating position. At this point, the operator takes the assembly formed by the second part <NUM> with the balancing module M, positions the rear portion 219B of the second part <NUM> under the transverse rod <NUM> and inserts the appendage <NUM> into the recesses 227A of the slots <NUM>. The module M is heavy and therefore the second part <NUM> / module M assembly tends to rotate forward, with said appendages <NUM> acting as pivot on the recesses 227A. The transverse rod <NUM> prevents rotation, opposing the rotation of the rear portion 219B. This coupling between first and second part can be stiffened by acting on the knob 231A, screwing the threaded element <NUM> downward. As its end is in contact with the base of the first part it cannot move downward and consequently the second part <NUM> tends to move upward (due to the thread of the passage 231B through the base plate thereof).

Moreover, it is possible to clamp the handle <NUM>, which clamps with pressure/locks with friction against the respective first side member of the first part <NUM>, further locking the first and second part to each other.

In practice, the supporting structure <NUM>, when in use, comprises a portion cantilevered with respect to the column <NUM>, so that the balancing module is arranged cantilevered. The balancing module, when in use, is laterally spaced from the column.

Operation of the other components of the machine is the same as described in the previous example.

Claim 1:
Wheel balancing machine, particularly but not exclusively for truck wheels, comprising a balancing module (M) that in turn comprises a base body (<NUM>), a rotating shaft (<NUM>) with a first portion rotatingly arranged inside the base body (<NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>) outside said base body (<NUM>), on said second portion of shaft (<NUM>) there being present means (<NUM>) for fixing the wheel (R), in said base body (<NUM>) there being present electronic means (<NUM>) associated with said shaft (<NUM>), adapted to measure the imbalance of said wheel (R) fixed to said shaft (<NUM>), there being present an electronic console (<NUM>) for managing and controlling the balancing operations operatively connected with said electronic means (<NUM>), further comprising an operating column (<NUM>) to which a supporting structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) for supporting said balancing module (M) is fixed, said supporting structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first part (<NUM>, <NUM>) for fixing the supporting structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) to said operating column (<NUM>), and a second part (<NUM>, <NUM>) for connection to said module (M), so that, during operation, said balancing module (M) is fixed cantilevered to said operating column (<NUM>), i.e. said balancing module (M) is arranged cantilevered, when in use, with respect to said operating column (<NUM>); said supporting structure (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising reversible locking means (<NUM>, <NUM>) of said second part (<NUM>, <NUM>) on said first part (<NUM>, <NUM>) in said cantilevered position, said reversible locking means (<NUM>, <NUM>) being such that the assembly formed by said module (M) and said second part (<NUM>) is adapted to be detached from said structure to provide a separated transportation when the machine is not operating; characterized in that said first part (<NUM>, <NUM>) is fixed to said operating column (<NUM>), such that during said transportation said first part (<NUM>, <NUM>) is fixed to said column (<NUM>) and the assembly formed by said module (M) with said second part (<NUM>, <NUM>) is separated from said first part (<NUM>, <NUM>).