System for mounting wheels to vehicle

Abstract

An apparatus is adaptable for selectively assembling various wheels to complementary hubs defining a radial mechanical connection with the wheel. A tool is movable relative the vehicle body and adaptable for moving the wheel to the hub. A tool of the apparatus is adaptable for adjusting the radial mechanical connection. A camera is connected to the tool to generate visual image of the wheel or the hub. A controller operably communicates with the tool and the camera for regulating operational movements of the tool.

1 . An apparatus for selectively assembling wheels to complementary hubs extending from a vehicle body movable along an assembly line with each hub defining a radial mechanical connection with the wheel, said apparatus comprising: 
 a controller;    a tool for multi-axial movement relative the vehicle body for moving the wheel relative to the hub and for adjusting the radial mechanical connection as the wheel is engaged with the hub;    a device for scanning and generating three dimensional image of at least one of the wheel and the hub as said device moves in unison with said tool and signals said controller a configuration of at least one of the wheel and the hub thereby aligning the wheel relative the hub for making the radial mechanical connection in response to a signal received by said tool from said controller.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said device is further defined by a 3-dimensional camera connected to and movable with said tool relative the hub.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said tool is further defined by a robot having an arm and a wrist portion multi-axially movable relative to one another.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said tool is further defined by a plurality of spindle nut-runners and a front plate engaging said spindle nut-runners around said 3-dimensional camera.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said tool includes a pair of arms movable relative to said tool for clamping the wheel.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  including a comparative software of said controller having a pre-programmed data of different configurations of the wheels and the tires, said comparative software adaptable for receiving an evaluation signal from said controller and comparing said evaluation signal with said pre-determined data to determine a match and signaling tool through said controller to engage the wheel and to move the wheel to the hub for adjusting the radial mechanical connection between the wheel and the hub as the match between said evaluation signal and said pre-determined data is identified.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for selectively assembling wheels to complementary hubs extending from a vehicle body movable along an assembly line with each hub defining a radial mechanical connection with the wheel, said apparatus comprising: 
 a tool for multi-axial movement relative the vehicle body for moving the wheel to the hub with said tool having a plurality of mechanical devices radially spaced about said tool for adjusting the radial mechanical connection as the wheel is engaged with the hub; and    a camera disposed between said mechanical devices and movable in unison with said tool for scanning and generating three dimensional image of at least one of the wheel and the hub.    
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 7  including a controller operatively communicating with said tool and said camera with said camera signaling said controller configuration of at least one of the wheel and the hub thereby aligning the wheel relative the hub for making the radial mechanical connection in response to a signal received by said tool from said controller.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said tool is further defined by a robot having an arm and a wrist portion multi-axially movable relative to one another.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as set forth-in  claim 9  wherein each of said mechanical devices is further defined by a plurality of spindle nut-runners.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said tool includes a pair of arms movable relative to said tool for clamping the wheel.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  including a comparative software of said controller having a pre-programmed data of different configurations of the wheels and the tires, said comparative software adaptable for receiving an evaluation signal from said controller and comparing said evaluation signal with said pre-determined data to determine a match and signaling tool through said controller to engage the wheel and to move the wheel to the hub for adjusting the radial mechanical connection between the wheel and the hub as the match between said evaluation signal and said pre-determined data is identified.