Apparatus for restoring the centering of tire rims

Abstract

Apparatus for restoring the centering of tire rims, includes: a rod ( 2 ) which can be inserted into the centring hole ( 11 ) for engaging a rim ( 10 ) with the hub of a motor vehicle and provided with means ( 202, 212, 102, 112 ) for locking, coaxial with the rod, the fixing plate ( 13 ) of the rim ( 10 ) so as to position the rod along the direction of the axis of the rim ( 10 ); thruster elements ( 4, 4′ ) able to act in any direction perpendicular to the rod, movable in a direction parallel to the rod itself and provided with adjusting and support elements ( 3, 104 ) and members ( 164, 174 ) for fixing their position along the rod, the rod being mounted rotatably relative to its axis, provided with actuating means ( 101 ) and connected to elements ( 201, 301, 401 ) for detecting the balancing and geometrical deformation. A method is also disclosed.

1 . Apparatus for restoring the centering of tire rims, comprising: a rod which can be inserted into the centring hole for engaging a rim with the hub of a motor vehicle and provided with means for locking, coaxial with the said rod, the fixing plate of the said rim so as to position said rod along the direction of the axis of said rim; thrusters means able to act in any direction perpendicular to the said rod, movable in a direction parallel to the said rod and provided with adjusting and support means and means for fixing their position along the said rod, said rod being mounted rotatably with respect to its axis, provided with actuating means and connected to means for detecting the balancing and geometrical deformation. 
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which said thruster means ( 4 ,  4 ′) are arranged on support means ( 104 ,  3 ) mechanically and statically completely independent of said rod and connected to a support frame ( 1 ) of the said apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , in which said rod ( 2 ) is oriented along an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the ground on which said support frame ( 1 ) rests. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , in which said thruster means comprise two hydraulic jacks ( 4 ,  4 ′) which are situated diametrically opposite each other relative to the axis of the said rod ( 2 ) and are mounted on a common support ( 104 ) which is movable along a guide ( 3 ) parallel to the said rod and can be fixed in position using suitable means ( 164 ,  174 ) relative to the said guide ( 3 ). 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , in which said guide comprises two parts ( 3 ) which are situated diametrically opposite each other relative to the said rod ( 2 ) and connected to a bracket ( 5 ) projecting out from the support frame ( 1 ) of the said apparatus, in a direction parallel to that of the said rod ( 2 ). 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , in which said hydraulic jacks ( 4 ,  4 ′) are incorporated in a hydraulic circuit which allows control thereof so that a first jack ( 4 ′) is able to bear against the inner side wall ( 12 ) of the rim ( 10 ) and so that a second jack ( 4 ) is able to apply the thrusting force at a given intensity. 
   
   
       7 . Method for restoring the centering of tire rims by means of the apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of: positioning the rim ( 10 ) on the said rod ( 2 ) and clamping the said rim ( 10 ) using suitable means ( 102 ,  112 ,  202 ,  212 ); detecting the centring/concentricity defect of the rim by means of the device for detecting the eccentricity ( 201 ,  301 ); positioning and fixing in position the thruster means ( 4 ,  4 ′); applying the thrusting force onto the rim by means of said thruster means ( 4 ) at a given intensity; checking the effect of the thrust applied by means of the device for detecting the eccentricity ( 201 ,  301 ); repeating steps d) and e) in succession until the rim ( 10 ) has been re-trued. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , in which said thruster means comprise two hydraulic jacks ( 4 ,  4 ′) which are situated diametrically opposite each other relative to the axis of the said rod ( 2 ) and are mounted on a common support ( 104 ) which is movable along a guide ( 3 ) parallel to the said rod and can be fixed in position using suitable means ( 164 ,  174 ) relative to the said guide ( 3 ). 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , in which said hydraulic jacks ( 4 ,  4 ′) are incorporated in a hydraulic circuit which allows control thereof so that a first jack ( 4 ′) is able to bear against the inner side wall ( 12 ) of the rim ( 10 ) and so that a second jack ( 4 ) is able to apply the thrusting force at a given intensity. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , in which said hydraulic jacks ( 4 ,  4 ′) are incorporated in a hydraulic circuit which allows control thereof so that a first jack ( 4 ′) is able to bear against the inner side wall ( 12 ) of the rim ( 10 ) and so that a second jack ( 4 ) is able to apply the thrusting force at a given intensity.