Hunter Engineering Company

Micah Nathan Vaninger

Joel A Clasquin

Douglas S Hanneken

Steven K Molbach

Michael D Gerdes

Charlie Polster

Michael Wayne Douglas

David M Scribner

Charles Polster

Peter N Liebetreu

A tire changing machine including enhanced control features for automated operator of tire change procedures with operator oversight and ability to manually adjust machine operation when desired. Dead man control input, user interfaces and programs for implementing the interfaces, methods for completing tire bead seating, informational displays of wheel rim and tire information, coordinated tool positioning, and automated lubrication features are described.

Automated tire changer machine, systems, programs and methods

Tire changer machine

Automated tire changer machines, control systems and methods therefor utilize positive contact and contact force generation between wheel rims and bead breaker devices to break tire bead seals. The bead breaker devices may accordingly follow different geometries of wheel rims without prior knowledge or identification of the specific rim configuration by the machine.

Tire bead breaker device and methods for automated tire changer machine

Tire changing machines with automated positioning and closed loop control of bead pressing devices are described to maintain and control operation of the bead pressing devices during tire mount and de-mount procedures. Methodology is also disclosed.

Tire changing machine with automated tire bead pressing devices, controls and methods

A tire changer machine includes a control system that monitors a rotational position of a sensitive feature associated with a wheel rim and tire during a tire change procedure. The system adjusts operation of the machine to avoid damaging the sensitive feature, which may be a valve stem or a wheel sensor such as a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor.

Tire changer with rotational position and tracking control

Tire changing machines with automated positioning and control of bead pressing devices are described to maintain a tire bead in a desired location on the wheel rim during tire mount and de-mount procedures utilizing a tire bead locating tool. Sequenced motion of the bead pressing devices are also described that ensure optimal tire change operations. Methodology is also disclosed.

Methods and systems for facilitating weight placement on a vehicle wheel assembly that includes a tire and a wheel are provided. The method includes determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a plane of the vehicle wheel, determining a correction weight placement position associated with the determined imbalance characteristic, and directing a line of visible light at the determined weight placement position.

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Micah Nathan Vaninger