Weight applicator head providing improved wet out

A method for applying a wheel balance weight to an inner surface of a wheel, the method comprising:

• attaching the wheel balance weight to a weight application surface of a weight applicator head that is arranged in a retracted weight-receiving position relative to an axis of rotation, the weight application surface extending from a first edge to a second edge spaced from the first edge, wherein the wheel balance weight is attached to a weight retaining region of the weight application surface, wherein the weight retaining region of the weight application surface extends to the first edge and is configured for arrangement opposite the inner surface of the wheel at a first distance extending from the axis of rotation, wherein a leading rotation region of the weight application surface is configured for arrangement opposite the inner surface of the wheel at a second distance extending from the axis of rotation, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance;
• extending the weight applicator head toward the inner surface of the wheel such that only a portion of a leading edge of the wheel balance weight contacts the inner surface of the wheel;
• and
• rotating at least one of the wheel and the weight applicator head.

A portion of a weight applicator that is configured to apply a wheel balance weight to an inner surface of a wheel defined by a wheel inner surface radius of curvature, the portion of the weight applicator comprising:

• a weight applicator head configured for rotation about an axis of rotation and for being arrangeable in one of a retracted weight-receiving position and an extended weight-applying position, wherein the weight applicator head includes a weight application surface extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge spaced from the leading edge,
• wherein the weight application surface is defined by:
• a weight retaining region extending from the axis of rotation at a first radius;
• and
• a leading rotation region extending from the axis of rotation at a second radius,
• wherein a weight application surface radius of curvature is less than the wheel inner surface radius of curvature;
• and
• at least one actuator coupled to the weight applicator head,
• wherein:
• when the weight applicator head is arranged in the retracted weight-receiving position, the second radius is greater than the first radius;
• and
• when the weight applicator head is arranged in the extended weight-applying position, the second radius is less than the first radius.

A portion of a weight applicator that is configured to apply a wheel balance weight to an inner surface of a wheel, the portion of the weight applicator comprising:

• an applicator head configured for rotation about an axis of rotation and moveable between a retracted weight-receiving position and an extended weight-applying position, wherein the applicator head includes:
• an arcuate weight application surface;
• a linear trailing surface having a first end that extends from a first end of the arcuate weight application surface that defines a weight retaining region extending from the axis of rotation at a first distance;
• a linear leading surface having a first end that extends from a second end of the arcuate weight application surface that defines a leading rotation region extending from the axis of rotation at a second distance;
• and
• a linear rear surface opposite the arcuate weight application surface, wherein a second end of the linear trailing surface extends from a first end of the linear rear surface, wherein a second end of the linear leading surface extends from a second end of the linear rear surface;
• and
• a radial actuator shaft extending from the linear rear surface, wherein, when the applicator head is arranged in the retracted weight-receiving position, the first distance is less than the second distance.

A method for applying a wheel balance weight including wheel balance weight adhesive to an inner surface of a wheel, the method comprising:

• providing a wheel defined by a wheel inner surface radius of curvature;
• providing a weight applicator head configured for rotation about an axis of rotation and for being moveable between a retracted weight-receiving position and an extended weight-applying position, wherein the weight applicator head includes having a weight application surface extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge spaced from the leading edge, the weight application surface being defined by:
• a weight retaining region extending from the axis of rotation at a first radius;
• and
• a leading rotation region extending from the axis of rotation at a second radius,
• wherein the first radius is less than the wheel inner surface radius of curvature;
• removably-securing the wheel balance weight to the weight application surface of the weight applicator head;
• actuating a radial actuator for moving the weight applicator head toward the inner surface of the wheel in the extended weight-applying position for disposing, with a radial force, the wheel balance weight adhesive of the wheel balance weight upon an application contact zone of the inner surface of the wheel, the radial actuator being coupled to the weight applicator head;
• and
• actuating a rotary actuator for rotating the weight applicator head for applying the wheel balance weight adhesive of wheel balance weight to the application contact zone of the inner surface of the wheel,
• wherein the application contact zone of the inner surface of the wheel is a portion of an application zone of the inner surface of the wheel that corresponds to a rotational region of travel of the weight applicator head, wherein the application zone is defined by an arc length proportional to an angle of rotation of the rotary actuator as the weight applicator head applies the wheel balance weight adhesive of the wheel balance weight to the inner surface of the wheel, wherein, as a ratio of the first radius to the wheel inner surface radius of curvature decreases, the application contact zone diminishes from a tangent area where the weight application surface of the weight applicator head overlaps with the inner surface of the wheel to a tangent point of contact between the weight application surface and the inner surface of the wheel,
• wherein, when the weight applicator head is arranged in the retracted weight-receiving position, the second radius is greater than the first radius.

A method for applying a wheel balance weight to a conical inner surface of a wheel, the method comprising:

• axially disposing a weight applicator head within a conical cavity of the wheel, the weight applicator head extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge spaced from the leading edge and including (i) a weight application surface having a weight retaining region extending from an axis of rotation at a first distance and (ii) a leading rotation region extending from the axis of rotation at a second distance, wherein the cavity is defined by the conical inner surface of the wheel;
• radially arranging the weight applicator head at a retracted weight applying position;
• rotatably-adjusting an orientation of the weight applicator head about the axis of rotation for arranging the weight applicator head at an angle that is orthogonal to the conical inner surface of the wheel;
• and
• actuating a radial actuator for radially moving the weight applicator head from the retracted weight applying position to an extended weight applying position in a direction toward the conical inner surface of the wheel for disposing, with a radial force, the wheel balance weight upon the conical inner surface of the wheel, wherein, when the weight applicator head is arranged in the retracted weight applying position, the second distance is greater than the first distance.