Vehicle wheel service apparatus

A wheel service method for a vehicle wheel including a tyre mounted on a rim, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

• moving a plurality of tools used for mounting and demounting the tyre relative to the rim;
• connecting the vehicle wheel to a shaft at a first end of the shaft;
• rotating the shaft about a longitudinal axis by means of an actuator;
• measuring with a measuring system the vibrations of the shaft produced by imbalances of the wheel by effect of the rotation of the shaft itself;
• generating vibration signals representing the vibrations of the shaft;
• receiving the vibration signals in a control unit;
• moving a support device between an activated position, where the support device encircles the shaft while still allowing it to rotate, and a deactivated position, where the support device is spaced from the shaft;
• moving a connector between a working position, where the connector mechanically connects the measuring system to a frame, and a rest position, where the measuring system is mechanically disengaged from the frame.

A wheel service apparatus for a vehicle wheel including a tyre mounted on a rim, wherein the apparatus comprises;

• a frame:
• a plurality of working tools, connected to the frame and movable to perform operations for mounting and demounting the tyre relative to the rim;
• a shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis, the shaft being configured to be connected, at a first end of it, to the rim of the vehicle wheel;
• an actuator, operatively connected to the shaft to set the shaft in rotation;
• a measuring system, configured to generate vibration signals representing vibrations of the shaft produced by imbalances of the wheel by effect of the rotation of the shaft itself;
• a control unit, connected to the measuring system to receive the vibration signals;
• a support device, connected to the frame and disposable in an activated position, where the support device is directly or indirectly in contact with the shaft at a supporting region of the shaft, to provide a constrain against radial movements of the shaft, still allowing the shaft to rotate about the longitudinal axis, and in a deactivated position, where it is spaced from the shaft;
• a connector, disposable in a working position, where it mechanically connects the measuring system to the frame, and in a rest position, where the measuring system is mechanically disengaged from the frame.