Wheel Balance And Force Measurement Procedure

A method for operating a vehicle wheel service system having a wheel mounting structure upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for rotation during a measurement or service procedure, and a load roller assembly disposed in operative proximity to said wheel mounting structure, said load roller assembly including a load roller for engaging a vehicle wheel assembly mounted to said wheel mounting structure to apply a controlled load during rotation of the vehicle wheel assembly, the operating method comprising:

• mounting the vehicle wheel assembly onto said mounting structure;
• rotationally driving said vehicle wheel assembly on said mounting structure in a first rotational direction;
• engaging said load roller of said load roller assembly with a surface of the rotating vehicle wheel assembly;
• measuring radial forces and/or runout of the vehicle wheel assembly during said rotation of the vehicle wheel assembly in said first rotational direction and while in engagement with said load roller;
• measuring lateral forces of the vehicle wheel assembly during said rotation of the vehicle wheel assembly in engagement with said load roller concurrent with said step of measuring radial forces and/or runout of the vehicle wheel assembly;
• decelerating said rotating vehicle wheel assembly to a stop;
• and
• disengaging said load roller of said load roller assembly from said surface of the vehicle wheel assembly.

A vehicle wheel service system having a wheel mounting structure upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for driven rotation by a drive system during a measurement or service procedure, a load roller assembly disposed in operative proximity to said wheel mounting structure, said load roller assembly including a load roller for engaging a vehicle wheel assembly mounted to said wheel mounting structure during rotation to apply a controlled load there to, sensors for measuring parameters associated with said vehicle wheel assembly, and a control system operatively coupled to the drive system, the load roller assembly, and the sensors, comprising:

• the control system configured with software instructions to carry out a vehicle wheel assembly service procedure which includes
• engaging said drive system to rotationally drive a vehicle wheel assembly disposed on said mounting structure in a first rotational direction;
• measuring with said sensors, an imbalance of the vehicle wheel assembly during said rotation;
• engaging said load roller of said load roller assembly with a surface of the rotating vehicle wheel assembly after measurement of said imbalance;
• subsequently measuring, with said sensors, radial forces and/or runout of the vehicle wheel assembly during said rotation of the vehicle wheel assembly in said first rotational direction and while in engagement with said load roller;
• and
• presenting an operator with a display of information associated with said measured imbalance before said step of measuring said radial forces and/or runout of the vehicle wheel assembly is completed.