Method and apparatus utilizing static imbalance to reduce vibration caused by tire/wheel assemblies and tire/wheel assembly made using same

A tire/wheel assembly produced according to a process comprising the steps of:

• mounting a tire upon an wheel to form an assembly;
• determining a first vector correlated to radial force variation of said assembly;
• determining a second vector correlated to the static imbalance initially inherent in said assembly;
• and
• altering the mass of said assembly so as to produce therein an additional imbalance which, when vectorially combined with said second vector, results in a limited net static imbalance oriented substantially opposite said first vector, the magnitude of said limited net static imbalance being selected to substantially equal the lesser of:
• (i) a predetermined maximum limit, and
• (ii) the magnitude of static imbalance required to generate a centrifugal force whose magnitude substantially equals that of said first vector when said tire/wheel assembly rotates at a designated speed.

A tire/wheel assembly exhibiting reduced vibration in a plane perpendicular to its rotational axis, said assembly having a radial force variation parameter described by a first vector, said assembly comprising:

• a wheel rotatably about said axis;
• a tire mounted upon said wheel;
• and
• at least one weigh mounted to at least one of said tire and said wheel, said weight being of such mass and so oriented as to produce in said assembly a limited net static imbalance oriented substantially opposing said first vector, said limited net static imbalance having a magnitude selected not to exceed a predetermined maximum limit.

A method for reducing the tendency of a tire/wheel assembly to cause vibration in a plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining a first vector correlated to at least one selected harmonic of radial force variation of said assembly;
• determining a second vector correlated to the static imbalance initially present in said assembly;
• determining a third vector from said first and second vectors, said third vector being correlated to an additional imbalance which, when combined with said static imbalance initially present in said assembly, produces a net static imbalance oriented opposed to said first vector so as to generate a centrifugal force tending to cancel said first vector when said tire/wheel assembly rotates in use, and
• limiting the magnitude of said net static imbalance so as not to exceed a predetermined maximum limit.

A method for reducing the tendency of a tire/wheel assembly to cause vibration in a plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining a first vector correlated to a parameter describing radial force variation of the assembly;
• balancing the assembly so as to substantially null at least any static imbalance initially present therein;
• and
• altering the mass of the assembly imbalance oriented substantially opposing said first vector, said limited net static imbalance having a magnitude selected not to exceed a predetermined maximum limit.

A tire/wheel assembly produced according to the process of:

• mounting a tire upon a wheel to form an assembly;
• determining a first vector correlated to a parameter describing radial force variation of the assembly;
• balancing the assembly so as to substantially null at least any static imbalance initially present therein;
• and
• altering the mass of the assembly so as to produce therein a limited net static imbalance oriented substantially opposing said first vector, said limited net static imbalance having a magnitude selected not to exceed a predetermined maximum limit.

An apparatus for determining an additional static imbalance to be applied to a tire/wheel assembly so as to produce therein a limited net static imbalance which reduces the tendency of the assembly to cause vibration in the plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation when it is in use, said apparatus comprising:

• a first machine for generating a first signal representing a first vector, said first vector being correlated to at least one selected harmonic of racial force variation of the assembly;
• a second machine for generating a second signal representing a second vector, said second vector being correlated to an initial static imbalance of the assembly;
• and
• a computer operably coupled to said first and second machines for receiving said first and second signals respectively therefrom and for generating based on said first and second signals, a third signal correlated to said additional imbalance to be applied to said assembly so as to produce said limited net static imbalance therein, such that said limited net static imbalance is oriented substantially opposing said first vector and such that said net static imbalance has a magnitude not in excess of a predetermined maximum limit.