US 12,276,571 B2
Method and apparatus for determining the geometrical dimensions of a vehicle wheel mounted that rotates about an axis of rotation
Paolo Sotgiu, Modena (IT)
Assigned to Snap-on Equipment Srl a unico socio, Correggio (IT)
Filed by Snap-on Equipment Srl a unico socio, Correggio (IT)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/866,027.
Claims priority of application No. 102021000018716 (IT), filed on Jul. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0014682 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. G01M 17/02 (2006.01); B60C 25/05 (2006.01); G01B 15/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01M 17/02 (2013.01) [B60C 25/0548 (2013.01); G01B 15/04 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for determining the geometrical dimensions of a wheel, in particular a vehicle wheel, or at least one part of a wheel, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a wheel maintenance machine having a main shaft and a frame structure supporting the main shaft;
securing the wheel to the main shaft of the wheel maintenance machine using clamping means such that the wheel rotates about an axis of rotation;
scanning, contactlessly, a plurality of measurement points on the wheel while the wheel is rotating;
measuring the distances of the plurality of measurement points on the wheel with respect to a reference position;
measuring the angular positions of the plurality of measurement points with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel; and subsequently
determining the position of the plurality of points of the wheel, or of the at least one part of the wheel, with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel, on the basis of the respective distances with respect to the reference position and of the respective angular positions with respect to the axis of rotation,
wherein the step of contactless scanning involves the use of at least one sensor device comprising a radar system.