Measuring and testing – Rotor unbalance – Dynamic
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-15
2001-10-30
Chapman, John E. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Rotor unbalance
Dynamic
C073S146000, C073S471000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308566
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tire uniformity and/or dynamic-balance measuring apparatus.
There have been known a tire uniformity measuring apparatus which measures solely the uniformity of a tested tire and a tire dynamic-balance measuring apparatus which measures solely the dynamic balance of a tested tire.
The uniformity measuring apparatus is constituted to rotate a tire by pressing a rotating drum against the outer circumferential surface of the tire and to measure the variation of loads in the radial direction and thrust direction. The uniformity measuring apparatus must be constituted to be able to securely and firmly support the tested tire as the load applied to the tested tire by the rotating drum amounts to 100 kg or more.
On the other hand, the dynamic-balance measuring apparatus is to detect the eccentricity of the tested tire based on the state of vibration during rotation thereof. Thus, the dynamic-balance measuring apparatus is to be so constituted as to support the tested tire to be rotatable while allowing it to vibrate during rotation thereof.
Due to the above-described difference in supporting the tested tire, it has been unable to measure both the uniformity and the dynamic-balance of the tested tire by a single common measuring apparatus, and at least two independent apparatuses have been required for measuring both of them, which requires large space and expensive costs.
Furthermore, in the conventional tire uniformity measuring apparatus, a tire mounting unit can mount only one type (width) of tire although the width differs depending upon the type of a tested tire. Accordingly, it has been necessary to change a tire mounting unit depending upon the width of a tested tire, which is troublesome and cost-spending.
Moreover, in the conventional tire dynamic-balance measuring apparatus, it has been difficult to supply air to inflate a tested tire without dragging fine particles and the like therein during passing through the inside of the apparatus, which would affect on the results of measurement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus capable of measuring the uniformity and/or the dynamic-balance of a tested tire therewith.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring apparatus capable of carrying out a uniformity measurement without changing a tire mounting unit despite the width of a tested tire.
Other object of the present invention is to provide a measuring apparatus capable of supplying air through inside of the apparatus to inflate a tested tire without dragging fine particles and the like therein.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring apparatus for the uniformity and/or the dynamic-balance of a tire, which comprises: a supporting member which is rotated with supporting a tested tire; a holding member which holds the supporting member with allowing to vibrate during rotation thereof; and a regulating system which prevents the vibration of the supporting member during rotation thereof, and wherein the vibration of the supporting member is prevented by the regulating system during a uniformity measurement.
With thus constituted measuring apparatus, the spindle holding a tested tire can vibrate during rotation thereof for the dynamic-balance measurement, while the vibration of the spindle e is prevented during rotation thereof for the uniformity measurement, which enables to measure both the dynamic-balance and the uniformity of a tested tire by a single apparatus.
When the uniformity measurement is carried out, a rotary drum is pressed against the circumferential surface of the tested tire
In the embodiment, the holding member comprises a housing which rotatably holds the supporting member, and a plurality of elastic members provided between the housing and a frame member for supporting the housing.
Further, the regulating system comprises a coupling member supported by the frame member to be movable between operative and inoperative positions, and the coupling member firmly couples the housing to the frame member at the operative position when the coupling member is moved to the operative position during a uniformity measurement.
The regulating system may further comprise a rotatable shaft member supported by the frame member and disposed on the extension of the rotary axis of the supporting member, and a chuck mechanism provided at one end of said rotatable shaft member for chucking the supporting member at the side opposite to the holding member across the tire. The chuck mechanism chucks the supporting member during a uniformity measurement sa as to connect the supporting member to the rotatable shaft member.
Moreover, the supporting member comprises a rotatable spindle having a first rim and an axially extending hollow portion, a locking shaft having a second rim and inserted into the hollow portion of the spindle so that the tested tire is pinched between the first and second rims, and a locking system which firmly locks the locking shaft to the rotatable spindle. The axial distance between the first and second rims is changed by shifting the position of the locking shaft relative to the rotatable spindle to be locked by the locking system.
The locking system may comprise a plurality of engaging steps formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking shaft and arranged in the axial direction thereof, and at least one lock member provided on the spindle to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spindle. The lock member is provided with engaging steps to be meshed with the engaging steps of the locking shaft to lock the locking shaft to the spindle when the lock member is moved to abut against the locking shaft.
Optionally, a plurarity of lock members may be provided and arranged radially at the interval of a predetermined angle about the axis of the spindle.
Furthermore, an air passage system is provided in the spindle for supplying air into the tire held between the first and second rims, and is formed to be isolated from the portion of the spindle where the lock shaft is to be inserted and from the locking system. The air passage may be formed to pass the intervals among a plurarity of lock members.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring apparatus for the uniformity of a tire, which comprises a rotatable spindle having a first rim and an axially extending hollow portion, a locking shaft having a second rim and inserted into the hollow portion of the spindle so that the tested tire is pinched between the first and second rims, a locking system which firmly locks the locking shaft to the rotatable spindle, the axial distance between the first and second rims being changed by shifting the position of the locking shaft relative to the rotatable spindle to be locked by said locking system, and a rotary drum arranged to be pressed against the circumferential surface of the tested tire.
With thus constituting, it becomes unnecessary to change a tire mounting unit, as required in the conventional one, depending upon the width of a tested tire for a uniformity measurement.
The locking system may comprise a plurality of engaging steps formed on the outer circumferential surface of the locking shaft and arranged in the axial direction thereof, and at least one lock member provided on the spindle to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the spindle, the lock member being provided with engaging steps to be meshed with the engaging steps of the locking shaft to lock the locking shaft to the spindle when the lock member is moved to abut against the locking shaft.
Optionally, a plurarity of lock members may be provided and arranged radially at the interval of a predetermined angle about the axis of the spindle.
In other aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring apparatus for the dynamic-balance of a tire, which comprises a rotatable spindle having a first rim and an axially extend
Kondo Kazuaki
Matsumoto Sigeru
Chapman John E.
Kokusai Keisokuki Kabushiki Kaisha
Pitney Hardin Kipp & Szuch LLP
LandOfFree
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