Assembly, device for producing an assembly and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly (200), particularly a pneumatic tire, comprising: a component (102); and a foam plastic (108) fixed to the component (102) by applying a precursor of the foam plastic (108) to the component (102) and converting the precursor to thereby produce the foam plastic (108); wherein the foam plastic (108) has an open surface facing away from the component (102). The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing the assembly (200).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of members having foamed plastics. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known from practice to adhere a polyurethane foam body into a pneumatic tire in order to provide a pneumatic tire having a reduced rolling noise. SUMMARY

[0003] In view of the above, there can be a need for a technology which allows to provide a member having foamed plastics having improved properties and a method for manufacturing thereof.

[0004] This need can be met, at least in part, by the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a method is provided.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: applying a precursor of foamed plastics to a member; converting the precursor to thereby produce foamed plastics; and removing, in particular, a surface region of the foamed plastics.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, an assembly is provided.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the second aspect, an assembly is provided, the assembly comprising: a member; foamed plastics fixed at the member by applying a precursor of foamed plastics to the member and converting the precursor to thereby produce foamed plastics; in particular wherein the foamed plastics have an open cell surface facing away from the member.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a production device for producing an assembly is provided.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the third aspect, a production device for producing an assembly is provided, the production device comprising: a receptacle for holding a member; an application device for applying a precursor of foamed plastics to a member held by the receptacle; and a removal device for removing a surface region of foamed plastics formed from the precursor.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a container is provided.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the fourth aspect, a container is provided having predetermined features, wherein the predetermined features control an operation of a production device according to the third aspect.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a precursor for foamed plastics is provided.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the fifth aspect, a precursor for foamed plastics is provided, the precursor having predetermined characteristics that can be identified by a production apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the predetermined characteristics control the operation of the production apparatus.

[0015] According to the sixth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a computer program product is provided.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product having program elements configured to control the method according to the first aspect when executed on a processor device.

[0017] Description of exemplary implementations Even when certain disadvantages of earlier technologies are mentioned herein, the claimed subject matter should not be limited to implementations that eliminate some or all of the aforementioned disadvantages of earlier technologies. Furthermore, even when certain advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein are mentioned or implied in this disclosure, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that have some or all of these advantages.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the method of the first aspect, the method includes applying a precursor of a foamed plastic onto a component. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the method includes converting the precursor to thereby produce the foamed plastic. Additionally, according to one embodiment, the method includes removing surface areas of the foamed plastic.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the assembly of the second aspect includes a component. According to another embodiment, the assembly includes a foam plastic fixed to the component, particularly by applying a precursor of the foam plastic to the component and converting the precursor to produce the foam plastic. According to another embodiment, the foam plastic has an open surface facing away from the component.

[0020] According to a third aspect, the production apparatus includes, in one embodiment, a receiving portion for holding the component. According to another embodiment, the production apparatus includes an application device for applying a foam precursor to the component held by the receiving portion. According to yet another embodiment, the production apparatus includes a removal device for removing surface areas of the foam formed from the precursor.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the container of the fourth aspect includes a predetermined feature that can be identified by the production apparatus according to the third aspect. According to another embodiment, the predetermined feature controls the operation of the production apparatus.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the precursor of the fifth aspect has a predetermined feature that can be identified by the production apparatus according to the third aspect. According to another embodiment, the predetermined feature controls the operation of the production apparatus.

[0023] The computer program product according to the sixth aspect has program elements according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, the program elements are configured to control the method according to the first aspect when executed on a processor device.

[0024] It should be noted that reference to one aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein naturally includes reference to one or more embodiments of that aspect. For example, a reference to a method according to the first aspect also includes a reference to a method according to at least one embodiment of the first aspect. For example, the description of the operation of a production apparatus according to the third aspect for controlling the predetermined characteristics of a container includes embodiments in which the container is constructed according to one or more embodiments of the fourth aspect, and / or, according to the third aspect, the production apparatus is constructed according to one or more embodiments of the third aspect.

[0025] At least some aspects and embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are based on the concept that the properties of a component having foam plastic or the method of manufacturing it can be improved by directly generating foam plastic at a desired location on the component. This is particularly applicable to situations where the component is a pneumatic tire and the foam plastic should be placed inside the pneumatic tire, for example, to provide a pneumatic tire with reduced driving noise.

[0026] According to one embodiment, an open-cell foam plastic surface is provided according to the method of the first aspect. In other words, the foam plastic surface manufactured according to the first aspect does not have a foam plastic skin as typically appears in areas where the surface area has been removed.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the method according to the first aspect is a method for adjusting the acoustic properties of a component.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the surface region of the foam plastic (which is generated in the component by converting a precursor) includes a foam plastic skin, which is generated during the conversion of the precursor. By removing the surface region including the foam plastic skin, a more open-cell foam plastic surface is obtained than the foam plastic skin. In this way, sound waves impacting the foam plastic penetrate into the pores of the foam plastic and are reduced in intensity there, for example, through multiple reflections and absorption and / or friction.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the removal of the surface area is performed by means of a laser beam. Therefore, according to one embodiment, the open surface of the foam is a laser-processed surface. According to another embodiment, the removal device is a laser device configured to emit a laser beam onto the foam, thereby removing the surface area of ​​the foam with the laser beam.

[0030] Removal using a laser beam allows for cost-effective and rapid removal of surface areas. Surface area removal can be achieved, for example, by ablation of the surface area. During ablation, the angle of incidence of the laser beam on the foam (i.e., the angle between the foam (or foam sheet) and the laser beam) can be relatively large, for example, between 60 and 90 degrees. According to one embodiment, surface area removal is performed by machining the surface area, for example, by milling.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the removal of the surface region is performed by cutting off the surface region, for example, by using a laser beam. During laser beam cutting, the laser beam is guided in a plane corresponding to the desired cutting plane. According to another embodiment, the cutting of the surface region is performed using a blade.

[0032] According to one embodiment, at least one laser parameter can be adjusted, for example, based on the material of the foam and / or the volume fraction of its pores, to ensure the removal of surface areas in the desired manner. According to one embodiment, the laser is a CO2 laser. According to another embodiment, the laser is a fiber laser. According to another embodiment, the laser operates continuously (continuous wave (cw) mode). According to another embodiment, the laser operates in pulsed mode. According to one embodiment, the laser operates at a relatively low power density, for example, at 20 W on a circular spot with a diameter of 300 μm. According to another embodiment, the laser is focused at 200 W on a circular spot with a diameter of 1 mm, or according to another embodiment, at 1.8 kW on a circular spot with a diameter of 3 mm. Naturally, according to another embodiment, other spot shapes can be used instead of a circular spot, such as a rectangular spot. According to one embodiment, a laser with a small Rayleigh length is used, for example, having a Rayleigh length of less than 2 mm or less than 1.5 mm. By using a small Rayleigh length, the power density decreases with increasing removal amount when the laser beam is focused on the foam skin, thereby avoiding damage to the foam. If the foam surface moves away from the focal point due to removal, the power density decreases further, and removal proceeds more slowly with increasing depth. However, according to other embodiments, larger Rayleigh lengths, such as >10 mm, are also possible. In this case, the removal depth (e.g., primarily) is adjusted by the processing duration.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the removal of the surface area can be carried out by any other suitable process, such as waterjet cutting, knife cutting, milling, etc.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the precursor of the foamed plastic is liquid. According to another embodiment, the viscosity of the precursor is configured to support the application of the precursor to the component in a desired manner within a predetermined processing temperature range.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the foam is a two-component foam. According to one embodiment, the precursor is manufactured from two or more components before being applied to the component. For example, the two or more components may be mixed before application to the component, for example, in a mixing head. According to one embodiment, a high-pressure mixing head is used to manufacture the precursor. According to another embodiment, the mixing head is also configured to apply the precursor to the component. According to another embodiment, the foam is a one-component foam. One-component foams simplify the application of the precursor because the mixing of two or more components is omitted.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the foam is a polyurethane foam.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the foam is applied to the component in strip form, for example, using the application device disclosed herein. In other words, according to one embodiment, the foam has an elongated shape, i.e., the length of the foam in the longitudinal direction is greater than its lateral extension perpendicular to the length direction. According to another embodiment, the surface of the foam is irregularly shaped after the surface area is removed. By applying the foam in strip form and / or by creating an irregular surface, the surface area of ​​the foam can be increased, thereby improving sound wave absorption through the foam. Furthermore, by applying the foam in strip form and / or by creating an irregular surface, sound wave reflection at the surface of the foam can be reduced. In addition, the increased surface area (due to the strip form and the irregular surface) can enhance absorption.

[0038] According to one embodiment, after the surface area is removed, the foam plastic has laser processing marks. For example, according to one embodiment, the foam plastic has melted and re-solidified foam plastic material on its surface. For example, the foam plastic may have substantially spherical material portions on its surface. According to another embodiment, the foam plastic has carbonized foam plastic material on its surface. Both the carbonized foam plastic material and the melted and re-solidified foam plastic material can alter, and in particular improve, the properties of the foam plastic (e.g., sound absorption).

[0039] According to one embodiment, the component has a surface roughness, wherein the surface roughness includes depressions in the surface of the component. According to another embodiment, the foam extends into the depressions.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the foam plastic forms a shape-fit connection and / or a material-fit connection with the component. In the context of this disclosure, a material-fit connection refers to a connection that exists due to a chemical reaction between the materials being connected and / or due to adhesion between the materials. In the context of this disclosure, a shape-fit connection refers to a connection that exists due to the surface shape of the materials being connected.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the component has a surface, and a foam plastic is shaped to fit the surface. For example, the foam plastic extending into a recess in the surface (e.g., a surface roughness recess) can be shaped to fit the surface roughness recess. Furthermore, the foam plastic (optionally or additionally) can be shaped to fit a surface forming material of the component.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the component is a pneumatic tire, such as the tire of a motor vehicle, like a passenger car or truck tire. According to another embodiment, a foam plastic is configured to provide a pneumatic tire with reduced rolling noise. In other words, according to one embodiment, the foam plastic is configured to attenuate sound waves within the pneumatic tire. For example, according to one embodiment, the foam plastic is an open-cell foam plastic (i.e., the pores of the foam plastic are interconnected). The open-cell nature of the foam plastic allows sound waves to penetrate deeper into the foam plastic, which improves the attenuation of the sound waves. Reduced rolling noise is particularly advantageous for modern vehicles (e.g., electric vehicles) with only low noise emissions from the drive unit. According to one embodiment, the foam plastic is configured to reduce sound waves in a specific frequency range. In other words, to perceive reduced rolling noise, it is not necessary to attenuate sound waves of any wavelength, but rather it is generally sufficient to reduce (i.e., attenuate) sound waves in one or more regions of the spectrum.

[0043] According to another embodiment, the foam plastic is disposed inside the pneumatic tire (i.e., in the cavity formed by the pneumatic tire). For example, according to one embodiment, the foam plastic is disposed on the surface portion of the pneumatic tire facing away from the tread. According to another embodiment, the foam plastic is disposed on the tire sidewall (on the inner surface of the tire sidewall). According to one embodiment, the foam plastic fills only a portion of the cavity of the pneumatic tire. For example, according to one embodiment, the foam plastic fills less than 50% of the cavity of the pneumatic tire, or according to other embodiments, less than 40%, less than 30%, or even less than 20%. According to another embodiment, the foam plastic is disposed in the tire shoulder.

[0044] According to one embodiment, a surface area of ​​the foam plastic is removed along a processing path. According to another embodiment, the processing path has a directional component parallel to the tire's axis of rotation.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the foam can be form-fitted to the surface of the tire, preventing movement of the foam in the direction toward the tire's axis of rotation. For example, the foam can be closed in a ring shape in the circumferential direction. Especially when the foam is arranged on the surface of the pneumatic tire facing away from the tread, movement of the foam in the direction toward the tire's axis of rotation (i.e., radially inward) will require compression of the foam, thereby keeping it in contact with and thus fixed to the surface. According to one embodiment, the foam can also be under compressive stress. With compressive stress, the fixation of the foam at the component (e.g., the form-fitted connection as described above) can be more reliable. Compressive stress can be generated, for example, by the conversion of the precursor (e.g., by foaming of the precursor during simultaneous polymerization).

[0046] Therefore, according to the embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, the shape-fit connection can be achieved either by the shape fit of a portion of the surface portion of the component on which foam plastic is formed (e.g., with the recess of surface roughness), or by the shape fit of a continuous foam plastic element formed of foam plastic with the shape of the component (e.g., with the annular closed surface of the component).

[0047] According to one embodiment, in order to remove a surface area of ​​the foam plastic, a laser beam is moved over the surface area (e.g., at least partially scanned, i.e., the movement of the laser beam is achieved at least partially by moving at least one movable mirror of the scanner). For example, according to one embodiment, the laser beam may be scanned parallel to the tire's axis of rotation as the tire rotates about its axis of rotation. According to another embodiment, the laser beam (without a scanner) moves along the direction of the tire's axis of rotation as the tire rotates about its axis of rotation. According to one embodiment, a helical machining mark is obtained on the surface area in such a way that the surface area is removed along the machining mark. Further embodiments for obtaining helical machining marks may be implemented, for example, according to WO 2020 / 169579 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. According to one embodiment, the movement of the laser beam along the tire axis is achieved at least partially by an actuator assembly that moves the removal device and the tire relative to each other along the tire axis.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the component is cleaned before the precursor is applied. This improves the adhesion of the foam to the component. Particularly for components that are pneumatic tires, cleaning removes mold release agents generated during the production of the pneumatic tire from its surface. For example, cleaning can be performed as described in International Patent Application WO 2020 / 169579 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the cleaning of the component is not performed on the entire surface portion to which the foam plastic will be applied, but only in sections. In other words, according to one embodiment, the cleaning of the component is not performed on the entire surface portion of the component to which the foam plastic will be applied. According to one embodiment, in the partially cleaned surface portion of the component, the foam plastic can be applied to the entire surface portion (thereby extending the foam plastic over the uncleaned sections of the surface portion). According to another embodiment, in the partially cleaned surface portion of the component, the foam plastic is generated only in the cleaned sections of the surface portion. Therefore, the foam plastic has gaps in the surface portion of the component.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the surface area of ​​the foam plastic that is removed extends only a portion of the surface of the foam plastic. Here, the surface of the foam plastic refers to the free surface, that is, the surface not covered by the component.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the foam plastic contains a flame retardant. This prevents the foam plastic from scorching during laser processing. Furthermore, the flame retardant allows for laser processing with higher power densities. Additionally, the flame retardant allows for better suction, especially since ignition of the foam plastic is prevented despite the increased oxygen supply through suction. According to one embodiment, the foam plastic contains a flame retardant, particularly when using a fiber laser.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the foam (or precursor) is configured to increase the absorption capacity of the foam skin relative to the underlying foam in response to laser radiation. This allows for selective removal of the foam skin via laser processing.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the foam plastic has at least two layers with different properties. These different properties may include, for example, the material of the foam plastic, the pore size, the proportion of pore volume in the total volume of the foam plastic, the density of the foam plastic, the absorption properties of the foam plastic, particularly its sound wave absorption properties or its ability to absorb laser radiation.

[0054] According to one embodiment, at least two layers can be stacked. For example, according to one embodiment, a first layer of foam is disposed between a component and a second layer of foam. Such a configuration can be manufactured, for example, by applying a precursor for the first layer of foam to the component, converting the precursor for the first layer to form the first layer of foam, and subsequently applying a precursor for the second layer of foam to the component and converting the precursor for the second layer of foam to form the second layer of foam. According to one embodiment, before applying the second layer of foam, the surface area of ​​the first layer of foam (especially the foam skin of the first layer of foam) can be removed, particularly according to the embodiments and examples disclosed herein. According to another embodiment, the precursor for the second layer of foam is applied at a point in time at which the precursor of the second layer prevents the formation of a foam skin between the first and second layers of foam, or causes an already formed foam skin to redissolve. According to another embodiment, by continuously changing the composition of the applied precursor, a gradient of at least one property of the resulting foam can be created.

[0055] According to another embodiment, at least two layers of foam are arranged side by side. For example, a first layer of foam is arranged on the component, and a second layer of foam is arranged on the component next to the first layer of foam. According to one embodiment, the first layer of foam may contact the second layer of foam. According to another embodiment, the first and second layers of foam may be arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0056] According to one embodiment, at least two layers of foam plastic (e.g., a first layer of foam plastic and a second layer of foam plastic) are collectively referred to as "foam plastic" in the sense of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the foam plastic has a surface structure (also referred to herein as a secondary structure, to distinguish it from the shape of the foam plastic determined by the components and also referred to herein as a primary structure). Through the surface structure of the foam plastic, the surface area of ​​the foam plastic can be increased relative to a foam plastic without a surface structure, and / or the orientation of the surface and / or the orientation of portions of the surface can be changed or defined. In this way, the properties of the foam plastic can be altered or adjusted.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the precursor is liquid. According to another embodiment, the precursor is paste-like. According to yet another embodiment, the precursor is thixotropic (having viscosity that depends on the shear stress acting on the precursor). By adjusting the viscosity of the precursor, the geometry of the foam or the manufacturing method of the foam can be influenced or adjusted. Especially in conformal precursors, which maintain the shape of the precursor applied to the component at least until conversion, the shape of the foam can be defined by the shaping of the precursor. For example, strips of the precursor can be arranged side by side, thereby achieving a wavy shape in the foam. In a more liquid precursor, it can be applied, for example, to the center of an inflatable tire, wherein the precursor flows in the axial direction (along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire) during the waiting time (leaving from the center of the tire), and the layer thickness thins from the application position (e.g., the center of the tire). In a very liquid precursor, for example, a smooth and flat surface can be obtained. In the case of a very liquid precursor and the tire being rotated during application, for example, a uniform distribution and almost homogeneous layer thickness can be achieved in the tire.

[0059] Typically, according to one embodiment, the application of a precursor may include at least one of the following: application at a predetermined waiting time until the precursor is converted (in this way, depending on the viscosity of the precursor, the precursor may be distributed by flow under the action of gravity and / or centrifugal force as needed); application accompanied by movement of the component before the precursor is converted, for example, moving the component during the introduction of the precursor (in this way, the distribution of the precursor on the surface of the component may be improved as needed); application of the precursor in a predetermined shape, especially with varying precursor layer thickness (in this way, the distribution of the precursor may be targeted as needed); and so on.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the application device is configured to apply a precursor in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the surface area of ​​the foam is removed before the formation of the foam is completely finished. Furthermore, for example, the surface area of ​​the foam may be removed before the complete reaction of the foam is finished (i.e., before the precursor is completely consumed and / or before the foam reaches its final shape). According to one embodiment, converting the precursor into foam includes foaming the foam. According to one embodiment, converting the precursor into foam includes curing the foam. For example, according to one embodiment, the surface area of ​​the foam may be removed before the foam is completely cured, but for example, after the foam is completely foamed.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the surface area of ​​the foam is removed after the foam formation is completely finished. According to another embodiment, the surface area of ​​the foam is removed after the foam has completely hardened.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the removal of a surface region is detected, for example by a detection device, and if the removal of the surface region is not yet complete, the surface region is reprocessed to completely remove the surface region. According to one embodiment, the reprocessing of the surface region until the surface region is completely removed can be performed iteratively. According to one embodiment, a tolerance range for complete removal can be specified, for example, 80% to 100%, such that when the degree of removal of the surface region is within the tolerance range, the removal of the surface region is considered complete. According to one embodiment, the removal of the surface region can be detected during removal (in-situ detection). According to another embodiment, the removal of the surface region can be performed first (e.g., according to a specified or selected set of parameters), and then the removal of the surface region is detected.

[0064] Detection of surface area removal can be performed, for example, by means of an optical cross-section sensor that detects the surface profile of the component. Alternatively, surface area removal can be detected using a camera, for example. Furthermore, detection of surface area removal can be performed by analyzing the reflectivity of the component and / or by X-ray fluorescence measurement. Additionally, detection of surface area removal can be performed by analyzing the acoustic properties of the foam surface (e.g., the reflection of ultrasonic waves). Accordingly, the detection device may include at least one of an optical cross-section sensor, a camera, a reflectance measurement device, an X-ray fluorescence measurement device, and an ultrasonic sensor. According to one embodiment, the production apparatus includes a control device to control the removal device based on the detection of surface area removal.

[0065] As described herein, according to one embodiment, the production apparatus includes a receiving portion for holding the component. For example, according to one embodiment, the receiving portion is configured to receive a pneumatic tire. For example, the receiving portion may be configured to grip the pneumatic tire in its bead area and thereby hold the pneumatic tire.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the receiving part is rotatable, thereby rotating the component held by the receiving part.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the production apparatus includes a sensor device for detecting predetermined features. According to another embodiment, the production apparatus includes a control device configured to control the operation of the production apparatus based on predetermined features, such as the presence of predetermined features.

[0068] For example, the predetermined feature could be a feature of the container containing the precursor. Furthermore, the predetermined feature could be, for example, a feature of the precursor itself. In this way, the production apparatus can check whether the precursor is suitable for processing in the production apparatus. This can prevent damage to the production apparatus and / or components. For example, according to one embodiment, the laser parameters of the laser device can be automatically adjusted according to the predetermined feature (or the production apparatus can be configured in this way). The automatic adjustment of the laser parameters of the laser device can, for example, be performed by a control device.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the predetermined feature is at least one of the following: (i) a predetermined surface profile; (ii) a signaling device for emitting a predetermined electromagnetic signal; and (iii) a predetermined component in the precursor. The signaling device may, for example, have characteristic electrical or magnetic properties. Furthermore, the signaling device may be, for example, a device that, upon receiving electromagnetic radiation from the production equipment, transmits the predetermined feature back to the production equipment via radio. For example, the signaling device may be an RFID device. The predetermined component in the precursor may, for example, be a dye. Furthermore, the predetermined component in the precursor may be a predetermined material that provides a characteristic response signal upon electromagnetic wave irradiation. For example, the predetermined material may have a characteristic absorption spectrum.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the program elements of the computer program product are non-transient program elements. According to another embodiment, the computer program product is a non-transient computer program product.

[0071] As used herein, references to a computer program product containing program elements are considered equivalent to references to a computer program having program elements and / or a computer-readable medium having program elements. According to one embodiment, the program elements have instructions for controlling a processor device (having one or more microprocessors, such as a computer system) to induce and / or coordinate the implementation of at least one method described herein.

[0072] (Non-transient) program elements can be implemented as computer-readable instruction code using any suitable programming language (e.g., JAVA, C#, Python, etc.) and can be stored on computer-readable media (removable disks, volatile or non-volatile memory, embedded memory / processors, etc.). According to one implementation, the instruction code is implementable for programming a computer or any other programmable processor device to perform a predetermined function. The computer program may be available on a network, such as the World Wide Web, and may be downloaded from there.

[0073] The subject matter disclosed herein can be implemented, at least in part, by means of a computer program product (program element) or software. However, the subject matter disclosed herein can also be implemented, at least in part, by one or more specific electronic circuits or hardware. Furthermore, the subject matter disclosed herein can also be implemented, at least in part, in a hybrid form, i.e., as a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0074] According to one embodiment, one or more control devices disclosed herein may have a processor device configured to implement the program elements disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, one or more control devices disclosed herein may be implemented by a single control device.

[0075] Unless otherwise stated, the values ​​should be understood to include a window of ±5%, that is, for example, a 20W description according to one embodiment includes a power range of (20W ± 5%) = [19W; 21W], and for example, a 50% percentage description according to one embodiment includes a percentage range of 50% ± 5% = [47.5%; 52.5%]. According to another embodiment, the values ​​should be understood to include a window of ±10%.

[0076] According to the implementation of the first aspect, the method is configured to provide functionality of one or more embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide functionality as required for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and / or sixth aspects.

[0077] According to the second aspect of the implementation, the assembly is configured to provide functionality for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide functionality as required for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and / or sixth aspects.

[0078] According to the third aspect of the implementation, the production apparatus is configured to provide the functionality of one or more embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality required for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and / or sixth aspects.

[0079] According to the fourth aspect of the implementation, the container is configured to provide functionality for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide functionality as required for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and / or sixth aspects.

[0080] According to the fifth aspect, the precursor is provided to provide functionality for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide functionality as required for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and / or sixth aspects.

[0081] According to the sixth aspect, the computer program product is configured to provide functionality for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide functionality as required for one or more embodiments disclosed herein, particularly the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and / or sixth aspects.

[0082] Exemplary implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein include, in particular, the embodiments and combinations thereof described below: 1. A method comprising: Apply the foam precursor to the component; Transform the precursor to produce foamed plastics; In particular, remove the surface area of ​​the foam plastic.

[0083] 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the surface region of the foam plastic includes a foam plastic skin, which is generated during the conversion of the precursor.

[0084] 3. The method according to either embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the removal of the surface region is performed by means of a laser beam.

[0085] 4. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the component is a pneumatic tire.

[0086] 5. An assembly comprising: member; Foamed plastic, which is fixed at the component by applying a foamed plastic precursor to the component and converting the precursor to produce foamed plastic; In particular, the foam plastic has an open surface facing away from the component.

[0087] 6. The assembly according to embodiment 5, wherein The component has surface roughness, and the surface roughness includes depressions in the surface of the component; The foam plastic extends into the depression.

[0088] 7. The assembly according to any one of embodiments 5 or 6, wherein the opening surface is a laser-processed surface.

[0089] 8. An assembly according to any one of embodiments 5 to 7, wherein the component is a pneumatic tire.

[0090] 9. An assembly according to any one of embodiments 5 to 8, wherein The component has a surface; The foam plastic is connected to the surface shape.

[0091] 10. A production apparatus for producing an assembly, the production apparatus comprising: Receiving part, used to hold the component; An application device for applying a foamed plastic precursor to a member held by a receiving portion; and A removal device, especially for removing the surface area of ​​foam plastic formed by precursors.

[0092] 11. A production apparatus according to embodiment 10, wherein the removal device is a laser device configured to emit a laser beam onto the foam plastic, thereby removing the surface area of ​​the foam plastic with the laser beam.

[0093] 12. The production apparatus according to any one of embodiments 10 or 11 further includes: Sensor device for detecting predetermined features; and Control device; The control device is configured to control the operation of the production unit according to predetermined characteristics.

[0094] 13. A container having predetermined features that can be identified by a production apparatus according to embodiment 12, wherein the predetermined features control the operation of the production apparatus.

[0095] 14. The container according to embodiment 13, wherein the predetermined feature is at least one of the following: (i) Define the surface profile; (ii) A signaling device for emitting a predetermined electromagnetic signal; (iii) The predetermined components in the precursor.

[0096] 15. A precursor for foamed plastics, the precursor having predetermined characteristics that can be identified by a production apparatus according to embodiment 12, wherein the predetermined characteristics control the operation of the production apparatus.

[0097] 16. A computer program product having program elements configured to control a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4 when implemented on a processor device.

[0098] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, including, for example, methods, assemblies, production apparatuses, containers, precursors for foamed plastics, and computer program products. It should be emphasized that any combination of features from different aspects, embodiments, and examples is, of course, possible. In particular, some embodiments are described in relation to methods, while others are described in relation to products (e.g., production apparatuses, containers, or precursors). Other embodiments are described in relation to control devices for interacting with elements of the production apparatus. However, those skilled in the art will infer from the above and below description, the claims, and the drawings that features from different aspects, embodiments, and examples can be combined unless otherwise stated, and such combinations of features should be considered as disclosed in this application. For example, even a feature relating to a method can be combined with a feature relating to a product, and vice versa.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the methods disclosed herein can define the functionality of the disclosed apparatus, but are not limited to product-specific features. In this regard, any disclosed functionality of the product herein should implicitly disclose a corresponding method defined solely by the disclosed functionality. Conversely, according to one embodiment, the methods disclosed herein can be implemented using any suitable known product (e.g., an apparatus that may have a single element or multiple cooperating elements). In this regard, each method disclosed herein should implicitly disclose a corresponding product configured to implement the method.

[0100] Further advantages and features of this disclosure will become apparent from the exemplary description of the presently preferred embodiments below, but the claimed invention is not limited to these embodiments. The figures in the accompanying drawings are to be considered schematic only and are not drawn to scale. Attached Figure Description

[0101] Figure 1 A component is shown, on which, according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein, a foam plastic having an open inner surface should be formed.

[0102] Figure 2 A component having a foamed plastic precursor applied thereon is shown according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0103] Figure 3 This is shown in a further methodological phase. Figure 2 Components in.

[0104] Figure 4 An assembly according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein is shown.

[0105] Figure 5 The enlarged diagram shows Figure 4 It is part of the assembly.

[0106] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view through another assembly is shown, illustrating an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0107] Figure 7 A production apparatus according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein is illustrated schematically.

[0108] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Further assemblies are shown as embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0109] The representations in the accompanying drawings are illustrative. It should be noted that similar or identical elements or parts in different figures are given the same reference numerals, or reference numerals that differ only in the first digit. These features or parts that are identical or at least functionally identical to their counterparts in another figure are described in detail only when they first appear below, and are not repeated thereafter when these features and parts (or their corresponding reference numerals) appear.

[0110] Obviously, unless otherwise stated, exemplary implementations of the elements described below and marked with reference numerals are shown in the relevant figures and configured in accordance with the description below.

[0111] Figures 1 to 5 A method for manufacturing assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein is illustrated in a cross-sectional view.

[0112] Figure 1 A component 102 is shown, on which a foam plastic with an open inner surface is to be formed according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the component 102 is cleaned in the region 103 where the open-cell foam plastic is to be formed, for example by means of laser radiation schematically illustrated at 105.

[0113] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 In one embodiment, component 102 is coated with foam plastic (in...) Figure 2 Precursor 104 (not shown). According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, the precursor 104 can be applied to the component 102, for example, using a mixing head 106 that produces the precursor 104 by mixing two or more components and then applying it to the component 102, for example... Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. According to one embodiment, an actuator assembly 107 is provided for moving the mixing head 106 and the member 102 relative to each other. According to one embodiment, the actuator assembly 107 can be configured to move the mixing head 106, for example, as shown in the diagram.Figure 2 As shown in the image.

[0114] Figure 3 This is shown in a further methodological phase. Figure 2 Component 102. According to one embodiment, after the precursor 104 is applied to the component 102, the precursor 104 is converted into foam 108. According to one embodiment, the conversion particularly includes foaming and curing. Typically, a foam skin 110 is generated during the conversion of the precursor 104 into foam 108, which... Figure 3 The solid line in the middle indicates that, for acoustic applications in which sound waves are to penetrate into the foam 108, the foam skin may be an obstacle because it forms a closed surface that at least partially interferes with or even prevents sound waves from penetrating into the foam 108.

[0115] According to one embodiment, after the conversion precursor, the surface area 114 of the foam plastic is removed by laser radiation, the laser radiation being applied to... Figure 3 The diagram is schematically shown at 112. According to one embodiment, the laser device configured or configurable for emitting laser radiation 112 to remove surface region 114 is the same laser device configured or configurable for emitting laser radiation 105 to clean member 102. According to another embodiment, the laser device configured or configurable for emitting laser radiation 112 to remove surface region 114 is different from the laser device configured or configurable for emitting laser radiation 105 to clean member 102.

[0116] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 The component 102 and the foam plastic 108 generated thereon, wherein the surface area 114 has been removed. In other words, Figure 4 An assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein is shown. According to one embodiment, removal of surface region 114 includes removing foam sheet 110 from the area of ​​surface region 114. As a result, due to the removal of foam sheet 110 from the area of ​​surface region 114, foam 108 has an open surface 116.

[0117] Figure 5 The enlarged diagram shows Figure 4 Part of the assembly 100. According to one embodiment, component 102 has a surface roughness 118, wherein the surface roughness has recesses 120, and wherein foam 108 extends into the recesses 120, for example as... Figure 5 As shown in the image.

[0118] Figure 6A cross-sectional view through another assembly 200 is shown, illustrating an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0119] According to one embodiment, assembly 200 has a member 102 in the form of a pneumatic tire, having a tread 122 and an inner surface 124 facing away from the tread 122. According to one embodiment, the inner surface 124 has a foam plastic 108 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the foam plastic 108 is closed in a ring shape and is directly under compressive stress on the surface 124 due to foaming, such that the foam plastic 108 is connected to the member 102 by a form-fit connection for this reason. Obviously, pneumatic tires also typically have surface roughness, into which the foam plastic 108 extends, similar to... Figure 5 The representation in the text. According to one embodiment, foam plastic 108 may also be disposed on the inner surface 126 of the tire sidewall 128 of the pneumatic tire.

[0120] Figure 7 A production apparatus 130 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein is illustrated schematically. According to one embodiment, the production apparatus 130 has a receiving portion 132 for holding a component 102, such as a pneumatic tire, etc. Figure 7 As shown in the figure. According to one embodiment, the production apparatus 130 includes an application device 106 for applying the precursor 104 onto the component 102, such as... Figure 7 As shown in the diagram. According to another embodiment, the production apparatus 130 has a removal device 134 in the form of a laser device for generating laser radiation 112 and thereby removing the surface area of ​​the foam plastic, as shown in the diagram. Figure 3 As described above. According to one embodiment, the production apparatus 130 has an actuator assembly 135 for moving laser radiation 112 relative to the component 102. The actuator assembly 135 may, for example, be configured for moving the scanning mirror of a scanner, and / or for moving the removal device 134 and the component 102 relative to each other. For example, according to one embodiment, the actuator assembly 135 is configured for moving the removal device 134, for example as... Figure 7 As shown in the image.

[0121] The production apparatus 130 also includes a detection device 136 in the form of an optical cross-section sensor for detecting surface areas (in... Figure 7 Removal (not shown). According to one embodiment, the detection device can be configured to detect whether the surface area has been completely removed. For example, according to one embodiment, if the surface of the foam is open, the removal of the surface area is determined to be complete.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the production apparatus 130 has a control device 138 configured to reprocess the foam plastic 108 using a removal device 134 based on data from a detection device 136, thereby completely removing the surface area.

[0123] According to another embodiment, the production apparatus 130 has a container 140 containing a precursor 104. According to one embodiment, the container 140 and / or the precursor 104 have predetermined characteristics. According to another embodiment, the production apparatus 130 has a sensor device 142 configured to detect the predetermined characteristics.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the control device 138 is configured to control the operation of the production device 130 according to predetermined characteristics, for example, in such a way that if the container 140 and / or the precursor 104 does not have the predetermined characteristics, the control device 138 will prevent the supply of the precursor 104 to the application device 106 (e.g., by blocking the supply line 144).

[0125] Obviously, according to the implemented embodiment, the control device 138 is connected to the components of the production device in terms of signal transmission, such as the application device 106, the removal device 134, the detection device 136, the sensor device 142, etc.

[0126] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Further assemblies 300, 400 are shown as embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the foam 108 is arranged in a structured manner (e.g., in strips, as in…) Figure 8 The precursor 104 (as shown in the diagram) is arranged on the component 102. For this purpose, for example, the precursor 104 can be applied to the component 102 in a strip shape and then transformed into foam 108. Furthermore, the precursor 104 can be structured, for example, by means of laser radiation, after being applied to the component (i.e., before the transformation of the precursor, especially before the complete transformation of the precursor). Additionally, the foam 104 (i.e., after the transformation of the precursor) can be structured, for example, by means of laser radiation.

[0127] For example, the removal device 134 may also be configured for the structuring of the precursor 104 and / or the foam 108.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the surface region is a lateral surface region 214 of the foam plastic, which confines the foam plastic in a direction parallel to the surface of the member 102. By removing the lateral surface region 214, a laterally open surface 216 of the foam plastic can be created, for example, as... Figure 9 As shown in the diagram. Removal of the lateral surface region 214 can be performed, for example, by a laterally incident laser beam 212, such as... Figure 9As shown in the diagram. Furthermore, the removal of the lateral surface region 214 (and thus the creation of the inner surface 216 of the lateral opening) can be performed by a laser beam 312 that removes the lateral surface region 214 of the foam 108 deep into the material (e.g., down to member 102, e.g., as shown in the diagram). Figure 9 (as shown in the image).

[0129] According to one embodiment, the foam 108 has an irregularly shaped open surface 116, for example, as shown in the image. Figure 9 As shown in the diagram. The irregular surface of the foam 108 can improve sound wave absorption. According to another embodiment, the irregular surface of the foam 108 on the member 102 (e.g., as shown in the diagram) Figure 9 Figure 9 (as shown) is generated by at least one of the following: (i) A laser device is used as the removal device 134, and appropriate laser parameters of the removal device 134 are selected such that the material to be removed from the foam plastic 108 interacts with the laser beam 112, thereby causing an irregular intensity distribution within the laser beam. (ii) A laser device is used as a removal device 134, and the laser beam 112 is moved by a scanning device (which may include, for example, at least one movable mirror for deflecting the laser beam); (iii) The removal device 134 is moved relative to the foam 108 in a controlled manner, for example by a suitable actuator assembly (e.g., the actuator assembly described herein), thereby creating an irregular surface of the foam 108.

[0130] It should be noted that the assemblies or production apparatuses described herein are not limited to the specific entities described in some embodiments. Rather, the subject matter disclosed herein can be implemented in various ways at different granularities while still providing the specific functionality disclosed.

[0131] According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, any suitable entity (such as components and devices) may be provided at least in part as corresponding computer programs that enable processor devices to provide the functionality of the corresponding entity as described herein. According to other embodiments, any suitable entity as described herein may be provided in hardware. According to other hybrid embodiments, some entities may be provided in software while others are provided in hardware.

[0132] It should be noted that any entity disclosed herein (e.g., components and devices) is not limited to the specific entity described in some embodiments. Rather, the subject matter described herein may be provided in various ways at different granularities, at the device level or software module level, while still providing the illustrated functionality. Furthermore, it should be noted that, according to embodiments, any functionality disclosed herein may be provided as a separate entity (e.g., a software module, hardware module, or hybrid module). According to other embodiments, an entity (e.g., a software module, hardware module, or hybrid module) may be configured to provide two or more functions as described herein. According to still other embodiments, two or more entities (e.g., components, units, and devices) may be configured to jointly provide one function as described herein.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the control device 138 includes a processor device 146 having at least one processor for implementing at least one program element disclosed herein, which may correspond to a corresponding software module and is stored in the storage device 148 according to one embodiment.

[0134] A reference to laser radiation can naturally be defined by referring to the radiation path of laser radiation, and vice versa. In this respect, every reference to laser radiation in this paper similarly discloses a reference to the radiation path of laser radiation.

[0135] It should be noted that the embodiments described herein represent only a limited selection of possible implementations of this disclosure. Thus, features of different embodiments can be combined in a suitable manner, such that for those skilled in the art, any combination of multiple different embodiments using the embodiments explicitly disclosed herein should be considered as disclosed. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that terms such as “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality. Terms such as “comprising” or “having” do not exclude additional features or method steps. Therefore, according to one embodiment, the term “having” or “comprising” means “in addition to having”. According to another embodiment, the term “having” or “comprising” means “consisting of”. According to one embodiment, the term “established for” also includes the meaning of “configured for”.

[0136] The term "especially" in this article usually refers to optional features.

[0137] The expression "A and / or B" typically includes "A only", "B only", and "A and B". In expressions referencing a list of features, "at least one" always includes the individual features and any combination of features. For example, the expression "at least one of features A and B" includes features "A only", "B only", and "A and B". Similarly, the expression "at least one of features A or B" also includes features "A only", "B only", and "A and B". Likewise, the expression "at least one of features A and B" also includes features "A only", "B only", and "A and B".

[0138] It should also be noted that the reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that the reference numerals in the specification and the references to the drawings in the specification should not be construed as limiting the scope of the specification. Rather, the drawings merely illustrate exemplary implementations of specific combinations of various embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, wherein any other combination of embodiments is equally possible and should be considered as utilizing what has been disclosed in this application.

[0139] In summary: An assembly, particularly a pneumatic tire, is disclosed, having a component; and a foam plastic, which is fixed to the component by applying a precursor of the foam plastic to the component and converting the precursor to produce the foam plastic; wherein the foam plastic has an open surface facing away from the component. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the assembly and a production apparatus are disclosed.

Claims

1. An assembly (100) comprising: Component (102), in particular, wherein said component (102) is a pneumatic tire; Foam plastic (108), which is fixed at the member (102) by applying a precursor (104) of the foam plastic (108) to the member (102) and converting the precursor (104) to thereby produce the foam plastic (108); The foam (108) therein has an open surface facing away from the member (102).

2. The assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein The component (102) has a surface roughness, and the surface roughness includes depressions in the surface of the component (102); The foam plastic (108) extends into the recess.

3. The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of the following features: The surface of the opening is a laser-processed surface; The perforated surface is a surface produced by processing with a CO2 laser; The perforated surface is a surface produced by processing with a CW laser; The opening surface is a surface produced by processing with a laser, wherein the laser has a Rayleigh length greater than 10 mm.

4. The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one of the following features: The foam plastic (108) is a two-component foam plastic; The foam plastic (108) is polyurethane foam plastic; The foam plastic (108) and the component (102) are connected by a material fit; The foam plastic (108) is disposed on the surface portion of the pneumatic tire facing away from the tread of the pneumatic tire. The foam plastic (108) fills less than 20% of the cavity of the pneumatic tire; The foam plastic (108) has laser processing marks, especially a directional component parallel to the tire rotation axis of the pneumatic tire; The component is cleaned before the precursor is applied to the component, especially by means of laser radiation, and in particular, the cleaning of the component is performed only on a portion of the entire surface portion of the component to which the foam plastic is to be applied; The foam plastic (108) contains a flame retardant; The foam plastic (108) has a gradient of at least one property of the foam plastic (108); The thickness of the foam plastic (108) layer decreases from the center of the pneumatic tire.

5. The assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The component (102) has a surface; The foam plastic (108) is connected to the surface shape.

6. A production apparatus (130) for producing an assembly (100), the production apparatus (130) comprising: A receiving part for holding the member (102), especially wherein the member (102) is a pneumatic tire; An application device (106) is used to apply a precursor (104) of foam plastic (108) to the member (102) held by the receiving portion; and In particular, a removal device (134) is used to remove the surface area of ​​the foam plastic (108) formed by the precursor.

7. The production apparatus (130) according to claim 6, wherein the removal device is a laser device configured to emit a laser beam onto the foam (108) to thereby remove a surface area of ​​the foam (108) with the laser beam.

8. The production apparatus (130) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, further comprising: Sensor device (142) for detecting predetermined features; as well as Control device (138); The control device (138) is configured to control the operation of the production device (130) according to the predetermined features.

9. A container having predetermined features that can be identified by a production apparatus (130) according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined features control the operation of the production apparatus (130).

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined feature is at least one of the following: (i) Define the surface profile; (ii) A signaling device for emitting a predetermined electromagnetic signal; (iii) The predetermined components in the precursor.

11. A precursor for foamed plastic (108), the precursor having predetermined characteristics that can be identified by a production apparatus (130) according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined characteristics control the operation of the production apparatus (130).

12. A method comprising: A foam precursor (104) is applied to the component, particularly wherein the component (102) is a pneumatic tire; The precursor (104) is converted to produce the foam plastic (108). In particular, the surface area of ​​the foam (108) is removed, especially to provide an open surface for the foam.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the surface region of the foam (108) comprises a foam skin, which is generated during the conversion of the precursor (104).

14. The method according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the removal of the surface region is performed by means of a laser beam; In particular, it further includes at least one of the following features: The laser used to generate the laser beam is a CO2 laser; The laser used to generate the laser beam is a CW laser; The laser used to generate the laser beam has a Rayleigh length greater than 10 mm.

15. The method (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising at least one of the following features: The foam plastic (108) is a two-component foam plastic; The foam plastic (108) is polyurethane foam plastic; The foam plastic (108) and the component (102) are connected by a material fit; The foam plastic (108) is disposed on the surface portion of the pneumatic tire facing away from the tread of the pneumatic tire. The foam plastic (108) fills less than 20% of the cavity of the pneumatic tire; The foam plastic (108) has laser processing marks, especially a directional component parallel to the tire rotation axis of the pneumatic tire; The component (102) is cleaned before the precursor (104) is applied to the component (102), especially by means of laser radiation, and the cleaning of the component (102) is performed only on a portion of the entire surface portion of the component (102) to which the foam plastic is to be applied; The foam plastic (108) contains a flame retardant; The foam (108) has a gradient of at least one property of the foam (108).

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising at least one of the following features: The precursor (104) is liquid; The precursor (104) is applied to the center of the pneumatic tire, wherein the precursor (104) flows from the center of the tire in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire during the waiting time, and the layer thickness therein thins from the center of the tire. The tire is rotated during the application of the precursor (104).

17. A computer program product having program elements configured to control the method according to any one of claims 12 to 16 when implemented on a processor device (146).

Images