Robotic system for cleaning integrated tire molds in laser and ultrasonic baths

Abstract

The present invention relates to a robotic system for cleaning tire molds of vehicles such as automobiles and trucks before tire grinding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a robot system for cleaning a tire mold of vehicles such as automobiles and trucks before tire grinding.

Background Art

[0002] Tire molds for automobiles and trucks need to be cleaned once every 2,000 average tire grindings. Neglecting this cleaning process causes problems in the shape of the tire obtained after the molding process. Furthermore, it has also been confirmed that if cleaning is neglected, the vents that allow the gas remaining in the mold to be discharged to the outside become clogged.

[0003] In the current state of the art, tire molds are cleaned at a specific temperature using laser ablation technology or by using a chemical solution in an ultrasonic bath.

[0004] Performing laser cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning as two separate processes and manually transferring the mold from one system to another has problems in terms of labor safety, mold mixing, and process efficiency.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses an automated system for cleaning a tire mold. The apparatus for cleaning the mold includes fixing means for holding the mold in a machining position and a device for generating ultrasonic vibrations. The vibrations are applied directly to the mold, and this system may also include a laser ablation device.

[0006] Due to all of the above-mentioned problems, as a result, there has arisen a need for innovation in the art.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0008] The main objective of this invention is to reliably perform manual and independent mold cleaning operations by combining them on a single automated, integrated robot line.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to remove contaminated dirt from the surface of a mold and to remove blockages and dirt inside the air duct of the mold by using ultrasound and a chemical solution in combination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] Here, the system positions the tire molds to a robotic laser combustion unit using a specially designed rack mechanism and transfer system, and from there automatically transfers the tire molds to an ultrasonic pool. Essentially, the technical solution is the integration of laser and ultrasonic systems.

[0011] The present invention relates to a system that integrates an ultrasonic cleaning system used for cleaning vents, which enables the discharge of gases remaining inside the mold during firing on the surface of the tire mold and allows the process to be completed automatically by laser robot technology for the tire mold.

[0012] Specially designed tire mold segments are suspended by a transport rack and transfer system, which automatically position the segments in their respective locations within the laser cleaning cabinet for planned continuous operation. A laser cleaning recipe is then created by measuring the dimensions and type of the segments using robotic software with a special algorithm, and the segments are pre-cleaned by laser combustion.

[0013] This system automatically transfers pre-cleaned rubber mold segments to an ultrasonic pool, where they undergo a final cleaning in a pool of special chemical mixtures using ultrasound. It then automatically lubricates the cleaned molds and transfers them to a control point.

[0014] In the present invention, the segment is conveyed to the control point, and whether the vent on the segment is blocked is checked and reported by ultrasonic vibration and image processing techniques.

[0015] Therefore, the contaminated dirt is removed from the surface of the mold, and the clogging in the air duct of the mold is removed by using ultrasonic waves of dirt and dirt and a chemical solution in combination.

[0016] The drawings and related descriptions used to more clearly explain the device developed by the present invention are as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is an isometric image of the system targeted by the present invention. [Figure 1a] It is another isometric image of the system targeted by the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an isometric image of the robot arm system. [Figure 2a] It is an image of the robot arm. [Figure 2b] It is an isometric image of the segment transfer rack. [Figure 2c] It is an isometric image of the segment rack lift. [Figure 3] It is an isometric image of the ultrasonic cleaning system.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0018] To more clearly explain the device developed by the present invention, the parts and elements in the drawings are numbered, and the corresponding numbers are shown below. 1. System 10. Laser cleaning system 20. Ultrasonic cleaning system 21. Pool cabinet 30. Conveyor 40. Transfer rack 41. Transfer frame 42. Mold holder 43. Adjustment plate 44. Adjusting screw 50. Rack lifting element 51. Lifting body 52. Holding arm 53. Shaft 54. Holding drive element 55. Bridge 56. Drive element 60. Robot arm 61. Laser 62. Slide drive element 63. Base plate 70. Slide table 71. Slide mechanism K. Mold

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The subject of the present invention relates to a robot system for cleaning a tire mold of vehicles such as automobiles and trucks before tire grinding.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 1a, the system includes a laser cleaning system (10) and an ultrasonic cleaning system (20). The laser cleaning system (10) and the ultrasonic cleaning system (20) are preferably arranged in separate cabinets and are connected to each other by at least one conveyor (30).

[0021] Preferably, a single conveyor (30) is arranged as a single line, but alternatively, a plurality of conveyors (30) can be used to form a single line.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor (30) is a roller or a belt conveyor (30) in an alternative embodiment.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2, the mold (K) is transported to the laser cleaning system (10) using a conveyor (30) on a transport rack (40) on which the mold is placed. There, it undergoes laser combustion and is then transported again via the conveyor (30) to the ultrasonic cleaning system (20).

[0024] The laser cleaning system (10) includes a robotic arm (60) and a laser (61) connected to the robotic arm (60). The robotic arm (60) allows the laser (61) to perform a burning treatment on the mold (K) from an appropriate position and angle. For this reason, the robotic arm (60) is multi-axis, preferably six-axis.

[0025] In one preferred embodiment, the robot arm (60) is positioned on the slide table (70) on the slide mechanism (71) of the slide table (70). This gives the existing robot arm (60) the ability to move along a linear axis. Furthermore, in some embodiments, this linear motion could cause the mold (K) to burn as it moves along the conveyor (30).

[0026] Furthermore, in embodiments where a slide table is positioned, a slide drive element (62) may be included to enable movement of the robot arm (60). Preferably, the slide drive element (62) is positioned on a base plate (63) located at the base of the robot arm (60) and on its wheels (not shown) associated with a slide mechanism (71). Alternatively, this can be used as a slide drive element (62) of a linear actuator.

[0027] In this preferred embodiment, the slide table (70) preferably comprises a slide mechanism (71) including two plates parallel to each other and two slides extending between the plates.

[0028] Referring to Figures 2 and 2b, in one preferred embodiment, the transport rack (40) is configured on a prism-shaped transport frame (41). The transport chassis (41) preferably has at least one mold holder (42) extending on two sides.

[0029] Furthermore, an adjustment plate (44) is used to adjust the position of the mold holder (42) and, consequently, the mold (K) on the transport rack (40). The adjustment plate (44) is preferably a plate in the form of a circular slice having multiple holes in its outer diameter. The mold holder (42) is rotatably connected from one end to the adjustment plate (44), and the other end of the mold holder (42) is positioned according to the appropriate holes in the outer diameter of the adjustment plate (44) and then secured to these holes by screws (44).

[0030] Referring to Figures 2 and 2c, in one preferred embodiment, the system (1) includes a rack lifting element (50) for moving the transport rack (40) to a suitable position when the transport rack (40) is in a suitable position for laser combustion. The rack lifting element (50) provides a larger area for combustion processing by lifting the rack.

[0031] In this preferred embodiment, the rack lifting element (50) is configured on a lifting body (51). A bridge (55) is positioned on the lifting body (51). At least one, preferably two to one shaft (53), is positioned on the bridge (55).

[0032] A retaining arm (52) rotatably connected to a shaft (53) is connected to a hook, preferably arranged in the form of this hook, which is configured to hold the end of the retaining arm (52) to a transport rack (40), preferably a transport frame (41).

[0033] The holding arm (52) is moved to the holding and release positions by the holding drive element (54). Here, the holding drive element (54) is preferably a piston that provides linear motion.

[0034] Alternatively, the shaft (53) may be rotatably positioned, and the holding arm (52) can be fixedly connected to the shaft (53). In this case, the holding drive element (54) is positioned to directly rotate the shaft (53).

[0035] A drive element (56) is used to change the position of the retaining arm (52) on the vertical axis. In this preferred embodiment, the drive element (56) is connected at both ends to a bridge (55) and moves both the bridge (55) and the retaining arm (52) connected to the bridge (55). Preferably, the drive element (56) is a piston that provides linear motion.

[0036] When the transport rack (40) is in the correct laser burning position, the drive element (56) lowers the bridge (55) downward, i.e., toward the transport rack (40). Meanwhile, the holding drive element (54) moves the holding arm (52) to the open position. When the bridge (55) is in the correct position, the holding drive element (54) moves the holding arm (52) to the closed position, thereby enabling it to capture the transport rack (40), after which the bridge (55), and consequently the transport rack (40), is lifted by the drive element (56).

[0037] Referring to Figure 3, the conveyor (30) transports the mold (K) and transport rack (40) processed by the laser cleaning system (10) to the ultrasonic cleaning system (20).

[0038] The ultrasonic cleaning system (20) preferably includes a pool cabinet (21). A pool (not shown) is located inside the pool cabinet (21). The pool preferably contains water and / or chemicals suitable for cleaning molds. An ultrasonic vibration source (not shown) is also used. The ultrasonic vibration source is configured and positioned to vibrate the pool, and by extension, the liquid in the pool. Thus, the mold (K) is cleaned by the ultrasonically vibrating liquid. In particular, cleaning of vents is targeted.

[0039] In this preferred embodiment, the system includes at least one image receiving unit, preferably a camera, for detecting an opening on the mold (K), and a processing unit, preferably an image processing unit, for detecting the opening based on the input received from the image receiving unit.

[0040] In one preferred embodiment, a plurality of sensors (not shown) are used to detect the position of the mold (K) and / or the transport rack (40). The plurality of sensors transmit the detected data to a processing unit (not shown), which, based on the sensor data, generates a response that appropriately controls some of the elements of the system (1). This processing unit is preferably part of an automated system.

[0041] The processing unit generates responses to control at least the robot arm (60), the laser (61), the conveyor (30), and the vibrator. For example, when the transport rack (40) is in the laser firing position, a sensor detects this and transmits this data to the processing unit. Based on this data, the processing unit forms a response to conveniently position itself on the robot arm (60) and operate the laser (61).

[0042] Furthermore, the processing unit slide table (70) constitutes a response that appropriately drives the slide drive element (62) (if any) that provides movement thereon.

[0043] The processing unit may also be configured to form a response for operating the holding drive element (54) and / or drive element (56) of the rack lifting element (50) based on data received from the sensor.

[0044] In one embodiment, the processing unit is configured to generate instructions for a robot arm (60) and a laser (61) based on the dimensions and type of the mold (K).

Claims

1. A system (1) for cleaning vehicle tire molds (K), A laser cleaning system (10) including a robotic arm (60) equipped with a laser (61), An ultrasonic cleaning system (20) having at least a pool and a vibration device that transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the pool, A transport rack (40) on which the mold (K) is placed, A system characterized by including at least one conveyor (30) for transporting the transport rack (40) from the laser cleaning system (10) to the ultrasonic transport system.

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the robot arm (60) is multi-axis.

3. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the robot arm (60) has six axes.

4. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a slide table (70) on which the robot arm is positioned, and a slide mechanism (71) provided on the slide table (70) that enables the robot arm to slide.

5. The system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the robot arm (60) includes a slide drive element (62) that allows it to move within the slide mechanism (71).

6. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a rack lifting element (50) for lifting the transport rack (40).

7. The system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the rack lifting element (50) includes a holding arm (52) and a drive element (56) for moving the holding arm (52) on a vertical axis.

8. The system (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the rack lifting element (50) includes a shaft (53) to which the holding arm (52) is rotatably connected, and a holding drive element (54) that rotates the holding arm (53) within the axis of the shaft (53).

9. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor (30) is a roller conveyor (30).

10. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor (30) is a belt conveyor (30).

11. The system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it includes a plurality of sensors for detecting the position of the transport rack (40) and / or the mold (K), and / or the dimensions and type of the mold (K).

12. The system (1) according to claim 11, further comprising at least one processing unit that generates a response for controlling the robot arm (60) equipped with a laser (61), a conveyor (30), and a vibrator, based on data received from the sensor.

13. The system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the processing unit is configured to generate a response for controlling the slide drive element (62).

14. The system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the processing unit is configured to generate a response for controlling the slide drive element (62), the holding drive element (54), and / or the drive element (56).

15. The system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the processing unit is configured to generate instructions for the robot arm (60) and the laser (61) according to the dimensions and type of the mold (K).

16. The system (1) according to claim 12, comprising at least one image receiving unit for detecting an opening on the mold (K), and a processing unit that performs an image processing operation for detecting an opening based on an input received from the image receiving unit.

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