Dual tire component feeder and method for supplying dual tire components to a tire building drum

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dual tire component feeder and method for supplying a first tire component and a second tire component to a tire building drum, wherein the dual tire component feeder comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor for conveying the first tire component and the second tire component respectively in a supply direction toward the tire building drum, wherein the dual tire component feeder further comprises a first pick-and-place unit and a second pick-and-place unit for transferring the first tire component and the second tire component from their respective conveyors to the tire building drum, wherein the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit are automatically and independently movable relative to each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the supply direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dual tire component feeder and method for supplying dual tire components to a tire building drum. Background Art

[0002] A known dual tire component feeder for supplying breaker cushions to a tire building drum comprises two conveyors for simultaneously conveying two breaker cushions in a supply direction toward the tire building drum; and two pick-and-place units for synchronously transferring the two breaker cushions from their respective conveyors to the tire building drum.

[0003] The lateral position of the pick and place unit is manually adjusted and visually aligned by a human operator to match the lateral position of the front end of the cushioning rubber on the conveyor, which is then transferred to the tire building drum. The lateral position of the pick and place unit is then fixed before transferring the cushioning rubber to ensure that the pick and place units move synchronously in the supply direction without relative movement in the lateral direction.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known dual tire component feeders is that the lateral position of the front and rear ends of the tire components may still be displaced after cutting due to slack or tension inside the tire component material. Furthermore, the lateral position of the rear end may not be perfectly aligned with the lateral position of the front end of the same tire component. This is particularly true for breaker rubbers, since breaker rubbers, unlike other types of tire components, are not provided with embedded reinforcing cords. Therefore, breaker rubbers are particularly susceptible to lateral displacement and deformation.

[0005] Furthermore, the lateral positions of the two tire components may not be offset in the same direction or to the same extent.

[0006] When tire components are applied around the tire building drum without any lateral correction, the rear end may not be accurately spliced ​​to the front end, negatively affecting the overall quality of the tire. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a dual tire component feeder and a method for supplying dual tire components to a tire building drum, wherein the quality of the tire can be improved.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a dual tire component feeder for supplying a first tire component and a second tire component to a tire building drum, wherein the dual tire component feeder includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor for conveying the first tire component and the second tire component in a supply direction toward the tire building drum, respectively, wherein the dual tire component feeder also includes a first pick-and-place unit and a second pick-and-place unit for transferring the first tire component and the second tire component from their respective conveyors to the tire building drum, respectively, wherein the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit are automatically and independently movable relative to each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the supply direction.

[0009] By automatically moving the pick-and-place units independently of one another in lateral directions, the position of the tire components in lateral directions can be adjusted or corrected for each tire component independently during the transfer of the respective tire components. Thus, one pick-and-place unit can be moved laterally in one of the lateral directions, while the other pick-and-place unit is moved to a different extent or not at all in the opposite lateral direction. Thus, the lateral positions of the tire components can be adjusted or corrected individually in order to optimally splice the respective rear end to the respective front end, thereby improving the overall quality of the tire to be manufactured.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, the term "automatic" is to be interpreted as the movement of the pick and place unit itself, ie without direct human control.

[0011] In one embodiment, the dual tire component feeder includes a first lateral drive and a second lateral drive, which are individually controllable for driving the movement of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit in lateral directions, respectively. The lateral drives can automatically and independently drive the lateral movement of the corresponding pick-and-place units, thereby automating the lateral movement.

[0012] In another embodiment, the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit move synchronously in the supply direction. The dual tire component feeder may, for example, include a supply drive shared by the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit for synchronously driving the movement of the pick and place units in the supply direction. Thus, only one supply drive is required to synchronously move the two pick and place units.

[0013] In another embodiment, the dual tire component feeder further comprises a first sensor unit, which is upstream of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit with respect to the supply direction, for detecting the lateral positions of the first tire component and the second tire component on the first conveyor and the second conveyor, respectively. The first sensor unit can be used to correct the lateral positions of the tire components based on the detection signals obtained upstream of the tire building drum, i.e. based on the lateral positions of the tire components on the respective conveyors.

[0014] In the combination of the previously discussed embodiments introducing the lateral drive and the first sensor unit, the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit operatively connected to the first lateral drive, the second lateral drive and the first sensor unit for controlling the movement of the pick and place unit in the lateral direction based on the detection signal from the first sensor unit. Thus, the movement of the pick and place unit can be fully automated and / or autonomously controlled by the control unit.

[0015] In another embodiment, the dual tire component feeder further comprises a second sensor unit, which is downstream of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit with respect to the supply direction, for detecting the lateral position of the first tire component and the second tire component on the tire building drum, respectively. Thus, the detection signal of the second sensor unit can be used to determine any further movement of the pick-and-place unit required in the lateral direction to align the remaining part of the tire component still to be transferred to the tire building drum with the part of the tire component already on the tire building drum.

[0016] In the combination of the previously discussed embodiments introducing the lateral drive and the second sensor unit, the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit operatively connected to the first lateral drive, the second lateral drive and the second sensor unit for controlling the movement of the pick and place unit in the lateral direction based on the detection signal from the second sensor unit. Thus, the movement of the pick and place unit can be fully automated and / or autonomously controlled by the control unit.

[0017] In another embodiment, the first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end, wherein the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit are arranged to first transfer the front ends of the first tire component and the second tire component, respectively, and then transfer the rear ends thereof, respectively, wherein the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit configured to control the movement of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit in a lateral direction during at least one of the front end transfer and the rear end transfer, so that the lateral positions of each tire component at the front end and the rear end are aligned. Thus, for each tire component, the lateral positions of the front end and the rear end can be positioned independently to achieve optimal splicing.

[0018] In another embodiment, each pick and place unit comprises a gripper head and a holding element for holding the respective tire component to the gripper head.Thus, the tire component can be movably held to the respective gripper head.

[0019] Preferably, the retaining element is a suction element.This type of retention is convenient when the tire component does not contain any metallic reinforcing cords, which is the case with breaker rubber.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, each pick and place unit further comprises a release member for releasing the respective tire component from the holding element.The release member may ensure a successful release even when the holding element is still active.

[0021] Preferably, the release member comprises a push-off plate movable relative to the holding element in a pick-and-place direction transversely or perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction.The push-off plate can physically separate the tire component from the holding element, ie by direct contact.

[0022] More preferably, the push-off plate can be moved between a retracted position and a push-off position, wherein the retracted position is at the same level as or higher than the holding element in the pick-and-place direction, and the push-off position is lower than the holding element in the pick-and-place direction. The push-off plate can thus create a physical distance or interval between the tire component and the holding element, thereby effectively bringing the tire component out of the effective range of the holding element.

[0023] Most preferably, when the push-off plate is in the retracted position, the push-off plate at least partially extends around the retaining element.The push-off plate can thus reliably separate the tire component from the retaining element along at least a portion of the periphery of the retaining element.

[0024] In another embodiment, the dual tire component feeder further comprises a first pressing unit and a second pressing unit for pressing the first tire component and the second tire component onto the corresponding conveyor, respectively. The pressure applied by the pressing unit onto the tire component can prevent displacement of the tire component in the supply direction and / or lateral direction relative to the conveyor. Thus, the lateral position of the tire component can be corrected by the pick-and-place unit, which is mainly in the transfer area between the conveyor and the tire building drum, rather than on the conveyor itself.

[0025] Preferably, the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit are carried by the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit, respectively. Therefore, the pressing unit does not require a separate bracket. In addition, the pressing unit can move in the lateral direction and the supply direction together with the pick-and-place unit.

[0026] More preferably, the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit are movable relative to the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit in a pick and place direction transversely or perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction, respectively. Thus, the pressing unit can contact the tire component at a pressing position which is below the pick and place unit or protrudes below the pick and place unit in the pick and place direction.

[0027] In another embodiment, each pressing unit comprises a first pressing wheel rotatable about a wheel axis parallel to the lateral direction. Preferably, the first pressing wheel is a toothed profiled wheel. The pressing wheel can travel over the tire components as they advance in the supply direction via the conveyor. The profile of the wheel can increase friction and / or ensure that the tire components remain in place on the respective conveyor as long as the respective pressing unit is exerting pressure on the tire components.

[0028] In another embodiment, each pressing unit comprises a second pressing wheel coaxial with the first pressing wheel and spaced apart from the first pressing wheel. Preferably, the second pressing wheel is a toothed profiled wheel. The two pressing wheels in a group can exert pressure on the tire component at two laterally spaced positions of the tire component, thereby effectively preventing the tire component from warping or bending on the conveyor.

[0029] In yet another embodiment, the first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end, wherein the dual tire component feeder further comprises at least one of a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit, the first sensor unit being upstream of the first pick-up unit and the second pick-up unit with respect to the supply direction, and the second sensor unit being downstream of the first pick-up unit with respect to the supply direction, wherein the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit, the control unit being configured to control a speed ratio between the corresponding conveyor and the tire building drum based on a detection signal from the first sensor unit or the second sensor unit to adjust the length of at least one of the tire components. The length can be adjusted so that the corresponding rear end is optimally spliced ​​to the corresponding front end. If the length detected by the first sensor unit or the application position of the front end on the tire building drum detected by the second sensor unit does not seem to be sufficient to form a closed splice, the tire component can be slightly stretched, for example.

[0030] In another embodiment, the tire component is a breaker barrier. As previously mentioned, breaker barriers are particularly susceptible to lateral displacement and deformation because they lack embedded reinforcement cords.

[0031] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for supplying a first tire component and a second tire component to a tire building drum using a dual tire component feeder according to any one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0032] - transferring the first tire component and the second tire component from their respective conveyors to the tire building drum; and

[0033] - during said transfer, the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit are moved independently relative to each other in a lateral direction.

[0034] This method relates to a practical embodiment of the dual tire component feeder according to the first aspect of the present invention and therefore has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated below.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit move synchronously in the supply direction.

[0036] In another embodiment, the first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end, wherein the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit first transfer the front ends of the first tire component and the second tire component and then transfer the rear ends thereof, wherein the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit move in a lateral direction during at least one of the front end transfer and the rear end transfer so that the lateral positions of each tire component at the front end and the rear end are aligned.

[0037] In another embodiment, the first tire component and the second tire component are held to the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit, respectively, wherein the method further comprises the step of releasing the first tire component and the second tire component from the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit, respectively, by pushing the first tire component and the second tire component away from the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit, respectively.

[0038] In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of pressing the first tire component and the second tire component onto the respective conveyor. The tire components can be pressed, for example, by means of the above-mentioned pressing unit. The pressure applied by the pressing unit to the tire components can prevent displacement of the tire components in the supply direction and / or in the lateral direction relative to the conveyor. Thus, the lateral position of the tire components can be corrected by means of a pick-and-place unit, which is mainly in the transfer area between the conveyor and the tire building drum, rather than on the conveyor itself.

[0039] In another embodiment, the first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end, and a length between the respective front end and the respective rear end, wherein the method further comprises the step of adjusting a speed ratio between the respective conveyor and the tire building drum to adjust the length of at least one of the tire components.

[0040] In another embodiment, the tire component is a breaker barrier.

[0041] According to a third non-claimed aspect, the present invention provides a tire component feeder for supplying a first tire component to a tire forming drum, wherein the tire component feeder includes a first conveyor for conveying the first tire component toward the tire forming drum in a supply direction, wherein the tire component feeder also includes a first pick-and-place unit for transferring the first tire component from the first conveyor to the tire forming drum, wherein the tire component feeder also includes a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit, the first sensor unit being upstream of the first pick-and-place unit with respect to the supply direction for detecting a lateral position of the first tire component on the first conveyor, and the second sensor unit being downstream of the first pick-and-place unit with respect to the supply direction for detecting a lateral position of the first tire component on the tire forming drum, wherein the tire component feeder is provided with a control unit, which is operatively connected to the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit for comparing detection signals from the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit.

[0042] The lateral position of the front end can first be measured by a first sensor unit upstream of the first pick-and-place unit. However, after the initial detection, the front end is advanced in the supply direction by the first conveyor and is subsequently picked up, transferred and applied to the tire building drum by the first pick-and-place unit. During each of the operations, the lateral position of the front end can still change. By comparing the detection signals, when the front end of the first tire component is in a laterally different position than the rear end of the first tire component, a corrective action can be taken based on the last known position of the front end on the tire building drum. This means that the rear end can be positioned more accurately in the lateral direction.

[0043] Where possible, the various aspects and features described and shown in this specification may be applied separately. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the accompanying dependent claims, may become the subject of divisional patent applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The present invention will be explained based on the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0045] Figure 1 -6 shows a side view of the dual tire component feeder according to the invention during a step of a method for supplying a first tire component and a second tire component to a tire building drum;

[0046] Figure 7 , 8 and 9 show the Figure 2 , 3 A front view of the dual tire component feeder during steps 4 and 5; and

[0047] Fig.10 Shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 A top view of a dual tire component feeder during the step of. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 10 shows a tire component feeder 1 , in particular a dual tire component feeder 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The dual tire assembly feeder 1 is used to supply a first tire component 91 and a second tire component 92 to a tire building drum D. The tire components 91, 92 are supplied to and / or applied around the tire building drum D synchronously or simultaneously. In this exemplary embodiment, the tire components 91, 92 are buffer layer insulation rubbers, which are commonly used in the shoulder area of ​​a truck tire, between the carcass layer and the belt-tread package. Such buffer layer insulation rubbers are not reinforced with embedded reinforcing cords and are therefore susceptible to shrinkage, stretching, bending, warping and / or other deformations. Each tire component 91, 92 has a front end LE1, LE2 facing the tire building drum D and a rear end TE1, TE2 facing away from the tire building drum D.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the tire building drum D is provided with or connected to a drum drive 80 for rotating the tire building drum D about a central drum axis.

[0051] like Fig.10 As shown, the dual tire component feeder 1 includes a first conveyor 21 and a second conveyor 22 for conveying a first tire component 91 and a second tire component 92 toward a tire building drum D in a supply direction X, respectively. The conveyors 21, 22 may be belt conveyors or roller conveyors. The conveyors 21, 22 extend parallel to each other and parallel to the supply direction X. The dual tire component feeder 1 is provided with a first conveyor drive 81 for driving the first conveyor 21 and a second conveyor drive 82 for driving the second conveyor 22. The two conveyor drives 81, 82 may be controlled synchronously or asynchronously, i.e., independently.

[0052] like Figure 7 As shown, the dual tire component feeder 1 further includes a first pick-and-place unit 31 and a first pressing unit 51 for handling the first tire component 91 , and a second pick-and-place unit 32 and a second pressing unit 52 for handling the second tire component 92 .

[0053] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 6 , only the first conveyor 21, the first pick-and-place unit 31, the first pressing unit 51 and the first tire component 91 are shown. However, it is obvious that any features and / or functions described with respect to these components are applicable to the second conveyor 22, the second pick-and-place unit 32, the second pressing unit 52 and the second tire component 92 by analogy.

[0054] In another embodiment, the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit move synchronously in the supply direction. In particular, the dual tire component feeder 1 includes a supply drive 10 shared by the first pick-and-place unit 31 and the second pick-and-place unit 32, for synchronously driving the pick-and-place units 31, 32 to move in the supply direction X. The supply drive 10 may be an overhead track.

[0055] like Fig.10 As shown, the first pick-and-place unit 31 and the second pick-and-place unit 32 are independently movable relative to each other in a lateral direction Y perpendicular to the supply direction X. In particular, the dual tire component feeder 1 comprises a first lateral drive 11 and a second lateral drive 12, which are individually controllable for driving the movement of the first pick-and-place unit 31 and the second pick-and-place unit 32 in the lateral direction Y, respectively. Therefore, the movement of the pick-and-place units 31, 32 in the lateral direction Y can be controlled individually and / or independently. The pick-and-place units 31, 32 can move synchronously in the lateral direction Y, but can also move asynchronously if necessary. The lateral drives 11, 12 can be linear drives, such as servomotors or pistons. The lateral drives 11, 12 are preferably installed or positioned between the pick-and-place units 31, 32 and the supply drive 10 so that the pick-and-place units 31, 32 move in the lateral direction Y relative to the supply drive 10.

[0056] Now only refer to Figure 1 and Figure 7 The pick-and-place units 31 and 32 are described with reference to the first pick-and-place unit 31 and the first pressing unit 51 in the embodiment. Obviously, the features and / or functions described below are applied to the second pick-and-place unit 32 and the second pressing unit 52, respectively.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the first pick-and-place unit 31 comprises a gripper head 40 and a holding element 41 for holding the corresponding tire component 91, 92 to the gripper head 40. In the exemplary embodiment, the holding element 41 is a suction element. Alternatively, another suitable holding element can be used, such as a magnet, a gripper, a needle, etc., depending on the type of the first tire component 91 to be held. The gripper head 40 can be moved in a pick-and-place direction Z transversely or perpendicular to the supply direction X and the lateral direction Y to pick up the first tire component 91 from the conveyor 21, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first tire component 91 is placed on the tire component, as shown Figure 3 In particular, Figure 7As shown, the dual tire component feeder 1 has a first pick-and-place drive 13 and a second pick-and-place drive 14 for respectively driving the first pick-and-place unit 31 and the second pick-and-place unit 32 to move relative to the corresponding lateral drives 11, 12 in the pick-and-place direction Z. The pick-and-place drives 13, 14 can be linear drives, such as servomotors or pistons.

[0058] It should be noted that the supply drive 10, the first lateral drive 11 and the first pick and place drive 13 substantially form an XYZ drive system for the first pick and place unit 31. Similarly, the supply drive 10, the second lateral drive 12 and the second pick and place drive 14 substantially form an XYZ drive system for the second pick and place unit 32.

[0059] like Figure 3 and Figure 8 As shown, the first pick-and-place unit 31 further comprises a release member 42 for releasing the first tire component 91 from the holding element 41, for example at a position at or above the tire building drum D. Figure 3 As shown, the first tire component 91 is transferred from the first pick-and-place unit 31 to the tire building drum D. Note that Figure 8 In the figure, the tire building drum D is not shown, but it should be understood that due to Figure 8 yes Figure 3 , the release member 42 can still be positioned in the position shown above the tire building drum D. In this exemplary embodiment, the release member 42 includes a push-off plate 43 that can move relative to the holding element 41 in the pick-and-place direction Z. Fig.10 As best shown, the push-off plate 43 extends at least partially around the retaining element 41 when the push-off plate 43 is in the retracted position.

[0060] The push plate 43 can move between a retracted position and a push position. Figure 2 and 7 As shown, the retracted position is at the same level as the holding element 41 or higher than the holding element 41 in the pick-and-place direction Z, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and 8 As shown, the push-out position is below the holding element 41 in the pick-and-place direction Z. In particular, Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the dual tire component feeder 1 comprises a first push-off drive 15 and a second push-off drive 16 for driving the movement of the push-off plate 43 relative to the gripper head 40 of the corresponding pick-and-place unit 31 , 32 in the pick-and-place direction Z.

[0061] like Figure 4 and Fig. 9As shown, the first pressing unit 51 is constructed or arranged to press the first tire component 91 onto the first conveyor 21. In this exemplary embodiment, the first pressing unit 51 is carried by the first pick-and-place unit 31 or is integrated with the first pick-and-place unit 31. The dual tire component feeder 1 includes: a first pressing drive 17, which is used to move the pressing unit 51 between an inactive position and a pressing position relative to the first pick-and-place unit 31 in a pick-and-place direction Z, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 , 2 , 7 and 8, in the inactive position, the first pressing unit 51 extends at the same level or above the holding element 41 and does not contact the first tire component and / or apply pressure to the first tire component, such as Figure 4 and 9 As shown, in this pressing position, the first pressing unit 51 extends below the retaining element 41 and applies pressure to the first tire component 91. Fig. 9 As shown, the dual tire component feeder 1 includes a second pressing drive 18 for moving the second pressing unit 52 relative to the second pick and place unit 32 in the same manner.

[0062] In the aforementioned embodiment, the first pressing unit 51 is carried by and / or integrated with the first pick and place unit 31. Alternatively, the pressing units 51, 52 can be configured to operate independently of the pick and place units 31, 32, i.e. move in the supply direction X and the pick and place direction Z using their own drives.

[0063] like Fig. 9 As best shown, the first pressing unit 51 includes a first pressing wheel 53 and a second pressing wheel 54 coaxial with and spaced apart from the first pressing wheel 54. The pressing wheels 53, 54 can rotate about a wheel axis S parallel to the lateral direction Y. Therefore, the pressing wheels 53, 54 can travel on or along the upper surface of the first tire component 91 parallel to the supply direction X. In this exemplary embodiment, the pressing wheels 53, 54 are located on opposite sides of the gripper head 40 in the lateral direction Y. In particular, the pressing wheels 53, 54 are mounted to a sleeve 55, which is assembled around the gripper head 40 and can slide relative to the gripper head 40 in the pick-and-place direction Z.

[0064] Both pressing wheels 53 , 54 are profiled wheels. Preferably, the profile comprises teeth which effectively increase the grip or friction between the pressing wheels 53 , 54 and the first tire component 91 .

[0065] like Figure 1 and Fig.10As shown, the dual tire component feeder 1 is further provided with a first sensor unit 71 and a second sensor unit 72, the first sensor unit being considered upstream of the pick-and-place units 31, 32 with respect to the supply direction X or in the supply direction X, and the second sensor unit being considered downstream of the pick-and-place units 31, 32 with respect to the supply direction X or in the supply direction X. The sensor units 71, 72 are adapted, arranged, programmed or configured to detect or capture images of the position, contour, edge, profile, height and / or thickness of the tire components 91, 92. To this end, each sensor unit 71, 72 may include means for laser triangulation and / or imaging, such as lasers, cameras, lights, etc. Alternatively, mechanical means such as fingers, rollers, etc. may be used to physically contact and / or detect edges, height variations, etc.

[0066] The first sensor unit 71 is configured to detect the lateral positions of the first tire component 91 and the second tire component 92 on the first conveyor 21 and the second conveyor 22, respectively. Figure 2 and Fig.10 As shown, the first sensor unit 71 can be additionally arranged for length measurement, i.e. by detecting the passage and / or longitudinal position of the front end LE1, LE2 and the rear end TE1, TE2 of the corresponding tire component 91, 92 in the supply direction X, optionally in combination with an encoder or feedback from the corresponding conveyor drive 81, 82, to determine the length L1, L2 of the tire component 91, 92 that has passed between the detection ends LE1, LE2, TE1, TE2.

[0067] The second sensor unit 72 is configured to detect the lateral position of the first tire component 91 and the second tire component 92 on the tire building drum D. Preferably, the second sensor unit 72 is configured to detect the lateral position on the tire building drum D as close as possible to the angular position on the tire building drum D of the front ends LE1, LE2 of the tire components 91, 92 initially applied.

[0068] In this exemplary embodiment, a single first sensor unit 71 is used to detect and / or capture the area of ​​the two first conveyors 21, 22. Similarly, a single second sensor unit 72 is used to detect and / or capture the area of ​​the tire building drum D receiving the two tire components 91, 92. Alternatively, a separate first sensor unit 71 may be provided for each conveyor 21, 22, and separate second sensor units 72 may be provided for the two areas of the tire building drum D receiving the tire components 91, 92. The group of sensor units 71, 72 may be independently adjustable in the lateral direction Y, depending on the spacing between the conveyors 21, 22, the spacing between the tire components 91, 92 supported by the conveyors 21, 22, and / or the width of the tire components 91, 92.

[0069] like Figure 1As shown, the dual tire component feeder 1 is further provided with a control unit 8, which is operatively and / or electronically connected to the supply drive 10, the lateral drives 11, 12, the pick-and-place drives 13, 14, the push-away drives 15, 16, the drive 17, 18, the sensor units 71, 72, the roller drive 80 and / or the conveyor drive 81, 82. The control unit 8 has a processor and a memory with computer-readable instructions, and when the processor executes the computer-readable instructions, the control unit 8 controls the movement of the pick-and-place units 31, 32 and / or the pressing units 51, 52 in the supply direction X, the lateral direction Y and / or the pick-and-place direction Z based on the detection signals received from the first sensor unit 71 and / or the second sensor unit 72. The memory is preferably a non-transitory memory.

[0070] Now refer to Figure 1 -10 describes a method for supplying tire components 91, 92 to a tire building drum D using the above-mentioned dual tire component feeder 1.

[0071] Figure 1 A situation is shown in which a first tire component 91 is advanced in a supply direction X by the first conveyor 21. The front end LE1 of the first tire component 91 has been detected by the first sensor unit 71. The position of the front end LE1 in the lateral direction Y, the longitudinal position and / or the detection time are stored in a memory of the control unit 8. The first pick and place unit 31 is located in an inactive position above the first conveyor 21 and / or spaced apart from the first conveyor 21. The control unit 8 may have compared the stored position of the front end LE1 with the current position of the first pick and place unit 31 in the lateral direction Y and, if necessary, automatically controlled the first lateral drive 11 to move the first pick and place unit 31 laterally so that the pick and place unit 31 is aligned with the position of the front end LE1 in the lateral direction Y.

[0072] Figure 2 and Figure 7 The first tire component 91 is shown to be further advanced by the first conveyor 21 until the front end LE1 is positioned below the first pick and place unit 31, at or near the distal end of the first conveyor 21. The first pick and place unit 31, if not already aligned, automatically aligns laterally in the lateral direction X with the previously detected position of the front end LE1 and subsequently moves downwards in the pick and place direction Z until the holding element 41 contacts the first tire component 91 at its front end LE1.

[0073] Obviously, the second pick and place unit 32 may be automatically controlled independently of the first pick and place unit 31 to align with and pick up the front end LE2 of the second tire component 92 .

[0074] At the same time, the first sensor unit 71 has detected the rear end TE1 of the first tire component 91. The position of the rear end TE1 in the lateral direction Y, the longitudinal position and / or the detection time are stored in the memory of the control unit 8. The control unit 8 can now calculate the length of the first tire component 91 between the front end LE1 and the rear end TE1, for example, based on the elapsed time between the detection of the front end LE1 and the rear end TE1 and the encoder data. The control unit 8 can also compare the positions of the front end LE1 and the rear end TE1 in the lateral direction Y.

[0075] Figure 3 , 8 10 shows that the control unit 8 has controlled the supply drive 10, the lateral drives 11, 12 and / or the pick and place drives 13, 14 to move the two pick and place units 31, 32 along the transfer path, thereby transferring the corresponding tire components 91, 92 held thereon to the tire building drum D. The transfer path may include an upward movement when the pick and place units 31, 32 lift the tire components 91, 92 from the corresponding conveyors 21, 22, and a downward movement when the pick and place units 31, 32 place the tire components 91, 92 on the tire building drum D. Alternatively, the transfer path may be at least partially coplanar with the conveyors 21, 22.

[0076] like Fig.10 As shown, the control unit 8 can control the corresponding drives 10-14 to automatically and independently move the pick-and-place units 31, 32 relative to each other in the lateral direction X to correct any offset between the corresponding front end LE1, LE2 and the corresponding rear end TE1, TE2 during transfer along the transfer path. Therefore, if no correction is required, the transfer path can be parallel to the supply direction X, or if correction is required, the transfer path can be at an angle to the supply direction X.

[0077] like Figure 3 and Figure 8 As shown, once the front ends LE1 , LE2 are transferred onto the tire building drum D, the release members 42 of the pick-and-place units 31 , 32 are activated to release the tire components 91 , 92 from the pick-and-place units 31 , 32 .

[0078] Figure 4 and Fig. 9The situation is shown in which the pick and place units 31, 32 have returned and lowered to the pressing position above the respective conveyors 21, 22. The control unit 8 has controlled the pressing drives 17, 18 to move the pressing units 51, 52 downward in the pick and place direction Z to contact the tire components 91, 92. In particular, the pressing wheels 53, 54 are configured to contact and travel over the tire components 91, 92 as the tire components 91, 92 are further advanced by the respective conveyors 21, 22. The pressing units 51, 52 apply or release pressure between the respective front ends LE1, LE2 and rear ends TE1, TE2 in at least a portion of the body of the tire components 91, 92.

[0079] When the front ends LE1 and LE2 have been applied to the tire building drum D, the second sensor unit 72 can detect the positions of the front ends LE1 and LE2 on the tire building drum D, such as Fig.10 These positions can be stored in the memory of the control unit 8 and can be compared with the positions of the corresponding rear ends TE1, TE2 to determine whether any lateral correction is required for one or both of the rear ends TE1, TE2 to align the rear ends TE1, TE2 with the actual or last known position of the corresponding front ends LE1, LE2 on the tire building drum D.

[0080] Figure 5 1 shows a situation where the rear end TE1 of the first tire component 91 has reached a position at or near the end of the first conveyor 21, located below the first pick-and-place unit 31. Now, for the rear ends TE1, TE2 of the two tire components 91, 92, Figure 5 and 6 Repeat Figure 2 and 3 Likewise, the positions of the pick-and-place units 31, 32 in the lateral direction Y can be automatically and independently controlled relative to each other, similar to Fig.10 The movement shown is to correct the lateral misalignment between the rear end TE1, TE2 and the front end LE1, LE2.

[0081] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the rear ends TE1, TE2 have been transferred to the tire building drum D and are ready to be spliced ​​and / or sewn to the corresponding front ends LE1, LE2.

[0082] In the above steps, the length of the tire components 91, 92 between their respective front ends LE1, LE2 and rear ends TE1, TE2 can be determined based on the detection signal of the first sensor unit 71, and compared with the optimal length for splicing. Additionally or optionally, the detection signal of the second sensor unit 72 can be used to determine the actual application position of the corresponding front ends LE1, LE2 on the tire building drum D, and this information can be used to determine the optimal application position of the corresponding rear ends TE1, TE2 to obtain closed splicing. The control unit 8 can then control the roller drive 80 and / or the conveyor drive 81, 82 to adjust the speed ratio between the corresponding conveyors 21, 22 and the tire building drum D. For example, when the first tire component 91 is too short, the circumferential speed of the tire building drum D can be set to a value higher than the conveying speed of the first conveyor 21. Alternatively, the conveying speed of the first conveyor 21 can be reduced. For the tire building drum D, the ratio of the two conveyors 21, 22 can be kept the same, or can be independently controlled, i.e. by controlling the conveyor drives 81, 82 so that the conveyors 21, 22 move at different conveying speeds, depending on the correction amount required for each tire component 91, 92 to obtain a closed splicing between the corresponding front end LE1, LE2 and the corresponding rear end TE1, TE2.

[0083] It should be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Based on the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and these variations will still be included within the scope of the invention.

[0084] Reference numerals list

[0085] 1 Dual tire component feeder

[0086] 10 Supply Driver

[0087] 11 First lateral drive

[0088] 12 Second lateral drive

[0089] 13 First pick and place drive

[0090] 14 Second pick and place drive

[0091] 15 First push drive

[0092] 16 Second push drive

[0093] 17 First push driver

[0094] 18 Second Drive

[0095] 21 First Teleporter

[0096] 22 Second Teleporter

[0097] 31 First Pick and Place Unit

[0098] 32 Second pick and place unit

[0099] 40 Gripper head

[0100] 41 Holding element

[0101] 42 Release component

[0102] 43 Push board

[0103] 51 First pressing unit

[0104] 52 Second pressing unit

[0105] 53 First pressing wheel

[0106] 54 Second pressing wheel

[0107] 55 Sleeve

[0108] 71 First sensor unit

[0109] 72 Second sensor unit

[0110] 8 Control unit

[0111] 80 Drum Driver

[0112] 81 First conveyor driver

[0113] 82 Second conveyor driver

[0114] 91 First Tire Components

[0115] 92 Second tire component

[0116] D Tire Building Drum

[0117] L1 Length of the first tire component

[0118] L2 Length of the second tire component

[0119] LE1 Front end of the first tire component

[0120] LE2 Front end of the second tire component

[0121] TE1 Rear end of the first tire component

[0122] TE2 rear end of the second tire assembly

[0123] X Supply Direction

[0124] Y side direction

[0125] Z Pick and Place Direction

Claims

1. A dual tire component feeder for supplying a first tire component and a second tire component to a tire building drum, wherein: The dual tire component feeder comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor for conveying the first tire component and the second tire component, respectively, in a supply direction toward the tire building drum, wherein the dual tire component feeder further comprises a first pick-and-place unit and a second pick-and-place unit for transferring the first tire component and the second tire component, respectively, from their respective conveyors to the tire building drum, wherein the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit are automatically and independently movable relative to each other in a lateral direction perpendicular to the supply direction.

2. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual tire component feeder comprises a first lateral drive and a second lateral drive which are individually controllable for driving the movement of the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit in the lateral direction, respectively.

3. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit are movable synchronously in the supply direction.

4. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual tire component feeder includes a supply driver shared by the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit for synchronously driving the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit to move in the supply direction.

5. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual tire component feeder further comprises a first sensor unit upstream of the first and second pick and place units with respect to the supply direction for detecting lateral positions of the first and second tire components on the first and second conveyors, respectively.

6. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 5, characterized in that: The dual tire component feeder includes a first lateral drive and a second lateral drive, which can be controlled separately to drive the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit to move in the lateral direction respectively, wherein the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit, which is operatively connected to the first lateral drive, the second lateral drive and the first sensor unit, and is used to control the movement of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit in the lateral direction based on a detection signal from the first sensor unit.

7. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual tire component feeder further comprises a second sensor unit downstream of the first and second pick and place units with respect to the supply direction for detecting lateral positions of the first and second tire components on the tire building drum.

8. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 7, characterized in that: The dual tire component feeder includes a first lateral drive and a second lateral drive, which can be controlled separately to drive the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit to move in the lateral direction respectively, wherein the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit, which is operatively connected to the first lateral drive, the second lateral drive and the second sensor unit, and is used to control the movement of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit in the lateral direction based on a detection signal from the second sensor unit.

9. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end, wherein the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit are arranged to first transfer the front ends of the first tire component and the second tire component, respectively, and then transfer the rear ends of the first tire component and the second tire component, respectively, wherein the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit, which is configured to control the movement of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit in the lateral direction during at least one of the transfer of the front end and the transfer of the rear end, so that the lateral positions of each tire component at the front end and the rear end are aligned.

10. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each pick and place unit comprises a gripper head and a holding element for holding the respective tire component to the gripper head.

11. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 10, characterized in that: The retaining element is a suction element.

12. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 10, characterized in that: Each pick and place unit further comprises a releasing member for releasing the respective tire component from said holding element.

13. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 12, characterized in that: The release member comprises a push-off plate which is movable relative to the holding element in a pick-and-place direction which is transverse or perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction.

14. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 13, characterized in that: The push-open plate can move between a retracted position and a push-open position, wherein the retracted position is at the same level as or higher than the holding element in the pick-and-place direction, and the push-open position is lower than the holding element in the pick-and-place direction.

15. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 14, characterized in that: When the push-off plate is in the retracted position, the push-off plate at least partially extends around the retaining element.

16. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dual tire component feeder further includes a first pressing unit and a second pressing unit for respectively pressing the first tire component and the second tire component onto the corresponding conveyor.

17. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 16, characterized in that: The first pressing unit and the second pressing unit are carried by the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit respectively.

18. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 17, characterized in that: The first pressing unit and the second pressing unit are movable relative to the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit in a pick-and-place direction that is transverse or perpendicular to the supply direction and the lateral direction.

19. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 16, characterized in that: Each pressing unit comprises a first pressing wheel which is rotatable about a wheel axis parallel to the lateral direction.

20. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 19, characterized in that The first pressing wheel is a toothed special-shaped wheel.

21. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 19, characterized in that Each pressing unit includes a second pressing wheel that is coaxial with the first pressing wheel and spaced apart from the first pressing wheel.

22. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 21, characterized in that The second pressing wheel is a toothed special-shaped wheel.

23. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that The first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end and a length between the corresponding front end and the corresponding rear end, wherein the dual tire component feeder further includes at least one of a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit, the first sensor unit being upstream of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit relative to the supply direction, and the second sensor unit being downstream of the first pick-and-place unit relative to the supply direction, wherein the dual tire component feeder is provided with a control unit, the control unit being configured to control a speed ratio between a corresponding conveyor and the tire building drum based on a detection signal from the first sensor unit or the second sensor unit so as to adjust the length of at least one of the tire components.

24. The dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that The tire component is a buffer layer isolation rubber.

25. A method for supplying a first tire component and a second tire component to a tire building drum using the dual tire component feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: - transferring the first tire component and the second tire component from their respective conveyors to the tire building drum; and - during the transfer, automatically and independently moving the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit in a lateral direction relative to each other.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit move synchronously in the supply direction.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end, wherein the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit first transfer the front ends of the first tire component and the second tire component, and then transfer the rear ends of the first tire component and the second tire component, wherein the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit move in the lateral direction during at least one of the transfer of the front ends and the transfer of the rear ends so that the lateral positions of each tire component at the front ends and the rear ends are aligned.

28. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The first tire component and the second tire component are held to the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit, respectively, wherein the method further comprises the step of releasing the first tire component and the second tire component from the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit, respectively, by pushing the first tire component and the second tire component away from the first pick and place unit and the second pick and place unit, respectively.

29. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The method further comprises the step of pressing the first tire component and the second tire component onto respective conveyors.

30. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The first tire component and the second tire component each have a front end and a rear end and a length between the respective front end and the respective rear end, wherein the method further comprises the step of adjusting a speed ratio between the respective conveyor and the tire building drum to adjust the length of at least one of the tire components.

31. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The tire component is a buffer layer isolation rubber.

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