Method for marking vehicle tyres and marking station

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for marking a vehicle tire and a marking station. The invention relates to a method for marking a vehicle tire (20), wherein the vehicle tire is supplied (100) to a marking station (10), wherein the vehicle tire (20) is aligned and centered (102, 103) in the marking station (10), wherein in the marking station (10) a marking (108) is performed depending on a characteristic of the vehicle tire (20), and wherein the marking (108) is performed using one marking device (12) from a plurality of different marking devices (12). The method according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the marking device (12) for marking the vehicle tire (20) is positioned (107) at the vehicle tire (20) by means of a robot arm (11). The invention also relates to a corresponding marking station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for marking vehicle tires and a marking station for marking vehicle tires. Background Technology

[0002] Tire testing benches are known in the prior art, through which vehicle tires can undergo a variety of different testing processes. Specifically, tire imbalance, uniformity, taper, and geometry are measured. The determined values ​​are then applied to the tire as markers (e.g., as colored dots), and the vehicle tire is identified according to its quality grade. Depending on the requirements, the colored dots can be applied to all externally visible points of the vehicle tire, except for the tire tread.

[0003] WO 2015 / 086187 A1 discloses a method for automatic marking of tires, wherein the tires have already left a tire marking machine. The tires to be marked are supplied via a conveyor belt along a direct path to a marking station located directly downstream of the marking machine.

[0004] US2013 / 233067 A1 discloses a tire testing stand with a marking station for automatically changing test rims. The test rim is formed by two axial halves. Each test rim is designed for a specific tire size, making it possible to change rims to test different tire sizes. Furthermore, the tire testing stand in US2013 / 233067 A1 may also include a marking station (not described in detail) and a sorting station (also not described in detail).

[0005] WO 2011 / 143175 A2 discloses a system for installing vehicle wheels. The system's robotic arm removes rims from a rim magazine, places valves in the rims, and finally places the rims into the tires. The vehicle wheels installed in this manner are then passed by the robotic arm to a tire inflation station, where they are inflated with compressed air. The vehicle wheels then undergo a balance test. Depending on the balance performance, the vehicle tires are marked accordingly. Furthermore, a method is disclosed that, depending on the results of the balance test, stores the vehicle wheels at different stations for further processing.

[0006] DE 10 2015 222 865 A1 discloses a method for marking and sorting tires and replacing test rims for tires using a robot known per se, wherein the robot picks up the tires to be tested and supplies them to a marking device, so that markings describing the quality of the tires can be applied to the tires by the marking device.

[0007] The underlying issues of this invention include meeting existing requirements in tire manufacturing and vehicle manufacturing to mark the shape, color, and number of marking points on vehicle tires with as little technical complexity and as little processing time as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the method for marking vehicle tires according to the present invention.

[0009] This invention relates to a method for marking vehicle tires, wherein the vehicle tires are supplied to a marking station, the vehicle tires are aligned and centered at the marking station, marking is performed at the marking station according to the properties of the vehicle tires, and the marking is performed by one of a plurality of different marking devices. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a marking device for marking vehicle tires is positioned on the vehicle tires by a robotic arm.

[0010] Therefore, a method is provided for labeling vehicle tires based on their properties. These properties preferably describe one of many possible quality grades for the vehicle tire, such as "very good," "good," and "average." Further or other quality grades are also conceivable. These quality grades again represent the imbalance in the corresponding vehicle tire's operating performance. The smaller the imbalance, the better the operating performance of the vehicle tire, and advantageously, the higher the quality grade.

[0011] Alternatively, the attributes of a vehicle tire may also preferably describe the vehicle tire's noise performance, road grip, maximum permissible speed, or other attributes that may be applied to the vehicle tire as a marker other than or as an alternative marker to the vehicle tire's operating performance.

[0012] For example, the markings can be color markings or embossed markings, wherein in the case of color markings, different quality grades are preferably represented by different colors. In the case of embossed markings, different quality grades are preferably represented by different embossed symbols. A combination of color markings and embossed markings is also possible and preferred. Providing specific marking materials to identify specific quality grades is also possible and preferred.

[0013] Vehicle tires are preferably either so-called PCR (passenger car radial tires) or so-called TBR (truck and bus radial tires).

[0014] Advantageously, the vehicle tires are supplied to the marking station immediately after the properties of the vehicle tires are tested (e.g., via a conveyor belt). Thus, the vehicle tires are tested in a test station designed for this purpose, particularly before the method for marking vehicle tires according to the invention.

[0015] After the vehicle tires are supplied to the marking station (e.g. via conveyor belt), the vehicle tires are first aligned and centered by the marking station.

[0016] The term "centering" is understood here to mean that the axis of rotation of the vehicle tire is in the target position, and therefore the vehicle tire is also in the target position. Specifically, the vehicle tire is then centered on the rotating plate. Given the radial diameter of the vehicle tire, a mark can now be applied at the desired radial position. The centering of the vehicle tire is preferably performed automatically via a centering arm that allows the tire to be moved on the rotating plate.

[0017] The term "alignment" is understood here to mean that the vehicle tires are in a desired angular position about their axis of rotation. Therefore, a mark can be applied at the desired angular position. The vehicle tires are preferentially aligned automatically via a rotating plate.

[0018] The actual marking of the vehicle tires is then performed using a specific marking device from a plurality of different marking devices, wherein, in particular, each marking device produces a different mark. Therefore, it is possible to specify which mark to apply to the vehicle tires by selecting a particular marking device.

[0019] Advantageously, it can also be specified that each marking device can produce more than one mark, and, for example, it is possible that the marking device can produce two, three or more different marks. Preferably, the aforementioned two, three or more different marks of the marking device can be applied independently of each other and based on information from the test procedure.

[0020] According to the present invention, a marking device for marking vehicle tires is positioned on the vehicle tires by a robotic arm. This means that, unlike the prior art, instead of the vehicle tires being held and supplied to the marking device, the marking device is held and moved toward the vehicle tires. Therefore, on the one hand, the required technical complexity can be advantageously reduced, because the marking devices, each not held by the robotic arm and required for marking, can be placed aside by the robotic arm without needing to be kept ready in the area of ​​the marking station, making them usable on the vehicle tires. Therefore, the marking station according to the present invention is more compact and economical than known marking stations. Furthermore, this also allows for the supply of a relatively larger number of marking units, and thus a correspondingly larger number of possible different markings, thereby expanding the possible uses of this marking station compared to known marking stations, particularly by eliminating the need for reprocessing and associated changeover time.

[0021] Furthermore, it has been shown that the processing time of the marking station according to the present invention is reduced compared to the processing time of known marking stations; that is, the method for marking vehicle tires according to the present invention saves time compared to known methods.

[0022] Furthermore, the advantage of using a robotic arm is that other work steps not directly related to the vehicle tires (such as changing test rims) can also be performed by the robotic arm. Changing the test rim (which consists of two separate upper and lower test rim halves) is performed independently of marking or testing procedures (i.e., whenever different sizes of vehicle tires are to be tested at the testing station). In this case, the robotic arm replaces the clamped test rim half with another test rim half of a different diameter.

[0023] The robotic arm within the scope of this invention is understood to refer to a so-called NC-axis system, which can take the form of commercially available robots known in the prior art or freely configurable linear axis systems. The robotic arm is advantageously designed to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation and includes multiple joints, each capable of realizing at least one rotational movement of an arm element about a horizontal axis of rotation (and particularly also about the vertical axis of rotation). Furthermore, the robotic arm advantageously includes a tool-changing system, which can take the form of a gripper (particularly a three-finger gripper), by which the robotic arm can pick up, manipulate, and restore the corresponding desired marking device.

[0024] The robotic arm preferably has six axes of motion. An example of a preferred type of robot is the commercially available KR QUANTEC Pro robot from the manufacturer KUKA.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of different marking devices are stored in a marking device library, and a robotic arm selects and picks up a specific marking device from these plurality of different marking devices. The marking device library can take the form of, for example, shelves that store the plurality of different marking devices adjacent to each other in positions provided for them. The robotic arm is aware of the independent position of each individual marking device and can therefore selectively retrieve these marking devices from the marking device library, and can also replace these marking devices. The marking device library saves space within the robotic arm's reach while ensuring the independent position of each individual marking device within the library.

[0026] Preferably, multiple marker device libraries may also be provided, which are either all arranged within the range of the robotic arm or can be automatically moved (e.g. via a track system) such that at least one marker device library with the corresponding required marker device is always within the range of the robotic arm.

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, when replacing a marking device, the robotic arm stores the no longer needed marking device at the location assigned to the no longer needed marking device in the marking device library. Therefore, the marking device can be retrieved later from a location independently assigned to it and known to the robotic arm.

[0028] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the marking device is supplied with electrical and / or thermal energy for multiple marking procedures during the period of storage. Depending on the design of the marking device used for applying color marking, embossing, or material marking, it may be necessary to supply electrical or thermal energy to the marking device. For example, thermal energy may be supplied so that the imprints of the marking device used for applying embossing are heated via an external heat source during the period when they are stored in the marking device library. Furthermore, such a marking device may also include an energy storage unit through which the imprints are reheated after being removed from the marking device library. However, it is also conceivable that the marking device used for applying color marking or material marking requires electrical energy supplied via the energy storage unit during the operation of the respective marking device.

[0029] The energy storage unit preferably takes the form of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

[0030] Electrical power can be supplied to the tagging device library, for example, wirelessly via induction or via the tagging device library and corresponding electrical contacts of the tagging devices, which are in contact with each other when the tagging devices are stored in the tagging device library.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, alignment and centering are performed at least partially simultaneously. Therefore, the processing time of the marking station according to the invention can be further reduced.

[0032] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the properties of multiple vehicle tires are determined simultaneously at multiple test stations. Because testing procedures are typically more time-consuming than marking procedures, providing multiple test stations correspondingly increases the capability of the marking stations to perform the method according to the invention, whereby the multiple test stations simultaneously determine the respective properties to be checked for multiple vehicle tires in multiple test procedures. The multiple vehicle tires are then supplied equally to the marking stations performing the method according to the invention.

[0033] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, information regarding the properties of the vehicle tires is also provided as part of the supply. Here, the supply of information is preferably carried out electronically via a data processing program designed for this purpose, which first acquires information from the vehicle tire testing process and then transmits that information to a marking station. This information allows selection of at least one specific marking device from a plurality of different marking devices, determination of the angular position, and determination of the radial position for applying markings.

[0034] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a tire sidewall is provided that supports the vehicle tire on its inner side, at least during marking. This simplifies the application of the marking by preventing any stretching or bending of the tire sidewall. For example, the vehicle tire can be supported by a correspondingly designed support that is specifically and automatically inserted into the interior of the vehicle tire.

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a marking station for marking vehicle tires, the marking station comprising a robotic arm and a plurality of different marking devices, wherein these marking devices are stored in at least one marking device library, and wherein the robotic arm is designed to mark the vehicle tires according to the properties of the vehicle tires using one of the aforementioned different marking devices. The marking station for marking vehicle tires according to the invention is characterized in that the robotic arm is further designed to position the marking devices for marking vehicle tires onto the vehicle tires. Therefore, the marking station for marking vehicle tires according to the invention includes all the necessary devices for performing the method according to the invention, and thus results in the advantages already described.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of marking devices are provided, at least in part, in the form of a plurality of thermoforming devices. These thermoforming devices enable the application of particularly robust and durable embossed markings.

[0037] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of marking devices are provided, at least partially, having an energy storage unit. Therefore, the corresponding marking device can obtain the electrical energy required during operation from the energy storage unit, and does not require a power supply via a robotic arm during operation. Possible energy requirements may include, for example, heating devices for heating the thermoimprint, operating the color imprint, operating the microcontroller, or other electronic components of the marking device.

[0038] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one tagging device library and a plurality of tagging devices are configured to fill the corresponding energy storage units with electrical energy via a filling procedure when the plurality of tagging devices are located in the at least one tagging device library. The filling of electrical energy is preferably performed via corresponding electrical contacts of the tagging device library and the respective tagging devices, which are in contact with each other when the tagging devices are stored in the tagging device library.

[0039] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the filling process is performed non-contactly (especially inductively). Therefore, it is not necessary to provide specific interfaces in the form of matching electrical contacts.

[0040] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of electrical marking devices are provided, each having a thermal energy storage unit. The thermal energy storage unit may take the form of, for example, a metal body having a relatively high heat capacity and being in contact with the hot-embossed mark. Therefore, the temperature of the hot-embossed mark can be maintained within the temperature range required for hot embossing for a relatively long time, which in turn correspondingly extends the period during which such marking devices can be used uninterrupted.

[0041] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one tagging device library and a plurality of tagging devices are configured to fill a corresponding thermal energy storage unit with thermal energy via a filling procedure when the plurality of tagging devices are located in at least one tagging device library. For this purpose, the at least one tagging device library may have, for example, a heat source that contacts the heat-imprinted mark when the corresponding tagging device is stored in its independent location, and thus supplies heat to the heat-imprinted mark and the thermal energy storage unit that is also in contact with the heat-imprinted mark.

[0042] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the marking station is specified to perform the method according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0044] Figure 1 A marking station for marking vehicle tires according to the present invention is illustrated by way of example and schematic.

[0045] Figure 2 Possible embodiments of the method for marking vehicle tires according to the present invention are illustrated by way of example and schematic in the form of flowcharts.

[0046] In all the accompanying drawings, the same objects, functional units, and similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Unless otherwise specified or implied in the description, these objects, functional units, and similar parts have the same design regarding their technical features. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Figure 1 A marking station 10 for marking vehicle tires 20 according to the present invention is illustrated by way of example and schematic. The marking station 10 includes a robotic arm 11 and a plurality of different marking devices 12, for clarity. Figure 1Only one individual marking device 12 is shown in the diagram. It can be seen that the marking device 12 is stored in a marking device library 13, which is designed to store multiple marking devices 12 at corresponding independent locations. Furthermore, the marking device library 13 has electrical contacts 13' for each marking device 12, these contacts being connected via corresponding mating contacts of the marking device 12 (in... Figure 1 (Not shown) The energy storage of the marking device 12 is charged, and the hot embossing mark of the marking device 12 is also heated via a heating spindle structurally integrated into the marking device 12 (also in... Figure 1 (Not shown in the image).

[0048] Furthermore, according to the example, the marking station 10 includes a rotating plate 14 for aligning the vehicle tire 20, i.e., for setting a desired angular position about the axis of rotation of the vehicle tire 20. Additionally, the marking station 10 includes a centering arm 15 that can displace the vehicle tire 20 on the rotating plate 14 such that the vehicle tire is centered on the rotating plate 14. After the alignment and centering performed simultaneously according to the example, the vehicle tire 20 is located in the desired position and the desired angular position.

[0049] According to the example, the robotic arm 11 is designed to have six axes of motion. Furthermore, the robotic arm is designed to retrieve the required marking device 12 from the marking device library 13 to mark the vehicle tire 20, and then replace it at the location where the marking device 12 was first retrieved from the marking device library 13. Therefore, the marking of the vehicle tire 20 is performed by the robotic arm 11 picking up the required marking device 12 from the marking device library 13, moving it to the vehicle tire 20, positioning it on the vehicle tire 20, and then marking the vehicle tire 20 with the marking device 12. Here, the marking of the vehicle tire 20 is performed according to the properties of the vehicle tire 20, using markings representing these properties and corresponding marking devices 12.

[0050] Because the vehicle tire 20 is positioned at the intended location and angle for applying the mark after alignment and centering, the robotic arm 11 can move the marking device 12 to the vehicle tire 20 and apply a mark corresponding to the mass of the vehicle tire 20 at the point on the vehicle tire 20 provided for this purpose.

[0051] Therefore, the robotic arm 11 picks up the corresponding required marking device 12 and applies a mark. Information about the properties of the vehicle tire 20 is electronically supplied to the marking station 10 via a data processing program designed for this purpose, as part of the supply of the vehicle tire 20. Here, the data processing system first obtains information from the testing program of the vehicle tire 20 and then transmits that information to the marking station 10. This information then allows the selection of a specific marking device 12 from a plurality of different marking devices 12. After the vehicle tire 20 is supplied to the marking station 10 (e.g., via a conveyor belt), the marking station 10 aligns and centers the vehicle tire 20.

[0052] In addition, the marking station 10 also includes a support 16 that is automatically moved into the interior of the vehicle tire 20 by means of a robotic arm 11 or a marking device 12 during marking, and supports the tire sidewall from the interior of the vehicle tire from which the marking is applied.

[0053] Finally, marking station 10 also includes a conveyor belt 17, through which, according to an example, vehicle tires 20 are moved from one or more test stations (in...) Figure 1 (Not shown) is supplied to marking station 10. Here, the test station first identifies the properties of the vehicle tire 20, and marking station 10 applies markings describing the properties of the vehicle tire 20 to the vehicle tire 20.

[0054] Figure 2 A possible embodiment of a method for marking a vehicle tire 20 according to the present invention is illustrated schematically and by way of example in the form of a flowchart. In a first method step 100, the vehicle tire 20 is supplied to a marking station 10 according to the present invention. Simultaneously, in step 101, information describing the quality grade of the vehicle tire 20 is supplied to the marking station 10. In step 102, the vehicle tire 20 is then aligned, and in step 103, the vehicle tire 20 is centered. In step 104, a support 16 is introduced into the interior of the vehicle tire 20. In step 105, a robotic arm 11 selects a marking device 12 from a marking device library 13. According to the example, steps 102, 103, 104, and 105 are performed simultaneously. In step 106, the robotic arm 11 picks up the selected marking device 12, and in step 107, the marking device is moved to the vehicle tire 20 and positioned on the vehicle tire 20. Finally, in step 108, actual marking is performed according to the quality grade of the vehicle tire 20.

[0055] Figure Labels

[0056] 10 Marker Stations

[0057] 11. Robotic Arm

[0058] 12 Marking devices

[0059] 13 Marker Library

[0060] 13' electrical contact

[0061] 14 Rotating plate

[0062] 15. Centering Arm

[0063] 16 Supporting structures

[0064] 17 Conveyor Belt

[0065] 20 Vehicle tires

[0066] 100 Supply vehicle tires

[0067] 101 Supply information describing the quality grade of vehicle tires

[0068] 102 Align the vehicle tires

[0069] 103 Center the vehicle tires

[0070] 104. Introduction of Support Structure

[0071] 105 Selection Marker Device

[0072] 106 Pick up the selected marker device

[0073] 107 Position the marking device on the vehicle tires.

[0074] 108 Mark vehicle tires

Claims

1. A method for marking vehicle tires (20), wherein, The vehicle tire is supplied (100) to a marking station (10), in which the vehicle tire (20) is aligned and centered (102, 103), wherein marking (108) is performed in the marking station (10) according to the properties of the vehicle tire (20), and the marking (108) is performed by marking devices (12) from a plurality of different marking devices (12), characterized in that the marking devices (12) for marking the vehicle tire (20) are positioned (107) on the vehicle tire (20) by a robotic arm (11). The plurality of different marking devices (12) are stored in a marking device library (13), and the robotic arm (11) selects and picks (105, 106) the corresponding required marking device (12) from the plurality of different marking devices (12).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the marking device (12) is replaced, the robotic arm (11) stores the no longer needed marking device (12) in the marking device library (13) at the location assigned to the no longer needed marking device (12).

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, During the time the marking device (12) is being stored, the marking device (12) is supplied with electrical energy and / or thermal energy for use in multiple marking procedures.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The alignment and the centering (102, 103) are performed at least partially simultaneously.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The properties of multiple vehicle tires (20) are determined simultaneously at multiple test stations.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, Information regarding the properties of the vehicle tires (20) is also provided as part of the supply.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, At least during the marking period, the tire sidewall of the vehicle tire (20) is supported (104) on the inside of the vehicle tire (20).

8. A marking station (10) for marking vehicle tires (20), the marking station (10) comprising a robotic arm (11) and a plurality of different marking devices (12), wherein, The plurality of different marking devices (12) are stored in at least one marking device library (13), and the robotic arm (11) is designed to mark the vehicle tire (20) according to the properties of the vehicle tire (20) by the marking devices (12) from the plurality of different marking devices (12), characterized in that the robotic arm (11) is also designed to position the marking devices (12) for marking the vehicle tire (20) on the vehicle tire (20).

9. The marker station (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The plurality of different marking devices (12) take at least part of the form of a plurality of thermal embossing devices.

10. The marking station (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The plurality of different marking devices (12) have at least partially electrical energy storage units.

11. The marker station (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The at least one tagging device library (13) and the plurality of different tagging devices (12) are designed to fill the corresponding energy storage units with energy via a filling procedure when the plurality of different tagging devices are located in the at least one tagging device library.

12. The marker station (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The filling process is performed non-contactly.

13. The marker station (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Each of the multiple different marking devices (12) has a thermal energy storage unit.

14. The marker station (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The at least one tagging device library (13) and the plurality of different tagging devices (12) are designed to fill the corresponding thermal energy storage unit with thermal energy via a filling procedure when the plurality of different tagging devices (12) are located in at least one tagging device library (13).

15. The marking station (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The marker station (10) is designed to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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