System for pulling and conveying wire and method of use

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (100) for pulling and conveying wires arranged in one or more supports (110) of the system, the system comprising: a movable structure (114) comprising a frame (114a), a base (114b) and one or more movable devices, one or more roller plates (116) consisting of transverse rollers and vertical rollers, the rollers allowing the conditioning of the wires; and a fixed structure (120) arranged at the end of the supports (110) and comprising a frame (120a) and a base (120b), allowing the roller plates (116) to be transferred from the movable structure towards the fixed structure without losing the alignment of the wires, wherein the movable structure is arranged next to the fixed structure. The invention also relates to a method for pulling and conveying wires selected for introduction into a reinforcement ply, performed by the disclosed system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for drawing and conveying wires, said system allowing direct and uninterrupted conveying of roller plates, by means of which the wires selected for drawing are arranged in one or more supports of the system. The invention also relates to a method for drawing and conveying the wires selected for incorporation into a reinforcement ply without losing their alignment. Background Art

[0002] In the field of tires, it is required that the tires exhibit various performance aspects (e.g., low rolling resistance, good wear resistance, adequate grip in dry and wet conditions, sufficient mileage, etc.). Therefore, the tire is composed of a reinforced rubber ply (or "reinforcement ply") having different types of rubber mixtures (which have reinforcing wires or strips integrated into the rubber material). The properties of the wire and the properties of the rubber are selected according to the desired final properties. As used herein, the term "wire" includes, without limitation, metal (e.g., wire, film, or steel cord) reinforcing elements (or "reinforcements"), synthetic reinforcing elements (or "reinforcements"), textile reinforcing elements (or "reinforcements"), or hybrid reinforcing elements (or "reinforcements").

[0003] In order to produce reinforced rubber plies, it is known to calender a metal reinforcement between two unvulcanized rubber layers to produce the reinforced rubber plies. Figure 1 As can be seen, the reinforced rubber ply 10 comprises a plurality of continuous metal wires 12 having a common geometric shape. The wires 12 are laid parallel to one another and extend longitudinally between opposite ends of the rubber layer 14. After calendering, the wires 12 must be evenly spaced relative to one another and they must also be evenly arranged in such a way that the center C of each wire is 12 The longitudinal and vertical alignment of the wires 12 is preferably ensured in such a way that when assembled (they are "lined up" and in "alignment"), the center C of each wire is aligned. 12 The displacement D measured from the longitudinal axis X of the rubber layer 14 12 The maximum tolerance does not exceed the predetermined tolerance of the particular rubber layer. The resulting plies are cut to the desired size and assembled to form a green tire.

[0004] In order to supply green tire manufacturing machines (such as calenders forming a calendering line), known creel systems support a plurality of reels held in uniform rows, each reel supporting material wound into filaments (or "threads"). Figure 2, calendering line 50 includes a known creel system 60 using one or more supports 62. Each support 62 supports a plurality of reels 64, which are rotatably mounted and maintained in uniform rows and uniform columns. Each reel 64 supports a wire F with predetermined properties, and each reel is associated with a tensioning device. In the method for pulling wire, each wire F is transmitted from reel 64 towards the outlet 62a of support. Wire F can be transmitted from the outlet 62a of support 62 towards preparation district 70, which is arranged in any position along the path between outlet 62a and one or more downstream machines (for example, intended to apply elastomer to a calender of a known substrate, or "calender") performing one or more calendering processes. Wire F can be applied to the rubber layer so that they align parallel to each other with a predetermined density (for example, at the guiding and holding device 75 of calendering line 50).

[0005] To produce high-quality plies, the multiple wires feeding the rubber product need to be guided and maintained. Each stand has two sides that accommodate an equal number of winders (e.g., between 400 and 2,000), organized into multiple horizontal layers and columns. Depending on the situation, these stands can be arranged one above the other (or a "stacked configuration") or one beside the other (or a "parallel configuration"). To produce reinforcing plies with the desired width and spacing, the wires from each reel are pulled and moved to the end of the stand (e.g., to the preparation area). Typically, a perforated front disc, grooved roller, or front roller plate is located in front of each horizontal row of reels to condition the wires before they are delivered to the calender. The front roller plate (or "plate" or "roller plate") consists of a series of fixed transverse rollers positioned in front of a series of fixed vertical rollers, forming window-like openings at the intersection of the spaces between adjacent vertical and transverse rollers. When the wire routing of the roller plate is completed, all the wires can be pulled so that the roller plate conditions the wires with a prescribed uniform tension in a compact area of ​​a predetermined width before entering one or more downstream machines that perform one or more calendering steps. Various embodiments of roller plates are known (for example, see patents US5810271 and KR100771681B1).

[0006] The rollers are usually fixed to the support and located at the end of the support in the area of ​​the wire output. In manual operations, one or more operators must pass the wires through the rollers and attach them (for example, to a holding comb or other equivalent holding device). Consequently, the pulling of the wires requires a large number of back-and-forth movements in order to move the hundreds of wires required to produce the reinforcement ply.

[0007] Thus, the disclosed invention improves the pulling of wire from one side of a stent without having to move back and forth along the stent. Even for stents of considerable height, the disclosed system for pulling and delivering wire ensures precise alignment of each wire so that the wire is delivered to one or more downstream calenders at a uniform and specific tension corresponding to the properties of the pulled wire. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a system for pulling and conveying wire, wherein the wire is arranged in one or more supports of the system, each support supporting a plurality of reels maintained in uniform rows and columns along a predetermined length, each reel supporting the wire conveyed towards an outlet of the support in a method for pulling and conveying wire performed by the system, characterized in that the system comprises:

[0009] - a movable structure having a frame, a base and one or more movable devices allowing the movable structure to move along the length of the support, the frame comprising:

[0010] - upper and lower supports that are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance that allows the reel to be loaded and unloaded from the stand

[0011] Roller plates corresponding to the wire rods; and

[0012] - one or more holding devices substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the roller plates loaded on the frame, each holding device having holding and alignment means for guiding the wire through the corresponding roller plate towards one or more devices downstream of the system;

[0013] - one or more roller plates consisting of transverse and vertical rollers allowing conditioning of the wire relative to the reel; and

[0014] - a fixed structure arranged at the end of the support and having a frame and a base, the frame of the fixed structure comprising upper and lower supports, the upper and lower supports being substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance allowing the roller plate to be transferred from the frame of the movable structure towards the fixed structure without losing the alignment of the wire, wherein the movable structure is arranged next to the fixed structure.

[0015] In one embodiment of the system, the frame of the movable structure includes a frame for arranging roller plates in a substantially parallel manner, the frame having sliding elements that can be transferred between upper and lower supports of the frame and upper and lower supports of the fixed structure, the upper and lower supports of the fixed structure being spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the frame.

[0016] In one embodiment of the system, the frame of the movable structure includes one or more rails that are substantially parallel and spaced apart a predetermined distance that allows for loading of the roller plate on the frame.

[0017] In one embodiment of the system, the retaining device comprises a comb having a support member having a predetermined length and an upper surface from which extend a plurality of sets of teeth that are aligned and parallel and disposed at predetermined intervals.

[0018] In one embodiment of the system, the frame includes one or more forks at which the wire selected for pulling in the pulling and conveying method is deflected, the forks being adjustably fixed to the frame along the elongated members of the frame depending on the position of the roller plates.

[0019] In one embodiment of the system, the movable means of the movable structure is selected from one or more wheels, one or more manually guided modules, and one or more automated modules provided on at least one of the frame and base of the movable structure.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method for drawing and conveying a wire selected for introduction into a reinforcement ply, performed by the system of the invention, during a calendering cycle, said method comprising the steps of:

[0021] - a step of arranging the movable structure so that it moves in a movable manner relative to a path substantially parallel to the support, during which the rollers required for arranging the selected wire are placed in the appropriate positions in the frame;

[0022] - a step of capturing the wire selected for introduction into the reinforcement ply, during which the selected wire is captured in one or more rollers conditioning said wire in order to pull it;

[0023] - a holding and alignment step performed by the holding means of the movable structure, during which each selected wire is captured on a corresponding holding means;

[0024] - a step of conveying the captured wire towards the outlet of the support, during which the movable means of the movable structure are moved along a path substantially parallel to the support in order to pull the captured wire;

[0025] - a step of pulling the conveyed wire towards the fixed structure, during which the movement of the movable structure is completed so as to align the upper and lower supports of the frame with those of the fixed structure; and

[0026] - A step of transferring the roller plate from the frame of the movable structure towards the fixed structure in order to make it easier to load the roller plate into the fixed structure.

[0027] In one embodiment of the method, the step of capturing the selected wire includes the step of stopping the movable structure at one or more columns of the stent to capture the selected wire.

[0028] In one embodiment of the method, the step of providing a movable structure comprises the step of aligning roller plates with the respective rows of wires of the support selected for introduction into the reinforcement ply.

[0029] The invention further relates to a calendering line for carrying out a calendering cycle to form a reinforcement ply, comprising the system of the invention.

[0030] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The nature and various advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings (like reference numerals represent like parts throughout), in which:

[0032] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of a known reinforced rubber ply is shown.

[0033] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 A schematic side view of an embodiment of a calendering line comprising a known creel system is shown.

[0034] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 A perspective view of an embodiment of a system for pulling and conveying wire according to the present invention is shown.

[0035] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 A perspective view of the movable structure of the traction and conveying system.

[0036] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 Shown Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of the fixed structure of the traction and transmission system.

[0037] [ Figure 6 ][ Figure 7 ] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Shown Figure 3 A perspective view of a system in an embodiment of the method for drawing and conveying a wire according to the present invention performed by the system.

[0038] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 A perspective view of the roller plate mounted according to the reel of the stand at the end of the method of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, Figure 3 One embodiment of a system for drawing and conveying wire (or "system") 100 of the present invention is shown. The system 100 is used in conjunction with one or more supply racks (or "racks") 110. The system 100 and one or more racks 110 may form a calendaring line (e.g., Figure 2 1 ) is part of a calendering line 50 shown that performs a calendering cycle to form reinforcement plies with different types of rubber compounds with reinforcement wires integrated in the rubber material. Examples of suitable wires include, but are not limited to, wires made of UHT type microalloyed carbon steel (0.9% carbon and 0.2% chromium) having a breaking strength (Rm) of approximately 3650 MPa (breaking force of 258 N) and a total elongation at break (At) of 2.3% (Rm and At are measured under tension according to ISO standard 15 6892 of 1984). Each wire can be any single steel reinforcement having a cross-sectional dimension (diameter or thickness) greater than 100 μm. The metal wires can have any suitable arbitrary cross-sectional geometry (e.g., Figure 1 type shown).

[0040] The system 100 is used in conjunction with one or more stents 110. Figure 2 As shown in the bracket 62 in FIG, each bracket 110 supports a plurality of reels 112 in a rotatable manner. The reels 112 are kept in a uniform row R X and even column C X (where X is 1 to N), and each reel 112 supports a wire having predetermined properties. In the method for pulling wires of the present invention (described below), each wire is conveyed from the reel 112 toward the outlet 110a of the support (see Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8). The wire can be conveyed from the outlet 110a of the support 110 toward a preparation area (not shown) arranged at any location along the path between the outlet 110a and one or more downstream devices for performing one or more calendaring processes. The wire can be applied to the rubber layer so that they are aligned parallel to each other at a predetermined density (e.g., at a guide and holding device of a calendaring line). The support 110 is selected from commercially available supply supports.

[0041] Reference again Figure 3 And also refer to Figure 4 , system 100 includes a movable structure 114, and the movable structure 114 is set to a motion state in the method for traction and transmission wire rod performed by system 100. Movable structure 114 comprises a framework 114a supported by substrate 114b. Should be understood that framework 114a and substrate 114b can be set to a single integrated piece or be set to two or more detachable components. When framework 114a and substrate 114b have detachable components, these two components can be regulated with respect to the parameter (comprising the length, height and the row and the number of columns included in the support) of support 110. In an embodiment of system 100, the framework 114a of movable structure 114 keeps removable, and substrate 114b keeps being arranged next to a fixed structure, and the fixed structure is arranged at the end of support 110 (as described above).

[0042] At least one of the frame 114a and the base 114b includes one or more movable devices that allow the movable structure 114 to move along the length of the support 110. Thus, the movable structure 114 can be moved from one column of supports 110 to another column in order to pull the wire in the subsequent column. In one embodiment, the movement of the movable structure 114 relative to the ground (and thus the corresponding pulling of the wire carried by the reel 112) is achieved by one or more wheels 115 (or their equivalents) provided on the base 114b (and / or the portion of the frame 114a that contacts the ground) (see Figure 4 In one embodiment of the movable structure 114, movement of the movable structure 114 relative to the ground is achieved by a module (e.g., a module moved by one or more motors, a manually guided module, an automated module, etc.) that is movable relative to a path substantially parallel to the support 110. Such a module can be used in place of or in addition to the wheels 115. It should be understood that other equivalent movable devices can be used.

[0043] The frame 114a also includes one or more roller plates (or "plates") 116 of the type described above. The roller plates 116 are composed of transverse and vertical rollers that allow the wires to be conditioned relative to the reel 112, guiding and holding each wire in the desired position to organize the reinforcement ply being produced. The roller plates 116 selected are plates of a commercially available type.

[0044] The position of the roller plate 116 is adjustable along the upper and lower supports 114c, which are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the plate (including the length, width, and overall height of the plate). The upper and lower supports 114c make it easier to load the roller plate 116 corresponding to the wire leaving the reel 112 of the support 110, thereby allowing the roller plate 116 to be transferred by the movable structure 114 in the method for pulling and transferring the wire. For example, Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 8 The illustrated support 110 comprises four rows R of reels 112. Thus, four roller plates 116 are arranged on the upper and lower supports 114c of the frame 114a.

[0045] In one embodiment of the system 100, the roller plates 116 are arranged in a substantially parallel manner in a frame 114a frame 114d. The frame 114d has a sliding element that is held by the upper and lower supports 114c during the period when the movable structure 114 is set in motion. At the end of the movement, when the movable structure 114 reaches the fixed structure (described below), the frame 114d slides (manually or automatically) so that the frame transfers the plate 116 (and the wire thus transferred) from the frame 114a toward the fixed structure. The fixed structure holds the frame 114d and therefore the transferred plate 116 without losing the alignment of the wire.

[0046] It should be understood that other embodiments may use equivalent means to hold and transport the roller plate 116. For example, the frame 114d may be replaced by one or more substantially parallel and spaced rails to allow a predetermined number of plates to be inserted between the upper and lower supports 114c. During transport, the plates may be transported one by one from the frame 114a toward a fixed structure having corresponding rails.

[0047] Reference again Figure 3 and Figure 4The frame 114a of the movable structure 114 further includes one or more retaining devices 114e corresponding to the one or more roller plates 116. The retaining devices 114e are substantially parallel to and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the roller plates 116. The positions of the retaining devices 114e are adjustable along the elongated member 114a' of the frame 114a according to the positions of the roller plates 116. For example, Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 8 The illustrated bracket 110 has four roller plates 116 disposed in a frame 114a. Thus, four retaining devices 114e are disposed on the elongated member 114a' of the frame 114a (although it will be appreciated that retaining devices may be used with two or more plates).

[0048] Each holding device 114e has a holding and alignment device for guiding the wire from the corresponding roller plate 116 toward one or more downstream devices. Figure 4 In one embodiment (not shown) of the movable structure 114, the holding device 114e includes a comb (e.g., a rubber comb) having a support member and an upper surface, the support member having a predetermined length, and multiple sets of teeth extending from the upper surface. The multiple sets of teeth are aligned and parallel, and they are arranged at a predetermined spacing. In another embodiment (not shown) of the movable structure 114, the holding device 114e includes one or more clamps that, when in a closed position, hold the wire in the method for pulling and conveying the wire performed by the system 100. It should be understood that the holding device 114e can be selected from other known holding and alignment devices.

[0049] In one embodiment of the movable structure 114, the frame 114a further includes one or more wire deflection forks (or "forks") 118 secured to the frame 114a. The position of the forks 118 is adjustable along the elongated member 114a" of the frame 114a depending on the position of the plate 116. For example, Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 8 The illustrated stand 110 includes four roller plates 116 disposed in a frame 114a. Thus, four forks 118 are disposed on the elongated member 114a" of the frame 114a (although it will be appreciated that forks may be used with two or more plates).

[0050] The fork 118 comprises a substantially horizontal member that may be a foldable member in order to capture one or more deflected wires. The function of the fork 118 is to deflect the selected wire and ensure alignment of the wire during its transfer from the reel 112 toward the plate 116. It will be appreciated that each fork 118 may be provided as an integral component of the frame 114a or as a detachable component (e.g., in a kit comprising a combination of a fork and a corresponding roller plate).

[0051] Reference again Figure 3 and Figure 4 , and also refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The system 100 further includes a fixing structure 120 disposed at the end of the bracket 110 (see Figure 6 ). The fixed structure 120 includes a frame 120a supported by a base 120b, wherein the base 120b is fixed to the ground by one or more known means (e.g., screws 121). It should be understood that the frame 120a and the base 120b can be provided as a single integrated component or as two or more detachable components. In the case where the frame 120a and the base 120b have detachable components, the two components can be adjusted relative to the parameters of the bracket 110 and the movable structure 114.

[0052] The frame 120a of the fixed structure 120 includes upper and lower supports 120c that facilitate the transfer of the roller plate 116 from the frame 114a of the movable structure toward the fixed structure 120 in a method for pulling and conveying wire. The upper and lower supports 120c are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the plate 116. In an embodiment of the system 100 that includes a frame 114d, the upper and lower supports 120c are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the parameters of the frame 114d. The frame 114d can be transported in a sliding manner along the upper and lower supports 114c of the frame 114a of the movable structure and along the upper and lower supports 120c of the fixed structure 120.

[0053] In embodiments of the system 100 that include guide rails that allow the panels 116 to be inserted into the frame 114a, the fixed structure 120 may include corresponding guide rails between the upper and lower supports 120c. In these embodiments, the panels may be transferred one by one from the frame 114a toward the fixed structure 120. For example, Figure 5 The fixed structure 120 is shown with all the roller plates 116 already transferred (as performed at the end of the pulling and transferring method of the present invention). It will be understood that the roller plates can be transferred according to the row of reels 112 involved in pulling the wire. For example, if the wire of the reels of rows R1 and R3 is to be pulled (see Figure 3 ), the roller plates 116a and 116c are transported (without the need to load the roller plates 116b and 116d to the movable structure 114 or the fixed structure 120) (see Figure 5 If you pull the wire from the reel of row R2 (see Figure 3), only the plate 116b is transferred (there is no need to load the roller plates 116a, 116c and 116d to the movable structure 114 or the fixed structure 120) (see Figure 5 ).

[0054] Thus, in all embodiments of the system 100, the fixed structure 120 allows for direct and uninterrupted transfer of the roller sheet 116 without loss of alignment of the wire.

[0055] Reference again Figures 3 to 6 , and also refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , a detailed description of the method for drawing and conveying a wire rod (or "method") of the present invention as performed by the system 100 is given by way of example. This method for drawing and conveying a wire rod can be performed in a calendering cycle performed by an apparatus for producing tires (e.g., a calendering line) in which the system 100 is installed. Of course, the method can be readily applied to all embodiments of the system 100.

[0056] At the beginning of the method for pulling and conveying wire of the present invention, the method comprises the following steps: arranging the movable structure 114 so that the movable structure 114 can be moved in a movable manner relative to a path substantially parallel to the support 110 (see Figure 3 This step comprises the following steps: the wires of the roller plate 116 and the support 110 are selected for introduction into the corresponding rows R of the reinforcement ply. X (where X is 1 to N) alignment. In the embodiment of the system 100 shown, one or more columns C from the reel 112 can be selected. X For example, in Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 8 In the embodiment of the system 100 shown, a plurality of reinforcement layers may be provided in each column C of the support 110, depending on the desired properties of the reinforcement layer to be produced. X Select up to four wires from the .

[0057] During the step of movable structure 114 being set, one or more roller plates 116 required for traction selected wire rod are placed in the appropriate position (by loading guide rail) in framework 114a. In the embodiment of the system 100 comprising frame 114d, frame is arranged together with the plate member 116 arranged along upper support member and lower support member 114c. In the embodiment of the system 100 comprising guide rails, one or more dedicated spaces for loading roller plates can be used. Should be understood that, in the current method, one or more roller plates may not be used (but they are still in standby state, so that in the method having selected corresponding wire rod, use).

[0058] The method for pulling and conveying wires also includes the step of capturing the wires selected for introduction into the reinforcement ply. This step includes capturing the selected wires in one or more corresponding roller plates 116. In embodiments of the system 100 that include forks 118, this step includes capturing the selected wires in corresponding forks 118. The captured wires are then placed in corresponding roller plates 116, where they are held for pulling.

[0059] The step of capturing the selected wires also includes a holding and alignment step performed by the holding device 114e of the movable structure 114. During this step, each selected wire is captured on a corresponding holding device 114e to ensure that the wires are aligned for the duration of the entire method. In an embodiment of the system 100 in which the holding device 114e comprises a comb, each selected wire is captured on a corresponding comb to maintain the wires at a predetermined spacing.

[0060] In one embodiment of the method, this step includes the steps of stopping the movable structure 114 at one or more rows C of the support 110. X For example, the movable structure 114 may start moving at column C1' of the rack 110 and may move one or more columns C1' on its way toward the exit 110a of the rack. X During each stop, the wire of one or more reels 112 of the row where the structure stops is fixed to the corresponding roller plate 116 of the frame 114a. The programming can specify the expected stops of the movable structure 114 according to the desired properties of the tire to be produced. In one embodiment of the method, a marker can be integrated into the ground where the movable structure 114 stops automatically.

[0061] The method for pulling and conveying wire further comprises the steps of: removing the captured wire from the selected reel column C X Conveyed toward the outlet 110a of the support (see Figure 3 During this step, one or more movable devices (e.g. wheels 115 or their equivalent) move the movable structure along a path substantially parallel to the support 110 to convey and thus pull the captured wire. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the system 100 shown, the wire is conveyed from the column C1 of the support 110 toward the outlet 110a of the support. Of course, the conveying of the wire can be started from any column, depending on the desired properties of the reinforcement ply to be produced. The movable structure 114 can be manually moved toward the outlet 110a of the support 110 by one or more operators O (see Figure 3 and Figures 6 to 8Movement of the movable structure 114 toward the exit 110a may be performed by instructions from one or more operators O (either on-site or remotely via a network connected to the system 100).

[0062] The method for pulling and conveying a wire further comprises the step of pulling the conveyed wire toward a fixed structure 120 (see Figure 6 ). During this step, the movable structure is moved to align the upper and lower supports 114c of frame 114a with the upper and lower supports 120c of fixed structure 120. In embodiments of system 100 in which frame 114a remains movable while base 114b remains positioned adjacent to the fixed structure, base 114b receives frame 114a to align the upper and lower supports 114c with the upper and lower supports 120c once the frame reaches fixed structure 120. In all embodiments of system 100, a braking device may be integrated with frame 114a to prevent it from moving.

[0063] The method for pulling and conveying wire includes the following final steps: conveying the roller plate 116 from the frame 114a of the movable structure 114 toward the fixed structure 120 (see Figure 7 114a). During this step, the rollers slide along the upper and lower supports 114c of the frame 114a toward the upper and lower supports 120c of the fixed structure 120. In an embodiment of the system 100 that includes a rack 114d, the rack slides between the two pairs of upper and lower supports 114c, 120c so that the rack transports the panels 116 and the wires transported thereby from the frame 114a toward the fixed structure. In an embodiment of the system 100 that includes guide rails (which allow the panels 116 to be inserted), during this step, the panels are transported one by one from the frame 114a toward the fixed structure 120. The fixed structure 120 can have corresponding guide rails into which the transported panels (with the captured wires) are arranged.

[0064] In all embodiments of the system 100, the captured wire remains captured on the holding device 114e (and also on the fork 118 in embodiments that include a fork). Thus, the captured wire remains aligned at the desired tension from the start of the method until the roller plate 116 has been fully transferred.

[0065] The method for drawing and conveying wire of the present invention can form part of a calendering cycle, which further comprises the following steps: introducing the wire into one or more devices (including one or more preparation areas) downstream of the system 100 to perform one or more calendering processes. In one embodiment of the calendering cycle, this step comprises the following steps: introducing the wire into one or more rubber layers that have been deposited on a working surface and are waiting to produce a reinforcing ply (for example, on a calendering roller of a calendering line in which the system 100 is installed). At the end of the calendering cycle, one or more plies can be produced, and these plies can be used, for example, as a carcass ply or crown ply under the tread intended to reinforce the crown of the tire.

[0066] The system for pulling and conveying wires of the present invention is characterized by the ability to simultaneously pull multiple wires in an ergonomic manner. The disclosed pulling and conveying solution makes it possible to provide very tall racks (e.g., with four or more rows), thereby reducing the floor space occupied by the calendering line. The corresponding reduction in rack length correspondingly increases productivity while reducing the costs of the calendering line. In addition, the operator no longer has to move back and forth along the rack to retrieve the wires.

[0067] For all embodiments of the system for pulling wire of the present invention, the method for pulling wire of the present invention (and also the cycle of the calendering method of which the method forms a part) can be controlled by a PLC and can include pre-programmed and behavioral information. For example, the method settings can be defined by utilizing the properties of the wire and the parameters of the support and reel (including the number of rows and columns).

[0068] For all embodiments of the system for pulling and conveying wire of the present invention, a monitoring system can be placed in an appropriate location. At least a portion of the monitoring system can be equipped in a portable device such as a mobile network device (e.g., a mobile phone, a laptop computer, one or more portable devices connected to a network (including "augmented reality" and / or "virtual reality" devices, portable clothing connected to a network and / or any combination and / or any equivalent)).

[0069] In certain embodiments, the system 100 (and / or a calendaring line including such a system) can receive voice commands or other audio data indicating, for example, the current state of a method for pulling a wire compared to an expected state. Responses can be generated auditorily, visually, tactilely (e.g., by means of a tactile interface), and / or virtually and / or augmented.

[0070] In one embodiment, the method may include the following steps: training the system 100 (and / or training a calendering line including such a system) to identify representative characteristics of the wires leaving the corresponding stent (e.g., diameter and tensile strength values) and comparing them with target values. This step may include the step of training the system 100 to identify insufficient equivalence between the compared values. Each training step includes a classification generated by a self-learning device. The classification may include, but is not limited to, the material properties of the wires used, the expected parameters of the reinforcement ply, the parameters of the movable structure 114 and the fixed structure 120, the duration of the calendering cycle, and the expected values ​​at the end of the ongoing cycle (e.g., the spacing value between aligned wires in the reinforcement ply, etc.).

[0071] Each system 100 is designed to process various strands intended for various rubber compounds without reducing industrial productivity.

[0072] The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably. A range given as "between a and b" includes the values ​​"a" and "b."

[0073] Although particular embodiments of the disclosed device have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present description. Therefore, no limitations should be placed on the scope of the described invention, except as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system (100) for pulling and conveying wires, the wires being arranged in one or more supports (110) of the system, each support (110) supporting the wires in uniform rows (R) along a predetermined length. X ) and uniform columns (C X ), each reel (112) supporting a wire to be conveyed toward an outlet (110a) of the support in a method for drawing and conveying a wire performed by the system, characterized in that The system comprises: - a movable structure (114) comprising a first frame (114a), a first base (114b) and one or more movable devices, the movable devices allowing the movable structure (114) to move along the length of the support (110), the first frame (114a) comprising: - first upper and lower supports (114c) that are substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance that allows for loading of rollers (116) corresponding to the wire leaving the reel (112) of the support (110); and - one or more holding devices (114e) substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to the roller plates (116) loaded on the first frame, each holding device (114e) comprising holding and alignment means for guiding the wire material through the corresponding roller plate (116) towards one or more devices downstream of the system (100); - one or more roller plates (116) consisting of transverse and vertical rollers allowing the wire to be conditioned relative to the reel (112); and - a fixed structure (120) arranged at an end of the support (110) and comprising a second frame (120a) and a second base (120b), the second frame (120a) of the fixed structure comprising a second upper support and a lower support (120c), the second upper support and the lower support (120c) being substantially parallel and spaced apart by a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance allowing the roller plate (116) to be transferred from the first frame (114a) of the movable structure (114) towards the fixed structure (120) without losing alignment of the wire, wherein the movable structure (114) is arranged next to the fixed structure (120).

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein The first frame (114a) of the movable structure (114) includes a frame (114d) for arranging roller plates (116) in a substantially parallel manner, the frame (114d) including sliding elements capable of being transferred between first upper and lower supports (114c) of the first frame (114a) and second upper and lower supports (120c) of the fixed structure (120), the second upper and lower supports (120c) of the fixed structure (120) being spaced apart by a predetermined distance corresponding to a parameter of the frame (114d).

3. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The first frame (114a) of the movable structure includes one or more guide rails that are substantially parallel and spaced apart a predetermined distance to allow loading of a roller plate (116) on the first frame (114a).

4. The system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The holding device (114e) includes a comb having a support member and an upper surface, the support member having a predetermined length, and a plurality of sets of teeth extending from the upper surface, the plurality of sets of teeth being aligned and parallel and arranged at predetermined intervals.

5. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The first frame (114a) of the movable structure includes one or more forks (118) at which the wire selected for pulling in the pulling and conveying method is deflected, and the forks are adjustably fixed to the first frame (114a) along the elongated member (114a") of the first frame according to the position of the roller plate (116).

6. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein: The movable device of the movable structure (114) is selected from one or more wheels (115) provided on at least one of the first frame (114a) and the first base (114b) of the movable structure (114), one or more manually guided modules and one or more automatic modules.

7. A method for drawing and conveying a wire selected for introduction into a reinforcement ply, in a calendering cycle, performed by a system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the steps of: - a step of arranging the movable structure (114) so ​​that it can move in a movable manner relative to a path substantially parallel to the support (110), during which the roller plates (116) required for arranging the selected wire are placed in appropriate positions in the first frame (114a); - a step of capturing the wire selected for introduction into the reinforcement ply, during which the selected wire is captured in one or more rollers (116) that condition said wire in order to pull it; - a holding and alignment step performed by the holding means (114e) of the movable structure (114), during which each selected wire is captured on a corresponding holding means (114e); - a step of conveying the captured wire towards the outlet (110a) of the support, during which the movable means of the movable structure (114) moves along a path substantially parallel to the support (110) to pull the captured wire; - a step of pulling the conveyed wire toward the fixed structure (120), during which the movement of the movable structure (114) is completed so as to align the first upper and lower supports (114c) of the first frame (114a) with the second upper and lower supports (120c) of the fixed structure (120); as well as - A step of transferring the roller plate (116) from the first frame (114a) of the movable structure (114) towards the fixed structure (120) to make it easier to load the roller plate (116) into the fixed structure.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The step of capturing the selected wire comprises the steps of: stopping the movable structure (114) at one or more columns (C X ) to capture the selected wire.

9. The method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein: The step of providing the movable structure (114) comprises the steps of: placing the roller plate (116) and the support (110) such that the wires are selected for introduction into the corresponding rows (R) of the reinforcement ply X ) to align.

10. A calendering line for performing a calendering cycle to form a reinforcement ply, comprising a system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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