System and method for conveying tire components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and a method for conveying tire components, wherein the system comprises a conveyor and a measuring unit, wherein the measuring unit has a field of view, wherein the measuring unit is positioned relative to the conveyor so that the field of view overlaps with a measuring slot in the conveyor for measuring height values ​​within the field of view, wherein the system further comprises a control unit configured for: - monitoring height values ​​measured by the measuring unit in the field of view; and - detecting a step in the height values ​​at the measuring slot from a first height level below the conveying plane to a second height level above the conveying plane.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for conveying tire components.

[0002] GB 1 574 263 A discloses an apparatus for detecting the leading and trailing edges of a tire tread on a conveyor belt using a digital camera and a laser. Summary of the invention

[0003] A disadvantage of the device known from GB 1 574 263 A is the presence of tire components, such as innerliners, which are much thinner than the tire tread. Steps in the height of the conveyor belt due to surface textures (such as corrugations) or small irregularities in the conveyor belt surface can easily be mistaken for such thin tire components and can trigger false detections of the leading or trailing edge, especially when the lateral position of the conveyor belt occasionally swings from its optimally centered position.

[0004] Furthermore, irregularities in the conveyor belt surface may cause scattering of the laser beam, making it more difficult to reliably distinguish the edge of the thin tire component from the irregularities in the belt surface.

[0005] Although it is known to provide a split conveyor belt with back lighting for measuring at the split, the split portion of such a split conveyor belt is difficult to steer and control synchronously.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for conveying tire components, wherein the tire components can be detected more reliably on the conveyor belt.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a system comprising a conveyor for conveying tire components and a measuring unit, wherein the conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a belt body extending in the longitudinal direction and having a load conveying side, wherein the belt body defines at the load conveying side a first support area and a second support area for supporting the tire components together in a conveying plane, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a measuring slot extending in the longitudinal direction in the belt body at the load conveying side, wherein the measuring slot is located between the first support area and the second support area in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the measuring slot is designed to be geometrically different from the belt body in the first support area and the second support area, wherein the conveyor belt is provided with a measuring surface recessed from the conveying plane in the measuring slot in a recessing direction transverse to the conveying plane, wherein the measuring unit has a field of view, wherein the measuring unit is positioned relative to the conveyor such that the field of view overlaps with the measuring slot for measuring height values ​​in the field of view, wherein the system further comprises a control unit configured for:

[0008] - monitoring the height values ​​measured by the measuring unit in the field of view; and

[0009] - Detecting a step in the height value at the measuring slot from a first height level below the conveying plane to a second height level above the conveying plane.

[0010] Since the measuring slot is designed to be geometrically different from the rest of the belt body, a reliable measuring position can be selected within the measuring slot for detecting a step in height level, independently of height variations due to surface textures and / or irregularities in the rest of the belt body, which step can indicate the arrival of a tire component and in particular its edge at the measuring position.

[0011] In particular, when monitoring the height level at a measuring position within the measuring slot, a first height level of the measuring surface can be measured which is below the conveying plane and which is unlikely to trigger an erroneous detection of a tire component by itself. This first height level can be used as a reliable reference for determining whether a subsequent step at the same measuring position to a second height level above the conveying plane is indeed the result of a tire component and in particular an edge thereof arriving at the measuring position. A step from the first height level to the second height level within the measuring slot is not easily mistaken for a height change above the conveying plane due to surface texture (such as corrugations) or small irregularities in the belt surface.

[0012] Conveniently, the height level can be detected exclusively from the load conveying side, for example using laser triangulation, and no splits in the belt body or lighting means under the conveyor belt are required.

[0013] Advantageously, the measuring surface does not need to be adapted to support a tire component and can therefore be dedicated and / or optimized for reliable measurement of its height level.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first support area, the second support area and the measuring slot together define a belt width in a lateral direction, wherein the measuring slot has a slot width in said lateral direction that is less than 25 percent of the belt width. Preferably, the slot width is in the range of 1 to 20 percent of the belt width, preferably in the range of 1 to 10 percent of the belt width, and most preferably in the range of 1 to 5 percent of the belt width.

[0015] Thereby, the measuring slot can be narrow enough to ensure that a tire component supported by the first and second support areas does not exhibit any significant sag into the measuring slot. Thus, a step from a first height level to a second height level can be reliably detected despite the tire component being unsupported across the measuring slot. A further benefit is that the tire component can be kept separate from the measuring surface, thereby preventing contamination of the measuring surface.

[0016] At the same time, at the upper end of the certain range, the measuring slot can still be wide enough so that a lateral swinging of the conveyor belt from its optimal central position does not result in the measuring slot being moved completely outside the measuring area.

[0017] In other embodiments, the measuring slot has a slot width in the lateral direction in the range of five to one hundred millimeters, preferably in the range of ten to fifty millimeters, and most preferably in the range of twenty to forty millimeters. For most tire components, this dimension is narrow enough to prevent any significant sagging of the unsupported portion into the measuring slot.

[0018] In another embodiment, the belt body is provided with a corrugated support surface in each support area, the corrugated support surface having corrugations extending in the longitudinal direction. The corrugations can reduce the contact area, friction and / or adhesion between the support area and the tire component. The corrugations usually have peaks and troughs of varying heights that are not easily distinguishable from each other and are not designed to provide reliable measurements or height levels as a reference for detecting tire components.

[0019] Preferably, the corrugated support surface has a corrugation spacing in the lateral direction between the corrugations, wherein the corrugation spacing is preferably less than five millimeters, more preferably less than three millimeters, and most preferably less than two millimeters, wherein the measuring slot has a slot width in the lateral direction, which is at least twice the corrugation spacing, preferably at least five times the corrugation spacing, and most preferably at least ten times the corrugation spacing. With such a slot width, the measuring slot can be easily distinguished from the corrugations.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the belt body has a flat support surface in each support area, which extends in the conveying plane and completely defines the corresponding support area. Although the flat support surface has a smaller height variation than its corrugated counterpart, irregularities in the flat support surface can still trigger false detection of tire components. The concave measuring surface extending below the conveying plane can be easily distinguished from the flat support surface extending in the conveying plane.

[0021] In another embodiment, the measuring surface is recessed from the conveying plane in the recessed direction by a measuring depth of at least half a millimeter and preferably at least one millimeter. Thus, the step from the first height level to the second height level at the measuring surface may be at least equal to the measuring depth.

[0022] In another embodiment, the measuring surface is flat, in particular within a flatness tolerance of less than one tenth of a millimeter. The flatness of the measuring surface ensures that its height level can be reliably measured at any measuring position within the measuring surface.

[0023] In another embodiment, the measuring surface extends parallel or approximately parallel to the conveying plane. Thus, the measuring depth of the measuring surface relative to the conveying plane can remain constant or approximately constant.

[0024] In another embodiment, the belt body has a center in the lateral direction, wherein the measuring slot is located in said center. If the tire component is conveyed on the conveyor belt in a more or less centered position relative to said center, the tire component will align with and / or extend across the measuring slot regardless of the width of the tire component.

[0025] Alternatively, the belt body has a center in the lateral direction, wherein the measuring slot is positioned eccentrically relative to said center. For some tire components, the edge at the center may be inconsistent or worn due to the cutting process. When measuring the eccentricity, such tire components can be detected more reliably.

[0026] In another embodiment, the measuring slot is continuous along the length of the belt body in the longitudinal direction. In another embodiment, the belt body is spliced ​​into an endless loop, wherein the measuring slot is continuous along the endless loop. Thus, the tire component can be detected at any measuring position along the length of the belt body. In other words, the tire component can be detected continuously. Moreover, the front end and the rear end of the tire component can be detected simultaneously in spaced positions along the said length of the belt body.

[0027] In another embodiment, the measuring surface is formed by the belt body. Since the measuring surface is part of the belt body, the integrity of the belt body can be ensured. In other words, compared with the split belt conveyor of the prior art, the belt body can be advanced uniformly.

[0028] Alternatively, the conveyor belt is provided with a measuring insert which is inserted into the measuring slot to form the measuring surface. The measuring insert can be manufactured differently from the belt body, i.e. with smaller flatness tolerances or with different material properties. Moreover, the measuring insert can be replaced depending on the desired properties of the tire component T being measured.

[0029] Preferably, the measuring insert comprises a material of a different colour or composition than the belt body. Thus, the measuring face can be distinguished more easily from the belt body.

[0030] In another embodiment, the measuring surface is formed of a reflective or luminescent material. A reflective measuring surface can increase the difference between the amount of light reflected by the measuring surface and the amount of light reflected by the tire components. Luminescent materials can act as a backlight and increase contrast and / or make the outline of tire components easier to observe.

[0031] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for conveying tire components using a system according to any one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0032] - conveying the tire component in the conveying plane while it straddles the measuring slot in the lateral direction;

[0033] - monitoring the height value in the field of view overlapping with the measuring slot; and

[0034] - Detecting a step in the height value at the measuring slot from a first height level below the conveying plane to a second height level above the conveying plane.

[0035] The method involves the actual implementation of a conveyor belt in the steps of the method for detecting tire components on a conveyor belt and therefore has the same technical advantages as mentioned previously with respect to the conveyor belt. These advantages will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0036] In one embodiment of the method, laser triangulation is used to monitor altitude values ​​within said field of view.

[0037] In another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of identifying a step in the height value from the first height level to the second height level as an edge of the tire component.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the method, the tire component is kept separate from the measuring surface, thereby preventing contamination of the measuring surface.

[0039] Whenever possible, the various aspects and features described and shown in the specification may be applied separately. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the accompanying dependent claims, may be the subject of divisional patent applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention will be explained on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a cross section of a system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system comprising a conveyor belt for conveying tire components;

[0042] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 a top view of a conveyor belt; and

[0043] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Cross-sections of alternative conveyor belts according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, a third exemplary embodiment of the invention and a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention are shown respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 A system 500 is shown comprising the conveyor 400 , a measuring unit 501 , a laser unit 502 for cooperating with the measuring unit 501 in a laser triangulation setup, and a control unit 503 for processing signals or data from the measuring unit 501 .

[0045] The conveyor 400 includes a conveyor belt 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The conveyor belt 1 is used to convey sheet-like objects. In this example, the conveyor belt 1 is used to convey tire components T, such as innerliners, carcass plies, breaker layers, sidewalls, strips, treads or combinations thereof, such as pre-assemblies, during tire building or tire manufacturing. Such tire components T generally include unvulcanized rubber or elastomeric materials that are still relatively soft and sticky.

[0046] The conveyor belt 1 includes a belt body 2 extending in a longitudinal direction X. In this example, the ends of the belt body 2 along the longitudinal direction X are connected or spliced ​​to form an endless loop. The conveyor 400 may further include one or more pulleys (not shown) to guide and / or advance the belt body 2 in a conveying direction along an upper stroke of the endless loop.

[0047] like Figure 1 As best seen in FIG. 1 , the belt body 2 has a load carrying or load transmitting side A and a non-transmitting side B opposite the load transmitting side A. The load transmitting side A defines a conveying plane P for supporting a tire component T. The load transmitting side A faces upward and is therefore able to support and hold the tire component T on the belt body 2 located in the conveying plane P under the influence of gravity.

[0048] like Figure 2 As best seen in FIG. 1 , the conveyor belt 1 defines a measuring slot 3 extending through the belt body 2 in the longitudinal direction X at the load conveying side A. In particular, the measuring slot 3 is continuous along the length of the belt body 2 in the longitudinal direction X. More particularly, the measuring slot 3 is continuous along the endless loop of said belt body 2 .

[0049] The belt body 2 further defines or comprises, on the load conveying side A, a first support area A1 and a second support area A2 extending on opposite sides of the measuring slot 3 in the lateral direction Y. The first support area A1 and the second support area A2 are constructed, arranged or adapted to support the tire component T together in the conveying plane P. In other words, the first support area A1 and the second support area A2 are positioned relative to each other such that the tire component T can be supported by both support areas A1, A2 simultaneously. Preferably, in use, the tire component T is supported only by the above-mentioned support areas A1, A2.

[0050] The first support area A1, the second support area A2 and the measuring slot 3 together define a belt width W1 in the lateral direction Y. In this example, the overall width of the conveyor belt 1 in the lateral direction Y corresponds to the belt width W1. Alternatively, the overall width of the conveyor belt 1 can be wider, for example when the belt body 2 is provided with one or more edge areas that are not used to support the tire component T. The measuring slot 3 has a slot width W2 in the lateral direction Y.

[0051] In this example, the belt body 2 has a center M in the lateral direction Y, in particular at half the belt width W1 . The measuring slot 3 is located at or in said center M. Furthermore, the belt body 2 can be symmetrical with respect to said center M.

[0052] It is to be noted that the scale and / or proportion of the first support area A1, the second support area A2 and the measuring slot 3 in the drawings are exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the features of the conveyor belt 1 and are not to be considered in any way as reflecting the actual scale and / or proportion mentioned below. In fact, in practice, the belt width W1 can exceed one thousand millimeters (one meter), while the slot width W2 can be as small as ten millimeters (one hundredth of the belt width W1).

[0053] The measuring slot 3 is preferably sized and / or shaped so that the tire component T is unsupported at the location of the measuring slot 3, such as Figure 1 As shown. It will be understood that this condition depends on the material properties of the tire component T supported on the conveyor belt 1. However, for most tire components T, it will be sufficient if the slot width W2 in the lateral direction Y is less than 25 percent of the belt width W1. Depending on the material properties of the tire component T, the slot width W2 may even be in the range of 1 to 10 percent of the belt width W1 or in the range of 1 to 5 percent of the belt width W1. In absolute numbers, the slot width W2 may be in the range of five to one hundred millimeters, preferably in the range of ten to fifty millimeters, and more preferably in the range of twenty to forty millimeters.

[0054] In this example, the belt body 2 is provided with corrugated support surfaces 21, 22 in each support area A1, A2 to reduce the contact area, friction and / or adhesion with the tire component T in the support area A1, A2. In particular, the support surfaces 21, 22 are provided with corrugations 23, such as crests and troughs, extending in the longitudinal direction X. The crests of the corrugations 23 extend in the conveying plane P and define the conveying plane.

[0055] Note that the number of corrugations 23 in the figures is not in any way assumed to reflect the actual number of corrugations 23. In practice, the two support surfaces 21, 22 combined may feature more than five hundred or one thousand corrugations 23. The corrugations 23 may have a corrugation pitch W3 as small as one millimeter, i.e. the distance between the corrugations 23 from crest to crest in the lateral direction Y. In this example, the corrugations 23 have a corrugation depth D1 of less than one millimeter, preferably of about half a millimeter.

[0056] As an alternative to the earlier specification of the slot width W2, the slot width W2 may be further defined as at least twice the corrugation pitch W3, preferably at least five times the corrugation pitch W3, and most preferably at least ten times the corrugation pitch W3.

[0057] like Figure 1 As best seen in FIG. 1 , the slot 3 is measured to be recessed by at least half a millimeter and preferably at least one millimeter from the conveying plane P in a recessing direction Z transversely or perpendicular to the conveying plane P. In this example, the slot depth is equal to or approximately equal to the corrugation depth D1 .

[0058] The measuring slot 3 is geometrically different, discernible or distinguishable from the belt body 2 in the first support area A1 and the second support area A2. In the context of the present invention, the term "distinguishable" should be interpreted as something clear enough to be recognized or identified as different. The term "geometry" refers to the relationship, scale and / or proportion of the shapes, lines, edges, surfaces and / or points that constitute the contours of the measuring slot 3 and the support areas A1, A2. In particular, the recess defined by the measuring slot 3 in the belt body 2 below or relative to the conveying plane P is significantly different in shape, size or proportion from the trough between the corrugation 23 and the conveying plane P.

[0059] For the purposes of the present invention, the measuring slot 3 is distinguishable from the supporting areas A1, A2 by using a measuring unit 501, in particular an optical imaging device, such as an optical camera or a line scan camera, preferably with the aid of a laser unit 502, i.e. using laser triangulation. Preferably, the measuring slot 3 can also be distinguished from the supporting areas A1, A2 by the human or naked eye.

[0060] Note that differences within normal tolerances of the manufacturing process of the conveyor belt 1 are considered inappropriate for distinguishing the measuring slot 3 from the support areas A1 , A2. In other words, the measuring slot 3 is designed to be geometrically different, thereby excluding unintentional and / or microscopic variations.

[0061] like Figure 1As shown, the conveyor belt 1 is provided with a measuring surface 30, which is recessed from the conveying plane P along the recess direction Z in the measuring slot 3 by a measuring depth D2 equal to the slot depth D3. In this example, the measuring surface 30 is formed at or by the bottom of the measuring slot 3, which is part of the belt body 2, in particular an integral part. Therefore, the measuring surface 30 is made of the same material as the belt body 2. The measuring surface 30 can optionally be coated, coated or treated with a contrasting, luminous or reflective layer or film to more clearly distinguish the measuring surface 30 from the rest of the belt body 2.

[0062] The measuring face 30 is flat. In particular, the measuring face 30 extends parallel to or approximately parallel to the conveying plane P. Preferably, the measuring face 30 is flat within a flatness tolerance of less than one tenth of a millimeter. In the context of the present invention, the term "flatness tolerance" should be interpreted as a value indicating the distance between two parallel planes between which the entire measuring face 30 must lie. Preferably, the width of the measuring face 30 is subject to the same constraints as specified above for the slot width W2. In particular, the measuring face 30 extends over at least eighty percent, preferably at least ninety percent, most preferably over the entire slot width W2.

[0063] Figure 3 An alternative conveyor belt 101 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown, which conveyor belt differs from the previously described conveyor belt 1 in that the belt body 102 is provided with a measuring slot 103 having a slot depth D3 sufficient to receive a measuring insert 104. The measuring insert 104 forms or defines a measuring surface 140 at a measuring depth D2 less than the slot depth D3. The measuring insert 104 may comprise a material of a different color or composition than the belt body 102, such as a contrasting, reflective or luminescent material. The measuring insert 104 may be replaced depending on the desired characteristics of the tire component T being measured.

[0064] Figure 4 A further alternative conveyor belt 201 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown, which conveyor belt differs from the previously described conveyor belts 1, 101 in that a belt body 202 is provided with a measuring slot 203 which is positioned eccentrically with respect to a center M of said belt body 202. This may be beneficial when the shape of the tire component T to be measured is not uniform or regular at the center M and the edge E can be determined more reliably in an eccentric position.

[0065] Figure 5A further alternative conveyor belt 301 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown, which conveyor belt differs from the previously described conveyor belts 1, 101, 201 in that the belt body 302 has in each supporting area A1, A2 a flat supporting surface 321, 322 extending in the conveying plane P. The flat supporting surfaces 321, 322 completely define the respective supporting area A1, A2.

[0066] In the following, we will use Figure 1 and Figure 2 The method for conveying a tire component T is described with reference to a conveyor belt 1. It will be understood that, mutatis mutandis, the same method can also be applied to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Conveyor belts 101, 201, 301.

[0067] In a first step of the method, the tire component T is transported or conveyed in a conveying plane P while the tire component T in a lateral direction Y bridges, spans or extends across the measuring slot 3 .

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the laser unit 502 is configured to emit or project a laser projection (in this example, a laser line L1, L2) onto the conveyor belt 1 at an oblique angle to the optical axis of the measuring unit 501, so as to measure the height value H in the recessed direction Z via laser triangulation. The laser projection may alternatively include one or more laser points, laser dots or another suitable shape. In particular, the laser lines L1, L2 are projected so that they extend across the measuring slot 3 in the lateral direction Y. Figure 1 , the laser unit 502 is angularly offset from the measuring unit 501 in the lateral plane. However, in practice, the laser unit 502 may be angularly offset from the measuring unit 501 in the longitudinal plane. In this example, the measuring unit 501 is arranged with its optical axis perpendicular to the conveying plane P, and the laser unit 502 is arranged at an oblique angle to the conveying plane P. Alternatively, the laser unit 502 may be arranged vertically to be angularly offset from the measuring unit 501. The measuring unit 501 has a field of view FOV overlapping with the measuring slot 3.

[0069] Notice, Figure 1 and Figure 2Two laser lines L1, L2 are schematically shown in a slightly offset manner for comparing the behavior of said laser lines L1, L2 with and without a tire component T. However, the two laser lines L1, L2 may be the same laser lines L1, L2, i.e. projected at the same position on the conveyor belt 1, but at different moments in time. In particular, the first laser line L1 is the laser line projected onto the conveyor belt 1 when the tire component T does not cover the measuring slot 3 at the position of said laser line L1. The second laser line L2 is the same laser line or another laser line projected onto the conveyor belt 1 and / or the tire component T when the tire component T covers the measuring slot at the position of said laser line L2.

[0070] The height value H from the measuring unit 501 is monitored continuously or at intervals during the conveyance of the tire component T. The signal or data from the measuring unit 501 is received and / or processed by the control unit 503 .

[0071] Note that for the first laser line L1, the height value H measured at the crest of the support areas A1, A2 is at a reference level H0 corresponding to the conveying plane P. Although the troughs of the corrugations 23 may return to other height values ​​H, these variations occur only in relatively narrow troughs and may be canceled out as noise relative to the reference level H0 of the support areas A1, A2 as a whole.

[0072] On the contrary, at the measuring face 30 which remains exposed in the case of the first laser line L1, the first height level H1 below the conveying plane P can be detected or measured consistently in a continuous or continuous manner and / or over a considerable part of the slot width W2. In other words, the measuring slot 3 can be easily distinguished from the support areas A1, A2 and the first height level H1 of the measuring face 30 recessed therein can be reliably measured, detected and / or determined. On the side of the measuring slot 3, a step can be observed in the height value H between the reference level H0 and the first height level H1.

[0073] When the tire component T is conveyed in the longitudinal direction X of the conveyor belt 1, it will eventually reach the position of the first laser line L1 and then become the second laser line L2. As described above, the measuring slot 3 is sized and / or shaped so that the tire component T remains unsupported at the measuring slot 3. Moreover, the tire component T remains spaced apart from the measuring surface 30. In particular, the slot width W2 is selected so that the unsupported portion of the tire component T does not exhibit any significant sag into the measuring slot 3 relative to the rest of the tire component T supported at the supporting areas A1, A2.

[0074] Thus, across the entire width of the tire component T, the height value H will increase to a second height level H2 above the conveying plane P. In other words, the second height level H2 is greater than the reference level H0 and the first height level H1. More specifically, at the measuring slot 3, a step in the height value H can be detected between the first laser line L1 and the second laser line L2 from the first height level H1 to the second height level H2. This step is significantly greater than the step from the reference level H0 to the second height level H2 and can therefore be used as a reliable indication to identify the tire component T and more specifically its edge E has reached or has passed the position of the second laser line L2. Figure 1 The control unit 503 is configured, programmed, adapted and / or arranged to monitor, store and / or process signals and / or data received from the measuring unit 501 to detect the step and / or determine and / or identify the step as the edge E of the tire component T.

[0075] The method can be used to detect the so-called "front end" or "leading edge" of a tire component T. The method can also be used to detect the so-called "rear end" or "trailing edge" of the same tire component T in order to determine the length of the tire component T between said ends or edges.

[0076] 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. From the above discussion, many variations still encompassed by the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0077] List of reference numerals:

[0078] 1 conveyor belt;

[0079] 2 belt body;

[0080] 21 first supporting surface;

[0081] 22 second supporting surface;

[0082] 23 ripples;

[0083] 3. Measuring slot;

[0084] 30 measuring surface;

[0085] 101Select another conveyor belt;

[0086] 102 belt body;

[0087] 103 measuring slot;

[0088] 104 measuring insert;

[0089] 140 measuring surface;

[0090] 201 other optional conveyor belts;

[0091] 202 belt body;

[0092] 203 measuring slot;

[0093] 301 other optional conveyor belts;

[0094] 302 belt body;

[0095] 321 first supporting surface;

[0096] 322 second supporting surface;

[0097] 303 measuring slot;

[0098] 400 conveyors;

[0099] 500 systems;

[0100] 501 measurement unit;

[0101] 502 laser unit;

[0102] 503 control unit;

[0103] A Load transmission side;

[0104] A1 first support area;

[0105] A2 second support area;

[0106] B non-transmitting side;

[0107] D1 corrugation depth;

[0108] D2 measures depth;

[0109] D3 slot depth;

[0110] E edge;

[0111] H height value;

[0112] H0 benchmark level;

[0113] H1 first height level;

[0114] H2 second height level;

[0115] FOV field of view;

[0116] L1 first laser beam;

[0117] L2 second laser beam;

[0118] M Center;

[0119] P transmission plane;

[0120] Tire components;

[0121] W1 belt width;

[0122] W2 slot width;

[0123] W3 corrugation spacing;

[0124] X longitudinal;

[0125] Y lateral direction;

[0126] Z recessed direction.

Claims

1. A system comprising a conveyor for conveying tire components and a measuring unit, wherein: The conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a belt body extending in a longitudinal direction and having a load conveying side, wherein the belt body defines at the load conveying side a first support area and a second support area for supporting the tire component together in a conveying plane, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a measuring slot extending in the longitudinal direction in the belt body at the load conveying side, wherein the measuring slot is located between the first support area and the second support area in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the measuring slot is designed to be geometrically different from the belt body in the first support area and the second support area, wherein the conveyor belt is provided with a measuring face recessed from the conveying plane in the measuring slot in a recessing direction transverse to the conveying plane, wherein the measuring unit has a field of view, wherein the measuring unit is positioned relative to the conveyor such that the field of view overlaps with the measuring slot for measuring height values ​​in the field of view, wherein the system further comprises a control unit configured for: - monitoring said height value measured by said measuring unit in said field of view; and - Detecting a step in the height value at the measuring slot from a first height level below the conveying plane to a second height level above the conveying plane.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The first support area, the second support area and the measuring slot together define a belt width in the lateral direction, wherein the measuring slot has a slot width in the lateral direction that is less than twenty-five percent of the belt width.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The slot width is in the range of 1 to 20 percent of the belt width.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring slot has a slot width in the lateral direction in the range of five to one hundred millimeters.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The belt body is provided with a corrugated support surface in each support area, wherein the corrugated support surface has corrugations extending along the longitudinal direction.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein: The corrugated support surface has a corrugation pitch between the corrugations along the lateral direction, wherein the measuring slot has a slot width along the lateral direction, the slot width being at least twice the corrugation pitch.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The corrugation pitch is less than five millimeters.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The belt body has in each supporting region a planar supporting surface which extends in the conveying plane and completely delimits the respective supporting region.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring surface is recessed from the conveying plane by a measuring depth of at least half a millimeter along the recessing direction.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring surface is flat.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The measuring surface is flat within a flatness tolerance of less than one tenth of a millimeter.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein: The measuring plane extends parallel to the conveying plane.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein: The belt body has a center in the lateral direction, wherein the measuring slot is located in the center.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein: The belt body has a center in the lateral direction, wherein the measuring slot is located off-center relative to the center.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein: The measuring slot is continuous along the length of the belt body in the longitudinal direction.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein: The belt body is spliced ​​into an endless loop, wherein the measuring slot is continuous along the endless loop.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein: The measuring surface is formed by the belt body.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein: The conveyor belt is provided with a measuring insert which is inserted into the measuring slot to form the measuring surface.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein: The measurement insert comprises a material that is different in color or composition than the belt body.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein: The measuring surface is formed from a reflective or luminescent material.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein: The system further comprises a laser unit angularly offset from the measurement unit for projecting a laser projection on the conveyor belt within a field of view.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein: The laser projection extends across the measurement slot in the lateral direction.

23. A method for conveying tire components using the system of claim 1, wherein: The method comprises the following steps: - conveying the tire component in the conveying plane while the tire component crosses the measuring slot in the lateral direction; - monitoring the height value in the field of view overlapping with the measuring slot; and - Detecting a step in the height value at the measuring slot from a first height level below the conveying plane to a second height level above the conveying plane.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: Laser triangulation is used to monitor altitude values ​​within the field of view.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein: The method further comprises the step of identifying the step in the height value from the first height level to the second height level as an edge of the tire component.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein: The tire component is maintained spaced from the measuring surface.

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