Tyre building machine for producing tyre components and method for providing access to said tyre building machine by person

Abstract

The invention relates to a tyre building machine for producing tyre components and to a method for providing access to said tyre building machine by a person, in which the tyre building machine comprises a machine housing defining a production area, in which the tyre building machine comprises an exchange station for exchanging production materials or tools with a tyre building machine on a conveying unit, the exchange station comprises an interfacing space for interfacing the transport unit, a floor, and an access opening in the machine housing for the transport unit to pass through the floor into and out of the interfacing space, the interfacing space defining a walkway through which a person can enter, and when the conveying unit is removed from the docking space, there is no obstacle related to docking of the conveying unit at the ground.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tire building machine for producing tire components and a method for providing human access to the tire building machine. Background Art

[0002] A known tire building machine comprises a plurality of production stations for producing tire components, an output station for outputting the tire components on a conveyor vehicle via an output corridor, and a robot for transferring the tire components between the production stations and the output station. The range of the robot is limited. Therefore, the robot is located in a central position, which is closely surrounded by the production stations and the output station. In order to provide access to the robot, for example for maintenance, a human access corridor is provided between the stations, extending all the way to the robot. Summary of the invention

[0003] The shortcoming of known tire building machine is that people enter corridor and consume valuable ground space around the robot, otherwise this space can be occupied by production station.Yet, it is difficult and dangerous to obtain people to robot approaching because of all kinds of parts and obstacles (such as mechanical device, cable, electric wire, pipeline, guide etc.) in various stations without people entering corridor.Especially, output station is provided with various guide rails for receiving and guiding conveying vehicle and the locking fixture for engaging and remaining in the described conveying vehicle in the described output station that the center extends on the ground of the output station and the ground extending across the output station.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a tire building machine for producing tire components and a method for providing human access to said tire building machine, wherein the human access occurs while sacrificing less floor space for said human access.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a tire forming machine for producing tire components, wherein the tire forming machine includes a machine shell defining a production area, wherein the tire forming machine also includes an exchange station within the production area for exchanging production materials or tools with the tire forming machine on a conveying unit, wherein the exchange station includes a docking space for docking the conveying unit, a ground defining a covered area of ​​the docking space for receiving the conveying unit, and an entrance in the machine shell for allowing the conveying unit to pass through the ground in and out of the docking space, wherein the docking space defines a walkway that can be entered by a person via the entrance, and when the conveying unit is removed from the docking space, there are no obstacles related to the docking of the conveying unit at the ground.

[0006] Thus, when the conveyor unit is removed, at least a portion of the floor of the exchange station can be used as a walkway to safely gain human access to the tire building apparatus. By keeping the walkway clear of obstructions for docking the conveyor unit, people entering the walkway can be prevented from tripping or being hit by any obstructions within the walkway. Moreover, since a separate dedicated human access corridor is no longer required, the floor space that would normally be occupied by such a human access corridor can now be used to more strategically and / or more efficiently position one or more production stations of the tire building machine (e.g., in close proximity to a centrally located processing device such as a robot).

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, when the conveying unit is removed from the docking space, the walkway is free of any obstacles at the ground level. Like this, it is possible to prevent people entering the walkway from stumbling or being hit by any obstacles in the walkway.

[0008] In another embodiment, the tire building machine further comprises a processing station having a handling device, in particular a robot, for handling tire components in the tire building machine, wherein the exchange station is located between the access opening and the processing station, wherein a walkway extends from the access opening to the processing station. Preferably, the walkway extends to the processing device in the processing station. Thus, a person standing in the walkway can reach the processing device, for example for maintenance or other human interaction.

[0009] In another embodiment, the tire building machine includes a plurality of production stations, which surround the processing station and block access to the processing station from any direction except the exchange station. Therefore, the only way to safely obtain access to the processing station is via a walkway in the exchange station.

[0010] In another embodiment, the exchange station is configured for receiving the conveyor unit into the docking space in a receiving direction, wherein the walkway extends parallel or approximately parallel to the receiving direction. Thus, access for people can be obtained in the same direction as the receiving direction. In particular, access for people can be obtained through the same access opening used for introducing the conveyor unit into the exchange station.

[0011] In another embodiment, the exchange station comprises one or more guides for guiding the conveyor unit into the docking space in the receiving direction, wherein the one or more guides are located beside the aisle. By providing one or more guides beside the aisle, it is prevented that a person entering the aisle trips or bumps into any of the one or more guides.

[0012] Similarly, the exchange station comprises one or more locking members for locking the transport unit to prevent removal from the docking space, wherein the one or more locking members are located beside the walkway. By providing one or more locking members beside the walkway, it is prevented that people entering the walkway trip or bump into any of the one or more guides.

[0013] In another embodiment, the walkway has a width of at least 500 mm or at least 800 mm. Such a width can provide enough space for a person to safely enter the tire building machine via the walkway.

[0014] In another embodiment, the walkway extends from the entry into the production area over a length of at least one thousand millimeters. Therefore, a person can enter the tire building machine via the walkway at least up to said length.

[0015] In another embodiment, when the transport unit is removed from the docking space, the walkway is free of obstacles associated with the docking of the transport unit up to a height of at least 1,800 mm above the ground. In this way, a person of average height can stand upright in the walkway without bumping into these obstacles.

[0016] Preferably, when the conveying unit is removed from the docking space, the walkway is free of any obstacles up to said height of at least 1,800 millimeters above the ground. In this way, a person of average height can stand upright in the walkway without bumping into any obstacles.

[0017] In another embodiment, the exchange station is configured for docking the conveyor unit in a docking area, in which the conveyor unit blocks access to the walkway via the access opening. Thus, when the conveyor unit is present in said docking area, the conveyor unit may effectively form part of a safety measure preventing access to the tire building machine by persons when said tire building machine is in operation.

[0018] In another embodiment, the walkway meets the safety standards for people entering industrial machines. Thus, according to industrial standards, the walkway can be safely entered.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for providing human access to a tire building machine according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0020] - docking the conveying unit in the docking space;

[0021] - removing the transport unit from the docking space; and

[0022] - Gain human access to the tire building machine via a walkway.

[0023] The method relates to a practical embodiment of the tire building machine according to the first aspect of the invention, thereby having the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor unit is received into the docking space along a receiving direction, wherein access for people is gained via a walkway extending parallel or approximately parallel to said receiving direction.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the delivery unit is removed from the docking space via the access opening and access for people is obtained via the access opening. Thus, the access opening can be used for two purposes. In particular, no separate dedicated access opening is required to obtain access for people to the tire building machine.

[0026] In another embodiment, the tire building machine further comprises a processing station having a processing device for processing a tire component in the tire building machine, wherein the exchange station is located between the entry and the processing station, wherein the walkway extends from the entry to the processing station, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

[0027] - Human interaction with the processing equipment from the aisles. Human interaction may include maintenance operations, setup or reconfiguration operations, or any other human interaction with the processing equipment.

[0028] In another embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0029] - When the conveyor unit is docked in the docking space, access to the aisle via the access opening is prevented by the conveyor unit.

[0030] 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 made subject to divisional patent applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The invention will be explained on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a top view of a tire building machine with an exchange station according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a conveyor unit is docked in the exchange station;

[0033] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A top view of a tire building machine with the conveying unit removed from the exchange station; and

[0034] Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 2 Front view of a tire building machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3A tire building machine 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown for producing a tire component T. In this example, the tire building machine 1 is a production line for producing beads and apexes and / or assembling beads and apexes into bead-apexes for green or unvulcanized tires.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the tire building machine 1 includes a machine housing 2 defining a production area A. The machine housing 2 may have physical walls and / or virtual screens to prevent unauthorized access to the production area A when the tire building machine 1 is in operation.

[0037] The tire building machine 1 includes a plurality of production stations 11-17 within a production area A for producing, forming and / or assembling tire components T. The tire building machine 1 also includes a processing station 3 having a processing device 30 for processing the tire components T in the tire building machine 1. The processing device 30 may be, for example, a robot or a robot arm. The processing device 30 may pick up, place and / or transfer the tire components T between the production stations 11-17. Due to the limited range of the processing device 30, the production stations 11-17 are closely positioned around the processing station 3 or as close to the processing station 3 as possible.

[0038] like Figure 1 As further shown, the tire building machine 1 comprises an input station, an output station or an exchange station 4 within the production area A for exchanging production materials or tools with the tire building machine 1. The exchange station 4 can be used for inputting carriers (so-called "spacers"), drum segments or other machine tools into the tire building machine 1. Alternatively, the exchange station 4 can be used for inputting production materials (such as tire beads) into the tire building machine 1, or for outputting tire components T from the tire building machine 1. The exchange station 4 is also located close to or as close as possible to the processing station 3, so that the processing station 3 can pick up a tire component T from any one of the production stations 11-17 and transfer the tire component T to the exchange station 4. In this example, the production stations 11-17 surround the processing station 3 and prevent access to the processing station 3 from any horizontal direction except the exchange station 4.

[0039] The exchange station 4 is configured for receiving a storage unit or a conveying unit C for conveying a tire component T out of the tire building machine 1. When the tire component T is a bead apex, said tire component T is usually arranged on spacers known per se, which are stacked on top of each other on the conveying unit C in the vertical direction.

[0040] like Figure 2As best seen in FIG. 1 , the exchange station 4 includes a docking space 40 for receiving or docking with the conveyor unit C. The exchange station 4 also includes a floor 41, which may be a factory floor on which the tire building machine 1 is placed or a floor placed on the factory floor. The floor 41 defines a surface area, contour or footprint of the docking space 40 for receiving the conveyor unit C. Figure 2 The dashed square schematically shows that the exchange station 4 is configured to dock the conveyor unit C in a docking area P on the ground 41. The docking area P is preferably close to the entry port 42 or directly behind the entry port 42 in the receiving direction D, that is, within a range of less than 300 mm from the entry port 42.

[0041] The exchange station 4 also includes an access opening 42 in the machine housing 2 for allowing the conveyor unit C to enter and exit the docking space 40 through the floor 41. In this example, the exchange station 4 is located between the access opening 42 and the processing station 3. The access opening 42 can be provided with a physical door or a virtual screen, such as a safety light curtain. The exchange station 4 is configured to receive the conveyor unit C in the docking space 40 through the access opening 42 in a receiving direction D. In this example, the receiving direction D is perpendicular to the access opening 42.

[0042] The exchange station 4 further comprises a guide 43 for guiding the conveyor unit C into the docking space 40 in the receiving direction D. The exchange station 4 may optionally be provided with a locking member 44 for locking the conveyor unit C against removal from the docking space 40 in a direction opposite to the receiving direction D. The locking member 44 may, for example, be shaped as a clamp or a hook, which is configured to engage with a complementary shaped engagement member of the conveyor unit C. Both the guide 43 and the locking member 44 are configured for guiding and / or engaging the conveyor unit C from one side of the exchange station 4, in particular from a side of said exchange station 4 considered in a lateral direction L transverse to or perpendicular to the receiving direction D.

[0043] The conveying unit C is a conveying vehicle provided with wheels, preferably casters, which is used to roll the conveying unit C into and out of the exchange station 4 via the access opening 42 over the floor 41 of the exchange station 4. Preferably, the access opening 42 is not provided with any threshold or sill, so that the floor 41 of the exchange station 4 can be flush or substantially flush and / or continuous or substantially continuous with the factory floor outside the tire building machine 1.

[0044] like Figure 2As schematically shown by the hatched surface area in , the ground 41 defines a walkway W that a person can enter or a person can enter via an entrance 42. Note that the walkway W extends parallel to or approximately parallel to the receiving direction D. The walkway W is characterized in that when the conveying unit C is removed from the docking space 40, the walkway W is free of obstacles related to the docking of the conveying unit C, such as mechanical devices, cables, wires, pipes, guides, etc. In particular, the guide 43 and / or the locking member 44 are located outside the walkway W, adjacent to the walkway W, or next to the walkway W in the lateral direction L. In this exemplary embodiment, when the conveying unit C is removed from the docking space 40, the walkway W is free of any obstacles.

[0045] In this example, the walkway W extends from the entry opening 42 up to the processing station 3, and in particular up to the processing device 30 in said processing station 3. Preferably, the passage W extends from the entry opening 42 into the production area A over a length Y of at least one thousand millimeters.

[0046] Furthermore, in this example, the walkway W has a width X of at least eight hundred millimeters, considered in the lateral direction L. When the conveyor unit C is docked in the docking area P, as Figure 1 As shown, the conveying unit C can effectively block people from entering the corridor W through the entrance 42. In particular, the width of the conveying unit C in the lateral direction L is equal to or greater than the width X of the corridor W.

[0047] Finally, if Figure 3 As shown, the walkway W is free of obstacles in connection with the docking of the conveyor unit C when it is removed from the docking space 40 , and more particularly free of any obstacles up to a height Z of at least one thousand eight hundred millimeters above the ground 41 .

[0048] Now refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A method for providing human access to the aforementioned tire building machine 1 is briefly described.

[0049] Figure 1 The conveyor unit C is shown docked in the docking space 40. The conveyor unit C now effectively blocks a person from entering the tire building machine 1 via the access opening 42.

[0050] Figure 2 The situation is shown in which the conveying unit C has been removed from the docking space 40 via the access opening 42. The tire building machine 1 has been at least partially shut down, in particular any production station 11-17 close to the walkway W and / or the handling device 30 has been shut down. A person can now safely enter the tire building machine 1 via the access opening 42 and the walkway W. A person can perform maintenance, repair, reconfiguration, setup operations or any other human interaction on the handling device 30 or any production station 11-17 from the walkway W.

[0051] 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 that are still encompassed by the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0052] List of reference numerals:

[0053] 1. Tire building machine;

[0054] 11-17 production stations;

[0055] 2. Machine housing;

[0056] 3 processing stations;

[0057] 30 processing device;

[0058] 4. Exchange workstations;

[0059] 40 docking spaces;

[0060] 41 ground;

[0061] 42 entrance;

[0062] 43 guide;

[0063] 44 locking member;

[0064] C conveying unit;

[0065] D receiving direction;

[0066] L lateral;

[0067] P docking region;

[0068] Tire components;

[0069] W Aisle;

[0070] X width;

[0071] Y length;

[0072] Z height.

Claims

1. A tire building machine for producing tire components, wherein: The tire forming machine includes a machine housing that defines a production area, wherein the tire forming machine also includes an exchange station within the production area for exchanging production materials or tools with the tire forming machine on a conveying unit, wherein the exchange station includes a docking space for docking with the conveying unit, a floor that defines a covered area of ​​the docking space for receiving the conveying unit, and an entrance in the machine housing for allowing the conveying unit to pass through the floor in and out of the docking space, wherein the docking space defines a walkway that can be entered by a person via the entrance, and when the conveying unit is removed from the docking space, there are no obstacles related to the docking of the conveying unit at the floor.

2. The tire building machine according to claim 1, wherein: When the transport unit is removed from the docking space, the walkway is free of any obstacles at the ground level.

3. The tire building machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The tire building machine further comprises a processing station having a processing device for processing the tire component in the tire building machine, wherein the exchange station is located between the entry and the processing station, wherein the walkway extends from the entry as far as the processing station.

4. The tire building machine according to claim 3, wherein: The walkway extends up to the processing device in the processing station.

5. The tire building machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The processing device is a robot.

6. The tire building machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The tire building machine includes a plurality of production stations surrounding the processing station and blocking access to the processing station from any direction except the exchange station.

7. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The exchange station is designed for receiving the conveyor unit in a receiving direction into the docking space, wherein the walkway extends parallel or approximately parallel to the receiving direction.

8. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The exchange station comprises one or more guides for guiding the conveyor unit in a receiving direction into the docking space, wherein the one or more guides are located beside the walkway.

9. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The exchange station comprises one or more locking members for locking the transport unit against removal from the docking space, wherein the one or more locking members are located beside the walkway.

10. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The walkway has a width of at least five hundred millimeters.

11. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The walkway has a width of at least eight hundred millimeters.

12. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The walkway extends from the entry opening into the production area over a length of at least one thousand millimeters.

13. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: When the transport unit is removed from the docking space, the walkway is free of obstacles in connection with the docking of the transport unit up to a height of at least one thousand eight hundred millimeters above the ground.

14. The tire building machine according to claim 13, wherein: When the conveyor unit is removed from the docking space, the walkway is free of any obstructions up to the height of at least 1,800 millimeters above the ground.

15. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The exchange station is designed for docking the conveyor unit in a docking area, in which the conveyor unit prevents a person from entering the aisle via the access opening.

16. A tyre building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The walkway meets safety standards for people entering industrial machines.

17. A method for providing human access to a tire building machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method comprises the following steps: - docking the conveying unit in the docking space; - removing the transport unit from the docking space; and - Gaining human access to the tire building machine via the walkway.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The conveyor unit is received into the docking space along a receiving direction, wherein access to the person is obtained via the walkway extending parallel or approximately parallel to the receiving direction.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: The transport unit is removed from the docking space via the access opening, and wherein access to the person is gained via the access opening.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein: The tire building machine further comprises a processing station having a processing device for processing the tire component in the tire building machine, wherein the exchange station is located between the entry and the processing station, wherein the walkway extends from the entry to the processing station, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: - Human interaction with the processing device from the walkway.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein: The method further comprises the following steps: - When the conveyor unit is docked in the docking space, a person is prevented from entering the walkway via the access opening by means of the conveyor unit.

Images