Tire processing device

Abstract

Tire processing device (100) for producing a foam (152) in a tire (104, 204, 304), comprising the tire processing device (100): a temperature control device (102) for temperature control of the tire (104, 204, 304) and thereby influencing the production of the foam (152) from a precursor (132) applied to the tire (104, 204, 304).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to equipping a tire with acoustic foam. BACKGROUND

[0002] From DE 20 2023 107 514 U1, an assembly is known comprising a pneumatic tire and a foam which is attached to the pneumatic tire by applying a pre-product of the foam to the pneumatic tire and converting the pre-product in order to produce the foam. SUMMARY

[0003] Given the situation described above, there may be a need for a technique that allows the provision of a device and a method for introducing a foam into a tire with improved characteristics.

[0004] This need can be met by the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the items disclosed herein, a tire processing device for producing a foam in a tire is provided.

[0006] According to embodiments of the first aspect, a tire processing device for producing a foam in a tire is provided, the tire processing device comprising: a temperature control device for temperature control of the tire and thereby influencing the production of the foam from a precursor applied to the tire.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the items disclosed herein, a tire processing device is provided for producing a foam in a tire.

[0008] According to embodiments of the second aspect, a tire processing device for producing a foam in a tire is provided, the tire processing device comprising: a rotating device from which a tire can be received for rotating the tire during processing of the tire, wherein the rotating device is movable between a first position and a second position; at least two processing stations, comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire; wherein in the first position of the rotating device the tire can be processed by the first processing station; and wherein in a second position of the rotating device the tire can be processed by the second processing station.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the items disclosed herein, a method for producing a foam in a tire is provided.

[0010] According to embodiments of the third aspect, a method for providing a foam in a tire is provided, comprising the method of: tempering the tire and thereby influencing the production of the foam from a precursor applied to the tire.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the items disclosed herein, a method for producing a foam in a tire is provided.

[0012] According to embodiments of the fourth aspect, a method for producing a foam in a tire is provided, comprising: arranging a tire on a rotating device for rotating the tire, the rotating device being movable between a first position and a second position; providing at least two processing stations, comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire; processing the tire in a first position of the rotating device by the first processing station; and processing the tire in a second position of the rotating device by the second processing station.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the items disclosed herein, a computer program product is provided.

[0014] According to embodiments of the fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a program element which is configured to perform, when executed on a processor device, a method according to at least one of the third aspect and the fourth aspect. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY FORMS

[0015] Even though certain disadvantages of earlier technologies are mentioned herein, the claimed subject matter is not to be limited to implementations that overcome some or all of the mentioned disadvantages of the earlier technologies. Furthermore, even though certain advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein are mentioned or implied in the present disclosure, the claimed subject matter is not to be limited to implementations that exhibit some or all of these advantages.

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the items disclosed herein are described below, with reference, for example, to a method for producing foam in a tire, a tire processing device for producing foam in a tire, and a corresponding computer program product. It should be emphasized that, of course, any combination of features of different aspects, embodiments, and examples is possible. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to a method, while other embodiments are described with reference to a device (in the form of a tire processing device). Still other embodiments are described with reference to a computer program product, while other embodiments are described with reference to a control device for interacting with elements of the tire processing device.However, the person skilled in the art will understand from the foregoing and following description, the claims, and the drawings that, unless otherwise stated, features of different aspects, embodiments, and examples can be combined, and such combinations of features are to be considered disclosed herein. For example, even a feature relating to a method can be combined with a feature relating to a device, and vice versa.

[0017] Exemplary implementations of the items disclosed herein include, in particular, one or more of the embodiments and combinations of embodiments described herein.

[0018] According to one embodiment, a tire processing device is configured according to the first aspect to produce foam within a tire. In this embodiment, the tire processing device includes a temperature control device for maintaining the tire's temperature. Temperature control can influence the foam production from a precursor applied to the tire. For example, temperature control can be used to manage the foam production, particularly the rate at which the precursor is converted into foam. Of course, other process parameters also influence foam production. However, temperature particularly affects the reaction rate during the conversion of the precursor into foam.

[0019] According to one embodiment, a tire processing device is configured according to the second aspect for producing foam in a tire. According to one embodiment, the tire processing device has a rotating device that can receive a tire for rotation during processing. According to one embodiment, the rotating device is movable between a first position and a second position. According to one embodiment, the tire processing device has at least two processing stations for processing the tire. According to another embodiment, the at least two processing stations comprise a first processing station and a second processing station. According to one embodiment, in the first position of the rotating device, the tire can be processed by the first processing station.According to another embodiment, in the second position of the rotating device the tire can be processed by the second processing station.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a method according to the third aspect is a method for producing a foam in a tire. According to another embodiment, the method includes tempering the tire, wherein the tempering can influence the production of the foam from a precursor applied to the tire, in particular as described above with reference to the tire processing device.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a method according to the fourth aspect is a method for producing foam in a tire. According to another embodiment, the method comprises arranging a tire on a rotating device for rotating the tire. According to another embodiment, the rotating device is movable between a first position and a second position. According to one embodiment, the method comprises providing at least two processing stations for processing the tire. According to another embodiment, the at least two processing stations comprise a first processing station and a second processing station. According to another embodiment, the method comprises processing the tire in a first position of the rotating device by the first processing station.According to another embodiment, the method includes processing the tire in a second position of the rotating device by the second processing station.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a computer program product according to the fifth aspect is a computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device, is configured to perform a method disclosed herein.

[0023] At least some aspects and embodiments of the items disclosed herein are based on the idea that introducing a foam into a tire with improved characteristics can be achieved by tempering the tire. According to one embodiment, tempering the tire can influence the production of the foam from a precursor applied to the tire. Furthermore, at least some aspects and embodiments of the items disclosed herein are based on the idea that introducing a foam into a tire with improved characteristics can be achieved by a rotating device that is movable (for example, to the first and second positions of the rotating device) to allow the tire to be processed by different processing stations. For example, the rotating device can be arranged on a movable support.The improved characteristics may include, for example, reduced manufacturing costs. Alternatively or additionally, the improved characteristics may include reduced production fluctuations, for example through improved process temperature control.

[0024] In one embodiment, the temperature control device is configured to temper the tire before applying the precursor. For example, in one embodiment, the temperature control device is controlled by a control device that first tempers the tire and then applies the precursor to the tire. In another embodiment, the temperature control device is configured to temper the tire during and / or after the application of the precursor. In yet another embodiment, the temperature control device is configured to temper the tire during the conversion of the precursor into the foam. For example, the tempering of the tire can begin before the application of the precursor and continue until the application of the precursor is complete.According to another example, tempering can be carried out up to a certain degree of conversion of the precursor into the foam, for example until the conversion of the precursor has reached 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or 80%.

[0025] According to one embodiment, applying the precursor to the tire comprises applying the precursor to an inner surface of the tire, wherein the inner surface defines a cavity of the tire. According to one embodiment, the inner surface of the tire is formed by an inner layer (hereinafter also referred to as the inner liner) which seals the cavity of the tire (i.e., prevents diffusion of air from the cavity through the tire).

[0026] According to one embodiment, the temperature control device is configured to set a surface temperature of an inner liner by tempering the tire, with the surface temperature being within an interval between 25 °C and 150 °C. In other words, according to one embodiment, the lower limit of the interval is 25 °C and the upper limit of the interval is 150 °C. According to another embodiment, the lower limit of the interval is 30 °C, 35 °C, 40 °C, 45 °C, 50 °C, 55 °C, 60 °C, 65 °C, 70 °C, 75 °C, 80 °C, or 85 °C. According to another embodiment, the upper limit of the interval is 145 °C, 140 °C, 135 °C, 130 °C, 125 °C, 120 °C, 115 °C, 110 °C, 105 °C, 100 °C, 95 °C, 90 °C, 85 °C, 80 °C, 75 °C, 70 °C, or 65 °C. For example, the surface temperature lies within an interval between 40 °C and 85 °C.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the interval has two of the temperatures disclosed herein as endpoints. According to another embodiment, the interval is a semi-open interval which has one of the temperatures disclosed herein as its upper / lower limit.

[0028] A specific temperature value is typically specified as the target value for the inner liner's surface temperature. However, as is always the case in a real-world process, a temperature within a certain range, for example, a ±5% interval around this specific temperature value, is acceptable (acceptance range). For example, with a target value of 100°C and a ±5% acceptance range, an acceptable temperature range for the inner liner's surface temperature is between 95°C and 105°C. According to other embodiments, the acceptance range can be ±2%, ±3%, ±8%, ±10%, or ±15%. In one embodiment, the target value for the surface temperature can lie within one of the intervals described above, for example, between 25°C and 150°C.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the temperature control device is configured to temperature-control the tire by heating. According to another embodiment, the temperature control device includes an infrared radiation source for irradiating the tire with infrared radiation. Irradiating the tire with infrared radiation can provide a high heating output. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the infrared radiation can penetrate the tire material and thus, through its heat capacity, lead to the storage of thermal energy in the tire. According to one embodiment, the infrared radiation is laser radiation. For example, according to one embodiment, an infrared laser (e.g., a CO2 laser) is used to temperature-control the tire. According to one embodiment, the infrared laser is a continuous-wave (CW) laser.According to another embodiment, the temperature control device can be configured to temperature control the tire with a temperature control gas, for example hot air.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the thermal energy stored in the tire can be adjusted by selecting the heating power and the tempering duration (i.e., the length of time the heating power acts on the tire). Furthermore, the thermal energy stored in the tire can influence the temperature profile of the inner liner after the tempering process has ended. Additionally, the temperature profile of the inner liner can be influenced by the ambient temperature. Finally, the temperature profile of the inner liner can be influenced by a temperature profile within the tire perpendicular to the inner liner.For example, if the tire is heated from an outer surface according to one embodiment, the outer surface can be warmer than the temperature of the inner liner, thereby at least partially compensating for a temperature drop in the inner liner, for example, during the conversion of the precursor into the foam, for instance, through the radiation of heat energy, at least for a certain period of time. Furthermore, tempering of the tire by tempering the outer surface can still be carried out even after the precursor has already been applied to the tire. Since an outer surface of the tire is more accessible than an inner surface, the tempering device can also be designed to irradiate a larger area of ​​the tire simultaneously and / or with a higher heating power, thereby enabling, for example, faster tempering of the tire.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the tire is tempered from an inner surface. Tempering from the inner surface of the tire can have the advantage of rapidly heating the inner liner. Furthermore, if the tire's bulk material is colder than the inner liner, a relatively rapid temperature drop can be generated in the inner liner.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the control device can be configured to adjust heating power and tempering time depending on the ambient temperature.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device has a precursor application device for applying the precursor. The precursor application device can, for example, be designed as described in any of DE 202023107514 U1, DE 202024104283 U1, DE 202024001792 U1, DE 202025101068 U1, DE 202025103630 U1.

[0034] An application within the meaning of the items disclosed herein includes in particular applying and distributing, for example by contact (e.g. by brush, rollers, etc.), or by contactless application (e.g. by spraying).

[0035] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device can include a rotating device that can receive a tire for rotation, particularly during tempering and / or application. Rotating the tire during tempering ensures uniform heating of the inner liner. Furthermore, rotating the tire simplifies the tempering process. Rotating the tire during application simplifies the application process and results in a more uniform distribution of the applied precursor in a circumferential direction around the tire. For example, according to one embodiment, the tire can be rotated about its axis of rotation, which, in one embodiment, is arranged perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the rotating device can be configured to rotate the tire during the conversion of the applied precursor into the foam. The precursor or the foam can, for example, be configured as described in any of DE 202023107514 U1, DE 202024104283 U1, DE 202024001792 U1, DE 202025101068 U1, or DE 202025103630 U1. In particular, according to one embodiment, the foam is configured to provide a tire with reduced rolling noise.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device includes a fluid application device for applying a fluid to the precursor that has at least partially converted into foam. According to one embodiment, the fluid is a treatment agent as described in DE 20 2025 103 630 U1. According to one embodiment, applying the fluid to the precursor that has at least partially converted into foam modifies the surface of the foam. In particular, according to one embodiment, applying the fluid creates open pores on the surface of the foam.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device includes a testing device for inspecting the foam after its production. For example, the testing device may include an acoustic device that determines at least one acoustic property of the foam (for example, absorption and / or reflection of sound by the foam). This allows, for example, the determination of whether the foam possesses the desired or required acoustic properties. According to one embodiment, the testing device includes a sound emitter that transmits a test sound to the foam inside the tire and a sound receiver that records the foam's response to the test sound.According to one embodiment, the acoustic device is configured to determine the at least one acoustic property of the foam in a frequency range that lies in the interval between 50 Hz and 3000 Hz, for example in a frequency range between 150 Hz and 1500 Hz.

[0039] According to one embodiment, after the foam has been produced, it undergoes post-processing, for example using laser radiation, such as to open pores on a surface of the foam or to structure the foam. Testing of the foam can be carried out, for example, before post-processing, after post-processing, or both before and after post-processing.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device has a movable support on which the rotating device is arranged. According to another embodiment, the tire processing device has at least two processing stations, comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, in the first position of the movable support, the tire can be processed by the first processing station, and in the second position of the movable support, the tire can be processed by the second processing station. In this way, the tire can be fed to two different processing stations without being removed from the rotating device.In this way, the tire can be continuously rotated, at least as long as the precursor, or the precursor at least partially incorporated into the foam, is plastically deformable under the influence of gravity. This can be advantageous for achieving a uniform foam formation along the circumference. In other words, according to one embodiment, the tire is continuously rotated from the moment the precursor is introduced until a stable foam is produced from the precursor, or the tire's rotation is interrupted only for as long as necessary to prevent permanent deformation of the foam under the influence of gravity. Furthermore, this method can increase the efficiency of the tire processing equipment, as the tire does not need to be picked up by a rotating device at each processing station.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device has at least one further rotating device arranged on the movable carrier, with each of the at least one further rotating device capable of receiving another tire. Generally, each rotating device can be configured to receive a tire. According to one embodiment, a tire is positioned on the rotating device at the beginning of the processing and remains there until the processing is completed. By arranging the rotating device and the at least one further rotating device on the movable carrier, each of the (at least two) rotating devices can be positioned relative to at least one processing station by moving the movable carrier, so that the respective tire can be processed by the at least one processing station.By moving the movable carrier, a rotating device, which is positioned for processing by a first processing station, can be positioned for processing by another processing station (for example, by the second processing station).

[0042] By moving the rotating devices and processing stations relative to each other while a tire remains attached to its rotating device, the utilization of the processing stations can be improved, as this allows the tire processing device to process at least two tires simultaneously. For example, the tire processing device can be configured to process a first tire in the first processing station and, in parallel, a second tire in the second processing station. After the first processing station has finished processing the first tire and the second processing station has finished processing the second tire, the first and second tires can be transported to another processing station, for example, according to one embodiment, by moving the movable carrier.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the rotating device and at least one further rotating device are arranged at different positions on the movable carrier along a direction of movement of the movable carrier, so that by moving the movable carrier, each rotating device can be positioned at one of the at least two processing stations, allowing a tire picked up by the rotating device to be processed by the processing station. In this way, the space requirement of the tire processing device can be optimized and any suitable and desired number of processing stations can be implemented.

[0044] The movable support can be rigid or it can have two or more support parts that are movable relative to each other. For example, each rotating device can be mounted on a support part of the movable support.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the movable support is linearly movable to move the movable support between its first and second positions. Since the rotating device is arranged on the movable support and consequently moves with it, in other words, the movable support is linearly movable to move the rotating device between its first and second positions.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the movable support is rotatable for moving it between the first position and the second position, wherein the first position is a first angular position of the movable support and the second position is a second angular position of the movable support. The rotation of the movable support, according to one embodiment, occurs about an axis of rotation of the movable support. In other words, according to one embodiment, the movable support is rotatable for moving the rotating device between the first position and the second position of the rotating device, wherein the first position (of the rotating device) corresponds to a first angular position of the movable support and the second position (of the rotating device) corresponds to a second angular position of the movable support.According to one embodiment, the first position and the second position of the rotating device are spatial positions and consequently define the spatial position of the tire picked up by the rotating device.

[0047] If two or more rotating devices are arranged on the movable support, according to one embodiment the movable support is movable to move the two or more rotating devices.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the movable carrier is a rotatable carrier, and the rotating device and at least one further rotating device are arranged at different positions along the circumference of the rotatable carrier. This allows each rotating device to be positioned at one of the at least two processing stations by rotating the carrier, so that a tire picked up by the rotating device can be processed by the processing station. In other words, according to one embodiment, the movement of the carrier is a rotation, and the direction of movement of the movable carrier is a circumferential / rotational direction of the movable carrier. A rotatable carrier can have the advantage of being mechanically simple to implement.

[0049] According to one embodiment, processing a tire by one of the processing stations comprises at least one of the following processing operations: arranging the tire on the rotating device; removing the tire from the rotating device; inspecting the tire before introducing the precursor; tempering the tire; introducing the precursor into the tire; applying a fluid to the precursor, which has been at least partially converted into foam; inspecting the tire after the foam has been produced; post-processing the foam (in particular, opening a skin of the foam), especially by laser radiation; inspecting the tire after post-processing (for example, after opening the skin of the foam).

[0050] According to one embodiment, a separate processing station can be provided for at least part of the processing operations.

[0051] According to one embodiment, at least two of the processing operations take place at different processing stations of the at least two processing stations. According to another embodiment, at least one of the processing stations is configured such that, in a single angular position of the rotatable carrier, one tire can be processed by the processing station on a single rotating device. According to a further embodiment, at least one of the processing stations is configured such that, in a single angular position of the rotatable carrier, one tire can be processed on at least two rotating devices. For example, if the cycle time for processing by a first processing station is sufficiently short, another tire can be processed by the first processing station on another rotating device without moving the movable carrier (for example, without rotating the rotatable carrier).According to one embodiment, the further rotating device can be arranged on another (i.e., a different) movable support.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the rotating device is arranged at two or more processing stations in an angular position of the rotatable carrier. For example, it can be provided that, in an angular position, a tire picked up by the rotating device is processed by a first processing station, and subsequently, in the same position of the rotating device, the tire is processed by a second processing station. For example, the first processing station can transfer the tire to the rotating device for picking up, and the second processing station can be configured for temperature control of the tire. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the first processing station can inspect the tire, and the second processing station can remove the tire from the rotating device and, for example, place it on a transport device.

[0053] According to one embodiment, each processing station can have a processing device and a positioning device for positioning the processing device relative to the tire to be processed such that the processing device (in Fig. (not shown in Figure 4) can process the tire according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein. The positioning device can, for example, be a robot arm. Furthermore, the positioning device can be a single-axis positioning device or a multi-axis positioning device, for example, a robot arm that is controllable via several axes.

[0054] By appropriately combining embodiments, which in particular concern the movement of the movable carrier, the allocation of processing stations and rotating devices, the arrangement of the processing stations and the configuration of the movable carrier, it is possible, for example, to increase the efficiency of the tire processing device, reduce the cycle time and / or reduce the space requirement of the tire processing device.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the program element is a non-transient program element. According to another embodiment, the computer program product is a non-transient computer program product.

[0056] As used herein, reference to a computer program product comprising a program element is considered equivalent to reference to a computer program comprising a program element and / or a computer-readable medium comprising a program element. According to one embodiment, the program element comprises instructions for controlling a processing device (for example, comprising one or more microprocessors, such as a computer system) for executing (for example, causing and / or coordinating the execution) at least one method described herein.

[0057] The (non-transient) program element can be implemented as computer-readable instruction code using any suitable programming language, such as Java, C#, Python, etc., and can be stored on a computer-readable medium (removable disk, volatile or non-volatile memory, embedded memory / processor, etc.). According to one embodiment, the instruction code is executable for programming a computer or any other programmable processing device to perform the intended functions. A processing device can, for example, be a device comprising at least one of the following: a microprocessor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, etc. The computer program product can be available on a network, such as the World Wide Web, from which it can be downloaded.Furthermore, the computer program product can, for example, be the logic of a microcontroller.

[0058] The items disclosed herein can be realized by means of a computer program product (program element) or software. However, the items disclosed herein can also be realized by means of one or more specific electronic circuits or hardware. Furthermore, the items disclosed herein can also be realized in hybrid form, i.e., in a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0059] According to one embodiment, one or more of the control devices disclosed herein may include a processor device configured to execute a program element disclosed herein.

[0060] According to embodiments of the first aspect, the tire processing device is configured to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect and / or the fifth aspect.

[0061] According to embodiments of the second aspect, the tire processing device is configured to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, and / or the fifth aspect.

[0062] According to embodiments of the third aspect, the method is set up to realize one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect and / or the fifth aspect.

[0063] According to embodiments of the fourth aspect, the method is set up to realize one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect and / or the fifth aspect.

[0064] According to embodiments of the fifth aspect, the computer program product is configured to implement one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or to provide the functionality as required by one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, and / or the fifth aspect.

[0065] According to embodiments of the items disclosed herein, the processing of a tire can be carried out according to any level of detail described in one or more of the following German utility models: DE 202023107514 U1, DE 202024104283 U1, DE 202024001792 U1, DE 202025101068 U1, DE 202025103630 U1.

[0066] It is noted that a reference to an aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein naturally also includes a reference to one or more embodiments of that aspect. For example, a statement that reference is made to a method according to the third aspect includes embodiments according to which the referenced method is designed according to one or more embodiments of the third aspect (and / or the other aspects).

[0067] Unless otherwise specified, numerical values ​​are to be understood as including a ±5% window; i.e., for example, a specification of 25°C, according to one embodiment, includes a temperature within the interval of (25°C ± 5% of 25°C) = [23.75°C; 26.25°C], and a percentage specification of 50%, according to another embodiment, includes a percentage within the interval of 50% ± 5% of 50% = [47.5%; 52.5%]. According to a further embodiment, numerical values ​​and / or percentages are to be understood as including a ±10% window.

[0068] According to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein can define the functionality of a device disclosed herein without being limited to the device-specific features. In this respect, each functionality of a device disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding method that is defined solely by the disclosed functionality. Conversely, according to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein can be carried out with any suitable known or disclosed device (which may have a single element or several interacting elements). In this respect, each method disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding device configured to carry out the method.

[0069] A general reference to embodiments (for example, a tire processing device), for example by the wording "according to at least one embodiment", by the wording "according to one or more embodiments" or the wording "according to embodiments" also includes in particular the combination of features of a corresponding independent claim without further restrictions (for example, the tire processing device according to claim 1 or the tire processing device according to claim 8).

[0070] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, a list of features or process steps according to one embodiment does not define a sequence of the features or process steps in the order of the list. According to another embodiment, a list of features or process steps defines a sequence of the features or process steps as specified in the list.

[0071] In some embodiments mentioned above, the first occurrence of a feature was referred to as the feature with the indefinite article, for example, both in the description of embodiments of the first aspect and in the description of embodiments of the second aspect. However, it should be understood that the use of the indefinite article or the definite article in this disclosure is not restrictive, and that a feature referred to in different embodiments, regardless of whether it is designated with the definite article or the indefinite article, refers to the same feature in at least one embodiment. Therefore, in a combination of different embodiments, the feature can be referred to with the indefinite article at its first occurrence and with the definite article at subsequent occurrences.Furthermore, according to one embodiment, a feature referred to in the specific article may be designed without the embodiments described above. Additionally, the first aspect and the third aspect may be two different aspects of the same item. Furthermore, the second aspect and the fourth aspect may be two different aspects of the same item.

[0072] It should be noted that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, numerical terms (first, second, third, etc.) serve solely to identify different elements (e.g., positions, processing stations, rotating devices, etc.) without implying a sequence of procedural steps or requiring or implying the existence of any of the other elements. For example, a reference to a second position alone does not require that a first position be reached prior to the second position through movement (e.g., of the movable carrier). Furthermore, a reference to a second position does not require that a first position already exists or is even intended.

[0073] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following exemplary description of currently preferred embodiments, to which, however, the claimed subject matter is not limited. The individual figures in the drawings of this document are to be regarded merely as schematic and not to scale. The above definitions and comments apply in particular also to the following detailed description and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 shows a part of a tire processing device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and a tire to be processed. Fig. Figure 2 shows part of a further tire processing device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and, in sectional view, a tire to be processed. Fig. Figure 3 shows a part of a further tire processing device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and, in sectional view, a tire to be processed, wherein a cutting plane through the tire runs parallel to a tire axis. Fig. Figure 4 shows a further tire processing device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein with a plurality of tires to be processed. Fig. Figure 5 shows part of a further tire processing device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and, in sectional view, a tire to be processed during the generation of foam in the tire. Fig. Figure 6 shows part of another tire processing device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and, in sectional view, a tire to be processed during the testing of the foam. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] It is noted that similar or identical elements or components in different figures are designated with the same reference numbers, or with reference numbers that differ only in the leading digit. Such features or components, which are identical or at least functionally equivalent to the corresponding features or components in another figure, are described in detail in the following text only upon their first occurrence. The description is not repeated for subsequent occurrences of these features and components (or the corresponding reference numbers). If an element appears multiple times in a drawing, in some cases not all elements are designated with reference numbers to improve clarity. Naturally, the corresponding description also applies to the elements not designated with a reference number.

[0075] If a reference numeral is given in the description of a drawing which is not contained in the drawing, the reference numeral and its context implicitly refer to every drawing and associated description described herein which contains the reference numeral, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0076] It is understood that an exemplary implementation of the elements described below and indicated by reference numerals is shown in the relevant drawings and is configured in one embodiment according to the following description, unless otherwise specified.

[0077] Fig. Figure 1 shows a part of a tire processing device 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 100 includes a temperature control device 102 configured for temperature control of a tire 104. According to another embodiment, the temperature control device 102 is a laser device configured for emitting an infrared laser beam 106, for example as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows the temperature control device 102. According to one embodiment, the temperature control device 102 is configured to emit the infrared laser beam 106 onto an inner liner of the tire 104. Since the tire 104 is in Fig. Figure 1 shows the inner liner in top view. Fig. 1 not visible. According to one embodiment, the temperature control device 102 has a laser, for example a CO2 laser.

[0079] Fig. Figure 2 shows part of a further tire processing device 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0080] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a tire 104 in a cross-sectional view. The tire 104 has a tread 108 which is arranged between two sidewalls 110 of the tire, wherein in Fig. 2. A sidewall is visible. An inner surface 112 of the tire 104 is formed by an inner liner 114. According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 100 has two temperature control devices 102. According to another embodiment, a single or more than two temperature control devices may also be provided.

[0081] According to one embodiment, at least one temperature control device 102 is directed towards an outer surface 116 of the tire 104. For example, according to one embodiment, all temperature control devices 102 can be directed towards the outer surface 116 of the tire 104, for example as in Fig. 2 shown. Analogous to Fig. 1. Each temperature control device 102 can be configured to emit an infrared laser beam 106 onto the tire 104, for example as in Fig. 2 shown. The tire 104 also has a tire bead 118, with which the tire, in the mounted state, is attached to a rim (in Fig. (2 not shown) sits and seals a cavity 120 of the tire against an environment 122. The inner liner 114 prevents pressurized gas from diffusing from the cavity 120 through the tire 104 into the environment 122.

[0082] Fig. Figure 3 shows a part of a further tire processing device 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and, in sectional view, a tire 104 to be processed, wherein a section plane through the tire 104 runs parallel to a tire axis 124.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the temperature control device 102 is positioned between the two tire beads 118, 218. According to another embodiment, the temperature control device 102 provides a discharge 128 that tempers the inner liner 114. The discharge 128 can be, for example, laser radiation or a temperature control gas, as described herein. For example, the temperature control device 102 can be positioned centrally within the tire 104 in a direction parallel to the tire axis 124, for example as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows this. This can simplify the uniform heating of the inner liner between the tire shoulders.

[0084] According to a further embodiment, the tire processing device 100 has a precursor application device 130, which is configured to apply a precursor 132 to the inner liner 114 of the tire 104. Before applying the precursor 132 to the inner liner 114, the tire cleaning device 100, according to one embodiment, heats the inner liner 114 and, for example, also the adjacent tire material of the tire 104, for example by means of the output 128 of the temperature control device 102, for example as in Fig. 3 shown.

[0085] The temperature control device 102 and / or the precursor application device 130 can comprise at least one further component which is located in Fig. 3 is not shown and, according to one embodiment, can be arranged outside the tire 104. In the case of the temperature control device 102, such components can be, for example, a laser source for providing the laser radiation, a temperature control gas source for providing the temperature control gas, etc. In the case of the precursor application device 130, such components can be, for example, a mixing device, a storage container, etc. According to other embodiments, the aforementioned components can be at least partially contained within the temperature control device 102 or the precursor application device 130.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the temperature control device 102 and the precursor application device 130 (generally two or more processing devices) are arranged on a common positioning device 126, for example a robot arm.

[0087] Fig. Figure 4 shows a further tire processing device 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 100 has a movable support 134 on which a rotating device 136 is arranged, from which the tire 104 can be received for rotation. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the tire processing device 100 has two further rotating devices 236, 336, which are arranged on the movable support 134 and of which each is configured to receive a further tire 204, 304 for rotation, for example as in Fig. 4 shown.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 100 has four processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438, for example as in Fig. Figure 4 shows the four processing stations, which are also referred to herein as the first processing station 138, second processing station 238, third processing station 338, and fourth processing station 438. According to one embodiment, each of the rotating devices 136, 236, 336 can be positioned at each of the four processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438 for processing by the respective processing station 138, 238, 338, 438 by means of the movable carrier 134. A processing station 138, 238, 338, 438, from which tires 104, 204, 304 of the rotating devices of the movable carrier 134 can be processed, is herein referred to as being associated with the movable carrier 134.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the rotating devices 136, 236, 336 are arranged at equal intervals in a direction of movement 140 of the movable carrier 134. In this way, if one of the rotating devices (for example, the first rotating device 136) is arranged at at least one of the processing stations (for example, the first processing station 138 and the second processing station 238), the other rotating devices 236, 336 are also arranged at one of the other processing stations 338, 438.

[0091] In general, the feature herein that a rotating device is arranged at a processing station means, according to one embodiment, that a tire which is picked up by the rotating device is located in a working area of ​​the processing station and can consequently be processed by the processing station. Analogously, the feature that a tire is arranged at a processing station means, in one embodiment, that the tire is located in a working area of ​​the processing station and can consequently be processed by the processing station. The feature that a tire is arranged at a processing station is, in one embodiment, considered equivalent to the feature that a rotating device which has picked up the tire is arranged at the processing station.

[0092] According to one embodiment, a rotating device can be arranged at two or more processing stations. For example, the first rotating device 136 can be arranged at the first processing station 138 and at the second processing station 238; that is, according to one embodiment, the first rotating device 136 is arranged in the working area of ​​both the first processing station 138 and the second processing station 238, for example as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0093] According to one embodiment, each processing station 138, 238, 338, 438 has a positioning device 126 with which a processing device of the respective processing station 138, 238, 338, 438 can be positioned with respect to the tire 104, 204, 304, which is arranged on the processing station, such that the processing device (in Fig. 4 (not shown) can process the tire.

[0094] For example, the first processing station 138 can be configured to grip a tire 104 from a first transport device 142 and transfer the tire 104 to the rotating device 136, which is arranged at the first processing station. According to one embodiment, the first rotating device 136 then receives the tire 104 (from the first processing station 138) for rotating the tire 104. According to one embodiment, the second processing station 238 can include a temperature control device for temperature control of the tire 104 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the third processing station 338 can include a precursor application device and a fluid application device according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein for generating a foam in the tire 104 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.According to one embodiment, the fourth processing station 438 may include a testing device for checking the foam according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the first processing station can further be configured to grasp a (processed) tire 104 from the first rotating device 136 and transfer the tire 104 to a second transport device 144, from which the processed tire 104 is transported away.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the processing device of the first processing station 138 may therefore comprise a gripping device, the processing device of the second processing station 238 may comprise a temperature control device, the processing device of the third processing station 338 may comprise a precursor application device and a fluid application device, and the processing device of the fourth processing station 438 may comprise a verification device. In general, therefore, a processing station may comprise one or more processing devices, wherein the multiple processing devices may be of different types or of the same type.

[0097] The in Fig. The position of the movable carrier 134 shown in Figure 4 and the resulting positions for the first rotating device 136, the second rotating device 236, and the third rotating device 336 can be referred to as the first position 145 of the movable carrier 134 within the meaning of this disclosure. For example, in the first position 145, the first rotating device 136 can be arranged at the first processing station 138 and the second processing station 238, for example, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 4 shown, wherein the second rotating device 236 is arranged at the third processing station 338 and the third rotating device 336 is arranged at the fourth processing device 438, for example as in Fig. 4 shown

[0098] After a rotation of the rotatable support 134 by 120 degrees about a rotation axis 135 of the rotatable support 134 in a clockwise direction (in Fig. 4, indicated by the direction of rotation 140), the rotatable carrier is in a second position in which the third rotating device 336 with the tire 304 is arranged at the first processing station 138 and the second processing station 238. Accordingly, the second rotating device 236 is arranged at the fourth processing station 438 and the first rotating device 136 is arranged at the third processing station 338.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the processing device 100 has a further movable carrier 234, which, according to another embodiment, is designed analogously to the movable carrier 134 and on which, analogous to the embodiments described above, three rotating devices 136, 236, 336 are arranged and to which, analogously, four processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438 are assigned. According to one embodiment, at least one processing station is assigned to both the movable carrier 134 and the further movable carrier 234. For example, according to one embodiment, the third processing station 338 is assigned to both the movable carrier 134 and the further movable carrier 234, for example as in Fig. Figure 4 shows. In other words, the third processing station 338 can process both tires that are picked up by rotating devices attached to the movable carrier 134 and tires that are picked up by rotating devices attached to the further movable carrier 234.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 100 comprises a control device 146 for controlling at least one component of the tire processing device 100, for example, the rotating devices 136, 236, 336, the processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438, the transport devices 142, 144, etc., as described herein. According to one embodiment, the control device 146 comprises a processor device 148 and a storage device 150 in which a computer program product or a program element according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein is stored, which, when executed on the processor device 148, provides the functionality of the control device according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein.

[0101] Fig. Figure 5 shows a part of a further tire processing device 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and, in sectional view, a tire 104 to be processed during the generation of a foam 152 in the tire 104.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the precursor application device 130 is arranged in a direction of rotation 154 of the tire 104 downstream of the temperature control device 102, for example as in Fig. Figure 5 is shown. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, a fluid application device 156 is arranged downstream of the precursor application device 130 in the direction of rotation 154 of the tire, from which a fluid 158 can be applied to the precursor 132, which is at least partially converted into foam. The fluid 158 can be a treatment agent as described in DE 20 2025 103 630 U1, for example, water. The fluid application device 156 can, for example, be an application device as described in DE 20 2025 103 630 U1. The precursor can, for example, be a precursor as described in DE 20 2025 103 630 U1.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the temperature control device 102, the precursor application device 130, and the fluid application device 156 can be provided by a single processing station. Other embodiments may provide for a different arrangement. For example, the temperature control device 102 and the precursor application device 130 can be provided by a single processing station. For example, the temperature control device 102 and the precursor application device 130 can be arranged on a common positioning device 126, for example, as shown with reference to Fig. 3 shown.

[0104] Fig. Figure 6 shows part of a further tire processing device 100 according to embodiments of the items disclosed herein and, in sectional view, a tire 104 to be processed during the testing of the foam 152.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the tire processing device 100 has a checking device 160, which according to one embodiment is a positioning device (in Fig. (not shown in Figure 6). According to one embodiment, the inspection device 160 is configured to test the foam, for example with regard to its acoustic properties, its dimensions, its mechanical properties, etc.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the inspection device 160 directs a test beam 162 at the foam for testing the foam. For example, the test beam 162 for checking the acoustic properties can be a sound emitted at the foam 152, to which the foam 152 generates a response (for example, a changed sound) which, according to one embodiment, is detectable by the inspection device 160.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the test beam 162 for checking the dimensions of the foam 152 can, for example, be a light beam (e.g., a laser beam), such as a laser beam from a 3D scanner (e.g., a light section sensor).

[0108] According to one embodiment, the inspection device 160 may include a camera for taking a picture of the foam 152.

[0109] The testing device 160 can have a mechanical probe to test the foam with regard to its mechanical properties.

[0110] Exemplary implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein include, in particular, the following embodiments and combinations of embodiments: 1. Tire processing device 100 for producing a foam 152 in a tire 104, 204, 304, comprising the tire processing device 100: a temperature control device 102 for temperature control of the tire 104, 204, 304 and thereby influencing the production of the foam 152 from a precursor 132 applied to the tire 104, 204, 304. 2. Tire processing device 100 according to embodiment 1, furthermore at least one of the following features: The temperature control device 102 is configured to perform the temperature control of the tire 104, 204, 304 before the application of the precursor 132; The temperature control device 102 is configured to set a surface temperature of an inner liner by temperature control of the tire 104, 204, 304, wherein the surface temperature is in an interval between 25 °C and 150 °C; The temperature control device 102 is configured to temperature control the tire 104, 204, 304 by heating; The temperature control device 102 has an infrared radiation source for irradiating the tire 104, 204, 304 with infrared radiation. 3. Tire processing device 100 according to any of embodiments 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of the following features: a precursor application device 130 for applying the precursor 132; a rotating device 136, 236, 336 from which a tire 104, 204, 304 can be received for rotating the tire 104, 204, 304 in particular during tempering and / or during application; a fluid application device 156 for applying a fluid 158 to the precursor 132 which is at least partially converted into the foam 152; a testing device 160 for testing the foam 152 after its production. 4. Tire processing device 100 according to any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a movable carrier 134 on which the rotating device 136, 236, 336 is arranged; at least two processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438, comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire 104, 204, 304; wherein in a first position 145 of the movable carrier 134 the tire 104 can be processed by the first processing station 138, 238; and wherein in a second position of the movable carrier 134 the tire 104 can be processed by the second processing station 338. 5. Tire processing device 100 according to embodiment 4, further comprising: at least one further rotating device 136, 236, 336, which is arranged on the movable carrier 134, wherein each of the at least one further rotating device 136, 236, 336 can receive a further tire 104, 204, 304; in particular wherein the rotating device 136, 236, 336 and the at least one further rotating device 136, 236, 336 are arranged at different positions on the movable carrier 134 along a direction of movement of the movable carrier 134, so that by movement of the movable carrier 134 each rotating device 136, 236, 336 can be positioned at one of the at least two processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438, so that a tire 104, 204, 304 picked up by the rotating device 136, 236, 336 can be processed by the processing station 138, 238, 338, 438; in particular wherein the movable carrier 134 is a rotatable carrier and the rotating device 136, 236, 336 and the at least one further rotating device 136, 236, 336 are arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotatable carrier 134 at different positions, so that by rotating the rotatable carrier 134 each rotating device 136, 236, 336 can be positioned at one of the at least two processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438, so that a tire 104, 204, 304 picked up by the rotating device 136, 236, 336 can be processed by the processing station 138, 238, 338, 438. 6. Tire processing device 100 according to any embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the processing of a tire 104, 204, 304 by one of the processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438 comprises at least one of the following processing operations: an arrangement of the tire 104, 204, 304 on the rotating device 136, 236, 336; removing the tire 104, 204, 304 from the rotating device 136, 236, 336; a check of the tire 104, 204, 304 before the insertion of the precursor 132; the temperature control of the tire 104, 204, 304; an insertion of the precursor 132 into the tire 104, 204, 304; an application of a fluid to the precursor 132 which is at least partially converted into the foam 152; a check of the tire 104, 204, 304 after the production of the foam 152; a post-processing of the foam 152, in particular by laser radiation; a check of the tire 104, 204, 304 after reworking the foam 152; in particular wherein the post-processing of the foam 152 includes opening a skin of the foam 152 and / or structuring the foam 152. 7. Tire processing device 100 according to embodiment 6, further comprising at least one of the following: at least two of the processing operations take place on different processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438 of the at least two processing stations; at least one of the processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438 is configured to process a tire 104, 204, 304 on a single rotating device 136, 236, 336 in a single angular position of the rotatable carrier 134; at least one of the processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438 is configured to process a tire 104, 204, 304 on at least two rotating devices 136, 236, 336 in a single angular position of the rotatable carrier 134. 8. Tire processing device 100 for producing a foam 152 in a tire 104, 204, 304, comprising the tire processing device 100: a rotating device 136, 236, 336, from which a tire 104, 204, 304 can be received for rotating the tire 104, 204, 304 during a processing of the tire 104, 204, 304, wherein the rotating device 136, 236, 336 is movable between a first position and a second position; at least two processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438, comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire 104, 204, 304; wherein in the first position of the rotating device 136; 236; 336 the tire 104; 204; 304 can be processed by the first processing station 138, 238; 338; 438; and wherein in a second position of the rotating device 136; 236; 336 the tire 104; 204; 304 can be processed by the second processing station 338; 438; 138, 238. 9. Tire processing device 100 according to embodiment 8, further comprising at least one of the following features: a movable support on which the rotating device 136, 236, 336 is arranged; at least one further rotating device 136, 236, 336 is arranged on the movable carrier 134, wherein each of the at least one further rotating device 136, 236, 336 can receive a further tire 104, 204, 304; The movable carrier 134 is movable in a straight line to move the rotating device 136, 236, 336 between the first position and the second position; The movable support 134 is rotatable for moving the rotating device 136, 236, 336 between the first position and the second position, wherein the first position is a first angular position of the movable support 134 and the second position is a second angular position of the movable support 134. 10. Method for producing a foam 152 in a tire 104, 204, 304, comprising the method: Tempering the tire 104, 204, 304 and thereby influencing the production of the foam 152 from a precursor 132 applied to the tire 104, 204, 304. 11. Method for producing a foam 152 in a tire 104, 204, 304, comprising the method: Arranging a tire 104, 204, 304 on a rotating device 136, 236, 336 for rotating the tire 104, 204, 304, wherein the rotating device 136, 236, 336 is movable between a first position and a second position; Providing at least two processing stations 138, 238, 338, 438, comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire 104, 204, 304; Processing the tire 104; 204; 304 in a first position of the rotating device 136; 236; 336 by the first processing station 138, 238; 338; 438; and Processing the tire 104; 204; 304 in a second position of the rotating device 136; 236; 336 by the second processing station 338; 438; 138, 238. 12. Method according to embodiment 11, further comprising at least one of the following features: The rotating device 136, 236, 336 is arranged on a movable support 134; A further rotating device 136, 236, 336 is arranged on the movable support 134; The movable carrier 134 is movable in a straight line to move the rotating device 136, 236, 336 between the first position and the second position; The movable support 134 is rotatable for moving the rotating device 136, 236, 336 between the first position and the second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first angular position of the movable support 134 and the second position to a second angular position of the movable support 134. 13. Computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device 148, is configured to perform a method according to at least one of embodiments 10 to 12.

[0111] It should be noted that a processing station such as that described herein is not limited to the dedicated entities described in some embodiments. Rather, the items disclosed herein can be implemented in numerous ways while still providing the disclosed specific functionality.

[0112] According to embodiments of the items disclosed herein, any suitable entity (e.g., components, units and devices, elements, etc.) can be provided, at least partially, in the form of corresponding computer programs that enable a processor device to provide the functionality of the corresponding entity as described herein. According to other embodiments, any suitable entity as described herein can be provided in hardware. According to other hybrid embodiments, some entities can be provided in software while other entities are provided in hardware.

[0113] It should be noted that each entity disclosed herein is not limited to a single, dedicated entity, as described in some embodiments. Furthermore, the items described herein may be provided in various ways with varying degrees of granularity at the device level or at the software module level, while still providing the specified functionality. It should also be noted that, according to some embodiments, a separate entity (e.g., a software module, a hardware module, or a hybrid module) may be provided for each of the functions disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, one entity (e.g., a software module, a hardware module, or a hybrid module) may be configured to provide two or more functions as described herein.According to yet other embodiments, two or more entities can be configured to together provide a function as described herein. For example, the literal disclosure of a positioning element provides an embodiment that has a single positioning element, as per the literal disclosure. Furthermore, the literal disclosure of a positioning element also provides an embodiment that has two or more positioning elements that act as a single positioning element (with extended movement capabilities).

[0114] According to one embodiment, the control device includes a processor device which has at least one processor for executing at least one program element, which may correspond to a corresponding software module.

[0115] A reference to laser radiation can, of course, also be defined analogously by reference to a radiation path of the laser radiation, and vice versa. In this respect, every reference to laser radiation here analogously reveals a reference to a radiation path of the laser radiation.

[0116] It should be noted that the implementations described herein, in particular those illustrated in the drawings, represent only a limited selection of possible combinations of embodiments of the present disclosure. It is generally possible to combine the features of different embodiments in a suitable manner, so that, for a person skilled in the art, a multitude of combinations of different embodiments are to be considered disclosed with the embodiments explicitly disclosed herein. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that terms such as "a" or "one" do not exclude plurality. Terms such as "containing" or "having" do not exclude further features or process steps. Consequently, according to one embodiment, the term "having" or "containing" means "having, among other things." According to another embodiment, the term "having" or "having" means "consisting of."

[0117] According to one embodiment, the term "set up for" includes, among other things, the meaning "configured to." Furthermore, the disclosure of a function performed by an entity implicitly discloses that, according to one embodiment, the entity is configured to perform the function.

[0118] The term "in particular" here generally refers to optional features. In other words, the term "in particular" is used synonymously with the term "for example" and is interchangeable with it.

[0119] The expression "A and / or B" usually includes "only A," "only B," and also "A and B." In an expression referring to a list of features, "at least one" always includes a single feature as well as any combination of features. For example, the expression "at least one of the features A and B" includes the feature "only A," "only B," and "A and B." Similarly, the expression "at least one of the features A or B" includes the feature "only A," "only B," and "A and B." Similarly, the expression "at least one of the features A, B" includes the feature "only A," "only B," and "A and B."

[0120] If two or more ranges of values ​​for a quantity are specified herein, or more than two values ​​for a quantity are specified, then according to one embodiment, any range having two of these values ​​as endpoints, or any open range having one of these values ​​as a lower limit, shall also be considered disclosed.

[0121] It should also be noted that reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that reference numerals in the description and the description's reference to the drawings should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the description. Rather, the drawings merely illustrate an exemplary implementation of a particular combination of several embodiments of the items disclosed herein, with any other combination of embodiments being equally possible and considered disclosed with this application.

[0122] In an exemplary implementation comprising an advantageous combination of some of the embodiments disclosed herein, the following can be observed: According to one aspect, a tire processing device 100 for producing a foam 152 in a tire 104, 204, 304 is disclosed, the tire processing device 100 comprising: a temperature control device 102 for temperature control of the tire 104, 204, 304 and thereby influencing the production of the foam 152 from a precursor 132 applied in the tire 104, 204, 304. Furthermore, a corresponding method is disclosed. Reference symbol list 100 tire processing devices 102 Temperature control device 104 tires 106 laser beam 108 tread surface 110 side wall 112 inner surface 114 Innerliner 116 outer surface 118 tire bead 120 cavity 122 surroundings 124 tire axle 126 Positioning device 128 Submission of 102 130 Precursor application device 132 Precursor 134 movable beams 135 Rotation axis of 134 136 Rotating device 138 Processing station 140 Direction of movement from 134 142 Transport device 144 Transport device 145 First position out of 134 146 Control device 148 Processor device 150 storage device 152 Foam 154 Direction of rotation 156 Fluid application device 158 Fluid 160 inspection device 162 Test beam 204 tires 218 tire bead 236 Rotating device 238 Processing station 304 tires 336 Rotating device 338 Processing station 438 Processing station QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2023 107 514 U1 [0002, 0033, 0036, 0065] DE 202024104283 U1 [0033, 0036, 0065] DE 202024001792 U1 [0033, 0036, 0065] DE 202025101068 U1 [0033, 0036, 0065] DE 202025103630 U1 [0033, 0036, 0037, 0065, 0102]

Claims

[1] Tire processing device (100) for producing a foam (152) in a tire (104, 204, 304), comprising the tire processing device (100): a temperature control device (102) for temperature control of the tire (104, 204, 304) and thereby influencing the production of the foam (152) from a precursor (132) applied to the tire (104, 204, 304). [2] Tire processing device (100) according to claim 1, furthermore at least one of the following features: The temperature control device (102) is configured to perform temperature control of the tire (104, 204, 304) prior to the application of the precursor (132); The temperature control device (102) is configured to set a surface temperature of an inner liner by temperature control of the tire (104, 204, 304), wherein the surface temperature is in an interval between 25 °C and 150 °C; The temperature control device (102) is configured to temperature control the tire (104, 204, 304) by heating; The temperature control device (102) has an infrared radiation source for irradiating the tire (104, 204, 304) with infrared radiation. [3] Tire processing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of the following features: a precursor application device (130) for applying the precursor (132); a rotating device (136, 236, 336) from which a tire (104, 204, 304) can be received for rotating the tire (104, 204, 304) in particular during tempering and / or during application; a fluid application device (156) for applying a fluid (158) to the precursor (132) which is at least partially converted into the foam (152); a testing device (160) for testing the foam (152) after its production. [4] Tire processing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a movable support (134) on which the rotating device (136, 236, 336) is arranged; at least two processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438), comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire (104, 204, 304); wherein in a first position (145) of the movable carrier (134) the tire (104) can be processed by the first processing station (138, 238); and wherein in a second position of the movable carrier (134) the tire (104) can be processed by the second processing station (338). [5] Tire processing device (100) according to claim 4, further comprising: at least one further rotating device (136, 236, 336) which is arranged on the movable carrier (134), wherein each of the at least one further rotating device (136, 236, 336) can receive a further tire (104, 204, 304); in particular wherein the rotating device (136, 236, 336) and the at least one further rotating device (136, 236, 336) are arranged at different positions on the movable carrier (134) along a direction of movement of the movable carrier (134), so that by movement of the movable carrier (134) each rotating device (136, 236, 336) can be positioned at one of the at least two processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438), so that a tire (104, 204, 304) picked up by the rotating device (136, 236, 336) can be processed by the processing station (138, 238, 338, 438); in particular wherein the movable carrier (134) is a rotatable carrier and the rotating device (136, 236, 336) and the at least one further rotating device (136, 236, 336) are arranged in a circumferential direction of the rotatable carrier (134) at different positions, so that by rotating the rotatable carrier (134) each rotating device (136, 236, 336) can be positioned at one of the at least two processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438), so that a tire (104, 204, 304) picked up by the rotating device (136, 236, 336) can be processed by the processing station (138, 238, 338, 438). [6] Tire processing device (100) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the processing of a tire (104, 204, 304) by one of the processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438) comprises at least one of the following processing operations: an arrangement of the tire (104, 204, 304) on the rotating device (136, 236, 336); removing the tire (104, 204, 304) from the rotating device (136, 236, 336); a check of the tire (104, 204, 304) before the insertion of the precursor (132); the temperature control of the tire (104, 204, 304); an insertion of the precursor (132) into the tire (104, 204, 304); an application of a fluid to the precursor (132) which is at least partially converted into the foam (152); a check of the tire (104, 204, 304) after the preparation of the foam (152); a post-processing of the foam (152), in particular by laser radiation; a check of the tire (104, 204, 304) after post-processing of the foam (152); in particular wherein the post-processing of the foam (152) includes opening a skin of the foam (152) and / or structuring the foam (152). [7] Tire processing device (100) according to claim 6, further comprising at least one of the following: at least two of the processing operations take place on different processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438) of the at least two processing stations; at least one of the processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438) is configured to process a tire (104, 204, 304) on a single rotating device (136, 236, 336) in a single angular position of the rotatable carrier (134); at least one of the processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438) is configured to process a tire (104, 204, 304) on at least two rotating devices (136, 236, 336) in a single angular position of the rotatable carrier (134). [8] Tire processing device (100) for producing a foam (152) in a tire (104, 204, 304), comprising the tire processing device (100): a rotating device (136, 236, 336) from which a tire (104, 204, 304) can be received for rotating the tire (104, 204, 304) during a processing of the tire (104, 204, 304), wherein the rotating device (136, 236, 336) is movable between a first position and a second position; at least two processing stations (138, 238, 338, 438), comprising a first processing station and a second processing station, for processing the tire (104, 204, 304); wherein in the first position of the rotating device (136; 236; 336) the tire (104; 204; 304) can be processed by the first processing station (138, 238; 338; 438); and wherein in a second position of the rotating device (136; 236; 336) the tire (104; 204; 304) can be processed by the second processing station (338; 438; 138, 238). [9] Tire processing device (100) according to claim 8, further comprising at least one of the following features: a movable support on which the rotating device (136, 236, 336) is arranged; At least one further rotating device (136, 236, 336) is arranged on the movable carrier (134), wherein each of the at least one further rotating device (136, 236, 336) can receive a further tire (104, 204, 304); the movable carrier (134) is movable in a straight line to move the rotating device (136, 236, 336) between the first position and the second position; the movable support (134) is rotatable to move the rotating device (136, 236, 336) between the first position and the second position, wherein the first position corresponds to a first angular position of the movable support (134) and the second position to a second angular position of the movable support (134).

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