SPIKE AND COMBINATION OF SPIKES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a spike for anchoring in the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire, having a main axis, a spike body comprising a base flange and a spike pin anchored in the spike body, wherein the base flange is symmetrical in plan view with respect to a first plane containing the main axis and dividing the spike into spike halves, and in each spike half has a side surface which is straight in plan view, wherein the spike pin is symmetrical in plan view with respect to a single plane, wherein this plane a. is perpendicular to the first plane, b. coincides with the first plane, or c. is parallel to the first plane, wherein an orientation element is formed in one of the spike halves, which gives the spike lying on one side surface of the base flange and the spike lying on the other side surface of the base flange a position-specific silhouette that is asymmetrical to the first plane.

[0002] Such a spike is known, for example, from EP 3 578 393 A1. In such spikes, the spike pin - since the spike pin is only symmetrical with respect to a single plane - exhibits a certain asymmetry, in particular with respect to further planes running perpendicular to the first plane. The spikes therefore have a particularly advantageous orientation on the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire - with regard to driving characteristics. In order to insert the spikes into the tread in their preferred orientation, it is necessary to transport the spikes in a defined position to the spike gun. Using currently known spike conveyors, for example vibrating spiral conveyors, it is possible to automatically place spikes with their base flange first onto a transport device leading to a spike gun with a high degree of probability. However, which of the two side surfaces of the base flange the spike ends up lying on is random.The orientation element, which gives the spike a correspondingly asymmetrical silhouette, allows a camera system to determine the stud's orientation on the conveyor. An incorrectly oriented spike is removed from the conveyor, ensuring that only correctly oriented spikes are loaded into the feed tube of the spike gun and subsequently inserted into the tread in the desired orientation.

[0003] EP 3 533 628 A1 discloses a stud for anchoring in the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire. The stud has a stud body consisting of a base flange, a tapered center section, and an upper flange. The upper flange is essentially circular-cylindrical and has a flat side surface that locally flattens the upper flange and runs parallel to the main axis of the stud. The base flange also has a flat side surface that is aligned parallel to the flat side surface of the upper flange. The stud is symmetrical in plan view with respect to a plane containing the main axis and bisecting the flat side surfaces and is intended to fit snugly in a stud hole.

[0004] Furthermore, EP 3 590 736 A1 discloses a spike for anchoring in the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire, wherein the spike comprises a spike pin and a spike body with a base flange. The base flange is symmetrical with respect to a first plane containing the main axis of the spike and a second plane extending perpendicular to this plane and containing the main axis, and, viewed in plan view, has an octagonal shape that can be enclosed by an imaginary rectangle, wherein the sides of the rectangle are tangent to or encompass side surfaces of the base flange. Furthermore, the base flange has two pairs of projecting base flange sections. The base flange is intended to ensure that the spikes are secured against twisting in the spike hole.

[0005] WO 2014 / 122570 A1 discloses a spike with a spike body and a spike pin. The spike pin, viewed from above, is symmetrical exclusively with respect to a single plane and has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid joined by two triangles, with the triangle base and the trapezoid base adjoining each other. The triangles provide the spike pin with protruding tip regions, and the spike is inserted into a spike hole with the tip regions facing in one circumferential direction and the shorter base side of the trapezoid oriented axially. A tire whose tread is equipped with such spikes is said to offer good snow and ice grip.

[0006] RU 2 152 318 C1 discloses a spike with a spike body comprising a base flange and a spike pin anchored in the spike body. The base flange is symmetrical in plan view with respect to a first plane containing the main axis and dividing the spike into spike halves. Also disclosed is a spike setting device with alignment elements that ensure the desired alignment of the spikes during the setting process.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a spike of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which significantly fewer incorrectly oriented spikes arise on the transport device.

[0008] The stated object is achieved according to the invention in that the spike half with orientation element has a first mass and the spike half without orientation element has a second mass that coincides with the first mass or is greater than the first mass.

[0009] If the second mass matches the first mass, the probability that the spike will land on one or the other spike half when placed on the transport device leading to the spike setting gun is the same, or at least theoretically the same. If the second mass is greater than the first mass, the spike tends to tip onto the spike half without an orientation element when placed on the transport device. In the second case, the probability that the spike will land on the spike half without an orientation element is greater than the probability that the spike will land on the spike half with an orientation element. If the spike setting gun is designed in such a way that the position tilted onto the spike half without an orientation element is the desired position for the setting process, there will be hardly any, or significantly fewer, incorrectly oriented spikes on the transport device.The setting process can therefore be carried out faster and more efficiently and can therefore be further optimized.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the spike body comprises a tapered central portion on which the orientation element is formed, wherein the orientation element preferably extends over the region of the waist. Such an orientation element advantageously has little or no influence on the other properties of the spike.

[0011] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the orientation element is formed from a material recess and a material impact, i) wherein the volume of the material impact corresponds to the volume of the material recess and wherein the center of mass of the spike pin is located in the spike half without an orientation element or ii) wherein the volume of the material impact is smaller than the volume of the material recess and wherein the center of mass of the spike pin is preferably located in the spike half without an orientation element.

[0012] In variant i), the larger mass of the spike half without orientation element is thus achieved by the corresponding position of the spike pin.

[0013] In variant ii), the larger mass of the spike half without orientation element is achieved at least by the correspondingly designed volumes of the material impact and the material recess.

[0014] In the following, a number of preferred variants of the latter design, which can be combined with one another as desired, are discussed.

[0015] In a first preferred embodiment, the center of mass of the spike pin has a clear distance of up to 0.50 mm, in particular up to 0.25 mm, preferably up to 0.10 mm, from the main axis of the spike.

[0016] A second preferred embodiment is characterized in that, in variant ii), the volume of the material overlay amounts to at least 80%, in particular at most 90%, of the volume of the material recess. This increases the probability that the spike will settle on the spike half without the orientation element. Since the volume of the material overlay differs only slightly from the volume of the material recess, the orientation element advantageously has little or no influence on the other properties of the spike; in particular, it has little or no influence on the bedding stiffness.

[0017] A third preferred embodiment is characterized in that the material recess and the material impact have a common boundary surface, which is composed of a surface portion defining the material impact and a surface portion defining the material recess. The surface portion defining the material impact, viewed in the cross-section containing the main axis, is straight and extends at an angle of 0° to ±18° to the main axis. Such a surface portion ensures a correspondingly straight section in the silhouette of the spike and is easily detectable.

[0018] According to a fourth preferred embodiment, it is provided that the material recess of the orientation element adjoins the base flange or projects into it.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment, the base flange is symmetrical with respect to a second plane, which runs through the main axis and, in plan view, is perpendicular to the first plane. This is advantageous for a uniform bedding stiffness of the stud and a good fit of the stud in the tread.

[0020] A particularly preferred embodiment consists in the combination of the last-mentioned preferred embodiment with the above-mentioned variants i) and ii), wherein this embodiment is characterized in that the center of mass of the spike pin is located on the second plane. The center of mass is therefore Fig. 1b and Fig. 2b shown designs, in which the center of mass is located on the main axis a 1 of the spike, shifted exclusively in the direction of the plane E 2.

[0021] In the last two embodiments, it is preferred if the orientation element is symmetrical with respect to the second plane.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the spike body comprises an upper flange, which has a flat side surface in each spike half, which, in plan view, runs parallel to the side surface of the base flange running in this spike half. The spike thus rests on the transport device on the side surface of the base flange and on the corresponding side surface of the upper flange.

[0023] The invention further relates to the combination of spikes of a first type with spike pins designed in particular for good lateral force transmission and spikes of a second type with spike pins designed in particular for good circumferential force transmission, for spiking a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire, wherein the spikes are designed according to claim 6. The combination is characterized in that for spikes of the one - first or second - type, the angle of the surface part which limits the material impact is 8° to 18°, in particular up to 15°, preferably up to 10°, and that for spikes of the other - first or second - type, the angle of the surface part which limits the material impact is 0° to ±7°, in particular 0° to ±3°.Such material overlays give the spikes clearly distinguishable asymmetrical silhouettes, so that the spikes of the first type and the spikes of the second type can be inserted reliably and quickly into the respective spike holes of the tread.

[0024] The invention further relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire having a tread with positive profile elements and studs according to the combination. The corresponding automatically studded tread is therefore almost certainly provided with studs of the first type and studs of the second type in the desired manner.

[0025] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1a an oblique view of a spike of a first type according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1b a top view of the spike Fig. 1a , Fig. 1c a side view of the spike according to the Fig. 1b direction of view indicated by the arrow S 1c, Fig. 1d a side view of the spike according to the Fig. 1b direction of view indicated by the arrow S 1d, Fig. 1e a side view of the spike according to the Fig. 1b direction of view indicated by the arrow S 1e, Fig. 1f an enlarged detailed view according to the Fig. 1a direction of view indicated by the arrow S 1f, Fig. 1g an enlarged detailed view according to the Fig. 1a direction of view indicated by the arrow S 1g, Fig. 1h a side view of the spike Fig. 1a in a first lying position, Fig. 1i a side view of the spike Fig. 1a in a second lying position, Fig. 2a an oblique view of a spike of a second type according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2b a top view of the spike Fig. 2a , Fig. 2c a side view of the spike according to the Fig. 2b direction of view indicated by the arrow S 2c, Fig. 2d a side view of the spike according to the Fig. 2b direction of view indicated by the arrow S 2d, Fig. 2e a side view of the spike according to the Fig. 2b direction of view indicated by the arrow S 2e, Fig. 2f an enlarged detailed view according to the Fig. 2a direction of view indicated by the arrow S 2f, Fig. 2g an enlarged detailed view according to the Fig. 2a direction of view indicated by the arrow S 2g, Fig. 2h a side view of the spike Fig. 2a in a first lying position and Fig. 2i a side view of the spike Fig. 2a in a second lying position.

[0026] The invention relates to a spike for a pneumatic vehicle tire, which is a tire for motor vehicles, in particular for multi-track motor vehicles, and to a combination of spikes of a first type and spikes of a second type for such a pneumatic vehicle tire.

[0027] Fig. 1a bis Fig. 1e show views of a spike 1 of a first type. Fig. 2a bis Fig. 2e show analogous views of a spike 2 of a second type. The spike 1, 2 has a main axis a 1 running in the vertical direction when the spike 1, 2 is in an upright position, which in Fig. 1a , Fig. 2a each by a line and in Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b each indicated by an arrow.

[0028] How Fig. 1a or Fig. 2a shows, the spike 1, 2 consists of a spike body 3 and a spike pin 4 (spike 1), 5 (spike 2) anchored in it. In Fig. 1b and Fig. 2b a plane E 1 and a plane E 2 are drawn in each case, which appear in plan view as straight lines, orthogonal to each other and each passing through the main axis a 1.

[0029] According to Fig. 1a and Fig. 2a The spike body 3 consists of a base flange 3a, a middle section 3b which is tapered in its middle area and an upper flange 3c (cf. Fig. 1c , Fig. 2c ). The middle part 3b is formed centrally on the base flange 3a and the upper flange 3c is formed on the middle part 3b. In plan view, the middle part 3b is projected on all sides by the upper flange 3c, which in turn is projected on all sides by the base flange 3a in plan view ( Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ).

[0030] According to Fig. 1b and Fig. 2b the base flange 3a has a substantially oval shape in plan view, two flat side surfaces 3a I< which are aligned in the longer extension of the oval and run parallel to one another, two opposite rounded side surfaces 3a II< and a flat upper side 3a III<. The plane E 1 is aligned in plan view (viewing direction according to the orientation of the main axis a 1 ) in the longitudinal extension of the base flange 3a, so that the flat side surfaces 3a I< run straight and parallel to the plane E 1 in plan view and the rounded side surfaces 3a II< are each bisected by the plane E 1 in plan view. The base flange 3a is symmetrical in plan view with respect to the planes E 1 , E 2 .

[0031] According to Fig. 1a and Fig. 2a The central section 3b essentially has the shape of a single-shell hyperboloid of revolution and therefore has a waist or narrowing in its central region. The central section 3b is oriented with respect to the plane E2 (cf. Fig. 1d, Fig. 1e , Fig. 2d, Fig. 2e ) symmetrical, consists of a lower middle section 3b I< directly adjacent to the base flange 3a, forming a transition curve to it, and a conical, upper middle section 3b II< (cf. Fig. 1c , Fig. 2c ), so that the middle sections 3b I<, 3b II< meet at the waist. Furthermore, an orientation element 6 (spike 1), 7 (spike 2) is formed on the middle section 3b, the design of which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0032] How Fig. 1a and Fig. 2a show, the upper flange 3c is essentially circular-cylindrical, with respect to the plane E 1 ( Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ) symmetrically, whereby the upper flange 3c has two flat side surfaces 3c I< projecting into the upper middle section 3b II< (cf. Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ), two rounded side surfaces 3c II<, each bisected by the plane E 1 (cf. Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ) and a flat upper surface 3c III<. The flat side surfaces 3c I<, viewed in plan view, run straight, parallel to the plane E 1 and therefore parallel to the flat side surfaces 3a I< of the base flange 3a ( Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ) and the rounded side surfaces 3c II< run, viewed in plan view, largely parallel to the rounded side surfaces 3a II< of the base flange 3a ( Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ). The upper side 3c III< runs parallel to the upper side 3a III< of the base flange 3a, is surrounded on its outer circumference by a narrow edge region 3c IV< which slopes downwards towards the base flange 3a and which is composed of flat edge surfaces 3c IV'< adjoining the flat side surfaces 3c I< and rounded edge surfaces 3c IV"< adjoining the rounded side surfaces 3c II<.

[0033] According to Fig. 1a und Fig. 1b the upper flange 3c of the spike 1 is also symmetrical with respect to the plane E 2.

[0034] According to Fig. 2a und Fig. 2b the upper flange 3c of the spike 2 has two recesses 8, 9 extending from the spike pin 5, interrupting the upper side 3c III< and the respective rounded edge surface 3c IV"<. As Fig. 2b shows, the recesses 8, 9 are each symmetrical in plan view with respect to the plane E 1 and offset by 180° with respect to the main axis a 1, and are thus separated from each other by the spike pin 5. The recesses 8, 9 each have a constant depth of 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm measured parallel to the main axis a 1, are each essentially U-shaped in plan view and are further delimited by two flat boundary walls 10, each forming a U-leg, extending to the spike pin 5 and a base 11 running parallel to the top side 3c III<. According to Fig. 2b The boundary walls 10 of the recess 8 extend, in plan view, at an angle α of 10° to 20° to the plane of symmetry E 1 , with the recess 8 continuously widening from the spike pin 5 toward its open end. The boundary walls 10 of the recess 9 extend, in plan view, parallel to the plane E 1 . The recesses 8, 9 act as "ice reservoirs," i.e., they serve to transport or collect ice chips that are created when the tire rolls on icy roads or surfaces, when the spike 2 is pulled through the ice and cuts grooves into the ice surface. The recesses 8, 9 thus prevent ice chips from accumulating around the spike 2.

[0035] According to Fig. 1b and Fig. 2b The spike pin 4, 5 is an elongated component in plan view with a maximum length c 1 and a maximum width b 1 , where c 1 > b 1 . The spike pin 4, 5 is designed and anchored in the spike body 3 such that, in plan view, it is elongated in the direction of extension of the plane E 2 . The plane E 1 "divides" the spike pin 4, 5 into two spike pin halves 4h, 4h' (spike pin 4), 5h, 5h' (spike pin 5) with the same mass, and the center of gravity of the spike pin 4, 5 coincides with the main axis a 1 . The center of gravity is known to be the axis through the center of gravity (center of mass). The spike pin 4 of the spike 1 is designed in particular for good lateral force transmission. The spike pin 5 of the spike 2 is designed in particular for good circumferential force transmission, i.e., good transmission of braking and traction forces.

[0036] How Fig. 1b shows, the spike pin 4 is symmetrical in plan view exclusively with respect to a plane e 2 (shown in dash-dotted lines), wherein the plane e 2 runs perpendicular to the plane E 1 and coincides with the plane E 2 in the exemplary embodiment. The spike pin 4 has, in plan view, the shape of two isosceles trapezoids of different heights which are joined at their base (longer base side), so that the point with the greatest width b 1 is located at the common base of the trapezoids. On its outer circumference, the spike pin 4 has a grip edge 4a, two grip edges 4b, a grip edge 4a' and two grip edges 4b'. The grip edges 4a, 4a' run perpendicular to the plane e 2 , wherein the grip edge 4a forms the shorter base side of the trapezoid with the smaller height and the grip edge 4a' forms the shorter base side of the trapezoid with the greater height.The gripping edges 4b form the trapezoidal legs of the trapezoid with the smaller height, while the gripping edges 4b' form the trapezoidal legs of the trapezoid with the larger height. The spike pin 4 has an optionally provided abrasion protection dome 4c on its upper side, which is not the subject of the invention and can be designed in a conventional manner. The spike pin half 4h encompasses the gripping edge 4a, and the spike pin half 4h' encompasses the gripping edge 4a', so that the spike pin half 4h differs in its geometric shape from that of the spike pin half 4h'.

[0037] How Fig. 2b shows, the spike pin 5 is symmetrical in plan view exclusively with respect to a plane e 1 (shown in dash-dotted lines), wherein the plane e 1 runs perpendicular to the plane E 2 and coincides with the plane E 1 in the exemplary embodiment. The spike pin 5 is almost rectangular in plan view, with the corner regions being bevelled, and has on its outer circumference two straight grip edges 5a of equal length running parallel to the plane e 1 and two straight grip edges 5b, 5b' of unequal length oriented perpendicular to the plane e 1 and bisected by it. The grip edge 5b is longer than the grip edge 5b', wherein the grip edge 5b faces the recess 9 and the grip edge 5b' faces the recess 8. The spike pin halves 5h, 5h' have matching geometric shapes.

[0038] According to Fig. 1a , Fig. 1d , Fig. 2a and Fig. 2d the already mentioned orientation element 6, 7 formed on the central part 3b of the spike body 3 is located in the area under one flat side surface 3c I< , is symmetrical with respect to the plane E 2 ( Fig. 1d , Fig. 2d ) and interrupts the outer contour of the middle section 3b in sections. As Fig. 1f, Fig. 1g , Fig. 2f und Fig. 2g show, the orientation element 6, 7 is formed by a material recess 6a, 7a and a material overhang 6b, 7b. The material overhang 6b, 7b consists of the material of the spike body 3. In Fig. 1c and Fig. 2c In each case, an auxiliary line h 1 is drawn in dashed lines, which corresponds to the "imaginary" outer contour of the middle part 3b (spike 1, Fig. 1c ) or the middle part 3b and the base flange 3a (spike 2, Fig. 2c ). The following section will first discuss the design of orientation element 6 and then that of orientation element 7.

[0039] According to Fig. 1f und Fig. 1g the material recess 6a and the material overhang 6b have a common, symmetrical with respect to the plane E 2 ( Fig. 1d ) executed boundary surface 12 (cf. Fig. 1d ), which merges continuously ("kink-free") into the upper side 3a III< of the base flange 3a, with the material recess 6a being formed adjacent to the base flange 3a and the material overhang 6b being formed above the material recess 6a. The material recess 6a is crescent-shaped exclusively in the area of ​​the lower middle section 3b I< and in cross-section ( Fig. 1f ) and has a maximum depth t 1 ( Fig. 1c , depth at the deepest point) of 0.05 mm to 0.80 mm, in particular up to 0.20 mm. The maximum depth t 1 is determined, viewed in the cross-section containing the main axis a 1, perpendicular to a tangent locally applied to the mentioned level. As Fig. 1g shows, the material impact 6b is located partly in the area of ​​the lower middle section 3b I< and partly in the area of ​​the upper middle section 3b II< and has a maximum thickness d 1 ( Fig. 1c , thickness at the thickest point) of 0.05 mm to 0.80 mm, in particular up to 0.20 mm. According to Fig. 1a the boundary surface 12, determined at the level of the upper side 3a III< of the base flange 3a and related to the main axis a 1 , extends over a central angle β of 90°±1° and consists of a surface part 12b ( Fig. 1c ) and a surface part 12a delimiting the material recess 6a ( Fig. 1c ) together. According to Fig. 1c The surface part 12a, viewed in the cross-section containing the main axis a1 (the side view shown corresponds to the cross-section in this respect), runs in a circular arc. The surface part 12b, viewed in the cross-section containing the main axis a1, runs straight and at an angle γ to the main axis a1 of 8° to 18°, in particular of up to 15°, preferably of up to 10°, wherein the surface part 12b, viewed in the aforementioned cross-section, is inclined in the same direction as the upper central section 3b II<. The volume of the material overlay 6b is 80% to 100%, preferably at most 90%, of the volume of the material recess 6a.

[0040] According to Fig. 2f und Fig. 2g The material recess 7a and the material overhang 7b have a common boundary surface 13, which extends below the level of the upper side 3a III< of the base flange 3a. The material recess 7a is formed in the area of ​​the lower middle section 3b I< as well as in the area of ​​the base flange 3a and has a maximum depth t 1 ( Fig. 2f , Depth at the deepest point, determination analogous to the material recess 6a) from 0.05 mm to 0.80 mm, in particular up to 0.20 mm. As Fig. 2g shows, the material overhang 7b is located partly in the area of ​​the lower middle section 3b I< and partly in the area of ​​the upper middle section 3b II< and has a maximum thickness d 1 ( Fig. 2c , Thickness at the thickest point, determination analogous to material impact 6b) from 0.05 mm to 0.80 mm, in particular up to 0.20 mm. According to Fig. 2a the boundary surface 13 extends relative to the main axis a 1 over a central angle β' of 90°±1° and consists of a surface part 13b ( Fig. 2c , Fig. 2f, Fig. 2g ) and a surface part 13a delimiting the material recess 7a ( Fig. 2f, Fig. 2g ) together. The surface part 13a runs, viewed in the cross-section containing the main axis a 1, starting from the surface part 13b, initially in a circular arc and then parallel to the upper side 3a III< of the base flange 3a ( Fig. 2f ). The surface part 13b, viewed in the cross-section containing the main axis a 1, extends to the main axis a 1 at an angle γ' ( Fig. 2c ) from 0° to ±7°, in particular from 0° to ±3°. The surface part 13b is therefore, viewed in the cross-section mentioned, inclined in the same direction (angle γ' up to +7°, in particular up to +3°) or in the opposite direction (angle γ' up to -7°, in particular up to -3°) with respect to the main axis a1 to the upper middle section 3b II<. Alternatively, the surface part 13b, viewed in the cross-section mentioned, is not inclined with respect to the main axis a1, but runs parallel to it (angle γ' 0°). The volume of the material overhang 7b is in particular 80% to 100%, preferably at most 90%, of the volume of the material recess 7a.

[0041] The following section discusses the preferred orientation of the studs 1, 2 on the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire, followed by the installation process. The studs 1, 2 are inserted into stud holes formed in the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire.

[0042] As already explained, the spikes 1, 2 have spike pins 4, 5 with spike pin halves 4h, 4h' (spike pin 4), 5h, 5h' (spike pin 5) that are symmetrical exclusively with respect to the plane e 1 (spike 2) or exclusively with respect to the plane e 2 (spike 1). The preferred orientation of the spikes 1 on the tread is such that the spike pin half 4h' is closer to the tire equatorial plane than the spike pin half 4h, wherein the plane e 2 runs at an angle of 0° to 20° to the axial direction and wherein - on a tread with directional tread pattern - when the tire rolls forward, the grip edges 4b preferably enter the ground before the adjacent grip edge 4b'.The preferred orientation of the spikes 2 on the tread is such that the plane e 1 is oriented in the circumferential direction, whereby - on a tread with directional tread pattern - when the tire rolls forwards, the grip edge 5b' enters the ground before the grip edge 5b.

[0043] The spikes 1, 2 are either provided together in a storage container or spikes 1 are provided in a first storage container and spikes 2 in a second storage container.

[0044] The spikes 1, 2 are applied from the storage container to a transport device, in particular by means of a spike conveyor, in particular a vibrating spiral conveyor, on which the spikes 1, 2 are transported lying flat to a feed pipe leading to a spike gun. The cross-section of the feed pipe is known to be matched to the respective spike geometry, so that the spikes 1, 2 cannot twist in the feed pipe due to their asymmetrical, non-circular base flange 3a. However, there are basically two possible orientations for the spikes 1, 2 in the feed pipe. Due to their asymmetrical spike pin, the spikes 1, 2 must be inserted into the feed pipe in a specific orientation so that they can subsequently be inserted into the spike holes of the tread in the correct orientation.

[0045] If both the spikes 1 are to be inserted into specific (previously selected) spike holes and the spikes 2 are to be inserted into specific (previously selected) spike holes, it is necessary - when using a single storage container containing both spikes 1 and spikes 2 - to distinguish the spikes 1 from the spikes 2, whereby it is advantageous to transport the spikes 1 to a first spike setting gun and the spikes 2 to a second spike setting gun.

[0046] Fig. 1h, Fig. 1i , Fig. 2h, Fig. 2i show a spike 1 and a spike 2, respectively. The transport device is indicated by a line T 1 and the transport direction by an arrow P 1 . In relation to the transport direction (arrow P 1 ), the spike 1, 2 is aligned with its base flange 3a first, whereby such an alignment is possible in a known manner with high reliability. However, whether the spike 1, 2 is on the flat side surfaces 3a', 3c I< of the one by division along the plane E 1 ( Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ) spike half or on the other by division along the plane E 1 ( Fig. 1b , Fig. 2b ) is random and cannot be controlled with the currently available spike conveyors. The exact position of the spike 1, 2 on the conveyor directly influences the subsequent orientation in the feed pipe and thus the orientation on the tread. Fig. 1h and Fig. 2h The position shown is the desired position for the setting process. The position shown in Fig. 1i and Fig. 2i The position shown is the undesirable position for the setting process. The spikes 1, 2 are guided on the transport device past a camera system (not shown), which records and analyses the silhouette of the spikes 1, 2. As a comparison of Fig. 1h with Fig. 1i and a comparison of Fig. 2h with Fig. 2i As shown, the orientation element 6, 7 gives the spike 1, 2 a silhouette that is asymmetrical to the plane E 1, depending on the position of the spike 1, 2. The analysis of the recorded silhouette is carried out by comparison with a previously recorded reference silhouette. If the camera system detects a spike 1, 2 in the undesirable position for the setting process ( Fig. 1i , Fig. 2i ), the spike 1, 2 is transported back from the transport device to the storage container, in particular by means of an air blast coming from a nozzle. This ensures that only the spikes 1, 2 that are correctly aligned on the transport device are transported to the feed pipe. Due to the different inclination of the surface parts 12b, 13b ( Fig. 1c : area part 12b, angle γ; Fig 2c : Surface portion 13b, angle γ'), spikes 1 can be distinguished from spikes 2, thus ensuring that only spikes 1 or only spikes 2 are transported further, or that spikes 1 are transported to a first spike-setting gun and spikes 2 to a second spike-setting gun. The latter is possible with an appropriately designed and controlled transport device. In particular, it is therefore possible to provide a tread with spikes 1 and 2 simultaneously in the desired manner in a convenient and reliable manner.

[0047] When using a first and a second storage container, the camera system can detect a spike 1, 2 that has entered the "wrong" storage container before it reaches the feed pipe to the spike gun.

[0048] As already described, the volume of the material impact 6b, 7b is less than or equal to the volume of the material recess 6a, 7a and the center of mass of the spike pins 4, 5 lies on the main axis a 1 of the spike 1, 2.

[0049] According to the first embodiment, the volume of the material overhang 6b, 7b is thus equal to the volume of the material recess 6a, 7a, whereby the spike halves obtained by division along the plane E1 have a matching mass. The probability that the spike 1, 2 assumes the desired position on the transport device for the setting process (orientation element 6, 7 "top") is equal to, or essentially equal to, the probability that the spike 1, 2 assumes the undesirable position on the transport device for the setting process (orientation element 6, 7 "bottom").

[0050] According to the second embodiment, the volume of the material impact 6b, 7b is therefore smaller than the volume of the material recess 6a, 7a, so that the spike half with orientation element 6, 7 obtained by division along the plane E 1 has a smaller mass than the spike half without orientation element 6, 7. As a result, the probability that the spike 1, 2 assumes the position desired for the setting process (orientation element 6, 7 "top") on the transport device is greater than the probability dass der Spike 1, 2 on the transport device takes up the undesirable position for the setting process (orientation element 6, 7 "down").

[0051] In a third embodiment, the spike pin 4, 5 is anchored in the spike body 3 in such a way that the center of mass of the spike pin 4, 5 is located in the spike half without the orientation element 6, 7, so that the mass of the spike half with the orientation element 6, 7 is smaller than the mass of the spike half without the orientation element 6, 7, whereby the probability that the spike 1, 2 assumes the desired position on the transport device for the setting process is greater than the probability that the spike 1, 2 assumes the undesirable position on the transport device for the setting process. Preferably, the spike pin 4, 5 is offset in such a way that its center of mass is located on the plane E 2. Furthermore, it is preferred if the center of mass of the spike pin 4, 5 has a clear distance of up to 0.50 mm, in particular up to 0.25 mm, preferably up to 0.10 mm, from the main axis a 1 of the spike 1, 2.

[0052] A fourth embodiment consists in the combination of the third embodiment with the first or second embodiment.

[0053] In all designs, the spike half with orientation element has a first mass and the spike half without orientation element has a second mass that is equal to or greater than the first mass.

[0054] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0055] In particular, the orientation elements may have a shape that differs from the described shape.

[0056] The orientation elements preferably extend in plan view and relative to the main axis of the spike over a central angle of 360 n ± 1 ° , where n = 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. Such orientation elements can be formed particularly efficiently using standard multi-part tools. The deviation of ± 1° represents a certain manufacturing-related tolerance range. List of reference symbols

[0057] 1Spike 2Spike 3.Spike body 3aFoot flange 3a I< Flat side surface 3a II< Rounded side surface 3a III< .Top side 3bMiddle section 3b I< Lower middle section 3b II< Upper middle section 3cTop flange 3c I< Flat side surface 3c II< Rounded side surface 3c III< Top side 3c IV< Edge area 3c IV'< Flat edge surface 3c IV"< Rounded edge surface 4Spike pin 4a, 4a'Grip edge 4b, 4b'Grip edge 4cAbrasion protection dome 4h, 4h'Spike pin half 5.Spike pin 5aGrip edge 5b, 5b'Grip edge 5h, 5h'Spike pin half 6Orientation element 6aMaterial recess 6bMaterial surcharge 7Orientation element 7aMaterial recess 7bMaterial overhang 8Recess 9.Recess 10.Boundary wall 11Floor 12Boundary surface 12a, 12bSurface part 13Boundary surface 13a, 13bSurface part a 1 main axis b 1 greatest width c 1 greatest length d 1 maximum thickness e 1 , e 2 , E 1 , E 2 plane h 1 auxiliary line P 1 arrow (transport direction) t 1 maximum depth T 1 line (transport device) S 1c , S 1d , S 1e , S 1f , S 1g arrow (viewing direction) S 2c , S 2d , S 2e , S 2f , S 2g arrow (viewing direction) αangle β, β`central angle γ, γ'angle.

Claims

1. Spike (1, 2) for anchoring in the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tyre, having a main axis (a1), having a spike body (3), which comprises a foot flange (3a), and having a spike pin (4, 5), which is anchored in the spike body (3), wherein the foot flange (3a) is symmetrical in plan view in relation to a first plane (E1), which contains the main axis (a1) and divides the spike (1, 2) into spike halves, and has in each spike half a side surface (3aI), which extends rectilinearly in plan view, wherein the spike pin (4, 5) is symmetrical in plan view in relation to a single plane (e1, e2), which a. extends perpendicularly to the first plane (E1), b. coincides with the first plane (E1), or c. extends parallel to the first plane (E1), wherein, in one of the spike halves, there is formed an orientation element (6, 7), which imparts to the spike (1, 2) lying on one side surface (3aI) of the foot flange (3a) and to the spike (1, 2) lying on the other side surface (3aI) of the foot flange (3a) a positionally specific silhouette that is asymmetrical in relation to the first plane (E1), characterized in that the spike half with an orientation element (6, 7) has a first mass and the spike half without an orientation element (6, 7) has a second mass, which corresponds to the first mass or is greater than the first mass.

2. Spike according to Claim 1, characterized in that the spike body (3) comprises a waisted middle part (3b) on which the orientation element (6, 7) is formed, wherein the orientation element (6, 7) preferably extends over the region of the waisted portion.

3. Spike (1, 2) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the orientation element (6, 7) is formed from a material cutout (6a, 7a) and extra material (6b, 7b), i. wherein the volume of the extra material (6b, 7b) corresponds to the volume of the material cutout (6a, 7a), and wherein the centre of mass of the spike pin (4, 5) is situated in the spike half without an orientation element (6, 7), or ii. wherein the volume of the extra material (6b, 7b) is smaller than the volume of the material cutout (6a, 7a), and wherein the centre of mass of the spike pin (4, 5) is preferably situated in the spike half without an orientation element (6, 7).

4. Spike (1, 2) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the centre of mass of the spike pin (4, 5) is at a clear distance of up to 0.50 mm, in particular of up to 0.25 mm, preferably of up to 0.10 mm, from the main axis (a1) of the spike (1, 2).

5. Spike (1, 2) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, in the case of variant ii), the volume of the extra material (6b, 7b) is at least 80%, in particular at most 90%, of the volume of the material cutout (6a, 7a).

6. Spike (1, 2) according to one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the material cutout (6a, 7a) and the extra material (6b, 7b) have a common boundary surface (12, 13), which is made up of a surface part (12b, 13b) delimiting the extra material (6b, 7b) and of a surface part (12a, 13a) delimiting the material cutout (6a, 7a), wherein the surface part (12b, 13b) delimiting the extra material (6b, 7b), when viewed in a cross section containing the main axis (a1), extends rectilinearly and at an angle (γ, γ') of 0° to ±18° to the main axis (a1).

7. Spike according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the material cutout (6a, 7a) of the orientation element (6, 7) adjoins the foot flange (3a) or projects into the latter.

8. Spike (1, 2) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the foot flange (3a) is symmetrical in relation to a second plane (E2), which extends through the main axis (a1) and, in plan view, perpendicularly to the first plane (E1).

9. Spike (1, 2) according to Claims 3 and 8, characterized in that the centre of mass of the spike pin (4, 5) is situated on the second plane (E2).

10. Spike according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the orientation element (6, 7) is symmetrical in relation to the second plane (E2).

11. Spike according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the spike body (3) comprises a top flange (3c), which has in each spike half a planar side surface (3cI) which, in plan view, extends parallel to the side surface (3aI) of the foot flange (3a) that extends in that spike half.

12. Combination of spikes (1) of a first type, with spike pins (4) designed in particular in consideration of good lateral-force transmission, and spikes (2) of a second type, with spike pins (5) designed in particular in consideration of good circumferential-force transmission, for providing a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tyre with spikes, wherein the spikes (1, 2) are designed according to Claim 6, characterized in that, in the case of spikes (1) of one - the first or second - type, the angle (γ) of the surface part (12b) delimiting the extra material (6b) is 8° to 18°, in particular up to 15°, preferably up to 10°, and in that, in the case of spikes (2) of the other - the first or second - type, the angle (γ') of the surface part (13b) delimiting the extra material (7b) is 0° to ±7°, in particular 0° to ±3°.

13. Pneumatic vehicle tyre having a tread with profile positives with spikes (1, 2) according to Claim 12.