APPLICATION DEVICE FOR APPLYING PRE-CUT MATERIAL STRIPS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a laying device and a method for laying pre-cut material strips for tire components on a rotating tire building drum, wherein the device has a first conveyor belt, wherein the contour and orientation of a first material strip on the first conveyor belt are automatically detected and the axial orientation of the first material strip to the tire building drum is automatically adjusted to a desired size.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of such a laying device and a computer program product for such a method.

[0003] Methods and application devices of the aforementioned type for applying pre-cut material strips for tire components are known, for example, from EP 3 495 131 A1, EP 1 800 845 A2, and US 2018 / 339476 A1. Known application devices comprise precisely one conveyor belt that can be moved axially relative to a tire building drum. It has proven disadvantageous that, when at least two material strips are applied simultaneously, correcting the contour and alignment of one material strip is not possible, or this negatively impacts the application of subsequent material strips.

[0004] Against this background, the invention is based on the object of designing a device and a method of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that when at least two material strips are placed simultaneously on a tire building drum, the correction of the contour and orientation of one material strip has no influence on the correction of the contour and orientation of at least a second material strip.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device according to the features of patent claim 1, as well as a method, a use, and a computer program product according to the independent claims. The subclaims relate to particularly useful developments of the invention.

[0006] According to the invention, a laying device for laying pre-cut material strips for tire components on a rotating tire building drum is provided, wherein the device has a first conveyor belt. The contour and orientation of a first material strip on the first conveyor belt can be automatically detected. The axial orientation of the first material strip relative to the tire building drum can be automatically adjusted to a target size, wherein the laying device is configured to simultaneously automatically detect the contour and orientation of a second material strip on a second conveyor belt and to automatically adjust the axial orientation of the second material strip relative to the tire building drum to a target size, independently of the axial orientation of the first material strip.

[0007] The conveyor belt consists not only of the belt material itself but also includes at least the cylindrical bearings and the drives on the bearings. Automated detection of the contour and alignment of a strip of material can be achieved, for example, using a measuring device such as a camera.

[0008] The simultaneous detection of the contour and alignment of both material strips on the two conveyor belts and the simultaneous correction of deviations from the target values ​​of the contour and alignment of the material strips by axially moving the conveyor belts relative to the tire building drum make it possible to apply two material strips simultaneously with high axial accuracy. This enables a reduction in cycle time, reduced personnel requirements, and increased green tire quality.

[0009] An advantageous development provides that the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt have holding means for holding the first material strip and the second material strip. This ensures that no relative movement occurs between the material strip and the belt material of the conveyor belt after the contour and orientation of the material strip have been detected and before the material strip is placed on the tire building drum. A particularly high level of placement accuracy is achieved.

[0010] A further advantageous development provides that the holding means hold the first material strip and the second material strip on the conveyor belts at a plurality of locations, specifically at at least three locations, but in particular across the entire length of the material strips. A plurality of locations at which material strips are held also reduces small movements that are possible between two holding means. If the material strip is held across its entire length, i.e., flatly on the conveyor belt, even small movements are effectively prevented, enabling particularly high positioning accuracy.

[0011] A further advantageous development provides for the holding means to be designed in the form of magnets or a vacuum belt. This enables simple, cost-effective, and secure holding of material strips on conveyor belts.

[0012] A further advantageous development provides that the first conveyor belt is configured to convey at a speed that differs from the speed of the second conveyor belt. This allows deviations in the contour and orientation of material strips in their longitudinal direction, i.e., the circumferential direction of the green tire, to be compensated. If a conveyor belt is slowed down, for example, the material strip is placed on the tire building drum with greater tension, which leads to stretching of the material strip.

[0013] A further advantageous development provides that the application device has a measuring device, in particular a camera for measuring the contour and orientation of the first material strip and the second material strip. The measured variables generated by the measuring device can be evaluated by a processor unit of the application device and can be used to control actuators of the application device for positioning the first material strip and the second material strip. A measuring device, as well as a processor unit and actuators as components of the application device, enable a simple and reliably functioning implementation of the application device.

[0014] A further advantageous development provides that the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt are mounted so as to be movable axially relative to the tire building drum by means of actuators independent of one another, wherein in particular two actuators are provided for moving one conveyor belt. Independent actuators enable both conveyor belts to be moved simultaneously and independently in a simple manner. A high level of travel accuracy is easily achieved by moving each conveyor belt with two actuators, as this enables a bearing with high rigidity and freedom from backlash by providing the drives at different attachment points. A high level of travel accuracy is easily achieved by moving each conveyor belt with two actuators, as this enables a bearing with high rigidity and freedom from backlash by providing the drives at different attachment points.

[0015] A particularly high travel speed with a high travel accuracy is easily achieved by moving each conveyor belt with two actuators.

[0016] A further advantageous development provides that the application device is configured to place the material strips onto the tire building drum from below or from above. From above is understood here to mean following the attractive force of the gravitational field. Because the application device is configured to place the material strips onto the tire building drum from below or from above, it is particularly adaptable to tire building machines, which both simplifies the retrofitting of tire building machines with the application device according to the invention and opens up design freedom for new designs.

[0017] A further advantageous development provides for the material strips to be bead reinforcements. Bead reinforcements must be applied with particularly high precision, and they are placed on super-sized components that form an uneven base, thus placing particularly high demands on the application process.

[0018] A further advantageous development provides that the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt are mounted on a frame for translational and / or rotational movement, with indirect support being possible, for example, by means of an auxiliary frame. Translational and / or rotational movement of the conveyor belts enables a more flexible arrangement of the feed from the material belts to the conveyor belts and a more flexible arrangement relative to the tire building machines. Retrofitting the application device into existing tire building systems is simplified.

[0019] According to the invention, a method for operating a laying device, in particular a laying device according to the invention, is provided with the following steps: a) Placing a first strip of material on a first conveyor belt and a second strip of material on a second conveyor belt, b) Conveying the strips of material with the conveyor belts, c) Measuring the contour and alignment of the strips of material and generating measured values, d) Comparing the measured values ​​with target values ​​and calculating travel paths of the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt axially to the tire building drum, e) Simultaneously placing the strips of material on the tire building drum, while the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt are moved axially to the tire building drum independently of one another.

[0020] By simultaneously recording the contour and alignment of the two material strips on the conveyor belts and correcting the deviations from the target values ​​of the contour and alignment of the material strips by moving the conveyor belts axially to the tire building drum, it is possible to place two material strips simultaneously with high axial accuracy.

[0021] A further advantageous development provides for the conveyor belts to convey the material strips simultaneously at independent speeds. Conveying at different speeds can reduce the tolerance of the material strips in the circumferential direction.

[0022] A further advantageous development provides for the material strips to be secured to the conveyor belts during or after they are placed on the conveyor belts. This ensures that no relative movement occurs between the material strip and the conveyor belt material after the contour and alignment of the material strip have been recorded and before the material strip is placed on the tire building drum. A particularly high level of placement accuracy is achieved.

[0023] A further advantageous development provides that at the beginning and / or at the end of the placement of the material strip on the tire building drum, the axial movement of the first conveyor belt and / or the second conveyor belt axially relative to the tire building drum deviates from a travel path determined in a first step, in particular taking into account the geometry onto which the material strip is placed on the tire building drum. A travel path determined in a first step can only take into account the target-actual deviation of the contour and alignment, with further parameters, such as the geometry of the base of the material strip on the tire building drum, being taken into account in a further step. Increased accuracy of the applied material strip is enabled.

[0024] According to the invention, a use of a laying device according to the invention is provided for carrying out a method according to the invention.

[0025] According to the invention, a computer program product is provided for a method according to the invention for operating a laying device for laying pre-lengthened material strips for tire components on a rotating tire building drum, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor unit, cause the processor unit to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0026] The invention is susceptible of numerous embodiments. To further clarify its basic principle, one of these is illustrated in the drawings and will be described below. Fig. 1 a laying device for laying pre-cut material strips for tire components with a rotating tire building drum in plan view; Fig. 2 perspective view of a laying device for placing pre-cut material strips for tire components on a rotating tire building drum.

[0027] Figure 1shows a top view of a laying device 1 for laying a first pre-cut material strip 2 and a second pre-cut material strip 3 for tire components with a rotating tire building drum 4. The material strips 2, 3 are fed to a first conveyor belt 5 and a second conveyor belt 6 on the left in the illustration and are conveyed by means of the conveyor belts 5, 6 to the tire building drum 4 and laid thereon. The contour and orientation of the material strips 2, 3 are recorded after they have been laid on the conveyor belts 5, 6 using a measuring device 7, for example a camera. A camera is provided for each material strip 2, 3. The cameras transmit the actual values ​​they generate to a processor unit 8, which processes the actual values ​​and compares them with target values. The target values ​​correspond to an ideal alignment and contour.The processor unit 8, shown twice for ease of representation, then outputs control signals to actuators 9. The control signals take into account the difference between the target values ​​and the actual values, as well as other properties of the material strip 2, 3, such as the adhesion of the material strip 2, 3 to the base on which the material strip 2, 3 is placed, or the flexibility of the material strip 2, 3. Furthermore, the contour of the base is taken into account. If the base deviates from a cylindrical shape, this leads to axial slippage of the material strip 2, 3, particularly at the ends of the material strip 2, 3. This is also taken into account in the control signals.The control signals cause the four actuators 9 to move in such a way that the conveyor belts 5, 6 move in the axial direction of the tire building drum 4, taking into account the aforementioned parameters, such that the material strips 2, 3 are placed onto the tire building drum 4 with high precision in the axial direction. Furthermore, the conveying speeds of the conveyor belts 5, 6 can be controlled individually, so that deviations in the material strip lengths can also be taken into account when winding onto the tire building drum 4. Depicted on the tire building drum 4 is a supercomponent 10 onto which two material strips 2, 3 have been placed.

[0028] In Figure 2 In perspective, the laying device of the Figure 1for placing pre-cut material strips 2, 3 for tire components on a rotating tire building drum 4. The two conveyor belts 5, 6 are each mounted on two carriages 11, each driven by an actuator 9, so as to be movable perpendicular to their conveying direction, i.e. axially to the tire building drum 4, as indicated by the arrow. The carriages 11 are mounted in pairs on guide rails 12, which are connected to one another via an auxiliary frame 13. The auxiliary frame 13 is mounted on a frame 14 so as to be translationally movable in the conveying direction of the conveyor belts 5, 6. The frame 14 is mounted so as to be pivotable about the normal to the conveyor belt surfaces. List of reference symbols

[0029] 1Laying device 2First material strip 3Second material strip 4Tire building drum 5First conveyor belt 6Second conveyor belt 7Measuring device 8Processor unit 9Actuators 10Super component 11Slide 12Guide rail 13Subframe 14Frame

Claims

1. Placing device (1) for placing material strips (2, 3) previously cut to length for tyre components on a rotating tyre building drum (4), wherein the placing device (1) has a first conveyor belt (5), wherein the contour and alignment of a first material strip (2) on the first conveyor belt (5) are automatically detectable and the axial alignment of the first material strip (2) relative to the tyre building drum (4) is automatically adaptable to a setpoint variable, characterized in that the placing device (1) is specified to simultaneously detect automatically the contour and alignment of a second material strip (3) on a second conveyor belt (6) and to adapt automatically the axial alignment of the second material strip (3) relative to the tyre building drum (4) to a setpoint variable independently of the axial alignment of the first material strip (2).

2. Placing device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first conveyor belt (5) and the second conveyor belt (6) have holding means for holding the first material strip (2) and the second material strip (3).

3. Placing device (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the holding means hold the first material strip (2) and the second material strip (3) at a multiplicity of points, in particular over the entire extent of the material strips (2, 3), on the conveyor belts (5, 6).

4. Placing device (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding means are embodied in the form of magnets or in the form of a vacuum belt.

5. Placing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conveyor belt (5) is specified to convey at a speed deviating from the speed of the second conveyor belt (6).

6. Placing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the placing device (1) has a measuring device (7) for measuring the contour and alignment of the first material strip (2) and the second material strip (3), wherein the measured variables generated by the measuring device (7) are able to be evaluated by means of a processor unit (8) of the placing device (1) and able to be used to control actuators (9) of the placing device (1) for positioning the first material strip (2) and the second material strip (3).

7. Placing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conveyor belt (5) and the second conveyor belt (6) are mounted so as to be displaceable axially relative to the tyre building drum (4) by mutually independent actuators (9), wherein in particular two actuators (9) are provided for displacing one conveyor belt (5, 6).

8. Placing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the placing device (1) is specified to place the material strips (2, 3) onto the tyre building drum (4) from below or from above.

9. Placing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conveyor belt (5) and the second conveyor belt (6) are mounted on a frame (14) so as to be displaceable in a translational and / or rotational manner.

10. Method for operating a placing device (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a) placing a first material strip (2) on a first conveyor belt (5) and a second material strip (3) on a second conveyor belt (6), b) conveying the material strips (2, 3) by the conveyor belts (5, 6), c) measuring the contour and alignment of the material strips (2, 3) by generating measured values, d) comparing the measured values with setpoint variables and computing displacement paths of the first conveyor belt (5) and of the second conveyor belt (6) axially to the tyre building drum (4), e) simultaneously placing the material strips (2, 3) on the tyre building drum (4) while the first conveyor belt (5) and the second conveyor belt (6) are displaced, mutually independently, axially relative to the tyre building drum (4),11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the conveying of the material strips (2, 3) is able to be carried out at independent speeds.

12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the material strips (2, 3) are fixed on the conveyor belts (5, 6) during or after placing on the conveyor belts (5, 6).

13. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that at the beginning and / or end of placing the material strip (2, 3) on the tyre building drum (4), the axial displacement of the first conveyor belt (5) and / or of the second conveyor belt (6) axially relative to the tyre building drum (4) deviates from a displacement path determined in a first step, in particular while taking into account the geometry onto which the material strip (2, 3) is placed on the tyre building drum (4).

14. Use of a placing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 for carrying out a method according to one of Claims 10 to 13.

15. Computer program product for a method for operating a placing device (1) for placing material strips (2, 3) previously cut to length for tyre components on a rotating tyre building drum (4), comprising commands which, when executing the program by at least one processor unit (8), prompts the latter to carry out the method according to one of Claims 10 to 13.