METHOD FOR APPLYING A CODING TO A SIDEWALL OF A VEHICLE TIRE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for applying a code to a sidewall of a vehicle tire.

[0002] It is known that vehicle tires are marked with a machine-readable code. One problem in applying the code can be finding the appropriate position for it on the tire.

[0003] Patent documents EP 3 603 997 A1, US 2019 / 135011 A1 and JP 2020 006706 A disclose methods for applying codes to vehicle tires. Further vehicle tires with markings are disclosed in documents JP 2017 081305 A and DE 10 2008 010486 A1.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for improving the application of coding to vehicle tires. Furthermore, it aims to provide a vehicle tire with which the application of coding can be carried out in a simple manner.

[0005] The problem according to claim 1 is solved by using a method comprising the following steps: a) Providing a vehicle tire on a holding device, b) Using a camera and an image recognition application to detect a marking on the sidewall (1) of the vehicle tire, c) Detecting the marking (2) in the form of two triangles joined together, the triangles being congruent and connected at one of the vertices, d) Engraving a code on a free area (5,6) next to the marking (2).

[0006] A particular advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the new method significantly improves the application of a code to the vehicle tire. A highly distinctive marking in the form of two congruent triangles, connected at one of their three vertices, is applied to the sidewall of the tire. This very distinctive marking on the sidewall can be detected quickly and reliably using image processing software and a suitable camera. The distinctive marking has the particular advantage that it cannot be confused with letters or other symbols on the sidewall. It has a very high degree of distinctiveness compared to other symbols and can be detected with a high degree of certainty using image processing software. This advantage has been demonstrated in numerous tests.

[0007] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the marking with the two joined triangles is designed in the shape of an upright hourglass on the sidewall of the vehicle tire. This gives the marking a particularly distinctive design that is highly distinguishable from other symbols. As a result, this marking can be quickly and reliably identified using a camera and connected image processing software.

[0008] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the width dimension of the hourglass is 3.5 mm to 14 mm, preferably 6 to 8 mm.

[0009] This allows the marking to be detected quickly and reliably using image processing.

[0010] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the height dimension of the hourglass is 7 mm to 28 mm, preferably 13 to 15 mm.

[0011] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hourglass marking protrudes from the background of the side wall, with the depth dimension relative to the background being between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably 0.4 and 0.8 mm.

[0012] This makes the marking stand out clearly against the background and allows it to be detected more quickly with image processing software.

[0013] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hourglass marking has a chamfer at its edges. This gives the marking a high contrast against the background.

[0014] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flank angle of the chamfer relative to the surface of the side wall is between 0 and 45 degrees, preferably between 10 and 30 degrees.

[0015] These flank angles allow for the creation of a high image contrast, which simplifies the identification of the marking.

[0016] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the marking is applied to the sidewall of the vehicle tire during tire vulcanization.

[0017] This makes it easy to apply the marking to the side wall.

[0018] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the engraving of the code is carried out with a laser.

[0019] The laser allows the coding to be applied to the vehicle tires at high speed.

[0020] In In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the coding comprises a QR code and / or a second code.

[0021] This type of encoding can be easily read with a suitable scanner.

[0022] The invention will be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments. These show: Fig. 1 : A partial section of the sidewall of a vehicle tire. Fig. 2 .: A section view through marker 2.

[0023] The Figur 1 Figure 1 shows a partial section of a tire sidewall 1. A marking 2 in the form of two triangles is arranged at a specific position on the sidewall 1. The two triangles are congruent and connected at one of their vertices. In this embodiment, the marking 2 is shaped like a stylized upright hourglass. The upper surface of the marking 2 protrudes from the surface of the sidewall 1. The depth of the marking 2 relative to the surface is between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. The edge of the marking 2 has a chamfer. In The figure also shows the width dimension 3 and the height dimension 4 of the marking in the form of an hourglass.

[0024] The tire sidewall 1 typically features a variety of symbols and markings. A camera and connected image processing software scan and locate the marking on the sidewall. During this process, the tire is held in a fixture, and the sidewall is moved relative to the camera. Once the camera has identified the marking 2, the image processing software captures its position on the sidewall and saves it to a data storage device. A code is then applied next to the marking 2 in a free area 5 or 6 on the sidewall. In Area 5 is laser-engraved with a code, e.g., a QR code. Additionally, a second code, e.g., a barcode, can be engraved on the free area 6. This second code could, for example, contain the manufacturing date of the vehicle tire.

[0025] The Figur 2 shows a schematic sectional view from marker 2. In This sectional view shows the chamfer 7 of the marking 2. The flank angle of the chamfer 7 is between 0 and 45°. The figure also shows the depth dimension 9, which relates to the top surface 8 of the marking and the base of the side wall 1. Reference symbol list (is part of the description)

[0026] 1 Sidewall of a vehicle tire 2 Marking in the form of two triangles 3 Width dimension of the combined triangles or hourglass 4 Height dimension of the combined triangles or hourglass 5 Free area for encoding, e.g., QR code 6 Free area for second encoding, e.g., barcode 7 Chamfer in the edge area of ​​the marking 8 Top surface of the marking 9 Depth dimension of the marking

Claims

1. Method for applying a coding to a sidewall (1) of a vehicle tyre, having the following steps: a) providing a vehicle tyre on a holding device, b) using a camera and an image recognition application to detect a marking on the sidewall (1) of the vehicle tyre, c) detecting the marking (2) in the form of two conjoined triangles, wherein the triangles are congruent and are joined to one another at one of the triangle vertices, d) engraving a coding on a free surface area (5, 6) alongside the marking (2).

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the marking (2) with the two conjoined triangles takes the form of an upright hourglass on the sidewall (1) of the vehicle tyre.

3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the width dimension (3) of the hourglass is 3.5 mm to 14 mm, preferably 6 to 8 mm.

4. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the height dimension (4) of the hourglass is 7 mm to 28 mm, preferably 13 to 15 mm.

5. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the marking (2) of the hourglass protrudes from the subsurface of the sidewall (1), wherein the depth dimension (9) with respect to the subsurface is between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably 0.4 to 0.8 mm.

6. Method according to one of the preceding Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the marking (2) of the hourglass has a bevel (7) in its peripheral areas.

7. Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the flank angle of the bevel (7) with respect to the subsurface of the sidewall is between 0 and 45 degrees, preferably between 10 and 30 degrees.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking (2) is applied to the sidewall (1) of the vehicle tyre during the vulcanizing of the tyre.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engraving of the coding takes place with a laser.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coding comprises a QR code and / or a second code.