Pneumatic tire, tire processing machine, wheel, method, control device, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a bead with a bead base which faces the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire, said bead base having a protrusion which extends towards the rotational axis and in the circumferential direction of the bead base and which has a geometry that changes in the circumferential direction. The invention additionally relates to a pneumatic tire having a bead with a bead base which faces the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire, said bead base having a surface structure which is produced by removing tire material along processing marks in a processing area of the bead base and which is wave-shaped. The invention additionally relates to a method and a tire processing machine for producing the pneumatic tire, to a method for operating a wheel processing machine, to a wheel which has the pneumatic tire, to a control device for controlling a method, and to a computer program product for controlling the method.

Description

[0001] Pneumatic tire, tire processing machine, wheel, method, control device and computer program product

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of machining pneumatic tires, for example passenger car tires or truck tires.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] DE 43 39 775 C2 discloses a method for correcting the concentricity of pneumatic tires and a device for clamping a tire suitable for carrying out the method. At least enough is removed from a radially inner seating surface of the tire bead so that the remaining radial force fluctuations then lie within a tolerance range. The removal is carried out by a laser beam. A device for clamping a tire and for removing rubber from the bead area has a rim-like design in cross-section, with a first seating surface arranged radially inward and a further seating surface arranged axially outward, wherein the radially inward seating surface is recessed over a region of the circumference so that within this region of the circumference a tool which removes material from the radially inner surface of the tire bead can be brought into contact with the bead.The circumferential region over which the radially inwardly arranged seating surface is recessed has an extension of 50 degrees to 160 degrees, preferably 90 degrees. SUMMARY.

[0006] There is a need for a technology that allows improved processing of a pneumatic tire.

[0007] This need is addressed by the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a pneumatic tire is provided.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, a pneumatic tire is provided, the pneumatic tire comprising: a bead having a bead base facing a rotational axis of the pneumatic tire; wherein the bead base has a protrusion extending toward the rotational axis and in a circumferential direction of the bead base; and wherein the protrusion has a geometry varying in the circumferential direction.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a method is provided.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the second aspect, a method for machining a pneumatic tire is provided, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to at least one embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the pneumatic tire has a bead base, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to a rotation axis of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction about the rotation axis, the method comprising: removing tire material in a machining region of the bead base and thereby creating a projection that extends towards the rotation axis and in a circumferential direction of the bead base, and wherein the projection has a geometry that changes in the circumferential direction.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a tire processing machine is provided.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the third aspect, a tire processing machine is provided for processing a pneumatic tire, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to at least one embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the pneumatic tire to be processed has a first bead and a second bead, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to a rotation axis of the tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction around the rotation axis, the tire processing machine comprising: at least one first retaining finger engageable with the first bead; at least one second retaining finger engageable with the second bead; wherein the at least one first retaining finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire, in particular together with the at least one first retaining finger, with respect to the at least one second retaining finger.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a method is provided.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the fourth aspect, a method is provided for operating a tire processing machine for processing a pneumatic tire, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to at least one embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the pneumatic tire to be processed has a first bead and a second bead, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to a rotational axis of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction about the rotational axis, the method comprising: engaging at least one first retaining finger with the first bead; engaging at least one second retaining finger with the second bead; operating the at least one first retaining finger, in particular in a rotational movement, in order to rotate the pneumatic tire, in particular together with the at least one first retaining finger, with respect to the at least one second retaining finger.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a wheel is provided.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the fifth aspect, a wheel is provided, the wheel comprising a rim and a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim according to the first aspect.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a control device of a tire processing machine is provided.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the sixth aspect, the control device is configured to carry out a method according to at least one embodiment of the second aspect and / or a method according to at least one embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0020] According to a seventh aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a computer program product is provided.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device, is configured to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the second aspect and / or a method according to at least one embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0022] DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Although certain disadvantages of prior technologies are mentioned herein, the claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to implementations that overcome some or all of the noted disadvantages of the prior technologies. Furthermore, although certain advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein are mentioned or implied in the present disclosure, the claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to implementations that have some or all of those advantages.

[0024] The following describes exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, any number and any combination of which may be realized in an implementation of aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein. Exemplary implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein include, in particular, at least one of the embodiments and combinations of embodiments described below:

[0025] According to one embodiment of the first aspect, a pneumatic tire has a bead with a bead base. As usual, the bead base faces the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire. In other words, the bead base is defined by a surface portion of the bead that faces the rotational axis. If the pneumatic tire is mounted on a rim, according to one embodiment, the bead base rests on the rim. According to another embodiment, the bead base seals the pneumatic tire against the rim - for example, in tubeless tires. According to one embodiment, the bead base has a projection that extends toward the rotational axis and in the circumferential direction of the bead base. According to another embodiment, the projection has a geometry that changes in the circumferential direction.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein, the bead sole has a surface structure produced by removing tire material along machining tracks in a machining area of ​​the bead sole, wherein the surface structure is wave-shaped.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the tire, and in particular the bead of the tire, defines an axial direction parallel to the tire's axis of rotation and a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation. As is conventional and according to one embodiment, the tire has two beads, a first bead and a second bead.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the second aspect, a method for machining a pneumatic tire comprises removing tire material (in particular rubber material) in a machining area of ​​the bead base and thereby creating a projection, wherein the projection extends towards the axis of rotation and in the circumferential direction and wherein the projection has a geometry that changes in the circumferential direction.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the third aspect, a tire processing machine for processing a pneumatic tire comprises at least one first retaining finger engageable with the first bead; and at least one second retaining finger engageable with the second bead. According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire together with the at least one first retaining finger relative to the at least one second retaining finger. According to an embodiment of the fourth aspect, a method for operating a tire processing machine comprises engaging at least one first retaining finger with the first bead and engaging at least one second retaining finger with the second bead.According to one embodiment, the method further comprises driving the at least one first retaining finger into a rotational movement in order to rotate the pneumatic tire together with the at least one first retaining finger with respect to the at least one second retaining finger.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the fifth aspect, a wheel comprises a rim and a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim according to at least one embodiment of the first aspect.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the sixth aspect, a control device is configured to perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the second aspect and / or a method according to at least one embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the seventh aspect, a computer program is configured to, when executed on a processor device, perform a method according to at least one embodiment of the second aspect and / or a method according to at least one embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0033] Above and below, in some embodiments, reference is made to a feature with the indefinite article upon its first occurrence, e.g., when describing embodiments of various aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the use of the indefinite article in this disclosure is not limiting and that a feature referred to in different embodiments, regardless of whether it is referred to with the defined article or with the indefinite article, in any case refers to the same feature in at least one embodiment and therefore, in a combination of different embodiments, the feature may be referenced with the indefinite article upon its first occurrence and with the defined article upon further occurrences of the feature.Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and the seventh aspect are at least partially different aspects of the same subject matter.

[0034] At least some of the aspects and embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are based on the idea that a suitable desired design in the bead base enables improved processing of a pneumatic tire. Other aspects and embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are based on the idea of ​​enabling the desired design of the bead base by providing a suitable tire processing machine.

[0035] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are described, with reference being made, for example, to a pneumatic tire, a method for processing a pneumatic tire, a tire processing machine, a method for operating a tire processing machine, a wheel, a control device, and a computer program product. It should be emphasized that any combination of features of different aspects, embodiments, and examples is, of course, possible. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to a method, a control device, and a computer program product, while other embodiments are described with reference to a device or a product, for example, a pneumatic tire, a tire processing machine, and a wheel.Yet other embodiments are described with reference to a mechanical construction, in particular with reference to a mechanical interaction of elements of a device and / or a product, while other embodiments are described with reference to a control device for interacting with elements of the device. However, those skilled in the art will understand from the above and following description, the claims, and the drawings that, unless otherwise stated, features of various aspects, embodiments, and examples can be combined, and such combinations of features are to be regarded as disclosed by this application. For example, even a feature relating to a method can be combined with a feature relating to a device or a product, and vice versa.Furthermore, features can also be combined regardless of the place of disclosure, for example regardless of whether the feature in question is disclosed in the general description, in the description of the drawings, the claims, or in the drawings themselves.

[0036] According to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein may define the functionality of a device or product disclosed herein without being limited to the device-specific features. In this respect, any functionality disclosed herein of a device or product disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding method defined exclusively by the disclosed functionality. Conversely, according to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein may be carried out with any suitable known device (which may comprise a single element or multiple cooperating elements). In this respect, any method disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding device configured to carry out the method or a product configured to result from the method.

[0037] It should be noted that, unless expressly stated otherwise, numerals (first, second, third, etc.) serve merely to identify different elements (e.g., beads, rollers, etc.) without implying a sequence of process steps and without requiring or implying the existence of any of the other different elements. For example, a reference to a second roller alone does not require that a first roller already exists or even be provided.

[0038] Unless expressly stated otherwise, according to one embodiment, a list of features or method steps does not define an order of the features or method steps in the sequence of the list. However, according to another embodiment, an order of the features or a order of the method steps corresponds to the specified sequence of the list.

[0039] The wording "A and / or B" encompasses the three embodiments "only A," "only B," and "A and B." The term "in particular" denotes optional features. The term "at least one of the following" or "at least one of the following features" encompasses embodiments that each have only one of the specified features, as well as further embodiments that have any combination of two or more of the specified features.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the changing geometry of the protrusion (of the bead sole) extends over the entire circumference of the bead sole, i.e., over an angular range of 360 degrees. According to one embodiment, the changing geometry of the protrusion (of the bead sole) extends over an angular range that is smaller than 360 degrees, for example, over an angular range that is smaller than 180 degrees. For example, according to one embodiment, the angular range lies in an interval between 20 degrees and 350 degrees. Consequently, this embodiment includes both an angular range that extends over 20 degrees (in this embodiment, the minimum angular range) and an angular range that extends over 350 degrees (in this embodiment, the maximum angular range). According to one embodiment, the angular range lies in an interval between 40 degrees and 160 degrees.According to one embodiment, the projection extends over an angular range disclosed herein, for example an angular range that is less than 360 degrees.

[0041] Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein allow machining over large angular ranges. Large angular ranges have the advantage that, for example, both a deviation from an ideal roundness of the pneumatic tire and a conicity of the pneumatic tire can be at least partially corrected by the complete machining of a bead base in one machining operation. As is known to those skilled in the art, the roundness of a tire refers to a deviation from the ideal distance of parts of the pneumatic tire from the axis of rotation. The roundness of the tire is therefore a geometric requirement that must be distinguished from a tire imbalance, which relates to the mass distribution. As is further known to those skilled in the art, the conicity of a tire refers to a different outer diameter of the pneumatic tire at different axial positions.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the protrusion is a first protrusion, and the bead base has a second protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the bead base. According to one embodiment, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are arranged at an (axial) distance from one another. According to one embodiment, the first protrusion and / or the second protrusion of the bead base is deformed by a rim on which the pneumatic tire is mounted. In this way, a tight fit between the pneumatic tire and the rim can be improved. Accordingly, in the wheel according to one embodiment, the protrusion of the bead base is deformed by the rim. For example, the protrusion of the bead base (in particular the first protrusion and / or the second protrusion) has a deformation that varies in the circumferential direction due to the rim.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the first projection and the second projection define a recess between them, in particular a recess that is at least partially trough-shaped in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction. For example, the first projection and the second projection extend over the same angular range. According to a further embodiment, the first projection can be offset from the second projection in the circumferential direction. In other words, according to one embodiment, the first projection extends over a first angular range and the second projection extends over a second angular range, wherein the first angular range and the second angular range only partially overlap.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the recess can be formed asymmetrically in an axial direction. For example, a transition from a bottom of the recess to the respective projection can be designed differently for the first projection and the second projection.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the protrusion protrudes beyond a base (the base) of the bead sole. In one embodiment, the geometry changing in the circumferential direction can comprise a height of the protrusion relative to the base that changes in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, a height of the protrusion relative to the base is at most 1 mm, for example at most 0.5 mm. According to one embodiment, a difference between a height of the protrusion in the circumferential direction at one angular position and a height of the protrusion at another angular position relative to the base is at most 1 mm, for example at most 0.5 mm. In another embodiment, a height of the protrusion relative to the base or the difference is at most 0.3 mm. In a further embodiment, additional rubber material is provided on the bead sole during manufacture of the pneumatic tire in order to provide more removal volume for out-of-roundness.In particular, in this case, the height or difference may be more than 1 mm, for example less than 1.5 mm or less than 2 mm.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the projection (e.g., the first projection and / or the second projection) is arranged in an axial edge region of the bead base. The axial edge regions of the bead base (i.e., the edge regions of the bead base viewed in the axial direction) are often also referred to as the bead toe (in the case of the edge region facing an interior of the tire) or the bead heel (in the case of the edge region facing outward).

[0047] According to one embodiment, the protrusion (for example the first protrusion and / or the second protrusion) was created by removing tire material in a processing area (in particular the aforementioned processing area) of the bead base. According to one embodiment, the removal of tire material was carried out using laser radiation, in particular using laser radiation from a CO2 laser. In general, the removal can be a removal according to the embodiments disclosed herein, for example a removal to create the protrusion and / or a removal to create the surface structure. According to one embodiment, the laser radiation (with which the removal was created) was continuous or quasi-continuous laser radiation (also referred to as CW laser radiation). According to a further embodiment, a power distribution of the laser radiation across the beam cross-section of the laser radiation had a Gaussian profile.According to another embodiment, the laser radiation has a power of more than 400 W. According to another embodiment, the laser radiation has a power of more than 800 W. The power of the laser radiation emitted by a laser device is also referred to as the output power of the laser device (or "the laser" for short).

[0048] According to one embodiment, the removal of tire material occurs along at least one line. In the case of continuous laser radiation, continuous removal occurs along the line. In the case of pulsed laser radiation, removal occurs through overlapping removal points along the line (each laser pulse generates removal at a removal point). Through suitable overlap along the line, a nearly continuous removal along the line is also possible in this way. According to one embodiment, the term "line" refers herein to a line along which the laser radiation or the laser spot generated by the laser radiation is guided. The width of the removal along a line (i.e., the width of an removal area of ​​a single line) is therefore determined by the width or diameter of the laser radiation (or the laser spot generated by the laser radiation on the pneumatic tire).Since the ablation is not a linear function of the intensity, the width of the ablation area can be smaller than the width of the laser spot.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the laser radiation is configured such that a width of the ablation along a single line (i.e., the width of an ablation region of a single line) corresponds to a desired total width of the ablation (i.e., a width of the processing region). For example, according to one embodiment, the width of the ablation region along a single line corresponds to the width of the recess. It is noted that the width is always determined in the axial direction. Furthermore, it is noted that with a Gaussian intensity distribution across the beam cross-section of the laser radiation, the width of the ablation region of a single line corresponds approximately to 1 / e 2 Diameter of the laser radiation.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the removal of tire material occurs along a plurality of parallel lines. In this way, in a transverse direction that runs transversely to the longitudinal direction of the parallel lines, removal can extend over an area that is larger in the transverse direction than the extension of the removal area of ​​a single line in the transverse direction.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the parallel lines form an angle with the axial direction in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees. According to another embodiment, the parallel lines extend in the circumferential direction. Consequently, the removal regions or machining tracks, according to one embodiment, also form an angle with the axial direction in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees or extend in the circumferential direction.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the removal regions of adjacent lines overlap. For example, according to one embodiment, an overlap of removal regions of adjacent lines is between 10% and 90%. According to another embodiment, an overlap of removal regions of adjacent lines is between 65% and 85%. For example, an overlap of removal regions of adjacent lines is 10%, 20%, 33.333%, 50%, 66.667%, 80%, or 90%. For example, an overlap of removal regions of adjacent lines is 80%. According to one embodiment, the overlap of removal regions of adjacent lines is constant. For example, the overlap of removal regions of two adjacent lines is always 80% for all parallel lines of the plurality of parallel lines.

[0053] According to a further embodiment, the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines depends on the depth of removal. For example, according to one embodiment, the greater the depth of removal, the greater the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines, and vice versa. For example, a greater depth of removal can be achieved by a larger overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the depth of removal changes continuously in the circumferential direction.

[0055] According to one embodiment, a change in the depth of ablation in the circumferential direction and / or in the axial direction was achieved at least partially by changing the power of the laser radiation. Changing the power of the laser radiation to change the depth of ablation has the advantage that the overlap of the individual ablation lines can be kept constant and process control is less complex.

[0056] The laser radiation generates a laser spot (also referred to as "spot" for short) on a surface of the pneumatic tire, in particular on a surface of the bead base. The area of ​​the surface illuminated by the laser spot is also referred to herein as the processing point. According to one embodiment, a change in the depth of the removal in the circumferential direction and / or in the axial direction was achieved at least partially by changing the feed rate of the laser spot across the tire surface. This has the advantage that the entire process can be carried out with a constant maximum laser power and thus higher efficiency, according to one embodiment. In particular, according to one embodiment, a change in the depth of the removal in the circumferential direction and / or in the axial direction was achieved at least partially by changing the feed rate of the laser spot across the surface of the bead base.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the bead in the processing area has a surface structure, for example the surface structure according to embodiments described herein.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the surface structure was created by removing tire material along machining tracks in the machining area. According to one embodiment, the machining tracks correspond to the removal areas of the lines, for example, the removal areas of adjacent lines.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the surface structure is wave-shaped. For example, the surface structure has a plurality of wave crests alternating with wave troughs, such that a wave trough lies between two wave crests.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the wave crests of the surface structure are arranged at least partially parallel to one another. According to one embodiment, the wave crests extend generally parallel to one another, according to one embodiment with deviations from exact parallelism. It should be noted that the wave-shaped surface structure is not necessarily a symmetrical surface structure in the sense of a sinusoidal shape. Rather, according to one embodiment, the wave shape of the surface structure deviates from a sinusoidal shape. For example, according to one embodiment, the wave shape is characterized by wave crests that are narrower than the wave troughs. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the wave crests can be tapered, while the wave troughs can be flat.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the surface structure comprises a first structural part and / or a second structural part. For example, the surface structure can comprise exclusively the first structural part or exclusively the second structural part, or both the first structural part and the second structural part. For example, the surface structure can comprise an overlay of the first structural part and the second structural part.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the first structural part has wave crests defined by an overlap of the machining tracks. For example, the overlap of the machining tracks (i.e., the removal areas of the parallel lines) is between 10% and 90% of the width of the machining tracks. According to one embodiment, the wave crests of the first structural part extend along the machining tracks.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the second structural part has wave crests at a distance that is greater than a width of the processing tracks. According to one embodiment, a geometry of the wave crests of the second structural part varies in a longitudinal direction of the wave crests.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the distance between the wave crests of the first structural part is greater than 0.05 mm. According to another embodiment, the distance between the wave crests of the first structural part is less than 2 mm. According to another embodiment, the distance between the wave crests of the second structural part is greater than 0.5 mm. According to another embodiment, the distance between the wave crests of the second structural part is less than 10 mm. According to another embodiment, the amplitude of the surface structure is between 0.005 mm (= 5 pm) and 0.25 mm (= 250 pm).

[0065] According to one embodiment, the amplitude of the surface structure varies in the circumferential direction. For example, starting from a point of maximum amplitude, the amplitude of the surface structure decreases continuously in the circumferential direction, according to one embodiment in both directions, i.e., starting from the point of maximum amplitude, both in the circumferential direction and opposite to the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, the amplitude of the surface structure is modulated in the circumferential direction, with one or more local maxima / minima in the amplitude.

[0066] According to one embodiment, at least one edge region of the bead base (e.g., the bead toe and / or the bead heel) is free of the surface structure. According to one embodiment, a depression is formed in the bead base in the machining region. In other words, machining of the bead base (e.g., removal of tire material) in the machining region results in a depression. In particular, the creation of the surface structure according to one embodiment results in a depression in the bead base. In an embodiment according to which the machining region does not extend to the edge region of the bead base, the removal in the machining region results in a protrusion according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0067] Embodiments are described below, particularly with regard to the second aspect, whereby the respective embodiments are, of course, also embodiments of the other aspects. According to the above explanations, the removal of tire material according to one embodiment occurs over an angular range that is less than 360 degrees. Thus, according to one embodiment, the projection extends over an angular range that is less than 360 degrees.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire is rotated about its rotational axis during the removal of tire material. In this way, for example, according to one embodiment, a source of laser radiation and / or a suction device can be positioned in a fixed location during the processing of the first bead or the second bead. According to one embodiment, tire material is removed multiple times in a portion of the processing area. If, for example, the power of the laser radiation is insufficient to achieve the desired depth at a certain processing speed, virtually any desired removal depth can be achieved by repeatedly removing tire material.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the protrusion is a first protrusion, and the removal of tire material in the machining area creates a second protrusion extending in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, the machining area is arranged between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, thereby defining a recess between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. According to one embodiment, the recess is at least partially trough-shaped in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, the removal of the tire material occurs to a depth, and the depth varies in the circumferential direction of the protrusion. The circumferentially varying geometry can therefore, according to one embodiment, comprise a circumferentially varying depth of the recess. In one embodiment, this depth of the recess corresponds to the height of the protrusion relative to the ground.The statements regarding the height of the projection therefore apply accordingly to the depth of the depression, and vice versa. According to a further embodiment, the depth of the depression corresponds to the removal depth, i.e. the depth over which tire material has been removed from the bead base. According to one embodiment, the variation in depth over the circumferential direction can be generated by combining more than one harmonic oscillation, each differing in maximum amplitude and frequency, for example by combining 2, 3 or 4 such harmonic oscillations. According to one embodiment, the desired variation in the removal depth is defined as a combination of several harmonic oscillations in the form of the Fourier transform of this desired removal function.

[0070] According to a further embodiment, the symmetry of the recess in an axial direction can vary along the circumferential direction. For example, according to one embodiment, the symmetry in the axial direction can depend on the average removal depth in the circumferential direction. For example, according to a further embodiment, the recess can be uniform and / or symmetrical in the axial direction at angular positions along the circumferential direction where minimal removal occurs.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the machining area comprises a central region of the bead base, wherein the central region of the bead base is arranged between edge regions of the bead base in the axial direction. According to another embodiment, the machining area consists of the central region of the bead base. In other words, according to one embodiment, edge regions of the bead base (which delimit the bead base in the axial direction) are not part of the machining area.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the tire material is removed using laser radiation, in particular laser radiation from a CO2 laser. According to one embodiment, the CO2 laser is operated continuously during the removal process. According to another embodiment, the CO2 laser has a Gaussian intensity profile across its beam cross-section. According to another embodiment, the CO2 laser has an output power of more than 400 W. For example, according to one embodiment, the CO2 laser has an output power of more than 800 W.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the tire material is removed along at least one line. For example, according to one embodiment, the tire material is removed along a single line. According to another embodiment, the tire material is removed along a plurality of lines, in particular a plurality of parallel lines. According to one embodiment, the parallel lines form an angle with the axial direction in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees. According to another embodiment, the parallel lines extend in the circumferential direction.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the removal of the tire material along the line defines a removal area. According to one embodiment, removal areas of adjacent lines overlap. For example, according to one embodiment, an l / e 2 -Diameter of the laser radiation larger than a pitch between the parallel lines.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is between 10% and 90%. Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the pitch of adjacent lines is between 90% and 10% of the l / e 2 -Diameter of the laser radiation. According to a further embodiment, the overlap of ablation areas of adjacent lines is between 65% and 85%. Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the pitch of adjacent lines is between 35% and 15% of the l / e 2 -Diameter of the laser radiation. According to a further embodiment, an overlap of ablation areas of adjacent lines is 10%, 20%, 33.333%, 50%, 66.667%, 80% or 90%. Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the pitch of adjacent lines is between 90%, 80%, 66.667%, 50%, 33.333%, 20% or 10% of the l / e 2-Diameter of the laser radiation. According to one embodiment, the overlap of ablation areas of adjacent lines corresponds to an overlap of adjacent processing tracks.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is constant. Accordingly, according to one embodiment, a pitch of adjacent lines is constant.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the overlap of removal regions of adjacent lines depends on the depth of the removal. According to one embodiment, during the removal of tire material in the processing region, a power of the laser radiation is varied depending on a position in the axial direction and / or depending on a position in the circumferential direction. According to a further embodiment, during the removal of tire material in the processing region, a feed speed, i.e. the speed at which the laser spot is guided over the bead base, is varied depending on a position in the axial direction and / or depending on a position in the circumferential direction. According to one embodiment, during the removal of the tire material, the pneumatic tire rotates about the axis of rotation, in particular rotates at a constant angular velocity.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the rotation of the pneumatic tire about the rotation axis is compensated for by positioning the laser radiation in the processing area. For example, to generate parallel lines in the axial direction, the laser radiation is scanned at a peripheral speed of the bead base in the direction of rotation, followed by a return in the opposite direction to the rotation direction, and then another parallel line is scanned in the opposite direction (opposite the axial direction) while scanning the laser radiation at the peripheral speed of the bead base in the direction of rotation. After another return, this process is repeated until the desired number of parallel lines has been generated.

[0079] If the parallel lines are not to run parallel to the axial direction, but at an acute angle to the axial direction, the process is carried out analogously, whereby the laser radiation is then guided in the direction of rotation at a higher speed than the circumferential speed of the bead base in order to create the acute angle between the axial direction and the parallel lines.

[0080] The tracking of the laser radiation parallel to the circumferential direction (i.e., in the direction of rotation and counter to the direction of rotation) as well as the return parallel to the circumferential direction (i.e., in the direction of rotation and counter to the direction of rotation) can be realized, for example, by a laser scanner (hereinafter also referred to as "scanner"), for example a galvanometer scanner. According to one embodiment, the laser radiation is switched off for the return (laser radiation power equal to 0 W).

[0081] Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to a receiving of the pneumatic tire in a tire processing machine or the manner in which the pneumatic tire is held and moved in order to enable processing of the pneumatic tire as disclosed herein in an efficient manner.

[0082] According to one embodiment of a method, at least one first retaining finger is engaged with a first bead of the pneumatic tire and at least one second retaining finger is engaged with a second bead of the pneumatic tire.

[0083] According to one embodiment, at least two first retaining fingers and at least two second retaining fingers are provided. In a further embodiment, at least three first retaining fingers and three second retaining fingers are provided. At least three retaining fingers have the advantage that they define a plane and thus a spatial position of the respective bead is determined by the at least three retaining fingers. A larger number of retaining fingers, for example four retaining fingers, six retaining fingers or eight retaining fingers per bead, have the advantage that deformation of the bead due to gravity can be avoided, in particular also in an embodiment in which the pneumatic tire is machined in a horizontal arrangement (i.e. in an arrangement in which the axis of rotation extends parallel to the direction of gravity).

[0084] Consequently, the term "at least one first holding finger" explicitly also includes the embodiments "at least two first holding fingers", "at least three first holding fingers", "at least four first holding fingers", "at least six first holding fingers" and "at least eight first holding fingers", as well as the term "a set of first holding fingers", wherein the set of first holding fingers according to one embodiment comprises at least one first holding finger, at least two first holding fingers, at least three first holding fingers, at least four first holding fingers, at least six first holding fingers or at least eight first holding fingers.

[0085] Accordingly, the term "at least one second holding finger" explicitly also includes the embodiments "at least two second holding fingers", "at least three second holding fingers", "at least four second holding fingers", "at least six second holding fingers" and "at least eight second holding fingers", as well as the term "a set of second holding fingers", wherein the set of second holding fingers according to one embodiment comprises at least one second holding finger, at least two second holding fingers, at least three second holding fingers, at least four second holding fingers, at least six second holding fingers or at least eight second holding fingers.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire is held exclusively by the at least one first holding finger and / or the at least one second holding finger. According to a further embodiment, in addition to the at least one first holding finger and / or the at least one second holding finger, further holding elements are provided.

[0087] According to one embodiment, a distance between the first bead and the second bead is adjusted by positioning the at least one first retaining finger and the at least one second retaining finger relative to one another. For example, according to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire can be spread in the axial direction, i.e., a distance between the first bead and the second bead is adjusted by means of the set of first retaining fingers and the set of second retaining fingers to a value that is greater than a nominal distance between the first bead and the second bead after mounting on a rim. By spreading the tire in the axial direction, processing of the tire can be facilitated.

[0088] According to one embodiment, rotation of the pneumatic tire during the removal of the tire material is effected by driving the at least one first retaining finger (or by driving the set of first retaining fingers) in a rotational movement.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the set of first retaining fingers thus performs two functions: first, positioning the first bead of the tire and second, driving the first bead of the tire into a rotational movement.

[0090] According to one embodiment, while the at least one first retaining finger is driven in a rotational movement, the second bead is in rolling engagement with the at least one second retaining finger, for example, by releasing at least one roller of the at least one second retaining finger. In other words, according to one embodiment, while the at least one first retaining finger is driven in a rotational movement, the second bead is supported in a rolling manner on the at least one second retaining finger, and the removal (of tire material) takes place on the second bead.

[0091] The fact that the bead from which tire material is removed (in the above embodiment, the second bead) is mounted in a rolling manner on the at least one (second) holding finger in question has the advantage that the position of the (second) holding fingers in question can remain unchanged, and thus the laser radiation can be directed onto the bead between two adjacent holding fingers. A suction device can also be positioned stationary relative to the bead to be processed and between two adjacent holding fingers during the removal process. Consequently - generally speaking - according to one embodiment, the bead to be processed is guided past the laser radiation and the suction device by the rotational movement of the pneumatic tire.

[0092] According to a further embodiment, after the removal of tire material from the second bead, the removal of tire material from the first bead takes place. According to one embodiment, rotation of the pneumatic tire during the removal of the first bead occurs by driving the at least one second retaining finger in a rotational movement. For example, the at least one second retaining finger is in frictional engagement with the pneumatic tire during the driving in a rotational movement, for example by blocking at least one roller of the at least one second retaining finger.

[0093] As explained above, the first retaining finger (e.g., each of the at least one first retaining finger or at least one of the at least one first retaining finger) and / or the second retaining finger (e.g., each of the at least one second retaining finger or at least one of the at least one second retaining finger) may comprise at least one roller. For example, the roller (of which the respective retaining finger may comprise one or more) may be lockable to prevent rotation of the roller, for example, to bring the first retaining finger into frictional engagement with the pneumatic tire.

[0094] According to a further embodiment, the roller may be releasable to allow rotation of the roller, for example to bring the first retaining finger and the roller into rolling engagement.

[0095] According to one embodiment, during the driving of the at least one second retaining finger in a rotational movement, the first bead is in rolling engagement with the at least one first retaining finger.

[0096] The provision of holding fingers can allow efficient handling of the pneumatic tire.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger is engaged with the first bead of the pneumatic tire by moving the at least one first retaining finger into the pneumatic tire in a first transverse direction (for example, along the axial direction) and then moving the at least one first finger in a direction toward the first bead. Analogously, according to a further embodiment, the at least one second retaining finger is engaged with the second bead of the pneumatic tire by moving the at least one second retaining finger into the pneumatic tire in a second transverse direction (for example, along the axial direction) and then moving the at least one second finger in a direction toward the second bead.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger is mounted on a carrier (also referred to herein as the first carrier). According to another embodiment, the at least one second retaining finger is mounted on a second carrier.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the at least one first holding finger is moved into the pneumatic tire in the first transverse direction by lifting the carrier. According to one embodiment, the carrier can, for example, be arranged below a transport device. According to one embodiment, the transport device is configured to position the pneumatic tire in the tire processing machine.

[0100] According to one embodiment, to drive the at least one first holding finger into a rotary motion, the carrier is lifted above the transport device. According to one embodiment, the carrier (and thus also the holding fingers mounted on it) are then driven into the rotary motion.

[0101] According to a further embodiment, the at least one roller can be driven to drive the pneumatic tire in a rotational movement relative to the holding finger. In other words, according to one embodiment, the respective holding finger is operable by driving its roller to drive the pneumatic tire in a rotational movement relative to the holding finger. In other words, the driving holding finger does not move together with the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine according to the third aspect has, in particular, at least one first holding finger, which can be brought into engagement with the first bead, and at least one second holding finger, which can be brought into engagement with the second bead.According to one embodiment, the at least one first holding finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire (for example together with the at least one first holding finger) relative to the at least one second holding finger (i.e., to drive the pneumatic tire into a rotational movement relative to the at least one second holding finger). As already explained herein, this embodiment allows a beam path of the laser radiation and / or a suction device to be positioned stationary relative to the second holding fingers and still allow machining of the second bead over its entire circumference. It is understood that, according to embodiments, this possibility of machining over the entire circumference (i.e.,over 360 degrees) is not exhausted in every case, but in accordance with some embodiments, the bead in question (here the second bead) is only machined over a limited angular range, for example over an angular range of 270 degrees.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the at least one second retaining finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire (for example, together with the at least one second retaining finger) relative to the at least one first retaining finger (i.e., to drive the pneumatic tire in a rotational movement relative to the at least one first retaining finger). For example, according to one embodiment, it can be provided to selectively drive the pneumatic tire in the rotational movement either via the at least one first retaining finger or via the at least one second retaining finger.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger and / or the at least one second retaining finger is configured to hold the first bead and the second bead at a predetermined distance. As described herein, for example, the at least one first retaining finger and / or the at least one second retaining finger may be configured to spread the pneumatic tire in the axial direction.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger is configured for inserting the at least one first retaining finger into the pneumatic tire from a first side of the pneumatic tire. According to another embodiment, the at least one second retaining finger is configured for inserting the at least one second retaining finger into the pneumatic tire from a second side of the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, the second side of the pneumatic tire is arranged opposite to the first side of the pneumatic tire. For example, the pneumatic tire has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that face away from each other, the first sidewall of the pneumatic tire being opposite the first side of the pneumatic tire and the second sidewall of the pneumatic tire being opposite the second side.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine has a suction device. For example, according to one embodiment, the suction device can be brought into a first position for suctioning away process residues from processing the first bead. According to a further embodiment, the suction device can be brought into a second position for suctioning away process residues from processing the second bead. According to a further embodiment, the suction device has a brush head which, during the relative rotational movement of the tire against the suction device, is guided over the processing point after the laser. For example, a brush head of the suction device is arranged downstream of the suction device. The brush head serves to remove any adhering process residues.According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine has at least two of the first holding fingers, and the suction device can be positioned between two adjacent first holding fingers. Alternatively or additionally, the tire processing machine can have at least two of the second holding fingers, wherein the suction device can be positioned between two adjacent second holding fingers. As already described above, a spatial position of the holding fingers, between which the suction device is positioned, can remain unchanged during processing. For example, according to one embodiment, the spatial position of the first holding fingers, between which the suction device is positioned, is unchanged during processing of the first bead. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the spatial position of the second holding fingers, between which the suction device is positioned, can remain unchanged during processing of the second bead.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine comprises a laser emitter for emitting laser radiation onto the pneumatic tire, thereby processing the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, the laser emitter is arranged radially outside the pneumatic tire. This increases the design flexibility and / or positioning flexibility of the laser emitter, since the laser emitter does not need to be housed inside the pneumatic tire.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device comprises at least one scanner for moving a beam path of the laser radiation across the pneumatic tire. Moving the beam path by means of the at least one scanner is also referred to herein as "scanning movement of the beam path" (or "scanning movement" for short). According to one embodiment, the at least one scanner is configured to move the beam path with a directional component parallel to the rotation axis. In other words, according to one embodiment, the scanning movement has a directional component parallel to the rotation axis. According to another embodiment, the scanning movement has a directional component in the circumferential direction.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device is configurable to machine a bead base of the first bead. Alternatively or additionally, the laser delivery device is configurable to machine a bead base of the second bead. Alternatively or additionally, the laser delivery device is configurable to machine an inner surface of the pneumatic tire. For example, the laser delivery device can be configurable to machine an inner surface portion of the pneumatic tire that faces away from a tread of the pneumatic tire.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine comprises a transport device, for example, a transport device on which the pneumatic tire can be transported lying down. In the context of one embodiment of the present disclosure, the orientation "lying down" means that the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire runs parallel to gravity or nearly parallel to gravity. According to one embodiment, the orientation "lying down" means that a sidewall of the pneumatic tire faces the transport device. According to one embodiment, the sidewall of the pneumatic tire rests on the transport device (and not, for example, a tread of the pneumatic tire rests on the transport device). According to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire rests on the transport device such that a barcode applied in the region of a bead on the pneumatic tire is oriented upwards, i.e., away from the transport device.According to one embodiment, the barcode serves as a reference point in the tire circumferential direction for determining the angular position of the removal of the tire material (rubber material). According to one embodiment, the at least one first holding finger and the at least one second holding finger can be brought into engagement with the pneumatic tire lying on the transport device.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire can be lifted from the transport device into a lifted position by the at least one first holding finger and / or the at least one second holding finger, such that a sidewall of the pneumatic tire is spaced apart from the transport device. According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device is configured to process the pneumatic tire in the lifted position.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger has a mechanical stop for a surface section (also referred to herein as the first surface section) of the first bead. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one second retaining finger has a mechanical stop for a surface section (also referred to herein as the second surface section) of the second bead. According to one embodiment, the mechanical stop (of a first retaining finger and / or of a second retaining finger) is formed by a roller, as described herein. In particular, the roller forming the mechanical stop can be releasable or blockable, as described herein. By a rolling engagement of the relevant surface section (ieof the first surface section or the second surface section) with the roller, a mechanical load on the surface section in question is reduced compared to a sliding engagement.

[0112] For example, at least one of the at least one holding fingers has at least one roller on which the first surface section can roll and / or at least one of the at least one second holding fingers has at least one roller on which the second surface section can roll. To make it easier to differentiate, the at least one roller on which the first surface section (of the first bead) can roll is referred to below as the first roller and the at least one roller on which the second surface section (of the second bead) can roll is referred to as the second roller. It should be noted that this designation with numerals is merely intended to facilitate assignment and shorten the formulations. In the description of the drawings, the terms first roller and second roller are used in a different sense - but even there only to facilitate assignment and shorten the formulation.to shorten the wording.

[0113] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine has at least one of the following features: a lateral bead portion of the first bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one first roller; a bead base of the first bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one first roller; a lateral bead portion of the second bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one second roller; a bead base of the second bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one second roller; at least one of the at least one first roller can be locked in its rotation for a frictional engagement of the pneumatic tire and the first roller; at least one of the at least one second roller can be locked in its rotation for a frictional engagement of the pneumatic tire and the second roller; at least one of the at least one first roller can be driven in rotation to drive the pneumatic tire into a rotary movement;At least one of the at least one second roller is drivable in rotation to drive the pneumatic tire in a rotational movement. According to one embodiment, the lateral bead portion of the first bead is a bead portion that extends transversely to the bead base of the first bead and is adjacent to the bead base of the first bead. According to another embodiment, the lateral bead portion of the second bead is a bead portion that extends transversely to the bead base of the second bead and is adjacent to the bead base of the second bead.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger is rotatable at a distance from the axis of rotation by at least 360 degrees about the axis of rotation. Alternatively or additionally, according to a further embodiment, the at least one second retaining finger is rotatable at a distance from the axis of rotation by at least 360 degrees about the axis of rotation. For example, as described herein, the at least one first retaining finger is mounted on a first carrier and / or the at least one second retaining finger is mounted on a second carrier. By rotating the carrier in question (i.e. the first carrier or the second carrier), the retaining fingers mounted on the carrier are rotatable.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the first retaining fingers are movably mounted on the first carrier. For example, according to one embodiment, the first retaining fingers are movable towards and away from each other on the first carrier. For example, according to one embodiment, the first retaining fingers are movable towards each other for inserting the first retaining fingers into the pneumatic tire. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the first retaining fingers are movable away from each other for engaging the first retaining fingers with the first bead of the pneumatic tire. Similarly, according to one embodiment, the second retaining fingers are movable towards each other for inserting the second retaining fingers into the pneumatic tire. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the second retaining fingers are movable away from each other for engaging the second retaining fingers with the second bead of the pneumatic tire.

[0116] As described herein, the rotation of the carrier or the respective retaining fingers mounted on the carrier occurs about a rotational axis of the tire. Of course, however, as in any technical process or in any actual implementation of a device, deviations are possible. In particular, the advantageous configuration of the tire processing machine enables precise processing of the pneumatic tire even when the rotational axis of the carrier or the respective retaining fingers deviates from the rotational axis of the tire. Therefore, a reference to the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire within the scope of the present disclosure also includes a reference to an axis that deviates from the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire, as long as the functionality of the respective embodiments defined herein is achieved.

[0117] According to embodiments of the first aspect, the pneumatic tire is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as resulting from 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, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect and / or the seventh aspect.

[0118] According to embodiments of the second aspect, the method is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as resulting from 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, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect and / or the seventh aspect.According to embodiments of the third aspect, the tire processing machine is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as resulting from 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, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect and / or the seventh aspect.

[0119] According to embodiments of the fourth aspect, the method for operating a tire processing machine is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as resulting from 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, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect and / or the seventh aspect.

[0120] According to embodiments of the fifth aspect, the wheel is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as resulting from 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, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect and / or the seventh aspect.According to embodiments of the sixth aspect, the control device is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as resulting from 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, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect and / or the seventh aspect.

[0121] According to embodiments of the seventh aspect, the computer program product is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as resulting from 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, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect and / or the seventh aspect.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the computer program product is a non-transient computer program product. According to one embodiment, the program element is a non-transient program element.

[0123] As used herein, reference to a computer program product comprising a program element is considered equivalent to reference to a computer program comprising the program element and / or a computer-readable medium comprising the program element. According to one embodiment, the program element comprises instructions for controlling a processor device (having one or more microprocessors, e.g., a computer system) to effect and / or coordinate the execution of at least one method described herein.

[0124] The (non-transient) program element may be implemented as computer-readable instruction code using any suitable programming language, such as JAVA, C#, Python, etc., and may 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 processor device to perform the intended functions. The computer program may be available on a network, such as the World Wide Web, from which it may be downloaded, for example.

[0125] Suitable embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein (e.g., a function of the control device) can be implemented by means of a computer program product (program element) or software. However, suitable embodiments can also be implemented by one or more specific electronic circuits or hardware. Furthermore, suitable embodiments can also be implemented in hybrid form, i.e., in a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0126] Unless otherwise stated, according to one embodiment, numerical values ​​are understood to include a ±5% window. For example, according to one embodiment, a specification of an angle of 10 degrees includes an angle within an interval of (10 ± 5%) degrees = [9.5 degrees; 10.5 degrees]. Similarly, according to one embodiment, a percentage specification includes a percentage specification within a ±5% window.

[0127] For example, according to one embodiment, a value of 50% includes a window of 50% ± 5% = [47.5%; 52.5%]. According to another embodiment, numerical values ​​are to be understood as including a ±10% window.

[0128] Further exemplary embodiments and combinations of embodiments include the following:

[0129] 1. A pneumatic tire comprising: a bead having a bead base facing the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire; wherein the bead base has a projection extending toward the rotational axis and in a circumferential direction of the bead base; and wherein the projection has a geometry that varies in the circumferential direction.

[0130] 2. Pneumatic tire according to embodiment 1, wherein the changing geometry of the projection extends over an angular range which is less than 360 degrees, in particular less than 180 degrees.

[0131] 3. Pneumatic tire according to embodiment 2, wherein the angular range is in an interval between 20 degrees and 350 degrees, in particular between 40 degrees and 160 degrees.

[0132] 4. The pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion and the bead base has a second protrusion extending in the circumferential direction of the bead base; and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion define a recess between them, in particular a recess that is at least partially trough-shaped in an axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction; in particular wherein the recess is formed asymmetrically in an axial direction.

[0133] 5. The pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the protrusion protrudes beyond a bottom of the bead base; further comprising at least one of the following: the circumferentially varying geometry comprises a circumferentially varying height of the protrusion relative to the bottom; a difference between a height of the protrusion at one angular position in the circumferential direction and a height of the protrusion at another angular position relative to the bottom is at most 1 mm, for example, at most 0.5 mm.

[0134] 6. A pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the projection is arranged in an axial edge region of the bead base.

[0135] 7. Pneumatic tire according to one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the protrusion was produced by removing tire material in a machining area of ​​the bead base.

[0136] 8. The pneumatic tire according to embodiment 7, wherein the removal of tire material was carried out using laser radiation, in particular laser radiation from a CO2 laser, in particular wherein the laser radiation was continuous laser radiation; and / or the laser radiation had a Gaussian beam profile; and / or the laser radiation had a power of more than 400 W, in particular more than 800 W. 9. The pneumatic tire according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein the removal of tire material was carried out along at least one line.

[0137] 10. The pneumatic tire according to embodiment 9, wherein the removal of tire material has occurred along a plurality of parallel lines; in particular, wherein the parallel lines form an angle with an axial direction in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees, or the parallel lines extend in the circumferential direction.

[0138] 11. A pneumatic tire according to embodiment 10, wherein removal areas of adjacent lines overlap.

[0139] 12. The pneumatic tire according to embodiment 11, further comprising one of the following features: an overlap of wear areas of adjacent lines is between 10% and 90%; an overlap of wear areas of adjacent lines is between 65% and 85%; an overlap of wear areas of adjacent lines is 10%, 20%, 33.333%, 50%, 66.667%, 80%, or 90%.

[0140] 13. Pneumatic tire according to one of embodiments 11 or 12, wherein the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is constant.

[0141] 14. Pneumatic tire according to one of embodiments 11 or 12, wherein the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is dependent on a depth of removal.

[0142] 15. The pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 7 to 14, wherein a depth of the removal changes continuously in the circumferential direction. 16. The pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 8 to 15, wherein a change in the depth of the removal in the circumferential direction and / or in the axial direction was achieved at least partially by changing the power of the laser radiation and / or by changing the feed rate of a laser spot across a surface of the bead base, wherein the laser radiation generates the laser spot on the surface of the bead base.

[0143] 17. A pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 7 to 16, wherein the bead has a surface structure in the machining area.

[0144] 18. The pneumatic tire according to embodiment 17, wherein the surface structure was created by removing tire material along machining tracks in the machining area; and / or wherein the surface structure is wave-shaped.

[0145] 19. The pneumatic tire according to embodiment 18, wherein the surface structure comprises a first structural part and / or a second structural part; wherein the first structural part has wave crests defined by an overlap of the processing tracks, and wherein the overlap is between 10% and 90% of a width of the processing tracks; and the second structural part has wave crests at a distance that is greater than a width of the processing tracks.

[0146] 20. Pneumatic tire according to embodiment 19, further comprising at least one of the following features: a distance between the wave crests of the first structural part is greater than 0.05 mm; a distance between the wave crests of the first structural part is less than 2 mm; the distance between the wave crests of the second structural part is greater than 0.5 mm; the distance between the wave crests of the second structural part is less than 10 mm; the wave crests of the first structural part extend along the machining tracks; a geometry of the wave crests of the second structural part varies in a longitudinal direction of the wave crests; an amplitude of the surface structure is between 0.005 mm and 0.25 mm.

[0147] 21. The pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 18 to 20, wherein an amplitude of the surface structure varies in a circumferential direction, and wherein, starting from a point of maximum amplitude, the amplitude of the surface structure continuously decreases in the circumferential direction; and / or wherein the wave crests of the surface structure are arranged at least partially parallel to one another.

[0148] 22. The pneumatic tire according to any one of embodiments 18 to 21, wherein at least one edge region of the bead base is free of the surface structure; and / or wherein a recess is formed in the bead base in the machining area.

[0149] 23. A method for machining a pneumatic tire, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the pneumatic tire has a bead base, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation, the method comprising: removing tire material in a machining region of the bead base and thereby creating a projection which extends towards the axis of rotation and in the circumferential direction and wherein the projection has a geometry which changes in the circumferential direction.

[0150] 24. The method according to embodiment 23, wherein the projection extends over an angular range that is less than 360 degrees; and / or wherein the pneumatic tire is rotated about its rotational axis during the removal of tire material; and / or wherein tire material is removed multiple times in at least a portion of the processing area.

[0151] 25. The method of embodiment 23 or 24, wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion and the removal of tire material in the machining area creates a second protrusion extending in the circumferential direction; and wherein the machining area is disposed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, thereby defining a recess between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0152] 26. Method according to one of embodiments 23 to 25, wherein the recess is trough-shaped in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction.

[0153] 27. The method according to any one of embodiments 23 to 26, wherein the removal of tire material occurs to a depth and the depth varies in the circumferential direction of the projection.

[0154] 28. The method according to any one of embodiments 23 to 27, wherein the

[0155] Processing area comprises a central region of the bead sole and wherein the central region of the bead sole is arranged in the axial direction between edge regions of the bead sole.

[0156] 29. Method according to one of embodiments 23 to 28, wherein the removal of tire material is carried out with laser radiation, in particular laser radiation from a CO2 laser.

[0157] 30. The method according to embodiment 29, further comprising at least one of the following features: the CO2 laser is operated continuously during ablation; the CO2 laser has a Gaussian beam profile; the CO2 laser has an output power of more than 400 W, in particular an output power of more than 800 W.

[0158] 31. Method according to one of embodiments 23 to 30, wherein the removal of the tire material takes place along at least one line.

[0159] 32. The method according to embodiment 31, wherein the tire material is removed along a plurality of parallel lines; in particular, wherein the parallel lines form an angle with the axial direction in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees, or the parallel lines extend in the circumferential direction.

[0160] 33. The method of embodiment 32, wherein ablation areas of adjacent lines overlap.

[0161] 34. The method according to embodiment 33, further comprising one of the following features: an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is between 10% and 90%; an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is between 65% and 85%; an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is 10%, 20%, 33,333%, 50%, 66,667%, 80%, or 90%.

[0162] 35. Method according to one of embodiments 33 or 34, wherein the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is constant.

[0163] 36. The method according to any one of embodiments 33 or 34, wherein the overlap of removal regions of adjacent lines is dependent on a depth of removal produced by the removal.

[0164] 37. Method according to one of embodiments 29 to 36, wherein during the removal of tire material in the processing area, a power of the laser radiation is varied depending on a position in the axial direction and / or depending on a position in the circumferential direction.

[0165] 38. Method according to one of embodiments 23 to 37, wherein during the removal of the tire material, the pneumatic tire is rotated about the axis of rotation, in particular rotated at a constant angular velocity.

[0166] 39. The method according to embodiment 38, further comprising the features of embodiment 29 or embodiment 30, wherein the rotation of the pneumatic tire about the axis of rotation is compensated for when the laser radiation is positioned in the processing area.

[0167] 40. The method according to any one of embodiments 23 to 39, wherein at least one first retaining finger is engaged with a first bead of the pneumatic tire and at least one second retaining finger is engaged with a second bead of the pneumatic tire; wherein a distance between the first bead and the second bead is adjusted by positioning the at least one first retaining finger and the at least one second retaining finger relative to each other; wherein the rotation of the pneumatic tire during the removal of the tire material is achieved by driving the at least one first retaining finger in a rotational movement.

[0168] 41. The method according to embodiment 40, wherein during the driving of the at least one first retaining finger in a rotational movement, the second bead is in rolling engagement with the at least one second retaining finger and the removal takes place on the second bead.

[0169] 42. Method according to one of embodiments 40 or 41, wherein after the removal of tire material from the second bead, the removal of tire material from the first bead takes place; in particular, wherein rotation of the pneumatic tire during the removal from the first bead takes place by driving the at least one second holding finger in a rotational movement; in particular, wherein the at least one second holding finger is in frictional engagement with the pneumatic tire during the driving in a rotational movement, in particular by blocking at least one roller of the at least one second holding finger.

[0170] 43. The method of embodiment 42, wherein during driving of the at least one second retaining finger in a rotational movement, the first bead is in rolling engagement with the at least one first retaining finger.

[0171] 44. The method of any one of embodiments 40 to 43, wherein the at least one first retaining finger is engaged with the first bead of the pneumatic tire by moving the at least one first retaining finger into the pneumatic tire in a first transverse direction and then moving the at least one first finger in a direction toward the first bead.

[0172] 45. The method of any one of embodiments 40 to 44, wherein the at least one second retaining finger is engaged with the second bead of the pneumatic tire by moving the at least one second retaining finger into the pneumatic tire in a second transverse direction and then moving the at least one second finger in a direction toward the second bead.

[0173] 46. ​​The method of embodiment 45, wherein the at least one first retaining finger is mounted on a carrier; and the at least one first retaining finger is moved into the pneumatic tire in the first transverse direction by lifting the carrier, the carrier being arranged below a transport device.

[0174] 47. The method according to embodiment 46, wherein, for driving the at least one first holding finger in a rotational movement, the carrier is lifted above the transport device; and the carrier is subsequently driven in the rotational movement.

[0175] 48. Tire processing machine for processing a pneumatic tire, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the pneumatic tire to be processed has a first bead and a second bead, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to a rotation axis of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction around the rotation axis, the tire processing machine comprising: at least one first holding finger which can be engaged with the first bead; at least one second holding finger which can be engaged with the second bead; wherein the at least one first holding finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire, in particular together with the at least one first holding finger, with respect to the at least one second holding finger.

[0176] 49. A tire processing machine according to embodiment 48, wherein the at least one second retaining finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire together with the at least one second retaining finger relative to the at least one first retaining finger.

[0177] 50. Tire processing machine according to one of the embodiments 48 or

[0178] 49, wherein the at least one first retaining finger and / or the at least one second retaining finger is configured to hold the first bead and the second bead at a predetermined distance.

[0179] 51. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 48 to 50, wherein the at least one first holding finger is configured to

[0180] Inserting the at least one first retaining finger into the pneumatic tire from a first side of the pneumatic tire; wherein the at least one second retaining finger is configured to insert the at least one second retaining finger into the pneumatic tire from a second side of the pneumatic tire, wherein the second side of the pneumatic tire is arranged opposite the first side of the pneumatic tire.

[0181] 52. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 48 to 51, further comprising a suction device.

[0182] 53. Tire processing machine according to embodiment 52, wherein the suction device can be brought into a first position for suctioning off process residues from processing the first bead; and / or wherein the suction device can be brought into a second position for suctioning off process residues from processing the second bead.

[0183] 54. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 52 or 53, wherein the tire processing machine has at least two of the first holding fingers and the suction device is positionable between two adjacent first holding fingers and / or wherein the tire processing machine has at least two of the second holding fingers and the suction device is positionable between two adjacent second holding fingers; in particular, wherein a spatial position of the holding fingers, between which the suction device is positioned, remains unchanged during processing.

[0184] 55. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 48 to 54, further comprising a laser emitting device for emitting laser radiation onto the pneumatic tire to thereby process the pneumatic tire; in particular, wherein the laser emitting device is arranged radially outside the pneumatic tire; in particular, wherein the laser emitting device comprises at least one scanner for moving a beam path of the laser radiation across the pneumatic tire, wherein, in particular, a scanning movement of the beam path has a directional component parallel to the rotation axis.

[0185] 56. The tire processing machine of embodiment 55, wherein the laser delivery device is configurable to process a bead base of the first bead; and / or wherein the laser delivery device is configurable to process a bead base of the second bead; and / or wherein the laser delivery device is configurable to process an inner surface of the pneumatic tire.

[0186] 57. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 48 to 56, further comprising a transport device on which the pneumatic tire can be transported lying down; wherein the at least one first holding finger and the at least one second holding finger can be brought into engagement with the pneumatic tire lying on the transport device.

[0187] 58. Tire processing machine according to embodiment 57, wherein the pneumatic tire can be lifted from the transport device into a lifted position by the at least one first holding finger and / or the at least one second holding finger, so that a side wall of the pneumatic tire is spaced apart from the transport device.

[0188] 59. The tire processing machine of embodiment 58 and further comprising the features of embodiment 55, wherein the laser dispenser is configured to process the pneumatic tire in the lifted position.

[0189] 60. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 48 to 59, wherein the at least one first holding finger comprises a mechanical

[0190] Stop for a first surface portion of the first bead; and / or wherein the at least one second holding finger has a mechanical stop for a second surface portion of the second bead. 61. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 48 to 60, wherein at least one of the at least one first holding finger has at least one first roller on which the first surface portion can roll; and / or wherein at least one of the at least one second holding finger has at least one second roller on which the second surface portion can roll.

[0191] 62. Tire processing machine according to embodiment 61, further comprising at least one of the following features: a lateral bead portion of the first bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one first roller; a bead base of the first bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one first roller; a lateral bead portion of the second bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one second roller; a bead base of the second bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one second roller; at least one of the at least one first roller can be blocked in its rotation for a frictional engagement of the pneumatic tire and the first roller; at least one of the at least one second roller can be blocked in its rotation for a frictional engagement of the pneumatic tire and the second roller;At least one of the at least one first roller is drivable in rotation to drive the pneumatic tire in a rotary motion; at least one of the at least one second roller is drivable in rotation to drive the pneumatic tire in a rotary motion.

[0192] 63. Tire processing machine according to one of embodiments 48 to 62, wherein the at least one first holding finger is rotatable at a distance from the axis of rotation by at least 360 degrees about the axis of rotation and / or the at least one second holding finger is rotatable at a distance from the axis of rotation by at least 360 degrees about the axis of rotation.

[0193] 64. A method for operating a tire processing machine for processing a pneumatic tire, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the pneumatic tire to be processed has a first bead and a second bead, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation, the method comprising: engaging at least one first retaining finger with the first bead; engaging at least one second retaining finger with the second bead;

[0194] Operating the at least one first retaining finger, in particular in a rotational movement, in order to rotate the pneumatic tire, in particular together with the at least one first retaining finger, with respect to the at least one second retaining finger.

[0195] 65. A wheel comprising a rim and a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim according to any one of embodiments 1 to 22.

[0196] 66. A wheel according to embodiment 65, wherein the projection of the bead base is deformed by the rim; in particular wherein the projection of the bead base by the rim has a deformation varying in the circumferential direction.

[0197] 67. A control device configured to perform a method according to at least one of embodiments 23 to 47 and / or a method according to embodiment 64. 68. A computer program product comprising a program element configured to, when executed on a processor device, perform a method according to at least one of embodiments 23 to 47 and / or a method according to embodiment 64.

[0198] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following exemplary description of exemplary implementations of currently preferred embodiments, to which the claimed invention is not limited, however. The individual figures of the drawings in this document are to be considered merely schematic and not to scale.

[0199] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0200] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of a wheel according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0201] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of part of the first bead from Fig. 1.

[0202] Fig. 3 shows a partial view of another (first) bead according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0203] Fig. 4 shows schematically a side view of the pneumatic tire from Fig. 1.

[0204] Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a bead sole according to embodiments of the subject matters disclosed herein.

[0205] Fig. 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a surface structure of a processing area of ​​the bead sole of Fig. 5, according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. Fig. 7 shows a plan view of a portion of a processing area of ​​another bead sole according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0206] Fig. 8 shows a plan view of a portion of a machining area of ​​another bead sole according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0207] Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method for generating parallel lines in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0208] Fig. 10 shows a tire processing machine according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0209] Fig. 11 shows the tire processing machine of Fig. 10, wherein the at least one first holding finger and the at least one second holding finger are in the radially outer position.

[0210] Figure 12 shows another tire processing machine according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0211] Fig. 13 shows the tire processing machine from Fig. 12 in another state.

[0212] Fig. 14 shows the tire processing machine from Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 with the pneumatic tire in a position lifted from the transport device.

[0213] Fig. 15 shows another tire processing machine according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. Fig. 16 shows the tire processing machine of Fig. 15 in a side view, as seen from line XIII-XIII in Fig. 15.

[0214] Fig. 17 shows the tire processing machine of Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 with further details to explain further embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0215] Fig. 18 shows part of the tire processing machine from Fig. 17 in a side view.

[0216] Fig. 19 shows the tire processing machine in the representation of Fig. 18 during the processing of the bead sole of the second bead 112.

[0217] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0218] It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements or components are provided with the same reference numerals, or with reference numerals which only have a 2 or a 3 instead of a 1 or a 5 or a 6 instead of a 4 in the first digit. Such features or components which correspond to the corresponding features or

[0219] Components in another figure which are the same or at least functionally equivalent are described in detail only at their first occurrence in the following text and the description is not repeated for subsequent occurrences of these features and components (or the corresponding reference numerals).

[0220] It is understood that an exemplary implementation of the elements described below and provided with reference numerals is shown in the relevant drawings and in accordance with the corresponding

[0221] Description unless otherwise stated.

[0222] Furthermore, it should be noted that embodiments described in connection with an exemplary implementation (i.e., an exemplary combination of embodiments) with reference to a specific drawing are not limited to that implementation. Rather, as already explained above, the embodiments described herein can be combined in any way. Thus, embodiments described with reference to different implementations in different drawings can also be combined with one another.

[0223] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of a wheel 100 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0224] According to one embodiment, the wheel 100 includes a rim 102 and a pneumatic tire 104 mounted on the rim according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire 104 includes a first sidewall 106 and a second sidewall 108 facing away from the first sidewall 106.

[0225] The pneumatic tire 104 further includes a first bead 110 and a second bead 112. In a radial direction 114, the pneumatic tire 104 rests on the rim 102 with a bead base 116 of the respective bead 110, 112. The bead base 116 further includes, as viewed in an axial direction 118, a first edge region 120 facing an interior of the pneumatic tire 104 and also referred to herein as the bead toe. Furthermore, the bead base 116 includes a second edge region 122, which is arranged opposite the first edge region 120 in the axial direction 118 and is also referred to herein as the bead heel. The bead base 116 extends in a circumferential direction of the tire. In one embodiment, the bead base 116 also defines a circumferential direction of the tire (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1, not shown). According to one embodiment, the bead base has a projection extending in the circumferential direction (in Fig.1 not shown) wherein the projection has a geometry that changes in the circumferential direction and has a deformation that varies in the circumferential direction due to contact with the rim 102.

[0226] A tread 124 of the pneumatic tire 104 is arranged between the first sidewall 106 and the second sidewall 108.

[0227] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of part of the first bead 110 from Fig. 1.

[0228] According to one embodiment, the bead sole 116 has a projection 126 extending toward a rotation axis and in the circumferential direction of the bead sole, for example as shown in Fig. 2. The rotation axis is schematically shown at 128 in Fig. 2, wherein the dimensions and in particular the distance between the bead sole 116 and the rotation axis 128 are not to scale.

[0229] According to one embodiment, the protrusion 126 has a changing geometry in the circumferential direction. For example, a height 130 of the protrusion relative to a bottom 132 of the bead sole can change in the circumferential direction. For example, from a first height (e.g., height 130) to a second height 134. A level of the bottom 132 of the bead sole at the second height 134 is indicated in Fig. 2 by dashed lines at 136. According to one embodiment, the protrusion 126 is arranged in the first (inner) axial edge region 120, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. According to one embodiment, a shape of a transition 138 from the protrusion 126 to the bottom 132 of the bead sole 116 changes in the circumferential direction.

[0230] According to one embodiment, the bead 110 comprises a bead core 140. As is known to those skilled in the art, the bead core is formed, for example, by an annular steel wire or by a plurality of annular strands, for example made of steel, some of which are indicated at 142 in Fig. 2 by way of example.

[0231] According to one embodiment, the protrusion 126 is created by removing tire material in a machining area 144 of the bead base 116. In this way, the removal reduces a distance 146 between the bottom 132 of the bead base 116 and the bead core 140. According to one embodiment, the level of the original bottom 148 of the bead base corresponds to the level of the protrusion 126, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. The term level refers herein to a level relative to the tire's rotational axis, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0232] Fig. 3 shows a partial view of another (first) bead 110 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0233] According to one embodiment, the bead sole 116 has a second projection 150 at an axial distance 151 from the first projection 126. According to one embodiment, the first projection 126 and the second projection 150 define a generally trough-shaped recess 152 between them. According to one embodiment, the transition 138, 153 between the base 132 and the respective projection 126, 150 can, for example, run essentially straight, for example as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the trough-shaped recess 152 can have a trapezoidal shape in axial cross-section, for example as shown in Fig. 3. According to one embodiment, the first projection 126 is arranged in the region of the bead toe 120 and the second projection 150 is arranged in the region of the bead heel 122, for example as shown in Fig. 3.The arrangement of the projections 126, 150 in opposite, axial edge regions 120, 122 of the bead sole 116, as shown by way of example in Fig. 3, has the advantage that a compressive load on the bead sole is distributed more evenly than in the case of only one projection (for example the projection 126, as shown in Fig. 2).

[0234] Fig. 4 shows schematically a side view of the pneumatic tire 104 from Fig. 1.

[0235] For reasons of clarity, the rim 102 is not shown in Fig. 4. According to one embodiment, the projection 126 extends in the circumferential direction 154 over an angular range that is less than 360 degrees. In other words, in one embodiment, the projection 126 does not extend over the entire circumference of the bead base 116. According to one embodiment, the removal takes place continuously in the circumferential direction 154, i.e., a depth of the removal (which, according to one embodiment, corresponds to the height 130 of the projection 126, see Fig. 2) varies continuously in the circumferential direction 154, for example, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0236] Due to the removal of rubber material (tire material), a distance of the base 132 of the bead sole 116 from the rotation axis 156 changes, which corresponds to an improved concentricity of the pneumatic tire 104. According to one embodiment, the unmachined bead sole 116, the radial level of which is defined by the projection 126 according to one embodiment, does not run concentrically around the rotation axis 156, for example, as schematically shown in Fig. 4. In other words, according to one embodiment, a first distance 157 of the unmachined bead sole from the rotation axis 156 is different from a second distance 158 of the unmachined bead sole from the rotation axis 156, for example, as shown in Fig. 4. According to one embodiment, by removing tire material in the machining area 144 of the bead sole 116, the bottom of the bead sole 116 is brought to an equidistant distance 160 (or at least approximately the distance 158) from the axis of rotation 156.In this way, the concentricity of the tire can be improved.

[0237] It is understood that the concentricity or improved concentricity of a tire always applies to the tire mounted on a rim. Thus, the base 132 of the bead base 116 is also crucial for concentricity, whereas the projection 126, according to one embodiment, is deformed during mounting on the tire.

[0238] It should be understood that Fig. 4 merely illustrates a simple case of a runout correction of a pneumatic tire and that, according to one embodiment, higher-order deviations can also be corrected by removing tire material. As a result, the height of a protrusion (for example, the height 138 of the protrusion 126, see Fig. 2) can have local maxima and / or local minima in the circumferential direction (not shown). Consequently, the geometry of the protrusion or the geometry of the bottom of the bead sole 132 or the geometry of the recess 152 can have local maxima and / or local minima in the circumferential direction. Of course, however, these geometric deviations are to be distinguished from a surface structure in the machining area that was created by removing tire material along machining tracks in the machining area.

[0239] Exemplary embodiments for removing tire material (i.e., for performing the removal) are explained below. Figure 5 shows a plan view of a bead base 116 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0240] According to one embodiment, the processing region 144, in which tire material was removed, extends next to the projection 126. According to one embodiment, the removal was carried out using laser radiation, in particular laser radiation from a CO2 laser. According to one embodiment, the removal of tire material in the processing region 144 takes place along parallel lines (in Fig. 5, some of the parallel lines or their extension in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lines, are indicated at 162). According to one embodiment, according to one embodiment, removal regions 162 of the parallel lines overlap, for example, the removal regions 162 overlap over two-thirds of their line width 164, for example as shown in Fig. 5. The removal of tire material along a line removes tire material in the removal region 162 and, according to one embodiment, thereby creates a processing track within the meaning of the present disclosure.According to one embodiment, the machining track is defined by the removal area in which the tire material is removed. Accordingly, according to one embodiment, the terms "removal area" and "machining track" used herein are interchangeable. It is understood that, in the case of overlapping removal areas, the removal area 162 may be at least partially removed by the subsequent removal in the overlapping removal areas and is thus no longer visible on the final pneumatic tire 104.

[0241] According to one embodiment, the removal regions 162 of the parallel lines extend in the circumferential direction 154, i.e., the longitudinal direction of the lines is parallel to the circumferential direction 154, for example, as shown in Fig. 5. According to one embodiment, the removal regions 162 of the parallel lines (i.e., the machining tracks) have a defined extent transverse to the longitudinal direction and thus define an edge 163 of the respective removal region / machining track 162.

[0242] Fig. 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a surface structure 168 of a processing area 144 of the bead sole of Fig. 5, according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0243] According to one embodiment, the transition region 138 between the projection 126 and the base 132 of the bead sole 116 has different numbers of overlapping ablation regions 132, for example, as described with reference to Fig. 5. In this way, a step-shaped surface structure results in a direction transverse to the parallel lines in the transition region 138 between the projection 126 and the base 132, which is shown schematically and idealized at 164 in Fig. 6. It is understood that ablation by the laser radiation will never be ideally geometric, but that deviations from an ideal geometric shape always result. This is all the more true if, according to one embodiment, the laser radiation has a Gaussian-shaped intensity profile across its beam cross-section, as indicated schematically at 166 in Fig. 6.In this way, at least with suitable process control, instead of the step-shaped surface profile, a wave-shaped surface structure 168 results, as indicated in Fig. 6 in a dashed line.

[0244] According to one embodiment, a surface structure 168 is also created on the bottom 132 of the bead base by the overlapping removal regions 162 and / or by the edges 163 or edge regions of the removal regions 162. For example, according to one embodiment, non-removed rubber material 170 at the edge 163 of the removal regions 162 is left at the bottom 132 of the processing area 144 (i.e., at the bottom of the bead base). According to one embodiment, the rubber material 170 also provides a wave-shaped surface structure 168 on the bottom 132, for example due to the Gaussian intensity profile 166 of the laser radiation, wherein the wave crests 165 may have a pointed shape in this case. A surface structure whose wave crests 165 have a pitch (distance between the peaks of the wave crests) that is equal to or smaller than the width 164 of the removal areas 162, such as that shown with reference to Fig.5 and 6, is also referred to herein as the first structural part. According to one embodiment, the surface structure 168 (in particular the first structural part of the surface structure) is defined by parallel lines at the edges of the processing tracks or edges 163 of the removal regions 162. Consequently, according to one embodiment, the position of the edges 163 corresponds to the position of wave crests of the surface structure, some of which are indicated at 165 in Fig. 6.

[0245] Fig. 7 shows a plan view of a portion of a machining area 144 of another bead sole 116 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0246] According to one embodiment, tire material was removed in the processing area 144 of the bead base 116 along a plurality of parallel, overlapping lines, wherein the removal areas 162 of the lines or their edges shown in Fig. 7, some of which are designated 163, enclose an angle 172 in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees with the axial direction 118, for example an angle of approximately 50 degrees, for example as shown in Fig. 7. Otherwise, the illustrated overlap of the removal areas 162 is analogous to the illustration in Fig. 5. As explained above with reference to Fig. 6, in one embodiment the edges 163 of the processing tracks or the removal areas 162 define the wave crests 165 of the surface structure 168, as schematically illustrated in Fig. 7. Consequently, in one embodiment, the wave crests 165 of the surface structure 168 extend at the angle 172 to the axial direction 118.Machining at an angle to the axial direction 118 (i.e., the angle 172 is, for example, between 5 degrees and 60 degrees) has the advantage that, for a given width of the machining area 144 in the axial direction, a longitudinal extension of the individual machining tracks or removal areas 162 is greater than the width of the removal area 144 in the axial direction. In this way, by adjusting the angle 172, the longitudinal extension of the removal areas 162 can be adapted to an available scan path of a laser scanner, so that the longitudinal extension of the removal areas 162 is as long as possible, but not longer than a maximum scan path of the laser scanner. In this way, the efficiency of the removal can be increased.

[0247] Fig. 8 shows a plan view of a portion of a machining area 144 of another bead sole 116 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0248] According to one embodiment, a surface structure has a structural part (also referred to herein as second structural part 169), the wave crests 165 of which have a distance 173 that is greater than a width of the removal regions 162 or the processing tracks, wherein the second structural part is also produced according to one embodiment by the removal of tire material along the removal regions of lines (or processing tracks) according to the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular by removal regions 162 as described with reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7. In particular, the wave crests 165 of the second structural part 169 are produced in one embodiment such that they do not run completely parallel to one another and, according to a further embodiment, are not completely straight either.Therefore, according to one embodiment, the distance 173 of the wave crests 165 of the second structural part 169 is specified as the average distance of the wave crests 165 of the second structural part 169. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, an amplitude of the wave crests 165 of the second structural part 169 can vary in a longitudinal direction 171 of the wave crests 165 of the second structural part 169. According to one embodiment, the wave crests 165 of the second structural part 169 extend in the longitudinal direction 171 of the wave crests 165 only over a part of the processing area 144.

[0249] According to one embodiment, the pneumatic tire 104 is rotated about its rotational axis during the machining of the machining area 144. To create parallel lines or parallel machining tracks in this case, the rotation of the pneumatic tire is compensated by appropriately guiding the laser beam path.

[0250] Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of a method for generating parallel lines in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0251] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a path 174 of the beam path on the bead sole 116, wherein the bead sole 116 moves at a speed 175 in the circumferential direction 154. The path 174 of the beam path on the bead sole corresponds to the path of the laser spot generated by the laser radiation on the bead sole, provided laser radiation is emitted. Since the laser radiation is switched off in some path sections according to one embodiment, the following focuses only on the path of the beam path on the bead sole. According to one embodiment, the path 174 comprises, starting from a first starting point, a first path section 176 in which the beam path of the laser radiation is moved with a directional component in the circumferential direction 154. This movement of the beam path along the path 174 on the bead sole 116 takes place, for example, by means of a laser scanner.According to one embodiment, at the end of the first path section (for example, at the edge of the processing area or at the end of the scanning path of the laser scanner), the laser radiation is switched off, and the beam path is returned (also referred to herein as a return) along a second path section 177 counter to the circumferential direction 154, from which, according to one embodiment, the beam path is again moved along a third path section 178 with a directional component in the circumferential direction 154. At the end of the third path section, according to one embodiment, a further return to the first starting point occurs along a fourth path section 179, again with the laser radiation switched off. In this way, the first path section 176 creates a first removal region 262 on the bead base, and the second path section 178 creates a second removal region 362 (in Fig.9 symbolized by lines), which, with suitable coordination of the speeds (speed of the beam path of the laser radiation along the first path section 176 and the third path section 178 as well as the speed 175 of the bead sole 116), run parallel, for example with a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction 154. The time duration for the return (path sections 177 and 179) and the speed 175 determine the distance between the parallel ablation areas 262, 362.

[0252] Fig. 10 shows a tire processing machine 400 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0253] The tire processing machine has at least one first holding finger 402, for example, two first holding fingers 402, for example, as shown in Fig. 10. According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine 400 has at least one second holding finger 404, for example, two first holding fingers 404, for example, as shown in Fig. 10. The at least one first holding finger is operable, according to one embodiment, to rotate the pneumatic tire 104 together with the at least one first holding finger 402 relative to the at least one second holding finger 404.

[0254] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger 402 is mounted on a first carrier 406, and the at least one second retaining finger 404 is mounted on a second carrier 408. According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger 402 and the at least one second retaining finger 404 are movable into (and out of) the pneumatic tire 104 in a transverse direction, for example, in the axial direction 118. For example, the at least one first retaining finger 402 and the at least one second retaining finger 404 are movable relative to their carriers 406, 408 in the radial direction 114, in particular movable into a radially inner position 409, for example, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0255] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger 402 and the at least one second retaining finger 404 are movable with respect to their carrier 406, 408 into a radially outer position (not shown in Fig. 10) in which the at least one first retaining finger 402 engages the first bead 110 and in which the at least one second retaining finger 404 engages the second bead 112.

[0256] According to a further embodiment, the at least one retaining finger 402 and the at least one retaining finger 404 each comprise at least one roller that can be configured to roll on a surface of the pneumatic tire 104. For example, each retaining finger 402, 404 may comprise a first roller 410 and / or a second roller 414, as described below. In other embodiments (not shown), instead of a rolling engagement (through the provision of the first and / or second roller), a sliding engagement of at least one retaining finger is also possible. However, a rolling engagement may be more gentle and thus protect the surface of the pneumatic tire.

[0257] For example, the at least one roller comprises a first roller 410, which is capable of rolling on an inner bead surface 412 of the pneumatic tire or is configurable to roll on the inner bead surface 412 of the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, the inner bead surface 412 faces axially inward and is arranged adjacent to the bead base 116, for example, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0258] According to a further embodiment, the at least one roller of each retaining finger 402, 404 comprises a second roller 414 which is rollable on the associated bead sole 116 of the pneumatic tire 104 or is configurable to roll on the bead sole 116.

[0259] According to one embodiment, at least one first roller 410 and / or at least one second roller 414 is configurable to allow or block rotation of the respective roller about its axis (also referred to herein as "roller axis").

[0260] Fig. 11 shows the tire processing machine 400 of Fig. 10, wherein the at least one first holding finger 402 and the at least one second holding finger 404 are located in the radially outer position 418. The radially outer position 418 is also referred to herein as the engagement position, since in this position the respective holding finger is in engagement with the pneumatic tire 104.

[0261] According to one embodiment, the rollers 410, 414 of the at least one first retaining finger 402 are in engagement with the first bead 110 of the pneumatic tire 104 in its radially outer position 418, for example, as shown in Fig. 11. According to another embodiment, the rollers 410, 414 of the at least one second retaining finger 404 are in engagement with the second bead 112 of the pneumatic tire 104 in its radially outer position 418, for example, as shown in Fig. 11.

[0262] According to one embodiment, the at least one first retaining finger 402 is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire 104 together with the at least one first retaining finger 402 relative to the at least one second retaining finger 404. For example, according to one embodiment, the first rollers 410 and / or the second rollers 414 of the at least one first retaining finger 402 are configured to frictionally engage the first bead 110. For example, the first rollers 410 and / or the second rollers 414 are configured to frictionally engage the first bead 110 to prevent rotation about their axis.

[0263] According to one embodiment, the first rollers 410 and the second rollers 414 of the second retaining finger 404 are configured to allow rotation of the first rollers 410 and the second rollers 414 of the second retaining finger 404. In this way, while the pneumatic tire 104 rotates about its rotation axis 128, the second bead 112 can roll on the first rollers 410 (and according to one embodiment, also on the second rollers 414), so that the second bead 112 is held at a predetermined distance from the first bead 110 and yet the second bead 112 is rotatable, in particular unhindered, with respect to the second retaining fingers 404. In this way, precise machining of the second bead 112 is enabled.

[0264] As described herein, according to a further embodiment, machining of the first bead is enabled by configuring the first rollers 410 and the second rollers 414 of the first retaining fingers 402 to allow rotation about their roller axis, while the first rollers 410 and the second rollers 414 of the second retaining fingers 404 are configured to block rotation and thereby bring the second retaining fingers 404 into frictional engagement with the second bead 112. This configuration of the rollers 410, 414 thus allows the pneumatic tire 104 to be driven in a rotational movement about the rotational axis 128 via a rotational movement of the second retaining fingers 404 about the rotational axis 128, while the first bead 110 rolls on the rollers 410, 414 of the at least one first retaining finger 402. In this way, precise machining of the first bead is enabled.

[0265] Figure 12 shows another tire processing machine 500 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0266] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine 500 comprises a carrier 406 on which at least two first holding fingers 402 are mounted, for example, as shown in Fig. 12. It is understood that more than two first holding fingers 402 may be mounted on the carrier 406, for example, four or more first holding fingers 402. However, for reasons of simplicity and clarity, only two first holding fingers are shown in Fig. 12.

[0267] According to one embodiment, each of the at least two first retaining fingers 402 has a roller 410 (also referred to herein as a first roller), for example a first roller 410 as described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11.

[0268] According to one embodiment, the carrier 406 is provided with the first holding fingers

[0269] 402 and the first rollers 410 can be arranged under a transport device 420, for example as shown in Fig. 12. In this position of the carrier and the first holding fingers 402, the pneumatic tire 104 can be easily conveyed into the tire processing machine 500.

[0270] Fig. 13 shows the tire processing machine 500 from Fig. 12 in a further state.

[0271] According to one embodiment, the first retaining fingers 402 are engaged with a first bead 110, and at least two second retaining fingers 404 are engaged with a second bead 112 of the pneumatic tire 104. Engaging the first and second retaining fingers 402, 404 with the associated bead 110, 112 can, according to one embodiment, occur through engagement of the rollers 410 with the associated first bead 110 or the second bead 112, for example, as shown in Fig. 13. According to one embodiment, the first retaining fingers 402 extend through the transport device 420, for example, as shown in Fig. 13. According to one embodiment, the transport device can, for this purpose, have transport sections spaced apart from one another, between which the first carrier 106 and the first retaining fingers 402 can pass.

[0272] According to one embodiment, the first bead 110 and the second bead 112 are held at a defined distance from one another by the at least two first holding fingers 402 and the at least two second holding fingers 404. According to one embodiment, the at least two first holding fingers 402 and the at least two second holding fingers 404 are movable together, for example in the axial direction 118, for example as shown in Fig. 13. According to one embodiment, the distance between the first bead 110 and the second bead 112 remains constant and assumes the defined distance in an end position (e.g., a lifted position, as described with reference to Fig. 14). Fig. 14 shows the tire processing machine 500 from Figs. 12 and 13 with the pneumatic tire 104 in a position lifted from the transport device 420.

[0273] According to one embodiment, the first carrier 406 is configured to be positionable above the transport device 420, for example, as shown in Fig. 14. Thus, according to one embodiment, the first carrier 406, together with the first holding fingers 402, is freely rotatable in the raised position.

[0274] According to one embodiment, at least in the lifted position, the distance 429 between the first bead 110 and the second bead 112 has a defined (predetermined) value. This allows for precise machining of the bead base, particularly since the orientation and / or position of the bead base 116 can change during deformation of the tire.

[0275] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine 500 comprises a first drive device 450 configured to drive the first carrier 406 together with the first retaining fingers 402 into a rotational movement to thereby rotate the pneumatic tire 104 when the rollers 410 of the first retaining fingers 402 are configured for frictional engagement with the pneumatic tire 104.

[0276] According to another embodiment, the tire processing machine 500 includes a second drive device 452 configurable to drive the second carrier 408 together with the second retaining fingers 404 into a rotational movement to thereby rotate the pneumatic tire 104 when the rollers 410 of the second retaining fingers 404 are configured for frictional engagement with the pneumatic tire 104. Figure 15 shows another tire processing machine 600 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0277] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine 600 comprises a transport device 420 having a first transport section 422 and a second transport section 424, which are arranged at a distance from one another, for example as shown in Fig. 15. According to one embodiment, a first carrier 406 is arranged between the first transport section 422 and the second transport section 424, on which carrier 406 four first holding fingers 402 are mounted, each having a roller, in particular a first roller 410, as described in particular with reference to Figs. 10 to 14.

[0278] The transport sections 422 and 424 can be formed, for example, by two belt sections 426 of a conveyor belt arranged at a distance from one another, for example as shown in Fig. 15.

[0279] According to one embodiment, the transport device 420 is configured to transport the pneumatic tire 104 lying down, ie the pneumatic tire 104 rests with one of its two side walls on the transport device 420, for example as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 15.

[0280] Fig. 16 shows the tire processing machine 600 from Fig. 15 in a side view, seen from the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 15.

[0281] According to one embodiment, the first carrier 406 is arranged in a first position below the transport device 420, for example, as shown in Fig. 15. In this way, the pneumatic tire 104 can be conveyed into the tire processing machine 501 without there being a risk of collision with the at least one first holding finger 402 or its roller 410. Fig. 17 shows the tire processing machine 600 from Figs. 15 and 16 with further details to explain further embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0282] According to one embodiment, the carrier 406 is raised in a second position above the transport device 420, into the pneumatic tire 104, in order to engage the first holding fingers 402 with the pneumatic tire 104, for example, as shown in Fig. 17. According to another embodiment, the tire processing machine 600 can have a suction device 428. According to one embodiment, the transport device is arranged opposite a first sidewall of the pneumatic tire 104, and the suction device 428 is positioned into the pneumatic tire from an opposite side, which is opposite the second sidewall of the pneumatic tire 104, so that the suction device is opposite the processing point 433 to be processed (in particular in the processing area 144 on the bead base 116) of the pneumatic tire 104, for example, as shown in Fig. 17.

[0283] According to one embodiment, the tire processing machine 600 is configured to process the pneumatic tire 104 with laser radiation 430. For example, according to one embodiment, the tire processing machine 600 has a laser emission device 432 from which laser radiation 430 can be emitted. According to one embodiment, the suction device 428 is configured to allow the laser radiation 430 to pass through the suction device 428. In this way, the suction device 428 can be positioned very close to the processing point 433 of the pneumatic tire 104 that is processed with the laser radiation 430. According to one embodiment, the laser processing device 600 has a control device 434, which is configured to control components of the laser processing machine 600, for example, the laser emission device 432, the transport device 420 or the carrier 406.Drive devices 450, 452 and / or actuators associated with the carrier 406 that allow movement of the carrier in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0284] According to one embodiment, the control device comprises a processor device 436 and a memory device 438, in which, according to one embodiment, a computer program product is stored, for example a program element which is configured, when executed on the processor device 436, to carry out a method according to one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and in particular to control the laser processing machine 600.

[0285] According to one embodiment, the first carrier 406 is brought into a processing position 440 before the processing of the first bead with the laser radiation 430 and is fixed in this processing position 440 during the processing of the first bead.

[0286] According to one embodiment, the processing position 440 of the first carrier 406 is rotated relative to a retraction position for retracting into the pneumatic tire 104, which is illustrated in Fig. 15, for example by 45 degrees, for example as illustrated in Fig. 17. For example, according to one embodiment, the first carrier 406 is brought into the processing position 440 together with the first holding fingers 402 in order to allow or facilitate positioning of the suction device 428 with respect to the first bead and the laser radiation 430 on the first bead 110. Fig. 18 shows a part of the tire processing machine 600 from Fig. 17 in a side view.

[0287] In Fig. 18, the holding fingers are not shown to facilitate the depiction of the laser radiation 430 or its beam path. According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device 432 is configured (e.g., formed and arranged) to guide the laser radiation 430 at a distance over the first sidewall 106 onto the bead base 116 of the first bead 110, for example, as shown in Fig. 18, to machine the bead base 116 of the first bead.

[0288] According to one embodiment, the suction device 428 has a parking position (not shown in Fig. 18) which is opposite the second sidewall 108 of the pneumatic tire 104, so that the suction device 428 can be brought into a suction position, for example a first suction position 444, for example as shown in Fig. 18, in the axial direction 118 through an opening 442 which is defined by the bead base 116 of the second bead. According to one embodiment, in the first suction position 444, the beam path of the laser radiation 430 extends through the suction device 428 during processing of the bead base 116 of the first bead 110, for example as shown in Fig. 18.

[0289] It is understood that during operation the suction device is connected to a vacuum source (not shown in Fig. 18) via a suction channel (not shown in Fig. 18).

[0290] Fig. 19 shows the tire processing machine 600 in the representation of Fig.

[0291] 18 during the processing of the bead base 116 of the second bead 112. According to one embodiment, the suction device 428 is moved into a second suction position 446 for processing the bead base 116 of the second bead 112. According to one embodiment, in the second suction position 446, the beam path of the laser radiation 430 extends through the suction device 428 during processing of the bead base 116 of the second bead 112, for example, as shown in Fig. 19.

[0292] It should be noted that a tire processing machine as described herein is not limited to the dedicated entities described in some embodiments and with reference to specific figures. Rather, the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in numerous ways at various granularities while still providing the specific functionality disclosed.

[0293] According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, any suitable entity (e.g., components, units, and devices) or their functionality may be provided at least partially in the form of corresponding computer programs or computer program products 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 may be provided in hardware. According to other, hybrid embodiments, some entities may be provided in software while other entities are provided in hardware.

[0294] It should be noted that each entity disclosed herein (e.g., components, units, and devices) is not limited to a dedicated entity as described in some embodiments. Rather, the subject matter described herein may be provided in various ways with varying granularity at the device level or at the software module level while still providing the specified functionality. Further, it should be noted that, according to 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 still other embodiments, two or more entities (e.g.,Components, units and devices) may be configured to together provide a function as described herein.

[0295] According to one embodiment, the control device includes a processor device having at least one processor for executing at least one program element, which may correspond to a corresponding software module.

[0296] 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, any reference to laser radiation herein analogously discloses a reference to a radiation path of the laser radiation.

[0297] It should be noted that the exemplary implementations described herein represent only a limited selection of possible combinations of embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, it is possible to combine the features of various embodiments in a suitable manner, so that a person skilled in the art will consider a multitude of combinations of various embodiments to be disclosed with the exemplary implementations explicitly disclosed here. Furthermore, it should be noted that terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Terms such as "containing" or "comprising" do not exclude further features or method steps. Consequently, according to one embodiment, the term "comprising" or "containing" stands for "among other things." According to another embodiment, the term "comprising" or "containing" stands for "consisting of."According to one embodiment, the term "configured for" includes, among other things, the meaning "configured to".

[0298] It should also be noted that reference numerals in the claims should not be construed 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 construed as limiting the scope of the description. Rather, the drawings illustrate only one exemplary implementation of a particular combination of several embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein; any other combination of embodiments is equally possible and is to be considered disclosed in this application.

[0299] In an exemplary implementation comprising an advantageous combination of embodiments disclosed herein, the following can be stated:

[0300] Disclosed is a pneumatic tire comprising a bead with a bead base facing the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire; wherein the bead base has a projection extending toward the rotational axis and in a circumferential direction of the bead base; and wherein the projection has a geometry that changes in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a pneumatic tire comprising a bead with a bead base facing a rotational axis of the pneumatic tire is disclosed; wherein the bead base has a surface structure created by removing tire material along machining tracks in a machining region of the bead base; and wherein the surface structure is wave-shaped. Furthermore, a method and a tire machining machine for producing the pneumatic tire are disclosed.Furthermore, a method for operating a tire processing machine, a wheel having the pneumatic tire, a control device for controlling a method and a computer program product for controlling the method are disclosed.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A pneumatic tire comprising: a bead having a bead base facing the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire; wherein the bead base has a projection extending toward the rotational axis and in a circumferential direction of the bead base; and wherein the projection has a geometry that varies in the circumferential direction.

2. Pneumatic tire according to claim 1, wherein the changing geometry of the projection extends over an angular range which is less than 360 degrees, in particular less than 180 degrees.

3. Pneumatic tire according to claim 2, wherein the angular range lies in an interval between 20 degrees and 350 degrees, in particular between 40 degrees and 160 degrees.

4. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the projection is a first projection and the bead base has a second projection extending in the circumferential direction of the bead base; and wherein the first projection and the second projection define a recess between them, in particular a recess that is at least partially trough-shaped in an axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction. in particular wherein the recess is formed asymmetrically in an axial direction.

5. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the protrusion protrudes beyond a bottom of the bead base; further comprising at least one of the following: the circumferentially varying geometry comprises a circumferentially varying height of the protrusion relative to the bottom; a difference between a height of the protrusion at one angular position in the circumferential direction and a height of the protrusion at another angular position relative to the bottom is at most 1 mm, for example at most 0.5 mm.

6. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the projection is arranged in an axial edge region of the bead base.

7. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protrusion was produced by removing tire material in a machining area of ​​the bead base.

8. The pneumatic tire according to claim 7, wherein the removal of tire material was carried out with laser radiation, in particular laser radiation from a CO2 laser, in particular wherein the laser radiation was continuous laser radiation; and / or the laser radiation had a Gaussian beam profile; and / or the laser radiation had a power of more than 400 W, in particular more than 800 W.

9. A pneumatic tire according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the removal of tire material has occurred along at least one line.

10. A pneumatic tire according to claim 9, wherein the removal of tire material has occurred along a plurality of parallel lines; in particular, wherein the parallel lines form an angle with an axial direction in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees, or the parallel lines extend in the circumferential direction.

11. A pneumatic tire according to claim 10, wherein removal areas of adjacent lines overlap.

12. The pneumatic tire according to claim 11, further comprising one of the following features: an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is between 10% and 90%; an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is between 65% and 85%; an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is 10%, 20%, 33.333%, 50%, 66.667%, 80%, or 90%.

13. A pneumatic tire according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the overlap of wear areas of adjacent lines is constant.

14. A pneumatic tire according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is dependent on a depth of removal.

15. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein a depth of the abrasion changes continuously in the circumferential direction.

16. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein a change in a depth of the abrasion in the circumferential direction and / or in the axial direction is at least partially determined by a change in a power of the Laser radiation and / or by changing a feed rate of a laser spot over a surface of the bead sole, wherein the laser radiation generates the laser spot on the surface of the bead sole.

17. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the bead has a surface structure in the machining area.

18. A pneumatic tire according to claim 17, wherein the surface structure was created by removing tire material along machining tracks in the machining area; and / or wherein the surface structure is wave-shaped.

19. A pneumatic tire according to claim 18, wherein the surface structure comprises a first structural part and / or a second structural part; wherein the first structural part has wave crests defined by an overlap of the machining tracks, and wherein the overlap is between 10% and 90% of a width of the machining tracks; and the second structural part has wave crests at a distance that is greater than a width of the machining tracks.

20. The pneumatic tire according to claim 19, further comprising at least one of the following features: a distance between the wave crests of the first structural part is greater than 0.05 mm; a distance between the wave crests of the first structural part is less than 2 mm; the distance between the wave crests of the second structural part is greater than 0.5 mm; the distance between the wave crests of the second structural part is less than 10 mm; the wave crests of the first structural part extend along the machining tracks; a geometry of the wave crests of the second structural part varies in a longitudinal direction of the wave crests; an amplitude of the surface structure is between 0.005 mm and 0.25 mm.

21. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein an amplitude of the surface structure varies in a circumferential direction, and wherein, starting from a point of maximum amplitude, the amplitude of the surface structure continuously decreases in the circumferential direction; and / or wherein the wave crests of the surface structure are arranged at least partially parallel to one another.

22. A pneumatic tire according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein at least one edge region of the bead base is free of the surface structure; and / or wherein a recess is formed in the bead base in the machining area.

23. A method for machining a pneumatic tire, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the pneumatic tire has a bead sole, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation, the method comprising: Removing tire material in a processing area of ​​the bead base and thereby creating a projection which extends to the axis of rotation and in the circumferential direction and wherein the projection has a geometry that changes in the circumferential direction.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the projection extends over an angular range that is less than 360 degrees; and / or wherein the pneumatic tire is rotated about its rotational axis during the removal of tire material; and / or wherein tire material is removed multiple times in at least a portion of the processing area.

25. The method of claim 23 or 24, wherein the protrusion is a first protrusion and the removal of tire material in the machining area creates a second protrusion extending in the circumferential direction; and wherein the machining area is disposed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, thereby defining a recess between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

26. Method according to one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the recess is trough-shaped in the axial direction and / or in the circumferential direction.

27. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the removal of tire material occurs to a depth and the depth varies in the circumferential direction of the projection.

28. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the machining area comprises a central region of the bead base and wherein the central region of the bead base is arranged in the axial direction between edge regions of the bead base.

29. Method according to one of claims 23 to 28, wherein the removal of tire material is carried out with laser radiation, in particular laser radiation from a CO2 laser.

30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising at least one of the following features: the CO2 laser is operated continuously during ablation; the CO2 laser has a Gaussian beam profile; the CO2 laser has an output power of more than 400 W, in particular an output power of more than 800 W.

31. A method according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein the removal of the tire material occurs along at least one line.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the removal of the tire material occurs along a plurality of parallel lines; in particular, wherein the parallel lines form an angle with the axial direction in a range between 0 degrees and 60 degrees, or the parallel lines extend in the circumferential direction.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein ablation areas of adjacent lines overlap.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising one of the following features: an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is between 10% and 90%; an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is between 65% and 85%; an overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is 10%, 20%, 33,333%, 50%, 66,667%, 80%, or 90%.

35. Method according to one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is constant.

36. The method according to any one of claims 33 or 34, wherein the overlap of removal areas of adjacent lines is dependent on a depth of removal produced by the removal.

37. Method according to one of claims 29 to 36, wherein during the removal of tire material in the processing area, a power of the laser radiation is varied depending on a position in the axial direction and / or depending on a position in the circumferential direction.

38. Method according to one of claims 23 to 37, wherein during the removal of the tire material, the pneumatic tire is rotated about the axis of rotation, in particular rotated at a constant angular velocity.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the features of claim 29 or claim 30, wherein rotation of the pneumatic tire about the axis of rotation is compensated for by positioning the laser radiation in the processing area.

40. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 39, wherein at least one first retaining finger is engaged with a first bead of the pneumatic tire and at least one second retaining finger is engaged with a second bead of the pneumatic tire; wherein a distance between the first bead and the second bead is adjusted by positioning the at least one first retaining finger and the at least one second retaining finger relative to each other; wherein the rotation of the pneumatic tire during the removal of the tire material is effected by driving the at least one first holding finger in a rotational movement.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein during the driving of the at least one first retaining finger in a rotational movement, the second bead is in rolling engagement with the at least one second retaining finger and the removal takes place on the second bead.

42. Method according to one of claims 40 or 41, wherein the removal of tire material from the first bead occurs after the removal of tire material from the second bead; in particular wherein rotation of the pneumatic tire during the removal from the first bead occurs by driving the at least one second holding finger in a rotational movement; in particular wherein the at least one second holding finger is in frictional engagement with the pneumatic tire during the driving in a rotational movement, in particular by blocking at least one roller of the at least one second holding finger.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein during the driving of the at least one second retaining finger in a rotational movement, the first bead is in rolling engagement with the at least one first retaining finger.

44. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 43, wherein the at least one first retaining finger is engaged with the first bead of the pneumatic tire by moving the at least one first retaining finger into the pneumatic tire in a first transverse direction and then moving the at least one first finger in a direction toward the first bead.

45. The method of any one of claims 40 to 44, wherein the at least one second retaining finger is engaged with the second bead of the pneumatic tire by moving the at least one second retaining finger into the pneumatic tire in a second transverse direction and then moving the at least one second finger in a direction toward the second bead.

46. ​​The method of claim 45, wherein the at least one first retaining finger is mounted on a carrier; and the at least one first retaining finger is moved into the pneumatic tire in the first transverse direction by lifting the carrier, the carrier being disposed below a transport device.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein, for driving the at least one first holding finger in a rotary movement, the carrier is lifted above the transport device; and then the carrier is driven in the rotary movement.

48. A tire processing machine for processing a pneumatic tire, in particular for producing a pneumatic tire according to one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the pneumatic tire to be processed has a first bead and a second bead, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to a rotation axis of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction around the rotation axis, the tire processing machine comprising: at least one first holding finger engageable with the first bead; at least one second holding finger engageable with the second bead; wherein the at least one first retaining finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire, in particular together with the at least one first retaining finger, with respect to the at least one second retaining finger.

49. A tire processing machine according to claim 48, wherein the at least one second retaining finger is operable to rotate the pneumatic tire together with the at least one second retaining finger relative to the at least one first retaining finger.

50. A tire processing machine according to any one of claims 48 or 49, wherein the at least one first retaining finger and / or the at least one second retaining finger is configured to hold the first bead and the second bead at a predetermined distance.

51. The tire processing machine according to any one of claims 48 to 50, wherein the at least one first retaining finger is configured to insert the at least one first retaining finger into the pneumatic tire from a first side of the pneumatic tire; wherein the at least one second retaining finger is configured to insert the at least one second retaining finger into the pneumatic tire from a second side of the pneumatic tire, the second side of the pneumatic tire being disposed opposite the first side of the pneumatic tire.

52. Tire processing machine according to one of claims 48 to 51, further comprising a suction device.

53. Tire processing machine according to claim 52, wherein the suction device can be brought into a first position for suctioning off process residues from processing the first bead; and / or the wherein the suction device can be brought into a second position for sucking off process residues from machining the second bead.

54. Tire processing machine according to one of claims 52 or 53, wherein the tire processing machine has at least two of the first holding fingers and the suction device is positionable between two adjacent first holding fingers and / or wherein the tire processing machine has at least two of the second holding fingers and the suction device is positionable between two adjacent second holding fingers; in particular, wherein a spatial position of the holding fingers, between which the suction device is positioned, remains unchanged during processing.

55. Tire processing machine according to one of claims 48 to 54, further comprising a laser emitting device for emitting laser radiation onto the pneumatic tire to thereby process the pneumatic tire; in particular, wherein the laser emitting device is arranged radially outside the pneumatic tire; in particular, wherein the laser emitting device comprises at least one scanner for moving a beam path of the laser radiation across the pneumatic tire, wherein, in particular, a scanning movement of the beam path has a directional component parallel to the rotation axis.

56. The tire processing machine of claim 55, wherein the laser dispenser is configurable to process a bead base of the first bead; and / or wherein the laser dispenser is configurable to process a bead base of the second bead; and / or wherein the laser dispenser is configurable to process an inner surface of the pneumatic tire.

57. Tire processing machine according to one of claims 48 to 56, further comprising a transport device on which the pneumatic tire can be transported lying down; wherein the at least one first holding finger and the at least one second holding finger can be brought into engagement with the pneumatic tire lying on the transport device.

58. Tire processing machine according to claim 57, wherein the pneumatic tire can be lifted from the transport device into a lifted position by the at least one first holding finger and / or the at least one second holding finger, so that a sidewall of the pneumatic tire is spaced apart from the transport device.

59. The tire processing machine of claim 58 and further comprising the features of claim 55, wherein the laser emitter is configured to process the pneumatic tire in the lifted position.

60. Tire processing machine according to one of claims 48 to 59, wherein the at least one first holding finger comprises a mechanical Stop for a first surface portion of the first bead; and / or wherein the at least one second retaining finger has a mechanical stop for a second surface portion of the second bead.

61. Tire processing machine according to one of claims 48 to 60, wherein at least one of the at least one first holding finger has at least one first roller on which the first surface portion can roll; and / or wherein at least one of the at least one second holding finger has at least one second roller on which the second surface portion can roll.

62. Tire processing machine according to claim 61, further comprising at least one of the following features: a lateral bead portion of the first bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one first roller; a bead base of the first bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one first roller; a lateral bead portion of the second bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one second roller; a bead base of the second bead can be rolled on at least one of the at least one second roller; at least one of the at least one first roller can be blocked in its rotation for a frictional engagement of the pneumatic tire and the first roller; at least one of the at least one second roller can be blocked in its rotation for a frictional engagement of the pneumatic tire and the second roller; at least one of the at least one first roller can be driven in rotation to drive the pneumatic tire into a rotary movement;at least one of the at least one second roller is drivable in rotation to drive the pneumatic tire in a rotational movement; 63. Tire processing machine according to one of claims 48 to 62, wherein the at least one first holding finger is rotatable at a distance from the axis of rotation by at least 360 degrees about the axis of rotation and / or the at least one second holding finger is rotatable at a distance from the axis of rotation by at least 360 degrees about the axis of rotation.

64. A method for operating a tire processing machine for processing a pneumatic tire, in particular for thereby producing a pneumatic tire according to one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the pneumatic tire to be processed has a first bead and a second bead, wherein the pneumatic tire defines an axial direction parallel to an axis of rotation of the pneumatic tire and wherein the pneumatic tire defines a circumferential direction around the axis of rotation, the method comprising: engaging at least one first retaining finger with the first bead; engaging at least one second retaining finger with the second bead; Operating the at least one first retaining finger, in particular in a rotational movement, in order to rotate the pneumatic tire, in particular together with the at least one first retaining finger, with respect to the at least one second retaining finger.

65. A wheel comprising a rim and a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

66. A wheel according to claim 65, wherein the projection of the bead base is deformed by the rim; in particular wherein the projection of the bead base by the rim has a deformation varying in the circumferential direction.

67. Control device configured to perform a method according to at least one of claims 23 to 47 and / or a method according to claim 64.

68. A computer program product comprising a program element configured to perform, when executed on a processor device, a method according to at least one of claims 23 to 47 and / or a method according to claim 64.

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