A robotic system for cleaning integrated tire molds in laser and ultrasonic bath

Abstract

The invention relates to a robotic system for cleaning the tire molds of vehicles such as cars and trucks before tire grinding.

Description

[0001] A ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR CLEANING INTEGRATED TIRE MOLDS IN LASER AND ULTRASONIC BATH

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a robotic system for cleaning the tire molds of vehicles such as cars and trucks before tire grinding.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] The molds of automobile and truck tires need to be cleaned once in an average of 2000 tire grinds. If the cleaning process is neglected, problems arise in the form of tires obtained after the molding process. In addition, it has been observed that the vents, which allow the gasses remaining in the mold to be discharged to the outside, are blocked when cleaning is neglected.

[0006] In the state of the art, tire molds are cleaned at certain temperatures using laser burning technology or with the help of chemical solutions in ultrasonic baths.

[0007] Carrying out laser cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning as two separate processes and transporting molds from one system to another using manpower have problems in terms of both occupational safety, mixing of molds and process efficiency.

[0008] US20200391415A1 discloses an automated system for cleaning tire molds. The device for cleaning the molds includes fixing means that hold the mold in a machining position, a device that generates ultrasonic vibrations. The vibration is applied directly on the mold and the system may also include a laser burning device.

[0009] All the problems mentioned above have made it necessary to make an innovation in the relevant field as a result. Objects of the Invention

[0010] The main object of the invention is to ensure that manual and independent mold cleaning operations are carried out by combining on a single automatic integrated robotic line.

[0011] The object of the invention is to remove the contaminated dirt from the surfaces of the molds and to remove the blockage dirt and dirt in the mold air ducts with combinations of ultrasonic and chemical solutions.

[0012] Brief Description of the Invention

[0013] Here, the system positions the tire molds to the robotic laser burning unit by means of a specially designed rack mechanism and transportation system and automatically transports them to ultrasonic pools from there. Basically, the technical solution is the integration between the laser and the ultrasonic system.

[0014] The invention relates to a system that integrates the ultrasonic washing system used in the cleaning of the vents, which allows the gasses remaining in the mold to be discharged to the outside during the cooking on the surface of the tire molds and automatically completes the process steps by means of laser-robotic technology of tire molds.

[0015] Due to the carrying racks and transportation system where specially designed tire mold segments are hung, the segments are automatically positioned in the relevant position in the laser cleaning cabinet for planned sequential operations, the laser cleaning recipe is created by measuring the segment dimensions and type by means of robotic software thanks to a special algorithm and pre-cleaned by laser burning method.

[0016] It automatically transfers pre-cleaned rubber mold segments to ultrasonic pools and performs final cleaning in special chemical mixture pools where ultrasonic sound waves are used. It automatically lubricates the molds that have been cleaned and transfers them to the control point. In the invention, the segments carried to the control point check and report whether the vents on the segment are blocked by ultrasonic vibration and image processing technologies.

[0017] Accordingly, the contaminated dirt is removed from the surfaces of the molds and the blockage in the mold air ducts is removed with combinations of ultrasonic and chemical solutions of dirt and dirt.

[0018] Definitions of Figures Describing the Invention

[0019] The figures and related descriptions used to better explain the device developed by this invention are as follows.

[0020] Figure 1. An isometric image of the system subject to the invention.

[0021] Figure la. Another isometric image of the system subject to the invention.

[0022] Figure 2.An isometric image of the robotic arm system.

[0023] Figure 2a. An image of the robotic arm.

[0024] Figure 2b. An isometric image of the segment carrying rack.

[0025] Figure 2c. An isometric image of the segment rack lift.

[0026] Figure 3. An isometric image of the ultrasonic washing system.

[0027] Definitions of Components / Pieces / Parts of the Invention

[0028] In order to better explain the device developed by this invention, the parts and pieces in the figures are numbered and the corresponding numbers are given below.

[0029] 1. System

[0030] 10. Laser cleaning system

[0031] 20. Ultrasonic cleaning system

[0032] 21. Pool cabinet

[0033] 30. Conveyor

[0034] 40. Carrying rack

[0035] 41. Carrying frame

[0036] 42. Mold holder 43. Adjustment plate

[0037] 44. Adjustment screw

[0038] 50. Rack lifting element

[0039] 51. Lifting body

[0040] 52. Holding arm

[0041] 53. Shaft

[0042] 54. Holding drive element

[0043] 55. Bridge

[0044] 56. Drive element

[0045] 60. Robotic arm

[0046] 61. Laser

[0047] 62. Slide drive element

[0048] 63. Base plate

[0049] 70. Slide table

[0050] 71. Slide mechanism

[0051] K. Mold

[0052] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0053] The subject matter of the invention relates to a robotic system for cleaning the tire molds of vehicles such as cars and trucks before tire grinding.

[0054] Referring to Figures 1 and la, the present system comprises a laser cleaning system (10) and an ultrasonic cleaning system (20). The laser cleaning system (10) and the ultrasonic cleaning system (20) are preferably arranged in separate cabinets and connected to each other with at least one conveyor (30).

[0055] Preferably, a single conveyor (30) is arranged as a single line, but alternatively, a plurality of conveyors (30) may be used to form a single line.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor (30) is a belt type conveyor (30) in a roller or alternative embodiment. Referring to Figure 2, said molds (K) are transported to the laser cleaning system (10) with the help of a conveyor (30) on the carrying rack (40) where they are placed, and here they are transported to the ultrasonic cleaning system (20) again through the conveyor (30) after being exposed to laser burning.

[0057] The laser cleaning system (10) comprises a robotic arm (60) and a laser (61) connected to the robotic arm (60). Said robotic arm (60) allows the laser (61) to apply the burning process on the mold (K) from the appropriate positions and angles. For this reason, it is advantageous that the robotic arm (60) is multi-axis, preferably 6-axis.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the robotic arm (60) is positioned on a slide table (70) on the slide mechanism (71) of the slide table (70). Accordingly, the existing robotic arm (60) has gained the ability to move on a linear axis. In addition, in some embodiments, this linear movement may allow the molds (K) to be burned while moving on the conveyor (30).

[0059] In addition, in embodiments where the slide table is located, the slide drive element (62) may be included to enable the movement of the robotic arm (60). Preferably, the slide drive element (62) is positioned on a base plate (63) disposed at the base of the robotic arm (60) and its wheels (not shown in the figures) associated with the slide mechanism (71). Alternatively, it can be used as a slide drive element (62) in the linear actuator.

[0060] In the preferred embodiment, the slide table (70) preferably comprises a slide mechanism (71) comprising two plates parallel to each other and two slides extending between the plates.

[0061] Referring to Figures 2 and 2b, in a preferred embodiment, the carrying rack (40) is configured on a prismatic carrying frame (41). The transport chassis (41) preferably has at least one mold holder (42) extending on two sides.

[0062] In addition, an adjustment plate (44) is used to adjust the position of the mold holders (42) and therefore the molds (K) on the carrying rack (40). The adjustment plate (44) is preferably a plate in the form of a circle slice, with multiple holes in its outer diameter. The mold holders (42) are rotationally connected to the adjustment plate (44) from the end and are fixed to these holes with a screw (44) after the other end of the mold holder (42) is positioned according to the appropriate hole in the outer diameter of the adjustment plate (44).

[0063] Referring to Figures 2 and 2c, said system (1) comprises a rack lifting element (50) to bring the carrying rack (40) to the appropriate position when the carrying rack (40) is in the appropriate position for laser burning in a preferred embodiment. The rack lifting element (50) provides a large area for the burning process by lifting the rack.

[0064] In the preferred embodiment, the rack lifting element (50) is configured on a lifting body (51). A bridge (55) is arranged on the lifting body (51). At least one preferably two to one shafts (53) are positioned on the bridge (55).

[0065] A holding arm (52) rotationally connected to the shaft (53) is connected and preferably arranged in the form of a hook configured to hold the end of the holding arm (52) to the carrying rack (40), preferably to the carrying frame (41).

[0066] The holding arm (52) is moved to the holding and releasing position by means of a holding drive element (54). Here, the holding drive element (54) is preferably a piston that provides linear movement.

[0067] Alternatively, the shaft (53) can be rotationally arranged, and the holding arm (52) can be fixedly connected to the shaft (53). In this case, the holding drive element (54) is positioned to rotate the shaft (53) directly.

[0068] A drive element (56) is used to change the position of the holding arm (52) in the vertical axis. In the preferred embodiment, the drive element (56) is connected to the bridge (55) at its ends and moves the bridge (55) and the holding arm (52) connected to the bridge (55) together. Preferably, the drive element (56) is a piston that provides linear movement.

[0069] When the carrying rack (40) is in the appropriate laser burning position, the drive elements (56) lower the bridge (55) down, that is, towards the carrying rack (40). Meanwhile, the holding drive elements (54) bring the holding arms (52) to the open position. When the bridge (55) is in the appropriate position, the holding drive elements (54) bring the holding arms (52) to the closed position, allowing it to catch the carrying rack (40), and then the bridge (55) and therefore the carrying rack (40) are lifted up by means of the drive elements (56).

[0070] Referring to Figure 3, said conveyor (30) carries the molds (K) and carrying racks (40) treated by the laser cleaning system (10) to the ultrasonic cleaning system (20).

[0071] The ultrasonic cleaning system (20) preferably comprises a pool cabinet (21). A pool (not shown in the figures) is located in said pool cabinet (21). The pool preferably contains chemicals suitable for water and / or mold cleaning. Here, an ultrasonic vibration source (not shown in the figures) is also used. The ultrasonic vibration source is configured and positioned to vibrate the pool and thus the liquid in the pool. Accordingly, the molds (K) are cleaned by the ultrasonically vibrated liquid. Here, especially the cleaning of the vents is aimed.

[0072] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is at least one image receiving unit, preferably a camera, for detecting the openings on the mold (K), and a processing unit, preferably an image processing unit, that detects the openings based on the input received from said image receiving unit.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, multiple sensors (not shown in the figures) are used to detect the position of the mold (K) and / or the carrying rack (40). Said multiple sensors transmit the detected data to a processing unit (not shown in the figures). Herein, the processing unit creates answers that will appropriately control some of the elements of the system (1) based on the sensor data. This processing unit is preferably part of an automation system.

[0074] The processing unit at least produces answers to control the robotic arm (60) and the laser (61), the conveyor (30) and the vibration device. For example, when the carrying rack (40) is in the laser burning position, the sensors detect this and transmit this data to the processing unit. Based on this data, the processing unit is conveniently positioned on the robotic arm (60) and forms a response to operate the laser (61). In addition, the processing unit slide table (70) constitutes the response that will appropriately drive the slide drive element (62), if any, that provides movement on it.

[0075] The processing unit may also be configured to form responses to operate the holding drive element (54) and / or the drive element (56) of the rack lifting element (50) based on the data received from the sensors.

[0076] In an embodiment, the processing unit is configured to produce instructions for the robotic arm (60) and the laser (61) based on the dimensions and type of the mold (K).

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (1) for cleaning vehicle tire molds (K), characterized in that it comprises the following:A laser cleaning system (10) comprising a robotic arm (60) equipped with a laser (61), An ultrasonic cleaning system (20) having at least a pool and a vibration device that transmits ultrasonic vibrations to said pool,The carrying rack (40) on which said mold (K) is placed andAt least one conveyor (30) to carry the carrying rack (40) from the laser cleaning system (10) to the ultrasonic transportation system.

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said robotic arm (60) is multiaxis.

3. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said robotic arm (60) is 6-axis.

4. The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a slide table (70) in which said robotic arm is placed and a slide mechanism (71) provided in said slide table (70) that allows the robotic arm to slide.

5. The system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a slide drive element (62) to enable said robot arm (60) to move in the slide mechanism (71).

6. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rack lifting element (50) to raise said carrying rack (40).

7. The system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said rack lifting element (50) comprises a holding arm (52), a drive element (56) to move said holding arm (52) in the vertical axis.

8. The system (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said rack lifting element (50) comprises a shaft (53) to which said holding arm (52) is rotationally connected, and a holding drive element (54) to rotate said holding arm (53) in the axis of the shaft (53).

9. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said conveyor (30) is a roller conveyor (30).

10. The system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said conveyor (30) is a belt conveyor (30).

11. The system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises multiple sensors to detect the position of said carrying rack (40) and / or molds (K) and / or the dimensions and type of the mold (K).

12. The system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one processing unit which, based on data received from said sensors, generates a response to control the robotic arm (60) equipped with a laser (61), conveyor (30) and vibration device.

13. The system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said processing unit is configured to generate a response for controlling the slide drive element (62).

14. The system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said processing unit is configured to generate a response to control the slide drive element (62), the holding drive element (54) and / or the drive element (56).

15. The system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said processing unit is configured to produce instructions for the robotic arm (60) and laser (61) according to the dimensions and type of the mold (K).

16. The system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least one image receiving unit for detecting openings on the mold (K) and a processing unit for performing image processing operations to detect openings based on the input received from said image receiving unit.

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