Knife holder, cutting device including said knife holder, and method for adjusting the orientation of a cutting blade - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a knife holder (1) for holding a cutting blade (9) relative to a cutting line (L), the knife holder (1) being configured to hold the cutting blade (9) such that a cutting edge (91) of the cutting blade (9) obliquely intersects the cutting line (L) at a cutting point (P), the knife holder (1) mechanically defining first adjustment axes (A1, A2, A3) for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade (9) about the first adjustment axes (A1, A2, A3), the first adjustment axes (A1, A2, A3) intersecting the cutting point (P). The present invention further relates to a cutting device (100) comprising the knife holder (1) and a method for adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade (9) using the aforementioned knife holder (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a blade holder, a cutting device comprising said blade holder, and a method for adjusting the orientation of a cutting blade held therein. [Background technology]

[0002] FIG. 5 shows a known cutting device 200 for cutting an elastomeric profile to form a tire component. The cutting device 200 comprises a cutting blade 9 and a blade holder 201 for moving the cutting blade 9 along a cutting line L in a cutting direction C parallel to a support surface V. The cutting blade 9 is provided with a linear cutting edge 91 for cutting the elastomeric profile on said support surface V. The known blade holder 201 allows adjustment of the orientation and relative position of the cutting blade 9 with respect to the support surface V. In particular, the cutting blade 9 is rotatable about a horizontal axis A201 to adjust the skive angle of the cutting blade 9, about a vertical axis A202 to adjust the angle of attack of the linear cutting edge 91, and about a tilt axis A203 at the center line S of the cutting blade 9 to adjust the inclination angle of the cutting edge 91. Furthermore, the cutting blade 9 can be linearly displaced along two combinations of axes F and G to adjust the height and depth of the cutting edge 91 relative to the support surface V.

[0003] Prior to cutting, the orientation and relative position of the cutting blade 9 with respect to the support surface V is carefully adjusted so that the cutting edge 91 of the cutting blade 9 intersects the cutting line L at its tip 92 at the desired skive angle, angle of attack, and angle of inclination. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A drawback of the known tool holder 201 of FIG. 5 is that the aforementioned axes for adjusting the skive angle, angle of attack, and cutting edge inclination angle do not have a common intersection. Furthermore, each of the axes A201, A202, and A203 is spaced apart from the tip 92 of the cutting edge 91. Assuming that the tip 92 of the cutting edge 91 is perfectly aligned with the cutting line L before the adjustment, each subsequent angular adjustment of the cutting edge 91 about any of the axes A201, A202, and A203 causes the tip 92 to displace away from its initial alignment with the cutting line L. As a result, once the desired skive angle, angle of attack, and inclination angle are set, further corrective adjustments of both the vertical and horizontal positions of the cutting edge 91 are required to compensate for the displacements caused by the angle adjustments. The further corrective adjustments may affect the accuracy of the angles already set, resulting in inaccurate cuts and requiring additional verification or corrective adjustments.

[0005] As a result, the process of adjusting the orientation and relative position of the cutting blade 9 with respect to the support surface V can be very complicated and time consuming.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a blade holder, a cutting device including said blade holder, and a method for adjusting the orientation of a cutting blade, so that the process of adjusting the orientation of a cutting blade can be simplified.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a knife holder for holding a cutting blade relative to a cutting line, the knife holder configured to hold the cutting blade such that a cutting edge of said cutting blade obliquely intersects the cutting line at an incision point, the knife holder mechanically defining a first adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about said first adjustment axis, the first adjustment axis intersecting the incision point.

[0008] By aligning the first adjustment axis with the incision point, the intersection between the cutting edge and the cutting line at the incision point can be continuously maintained while angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis. Thus, after angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis, corrective adjustments in any other degrees of freedom of the cutting blade are not required. Thus, the process of adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade can be greatly simplified, is less time-consuming, and is less prone to inaccuracies.

[0009] In one embodiment, the blade holder mechanically defines a second adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the cutting blade orientation around the second adjustment axis, the second adjustment axis intersecting the incision point. By aligning both the first and second adjustment axes with the incision point, the intersection between the cutting edge at the incision point and the cutting line can be continuously maintained while angularly adjusting the cutting blade orientation around both the first and second adjustment axes. This has all the technical advantages described above and the additional technical advantage that angular adjustment of the cutting blade orientation around one of the first and second adjustment axes does not affect the previously set orientation of the cutting blade around the other of the first and second adjustment axes. In other words, the cutting blade orientation can be individually set around each adjustment axis without affecting the accuracy of the cutting blade orientation around the other adjustment axis. Therefore, once the cutting blade orientation around one of the adjustment axes is set and fixed, it does not need to be checked again for accuracy or corrective action.

[0010] Preferably, the blade holder mechanically defines a third adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the third adjustment axis, the third adjustment axis intersecting the incision point. By aligning all three adjustment axes with the incision point, the intersection between the cutting edge and the cutting line at the incision point can be continuously maintained while angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about any of the three adjustment axes. This has all the technical advantages described above and the additional technical advantage that angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about any of the three adjustment axes does not affect the previously set orientation of the cutting blade about the other two adjustment axes.

[0011] In another embodiment, the first adjustment axis extends in one of a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction. Angular adjustment about the horizontally extending first adjustment axis can be used to set a first angle corresponding to or related to the skive angle. Angular adjustment about the vertically extending first adjustment axis can be used to set a second angle corresponding to or related to the angle of attack. Angular adjustment about the diagonally extending first adjustment axis can be used to set a third angle corresponding to or related to the cutting edge bevel angle.

[0012] In another embodiment, depending on the embodiment introducing the second adjustment axis, the first and second adjustment axes extend in the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions, respectively. It will be understood that any combination of the aforementioned directions for each adjustment axis can be used to set any combination of the angles described in the previous embodiment.

[0013] In another embodiment, depending on the embodiment introducing the third adjustment axis, the first adjustment axis extends horizontally, the second adjustment axis extends vertically, and the third adjustment axis extends diagonally. It will be understood that any combination of the aforementioned directions for each adjustment axis can be used to set any combination of angles described in the previous two embodiments.

[0014] In another embodiment, the cutting edge defines a linear cutting edge profile, the cutting blade has a blade body with a centerline perpendicular to the cutting edge profile, and the first adjustment axis is: a horizontal direction in the cutting edge plane that coincides with the cutting edge profile and is perpendicular to the centerline; Vertically and Parallel to the center line Extends to one of the following:

[0015] In another embodiment, in accordance with the embodiment introducing the second adjustment axis, the cutting edge defines a linear cutting edge profile, the cutting blade has a blade body with a centerline perpendicular to the cutting edge profile, and the first adjustment axis and the second adjustment axis are: a horizontal direction in the cutting edge plane that coincides with the cutting edge profile and is perpendicular to the centerline; Vertically and Parallel to the center line Extends in each direction.

[0016] In another embodiment, in accordance with the embodiment introducing the third adjustment axis, the cutting edge defines a linear cutting edge profile, and the cutting blade has a blade body with a centerline perpendicular to the cutting edge profile; the first adjustment axis is coincident with the cutting edge profile and extends horizontally in the cutting edge plane perpendicular to the centerline; The second adjustment axis extends vertically; The third adjustment axis extends in a direction parallel to the centerline.

[0017] The above three embodiments describe the increase in the number of adjustment axes, more specifically the direction in which each adjustment axis extends, which corresponds to the angles (skive angle, attack angle, and cutting edge inclination angle) mentioned above in relation to said directions.

[0018] In another embodiment, adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis determines one of the skive angle, the attack angle, and the cutting edge tilt angle.

[0019] In another embodiment, depending on the embodiment introducing the second adjustment axis, adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis and the second adjustment axis determines the respective angles of the skive angle, the attack angle, and the cutting edge inclination angle.

[0020] In another embodiment, depending on the embodiment introducing the third adjustment axis, adjustment of the cutting blade orientation about the first adjustment axis, the second adjustment axis, and the third adjustment axis determines the skive angle, the attack angle, and the cutting edge inclination angle, respectively.

[0021] The above three embodiments describe an increased number of adjustment axes, more specifically the angle of orientation of the cutting blade, which can be adjusted using the blade holder according to the present invention.

[0022] In another embodiment, the blade holder includes one or more angular adjustment guides for guiding angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about at least a first adjustment axis. The one or more adjustment guides may be used to mechanically guide the angular adjustment about the respective adjustment axis. The one or more adjustment guides may be formed, for example, by slots, pins, rails, shafts, linkages, guide shoes, gears, etc.

[0023] In that embodiment, the one or more angular adjustment guides physically extend in at least the first adjustment axis, which may be done when the presence of the one or more angular adjustment guides in the first adjustment axis does not interfere with the cutting process.

[0024] Alternatively, the one or more angular adjustment guides may be spaced apart from at least the first adjustment axis, thereby allowing for substantial rotation around the first adjustment axis. This may be useful when there is no way to provide one or more angular adjustment guides on the first adjustment axis due to interference with the cutting process. This is particularly true when the first adjustment axis extends within the support surface that includes the cutting line.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the blade holder comprises one or more holder members interconnected using one or more angular adjustment guides so as to be movable relative to one another about at least a first adjustment axis, wherein one of the one or more holder members is configured to carry a cutting blade. Thus, the holder members can form a chain of articulated segments to provide the cutting blade with a degree of freedom to rotate about at least the first adjustment axis.

[0026] In another embodiment, the blade holder includes a height adjustment for linearly adjusting the height of the cutting blade relative to the cutting line. Depending on the configuration and / or dimensions of the cutting blade, the height of the cutting blade can be linearly adjusted to ensure that the incision point is coincident with and / or located within the support surface containing the cutting line.

[0027] In another embodiment, the blade holder includes one or more instruments for reading one or more angles adjusted by the angular adjustment of the cutting blade orientation. Preferably, the one or more instruments include at least one protractor. Thus, the relevant angle of the cutting blade orientation can be visually confirmed, adjusted, and / or set.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a blade holder for holding a cutting blade relative to a cutting line, the blade holder mechanically defining first and second adjustment axes for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the first and second adjustment axes, respectively, the first and second adjustment axes intersecting at the cutting line at a cut point common to both the first and second adjustment axes.

[0029] By aligning both the first and second adjustment axes with the same incision point, the tip of the cutting blade can be continuously maintained at the incision point while angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about both the first and second adjustment axes. This has all of the technical advantages described above in connection with the first aspect of the present invention, with the additional technical advantage that angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about one of the first and second adjustment axes does not affect the previously set orientation of the cutting blade about the other of the first and second adjustment axes. In other words, the orientation of the cutting blade can be set individually about each adjustment axis without affecting the accuracy of the orientation of the cutting blade about the other adjustment axis. Therefore, once the orientation of the cutting blade about one of the adjustment axes is set and fixed, it does not need to be checked again for accuracy or corrective action.

[0030] In one embodiment thereof, the blade holder mechanically defines a third adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about said third adjustment axis, the third adjustment axis intersecting a cut point at the cutting line that is common to the first, second, and third adjustment axes. By aligning all three adjustment axes with the same cut point at the cutting line, the orientation of the cutting blade about any of the three adjustment axes does not affect previously set orientations of the cutting blade about the other two adjustment axes.

[0031] It will be understood that the knife holder according to the second aspect of the invention may be combined with any of the features described in the embodiments of the knife holder according to the first aspect of the invention, applied individually where possible.

[0032] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a cutting device comprising a knife holder according to any one of the embodiments of the first or second aspect of the invention and a cutting blade held by said knife holder, the cutting blade having a cutting edge defining a cutting edge profile that intersects the cutting line at an incision point.

[0033] The cutting device according to the third aspect of the present invention comprises a blade holder according to the first or second aspect of the present invention and therefore has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated below.

[0034] In one embodiment of the cutting device, the cutting edge terminates in a tip at the incision point.

[0035] In another embodiment of the cutting device, the cutting blade is configured for ultrasonic cutting.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the orientation of a cutting blade using a blade holder according to any one of the embodiments of the first or second aspect of the invention, the method comprising: Angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about a first adjustment axis. Equipped with.

[0037] The method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the actual implementation of the blade holder according to the first or second aspect of the present invention and therefore has the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated below.

[0038] In one embodiment, the blade holder mechanically defines a second adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about said second adjustment axis, the second adjustment axis intersecting the incision point, and the method further comprising: Angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the second adjustment axis. Further provided are:

[0039] In another embodiment, the blade holder mechanically defines a third adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about said third adjustment axis, the third adjustment axis intersecting the incision point, and the method further comprising: Angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the third adjustment axis. Further provided are:

[0040] In another embodiment, the method comprises: A step of linearly adjusting the height of the cutting blade relative to the cutting line in the height direction. Further provided are:

[0041] In another embodiment, the cutting blade is configured for ultrasonic cutting. The ultrasonic cutting blade, also known as a "sonotrode," is configured to cut through material, such as a tire component, while moving linearly and oriented along a cutting line. Thus, the cutting blade movement is a cross-cut movement, as opposed to the guillotine movement used in other known non-ultrasonic cutting processes.

[0042] In another embodiment, the method comprises: The method includes cutting one or more tire components to an appropriate length using a cutting blade. When cutting tire components, the orientation of the cutting blade must be changed periodically, for example, in response to switching to a different tire configuration. Therefore, applying the blade holder according to the present invention to the field of tire manufacturing has the technical advantages that adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade is less complicated, less time-consuming, more accurate, and less prone to errors.

[0043] The various aspects and features described and illustrated in this specification may, to the extent possible, be applied individually. These individual aspects, particularly those aspects and features described in the accompanying dependent claims, may be the subject of divisional patent applications.

[0044] The invention will now be explained on the basis of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0045] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a cutting device having a blade holder and a cutting blade for cutting tire components according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a view of the cutting blade according to FIG. 1 perpendicular to the first adjustment axis; [Figure 3] 2 is a view of the cutting blade according to FIG. 1 perpendicular to the second adjustment axis; [Figure 4] 2 is a view of the cutting blade according to FIG. 1 perpendicular to the third adjustment axis; [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a known cutting device according to the prior art; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] 1 shows a cutting device 100 for cutting a tire component (not shown). The tire component may be, for example, a liner, a sidewall, a body ply, or a combination thereof, which combination is also known as a "pre-assembly." The cutting device 100 is used to cut the tire component to a suitable length for application around a tire building drum downstream of the cutting device 100.

[0047] The cutting device 100 includes a shearing or cutting blade 9. The cutting blade 9 has a blade body 90 with a shearing or cutting edge 91. The cutting edge 91 extends along, coincides with, and / or defines a cutting edge line or profile E. In this example, the cutting edge 91 and / or cutting edge profile E are flat or linear. Alternatively, the cutting edge and / or cutting edge profile may be curved, non-linear, or a combination thereof. The cutting blade 9 is configured to cut through the tire component while moving linearly along the cutting line L in a fixed or stationary orientation. Thus, the movement of the cutting blade 9 is a cross-cut movement, as opposed to a guillotine movement used in other known cutting processes. The cutting blade 9 is positioned such that its cutting edge 91 is held extending in an oblique orientation relative to the cutting line L. Thus, the cutting edge 91 first cuts into the tire component at one of its ends (hereinafter referred to as the "tip" 92), and the remainder of the cutting edge 91 gradually cuts into the tire component as the cutting blade 9 moves along the cutting line L.

[0048] In this example, the cutting blade 9 is configured for ultrasonic cutting and may therefore be considered a "sonotrode" or "ultrasonic blade." The blade body 90 has a centerline S that extends perpendicular to the cutting edge 91 and / or cutting edge profile E. In this example, the blade body 90 is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical about the centerline S in at least one direction perpendicular to the centerline S. More specifically, the blade body 90 has a wedge-shaped cross-section that is symmetrical about the centerline S.

[0049] The cutting device 100 further includes a transducer or converter 81 for converting the alternating current into vibrations that are transmitted to the cutting blade 9. The cutting device 100 is provided with an attachment member 82, known as a "booster," that connects the blade body 90 to the converter 81 and increases or "boosts" the amplitude of the vibrations.

[0050] The cutting device 100 further comprises a blade holder 1 for holding the cutting blade 9 relative to the cutting line L. In this example, the cutting device 100 also comprises a cutting guide 101, such as a rail or beam, for supporting the blade holder 1. In particular, the cutting guide 101 extends parallel to the cutting line L, and the blade holder 1 is movable in a cutting direction C along the cutting guide 101 parallel to said cutting line L.

[0051] The cutting device 100 is further provided with a cutting bar or anvil 102 opposite the cutting blade 9 for supporting the tire component within the support surface V along the cutting line L. The anvil 102 and the cutting blade 9 cooperate to cut the tire component along the cutting line L.

[0052] The blade holder 1 is configured such that, when the cutting blade 9 is fitted and / or held in said blade holder 1, the cutting edge 91 of the cutting blade 9 intersects the cutting line L obliquely at the cutting point P. In particular, the cutting point P is located at the intersection between the cutting edge 91 and the cutting line L. More specifically, the cutting point P is located at the tip 92 of the cutting edge 91, i.e., at the position where the cutting edge 91 will first cut or make its first incision into the tire component when moving along the cutting line L in the cutting direction C.

[0053] As further shown in FIG. 1, the blade holder 1 defines three adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade 9 relative to the support surface V and / or the cutting line L.

[0054] In the following description, the three adjustment axes A1, A2, and A3 are specifically defined as a "first adjustment axis" labeled A1, a "second adjustment axis" labeled A2, and a "third adjustment axis" labeled A3. However, it should be noted that in the context of the claims, the ordinal numbers "first," "second," and "third" are used interchangeably for each of the adjustment axes A1, A2, and A3. Thus, in the claims, unless otherwise specified, a "first" adjustment axis may relate to each of the adjustment axes A1, A2, and A3, and a "first" and a "second" adjustment axis may relate to any combination of two of the three adjustment axes A1, A2, and A3.

[0055] To clearly define the adjustment axes A1, A2, and A3, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a coordinate system of a first orthogonal axis X, a second orthogonal axis Y, and a third orthogonal axis Z, which together define a three-dimensional space. The support surface V extends in a plane defined by the first orthogonal axis X and the second orthogonal axis Y. In this example, the first orthogonal axis X and the second orthogonal axis Y are both horizontal or substantially horizontal. Similarly, the support surface V extends horizontally or substantially horizontally. The first orthogonal axis X extends parallel to the cutting direction C, and the second orthogonal axis Y extends perpendicular to the cutting direction C. The third orthogonal axis Z extends perpendicular to the first orthogonal axis X and the second orthogonal axis Y, and thus extends perpendicular to the support surface V. In this example, the third orthogonal axis Z extends vertically or substantially vertically.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first adjustment axis A1 extends within or parallel to the support surface V. In particular, the first adjustment axis A1 extends at the intersection between the support surface V and the cutting edge surface W, which coincides with the cutting edge profile L and is perpendicular to the centerline S of the blade body 90. In this example, the first adjustment axis A1 extends horizontally or substantially horizontally. The cutting blade 9 is held by the blade holder 1 such that the centerline S of the blade body 90 extends at a first angle H1 relative to the support surface V about the first adjustment axis A1. The first angle H1 may also be referred to as or related to a “skive angle.” In the illustrated example, the first angle H1 is non-perpendicular or oblique.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the second adjustment axis A2 extends perpendicular to the support surface V and / or parallel to the third orthogonal axis Z. In this example, the second adjustment axis A2 extends vertically or substantially vertically. The cutting blade 9 is held by the blade holder 1 such that the cutting edge 91 and / or cutting edge profile E extends at a second angle H2 about the second adjustment axis A2 relative to the cutting line L. The second angle H2 may also be referred to as or related to an “angle of attack.” In the illustrated example, the second angle H2 is non-perpendicular or oblique.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the third adjustment axis A3 extends parallel to the central axis S of the blade body 90 and / or perpendicular to the cutting edge surface W. The cutting blade 9 is held by the blade holder 1 such that the cutting edge 91 and / or cutting edge profile E extends at a third angle H3 relative to the support surface V about the third adjustment axis A3. The third angle H3 may also be referred to as or related to a "cutting edge inclination angle." In the illustrated example, the third angle H1 is non-perpendicular or oblique.

[0059] Each of the aforementioned adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 is mechanically defined by the blade holder 1, which means that the blade holder 1 has, for each adjustment axis A1, A2, A3, one or more structural components that mechanically predefine or predetermine the movement of the cutting blade 9 about the respective adjustment axis A1, A2, A3. In other words, the movement of the cutting blade 9 about each of the adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 is mechanically limited to said movements rather than being mechanically unlimited, numerically controlled, and / or complex movements with multiple degrees of freedom.

[0060] Furthermore, as best seen in FIG. 1 , it should be noted that the blade holder 1 is mechanically configured such that at least one of the three adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 intersects the incision point P. In this example, all three adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 intersect the incision point P. In other words, all three adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 pass through the same incision point P. As previously mentioned, the incision point P corresponds to the position of the tip 92 of the cutting edge 91 when the cutting blade 9 is fitted to the blade holder 1.

[0061] Thus, the orientation of the cutting blade 9 can be individually adjusted about any one of the three adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 without the individual adjustment affecting the orientation of the cutting blade 9 about any other of the three adjustment axes A1, A2, A3. In other words, when adjusting one of the aforementioned angles H1, H2, H3, the other angles H1, H2, H3 can remain the same. Thus, each angle H1, H2, H3 can be individually and reliably adjusted without requiring correction to any of the other angles H1, H2, H3 as a result of the individual adjustment.

[0062] The structural components of the blade holder 1 that are responsible for mechanically defining the aforementioned adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1 , the blade holder 1 comprises a base 10 connected to, carried by, and / or movable along a cutting guide 101. The blade holder 1 further comprises a first holder member 2 rotatable relative to the base 10 about a second adjustment axis A2. In particular, the first holder member 2 comprises a first holder body 20 and a first angular adjustment guide, in this example in the form of a physical angular adjustment shaft 21, extending at the second adjustment axis A2 to rotatably connect the first holder body 20 to the base 10 about said second adjustment axis A2. The base 10 is provided with a swivel bearing for receiving the angular adjustment shaft 21 and facilitating said rotation. Alternatively, the angular adjustment shaft 21 may be provided in the base 10 and the swivel bearing may be provided in the first holder member 2. A suitable fastener, clamp, or fixing member (not shown) may be provided on or between the first holder member 2 and the base 10 to releasably fix the angular orientation of the first holder member 2 about the second adjustment axis A2.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the first holder body 20 also comprises a height adjustment portion 22 having two height adjustment slots 23, 24 extending in a height direction F. In this example, the height direction F is perpendicular and / or parallel to the third orthogonal axis Z.

[0065] The blade holder 1 further comprises a second holder member 3 movable in a height direction F relative to the first holder member 2 for adjusting the height of the cutting blade 9 relative to the anvil 102, the support surface V, and / or the cutting line L. In particular, the second holder member 3 comprises a second holder body 30 and two height adjustment bolts 33, 34 connected to said second holder body 30 and slidably engaged with respective height adjustment slots 23, 24 in the height adjustment portion 22 of the first holder body 20 for facilitating the aforementioned height adjustment in the height direction F. The height adjustment bolts 33, 34 are fastened and / or tightened to releasably fix the second holder body 30 relative to the first holder body 20 in the height direction F at a desired height position.

[0066] 1, the second holder member 3 is provided with a second angle adjustment guide, which in this example has two angle adjustment slots 31, 32. In this example, the angle adjustment slots 31, 32 extend in an arc, coinciding with an arc G concentric with the first adjustment axis A1.

[0067] The blade holder 1 further comprises a third holder member 4 rotatable relative to the second holder member 3 about the first adjustment axis A1. In particular, the third holder member 4 comprises a third holder body 40 and two angle adjustment bolts 41, 42 connected to said third holder body 40 and slidably engaged with respective angle adjustment slots 31, 32 in the second holder body 30 to facilitate the aforementioned angular adjustment about the first adjustment axis A1. The angle adjustment bolts 41, 42 are fastened and / or tightened to releasably secure the third holder body 40 relative to the second holder body 30 about the first adjustment axis A1 at a desired value or magnitude of the first angle H1.

[0068] The third holder member 4 is further provided with a third angle adjustment guide, in this example in the form of a physical angle adjustment shaft 43 extending in a third adjustment axis A3.

[0069] The blade holder 1 further comprises a fourth holder member 5 which is rotatable relative to the third holder member 4 about a third adjustment axis A3. In particular, the fourth holder member 5 is provided with a clamping part 51 for receiving and rotatably connecting the angle adjustment shaft 43 of the third holder member 4.

[0070] In this example, the clamping portion 51 includes a slit 52 that divides the fourth holder body 50 into two clamping jaws 53, 54 that can move toward each other to clamp and fix the fourth holder body 50 on the angle-adjusting shaft 43 at a desired value or magnitude of the third angle H3. More specifically, a fixing bolt 55 is provided that can be fastened or tightened to move the two clamping jaws 53, 54 toward each other to fix the third angle H3, and can be loosened to release the fastening and adjust the third angle H3.

[0071] The fourth holder member 5 holds, carries, or supports the cutting blade 9. Specifically, the converter 81 is fitted to, received in, or attached to the fourth holder body 50. Thus, the cutting blade 9 and the fourth holder member 5 are configured to rotate as one or in unison about the third adjustment axis A3. In other words, the orientation of the cutting blade 9 relative to the fourth holder member 5 about the third adjustment axis A3 remains the same.

[0072] In this example, the mounting member 82 connects to the cutting blade 9 at the center line S of the blade body 90. Thus, to cause the third adjustment axis A3 to intersect the incision point P at the tip 92 of the cutting blade 9, the mounting member 82 is positioned relative to the fourth holder member 5 such that the center line S is parallel to the third adjustment axis A3 but offset from the third adjustment axis A3 by an offset distance D equal to half the width of the blade body 90 and / or half the length of the cutting edge 91. The mounting member 82 is fixed against rotation relative to the fourth holder member 5 about the center line S and therefore rotates with said fourth holder member 5 about the third adjustment axis A3.

[0073] The blade holder 1 may optionally be provided with an angle scale or protractor 61 indicating a range of angles and an indicator 62 for indicating the angular orientation of one of the holder members 2, 4, 5 relative to said protractor 61. In this example, the protractor 61 is provided on the fourth holder body 50 and the indicator 62 is provided on the angle adjustment shaft 51 to read the third angle H3.

[0074] In summary, the above-mentioned holder members 2, 3, 4, 5 together form a chain of interconnected articulated segments that give the cutting blade 9 supported by the fourth holder member 5 degrees of freedom to rotate about respective adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 relative to the base 10.

[0075] It should be noted that in this exemplary embodiment, the angular adjustment guides of the first and fourth holder members 2, 5 are formed by shafts 21, 51 that physically extend at or coincide with the respective adjustment axes A2, A3. In contrast, the third holder member 4 does not rotate about a physical shaft. Instead, rotation of the third holder member 4 about the first adjustment axis A1 is substantially obtained by providing a third angular adjustment guide at a position spaced apart from said first adjustment axis A1.

[0076] However, it will be understood that rotation of the first and fourth holder members 2, 5 about their respective adjustment axes A2, A3 may alternatively be obtained in a substantially similar manner as the third holder member 4. Similarly, the third holder member 4 may alternatively rotate about a shaft that physically extends at or coincides with the first adjustment axis A1, provided that the physical shaft does not interfere with the cutting process of the cutting device 100.

[0077] It will be further understood that many alternative mechanical solutions may be provided for the angle adjustment guide shown, including but not limited to slots, pins, rails, shafts, linkages, guide shoes, gears, and the like.

[0078] A method for adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade 9 using the aforementioned blade holder 1 and / or cutting device 100 will now be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

[0079] To prepare for cutting, the cutting blade 9 is fitted, attached or provided to the blade holder 1. The cutting blade 9 is positioned relative to and / or held by the blade holder 1 so that the tip 92 of the cutting edge 91 coincides with or is located at the incision point P. Depending on the configuration and / or dimensions of the cutting blade 9, the position of the first holder member 2 relative to the base 10 can be adjusted linearly in the height direction F to ensure that the incision point P coincides with the support surface V and / or is located within the support surface V, in particular at the cutting line L within the support surface V.

[0080] Once the cutting blade 9 is engaged, the method comprises a step of angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade 9 around one or more of the adjustment axes A1, A2, A3 depending on the desired orientation of the cutting blade 9 in the cutting process for which the cutting device 1 is prepared or configured.

[0081] Once the cutting blade 9 is in the desired orientation, the cutting process can begin. As previously mentioned, in this example, the cutting blade 9 is configured for ultrasonic cutting. During the cutting process, the cutting blade 9 uses the cutting blade 9 to cut one or more tire components to the appropriate length.

[0082] It should be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Many variations within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Blade holder 10 base 11 Slewing bearing 2. First holder member 20 First holder body 21 Angle adjustment shaft 22 Height adjustment unit 23 First height adjustment slot 24 Secondary Height Adjustment Slot 3 Second holder member 30 Second holder body 31 First angle adjustment slot 32 Second Angle Adjustment Slot 33 First height adjustment bolt 34 Second height adjustment bolt 4. Third holder member 40 Third holder body 41 First angle adjustment bolt 42 Second angle adjustment bolt 43 Angle adjustment shaft 5 Fourth holder member 50 Fourth holder body 51 Clamp section 52 Slit 53 First Clamp Jaw 54 Second Clamp Jaw 55 Fixing bolt 61 Protractor 62 Angle Indicator 81 Converter 82 Mounting material 9 cutting blade 90 Blade body 91 Cutting edge 92 Tip 100 Cutting Device 101 Cutting guide 102 Anvil 200 known cutting devices 201 Known blade holder A1 First adjustment axis A2 Second adjustment axis A3 Third adjustment axis A201 First known adjustment axis A202 known second adjustment axis A203 known third adjustment axis C Cutting direction D offset distance E Cutting edge profile F Height direction G Depth direction H1 First angle H2 Second angle H3 Third Angle K arc L cutting line P incision point S center line V support surface W cutting edge X First Cartesian Axis Y Second orthogonal axis Z Third orthogonal axis

Claims

1. 1. A blade holder for holding a cutting blade relative to a cutting line, the blade holder configured to hold the cutting blade so that a cutting edge of the cutting blade intersects the cutting line obliquely at an incision point, the blade holder mechanically defining a first adjustment axis for angular adjustment of an orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis, the first adjustment axis intersecting the incision point.

2. 2. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein the knife holder mechanically defines a second adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the second adjustment axis, the second adjustment axis intersecting the incision point.

3. 3. The knife holder of claim 2, wherein the knife holder mechanically defines a third adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the third adjustment axis, the third adjustment axis intersecting the incision point.

4. The blade holder of claim 1 , wherein the first adjustment axis extends in one of a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, or an oblique direction.

5. The blade holder according to claim 2 , wherein the first adjustment axis and the second adjustment axis extend in a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and an oblique direction, respectively.

6. 4. The blade holder according to claim 3, wherein the first adjustment axis extends horizontally, the second adjustment axis extends vertically, and the third adjustment axis extends obliquely.

7. The cutting edge defines a linear cutting edge profile, the cutting blade has a blade body having a centerline perpendicular to the cutting edge profile, and the first adjustment axis is: a horizontal direction in the cutting edge plane that coincides with the cutting edge profile and is perpendicular to the centerline; Vertically and a direction parallel to the center line; 2. The blade holder of claim 1, wherein the blade holder extends to one of the following:

8. The cutting edge defines a linear cutting edge profile, the cutting blade has a blade body having a centerline perpendicular to the cutting edge profile, and the first and second adjustment axes are: a horizontal direction in the cutting edge plane that coincides with the cutting edge profile and is perpendicular to the centerline; Vertically and a direction parallel to the center line; The blade holder according to claim 2 , wherein the blade holder extends in each of the directions.

9. the cutting edge defines a linear cutting edge profile, the cutting blade having a blade body with a centerline perpendicular to the cutting edge profile; the first adjustment axis coincides with the cutting edge profile and extends horizontally in the cutting edge plane perpendicular to the centerline; the second adjustment axis extends vertically; the third adjustment axis extends in a direction parallel to the center line; The blade holder according to claim 3 .

10. The tool holder of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis determines one of a skive angle, an attack angle, and a cutting edge tilt angle.

11. 3. The tool holder of claim 2, wherein the adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the first and second adjustment axes determines a skive angle, an attack angle, and a cutting edge tilt angle, respectively.

12. 4. The tool holder of claim 3, wherein the adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis, the second adjustment axis, and the third adjustment axis determines a skive angle, an attack angle, and a cutting edge tilt angle, respectively.

13. 13. The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein the tool holder comprises one or more angular adjustment guides for guiding the angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade around at least the first adjustment axis.

14. The knife holder of claim 13 , wherein the one or more angular adjustment guides physically extend in at least the first adjustment axis.

15. The knife holder according to claim 13 , wherein the one or more angular adjustment guides are spaced apart from at least the first adjustment axis.

16. 16. A tool holder according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the tool holder comprises one or more holder members interconnected using the one or more angular adjustment guides so as to be movable relative to one another around at least the first adjustment axis, and one holder member of the one or more holder members is configured to carry the cutting blade.

17. The blade holder according to claim 1 , further comprising a height adjustment portion for linearly adjusting the height of the cutting blade relative to the cutting line in a height direction.

18. 18. The knife holder according to claim 1, wherein the knife holder comprises one or more instruments for reading one or more angles adjusted by the angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade.

19. 20. The knife holder of claim 18, wherein the one or more instruments comprise at least one protractor.

20. 1. A blade holder for holding a cutting blade relative to a cutting line, the blade holder mechanically defining first and second adjustment axes for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the first and second adjustment axes, respectively, the first and second adjustment axes intersecting at a cut point at the cutting line that is common to both the first and second adjustment axes.

21. 21. The knife holder of claim 20, wherein the knife holder mechanically defines a third adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the third adjustment axis, the third adjustment axis intersecting the incision point common to the first adjustment axis, the second adjustment axis, and the third adjustment axis at the cutting line.

22. 22. A cutting device comprising: a blade holder according to any one of claims 1 to 21; and a cutting blade held by the blade holder, the cutting blade having a cutting edge defining a cutting edge profile that intersects the cutting line at the incision point.

23. 23. The cutting device of claim 22, wherein the cutting edge terminates in a tip at the incision point.

24. 24. The cutting device of claim 22 or 23, wherein the cutting blade is configured for ultrasonic cutting.

25. 22. A method for adjusting the orientation of a cutting blade using a blade holder according to any one of claims 1 to 21, said method comprising: Angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the first adjustment axis. A method comprising:

26. The blade holder mechanically defines a second adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the second adjustment axis, the second adjustment axis intersecting the incision point, and the method further comprising: Angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the second adjustment axis.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

27. the blade holder mechanically defines a third adjustment axis for angular adjustment of the orientation of the cutting blade about the third adjustment axis, the third adjustment axis intersecting the incision point, and the method further comprising: Angularly adjusting the orientation of the cutting blade about the third adjustment axis.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

28. adjusting the height of the cutting blade relative to the cutting line linearly in the height direction; 28. The method of any one of claims 25 to 27, further comprising:

29. 29. The method of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the cutting blade is configured for ultrasonic cutting.

30. Cutting one or more tire components to length using the cutting blade.

30. The method of any one of claims 25 to 29, comprising:

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