Exchange station, tire building machine and method for unloading two or more transport units from the exchange station

Abstract

The invention relates to an exchange station (2) for exchanging production materials or tools, carried on transport units, with a tire building machine (1), wherein the exchange station comprises an unloader (3) that is configured for simultaneously unloading the two or more transport units (T1, T2) from the exchange station (2) in an unloading direction (B) by interacting with a first transport unit of the two or more transport units (T1, T2) that is in a docking position (P1, P2) that is closest to the rear side of the exchange station. The invention further relates to a tire building machine comprising said exchange station and a related method.

Description

[0001] Exchange station, tire building machine and method for unloading two or more transport units from the exchange station

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to an exchange station, a tire building machine and a method for unloading two or more transport units from the aforementioned exchange station .

[0004] It is known to provide a tire building machine with an exchange station for exchanging production materials or tools , carried on transport carts , with a processing station of said tire building machine . One or more transport carts may for example carry stacks of bead-apexes , separated by spacers .

[0005] The exchange station comprises a docking space for docking two or more transport carts in two or more docking positions aligned in a row in a loading direction, a floor that defines a footprint of said docking space for receiving the two or more transport carts , and an access portal for passing the two or more transport carts over the floor in the loading direction into the docking space .

[0006] The tire building machine further comprises a robot for picking-up and trans ferring the production materials or tools between the exchange station and the processing station . When transferring bead-apexes , the robot separates a bead-apex from a spacer, transfers the bead-apex to the processing station and returns the empty spacer to an empty transport unit .

[0007] The transport carts are unloaded in an unloading direction opposite to the loading direction through the access portal . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A disadvantage of the known exchange station is that the docking space is only accessible, without interrupting the operation of the tire building machine, through the access portal . As a result, the transport carts have to be unloaded manually, one-by-one, in the unloading direction through the access portal . Unloading all of the transport carts may therefore take a relatively long time during which the operation of the tire building machine may be suspended .

[0009] Moreover, with each subsequent transport cart being located in docking position further away in the loading direction, a human operator has to move further and further into the docking space of the exchange station to retrieve the transport carts . The exchange station has various mechanical components , guides and the aforementioned robot proj ecting into , extending across and / or moving through the docking space which are potentially hazardous for the human operator . Direct manual handling of the transport carts may also be hazardous because of the close proximity of the human operator to each transport cart as it is being moved relative to the narrow confines of the docking space .

[0010] Finally, certain areas of the tire building machine inside or directly adj acent to the exchange station may be electronically protected, for example by safety light barriers , which could be unintentionally triggered by the human operator when unloading the transport carts , thereby causing downtime of at least a part of the tire building machine .

[0011] It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide an exchange station, a tire building machine and a method for unloading two or more transport units from the exchange station, wherein the unloading of the transport units from the exchange station can be improved .

[0012] According to a first aspect , the invention provides an exchange station for exchanging production materials or tools , carried on transport units , with a tire building machine, wherein the exchange station comprises a docking space for docking two or more transport units in two or more docking positions aligned in a row in a loading direction, a floor that defines a footprint of said docking space for receiving the two or more transport units , an access portal for passing the two or more transport units over the floor in the loading direction into the docking space and a rear side opposite to the access portal in the loading direction, wherein the exchange station further comprises an unloader that is configured for simultaneously unloading the two or more transport units from the exchange station in an unloading direction opposite to the loading direction by interacting with a first transport unit of the two or more transport units that is in a first docking position of the two more docking positions that is closest to the rear side of the exchange station .

[0013] In other words , the unloader can interact with the first transport unit in the first docking position that is furthest away from the access portal . When interacting with said first transport unit, any movement of the first transport unit in the unloading direction as a result of said interaction will automatically push out any other transport units that are in the way of the first transport unit in the unloading direction . Hence , all transport units can be unloaded simultaneously . This may save considerable time when unloading transport units from the exchange station . The unloader can also provide opportunities in terms of safety, allowing for remote , automatic or semi-automatic operation of the unloading, as will be detailed further in the embodiments below .

[0014] In one embodiment the unloader is arranged for direct interaction solely with the first transport unit . In other words , the unloader has direct interaction exclusively with the first transport unit and does not interact directly with the second transport unit . The second transport unit is pushed out indirectly by the first transport unit . In another embodiment, the exchange station defines a safety zone to prevent human access to the docking space during operation of the tire building machine from any side other than the access portal . In other words , a human operator may enter the docking space during operation of the tire building machine, but only through the access portal . The human operator may for example access the docking space via the access portal to operate the unloader .

[0015] In another embodiment the unloader is configured for pushing against the first transport unit in the unloading direction . The pushing action can be easily achieved by physically contacting or abutting the first transport unit in the unloading direction .

[0016] In another embodiment the unloader is positionable in a start position relative to the access portal , wherein the unloader comprises a hook for interacting with the first transport unit when the unloader is in the start position, a handle for manually pulling on the unloader in the unloading direction when the unloader is in the start position and an arm interconnecting the hook and the handle . By manually operating the unloader, the complexity of the unloader can be reduced, as the unloader does not necessarily require any active components or mechanisms , such as a drives , actuators , belts or chains . Moreover, the arm can be used to space the hook and the handle apart , such that the hook can be remotely manually operated . Hence, the human operator can be in a relatively safe position at some distance from the transport units when unloading said transport units , thereby reducing the risk of inj ury to the human operator .

[0017] Preferably, the hook is configured for hooking behind the first transport unit in the loading direction . By hooking behind the first transport unit, the hook can already be in position at or near the rear side of the exchange station when loading the transport units , without interfering with said loading .

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, the arm extends in the unloading direction when the unloader is in the start position . The arm can therefore create a safe distance between the hook and the handle in the unloading direction .

[0019] In a further embodiment, when the unloader is in the start position, the hook is located at or beyond the first docking position in the loading direction and the handle is located at least partially outside of the docking space or inside the docking space within a manual reach of less than eighty centimeters from the access portal in the loading direction . When the handle is within an arm' s reach of the human operator, the human operator can reach inside the docking space with one arm to grab the handle while staying outside of the docking space with the rest of the body . By providing the handle at least partially outside of the docking space, the human operator can grab the handle without entering the docking space . In both scenarios , it can be prevented that the human operator has to move into the docking space completely . Hence, the safety of the human operator can be improved .

[0020] In a further embodiment the arm protrudes out of the docking space through the access portal when the unloader is positioned in the start position . Hence, the handle can be supported by the arm in a position outside or at least partially outside of the docking space .

[0021] In a further embodiment the arm extends alongside the two or more docking positions in a lateral direction perpendicular to the unloading direction and parallel to the floor when the unloader is positioned in the start position . By providing the arm at a lateral side of the docking positions , it can be prevented that the unloader in the start position interferes with the loading of the transports units in the loading direction .

[0022] In a further embodiment the arm extends in an arm direction parallel to the floor, wherein the hook extends in a hook direction parallel to the floor and transverse or perpendicular to the arm direction . The arm can therefore be conveniently be positioned at a lateral side of the transport units while the hook proj ects laterally into a position behind the first transport unit .

[0023] Preferably, the docking space has a loading width in a lateral direction perpendicular to the unloading direction and parallel to the floor, wherein the hook extends in the hook direction over a hook length corresponding to at least thirty percent of the loading width, preferably at least forty percent of the loading width and more preferably at least fifty percent of the loading width . The longer the hook length, the close the hook can be positioned relative to a center area of the loading width .

[0024] More preferably, the unloader further comprises a pusher that protrudes from the hook in the unloading direction for abutting the first transport unit in a pushing position that is in a center area of the loading width . By pushing in the center area, the pushing action can be evenly distributed over the first transport unit, thereby ensuring that the first transport unit keeps moving parallel to the unloading direction . Furthermore, the pusher may be provided with a suitably shaped pushing surface, which may or may not be adapted so as to be compatible with a corresponding mating surface of first transport unit . Moreover, the pusher may be provided with a suitable pushing material , for example a rubber material , which may absorb impacts when the pusher contacts the first transport unit .

[0025] In a further embodiment the docking space has a loading depth in the loading direction, wherein the arm extends over an arm length corresponding to at least seventy percent of the loading depth, preferably at least eighty percent of the loading depth, more preferably at least ninety percent of the loading depth, and most preferably at least one-hundred percent of the loading depth . The longer the arm, the further the handle can be moved away from the hook, and the closer the handle can be towards or proj ecting out of the access portal , while the hook remains in place hooked behind the first transport unit .

[0026] In a further embodiment the unloader is configured for moving in the unloading direction relative to the access portal from the start position . Hence, the unloader can be moved in the same direction as the unloading direction in which the transport units are unloaded .

[0027] Preferably, the exchange station comprises one or more guides for guiding the movement of unloader in the unloading direction relative to the access portal . Hence , the movement of the unloader can be more defined relative to the access portal .

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the unloader is configured for moving on or over the floor . Hence, at least a part of the weight of the unloader can be supported by said floor and / or the movement of the unloader in the unloading direction can be more defined relative to the floor .

[0029] In a further embodiment the unloader comprises one or more unloader wheels for rolling over the floor . The unloader wheels may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the previously mentioned guides .

[0030] In a further embodiment the unloader is freely movable relative to the access portal . In this case , the unloader may be provided without any mechanical connection to the access portal that restricts its freedom of movement . In fact , the unloader may be completely removed from the docking space together with the transport units .

[0031] In another embodiment the unloader comprises an actuator for automatically or semi-automatically pushing against the first transport unit in the unloading direction . The actuator can aid or contribute to the manually exerted pushing force . The human operator may still need to keep the unloader in place as the actuator exerts the pushing force . Alternatively, the actuator may be arranged in such a manner that manual interaction with the unloader is unnecessary .

[0032] Preferably, the docking space has a loading depth in the loading direction, wherein the actuator has a working range that is at least fi fty percent of the loading depth, preferably at least seventy percent of the loading depth, and more preferably at least ninety percent of the loading depth . Hence, the actuator can push the transport units out of the docking space over a considerable portion of the loading depth, thereby allowing the human operator to pull out the transport units without entering the docking space .

[0033] In one embodiment, the unloader comprises an unloader body that is movable relative to the access portal in the unloading direction, wherein the actuator is connected to the unloader body for pushing against the first transport unit in the unloading direction relative to the unloader body . In this embodiment, the human operator can keep the unloader body in place in the unloading direction as the actuator exerts the pushing force onto the first transport unit relative to the unloader body .

[0034] Alternatively, the exchange station comprises a rear frame fixed in the unloading direction at the rear side of the exchange station, wherein the actuator is connected to the rear frame for pushing against the unloader body or the first transport unit in the unloading direction relative to said rear frame . Hence, the pushing force can be exerted onto the unloader body or the first transport unit relative to the rear frame .

[0035] In a further embodiment the actuator comprises one of : a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a telescopic drive or a linear drive .

[0036] According to a second aspect , the invention provides a tire building machine comprising the exchange station according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the tire building machine is provided with a human machine interface that is provided at a front side of the tire building machine , wherein the exchange station is accessible via the access portal at the front side of the tire building machine .

[0037] The tire building machine comprises the exchange station according to the first aspect of the invention and therefore has the same technical advantages , which will not be repeated hereafter .

[0038] In one embodiment the tire building machine further comprises a robot for handling the production materials or tools carried on the transport units , wherein the robot is located at the front side of the tire building machine, preferably adj acent and / or in close proximity to the exchange station .

[0039] The location of the robot at the front side of the tire building machine may also be claimed independently of the exchange station and / or the unloader, i . e . solely in relation to a conventional tire building machine . The technical advantage of having the robot at the front side of the tire building machine is that the robot is easily accessible for the human operator . Moreover, all stations that the robot interacts with can be located at the front as well , such as the exchange station . Those stations can thus also be in close proximity to the workspace of the human operator .

[0040] Preferably, the robot is a co-bot that shares a common workspace with a human operator during operation of the tire building machine .

[0041] According to a third aspect , the invention provides a method unloading two or more transport units from an exchange station of a tire building machine using the exchange station according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of : docking two or more transport units in the two or more docking positions in the docking space ; and simultaneously unloading the two or more transport units from the exchange station in the unloading direction using the unloader to interact with the first transport unit in the first docking position of the two more docking positions that is closest to the rear side of the exchange station .

[0042] The method relates to the practical implementation of the exchange station according to the first aspect of the invention and therefore has the same technical advantages , which will not be repeated hereafter .

[0043] In one embodiment of the method, the unloader pushes against the first transport unit in the unloading direction .

[0044] In another embodiment of the method, the unloader comprises a hook, a handle and an arm interconnecting the hook and the handle, wherein the method further comprises the steps of : positioning the unloader in a start position relative to the access portal in which the hook hooks behind the first transport unit in the loading direction when the unloader is in the start position; and manually pulling on the unloader in the unloading direction when the unloader is in the start position .

[0045] In another embodiment of the method, the production materials are bead-apexes , supported in stacks on the two or more transport units and / or wherein the tools are spacers for separating the bead- apexes from each other in the stacks .

[0046] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible . These individual aspects , in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims , can be made subj ect of divisional patent applications .

[0047] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings , in which : figure 1 shows a top view of a tire building machine with an exchange station according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows an isometric view of an unloader for use in the exchange station of figure 1 ; figure 3 shows an isometric view of an alternative unloader according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention; figures 4A-4D show top views of the exchange station of figure 1 during the steps of a method for unloading two transport units from the exchange station, using the unloader of figure 2 ; figures 5A and 5B show top views of the exchange station of figure 1 during the steps of a method for unloading two transport units from the exchange station, using an further alternative unloader according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention figures 6A and 6B show top views of the exchange station of figure 1 during the steps of a method for unloading two transport units from the exchange station, using an further alternative unloader according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention; and figures 7A and 7B show top views of the exchange station of figure 1 during the steps of a method for unloading two transport units from the exchange station, using an further alternative unloader according to a fi fth exemplary embodiment of the invention .

[0049] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Figure 1 shows a tire building machine 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, for building or manufacturing a green or unvulcanized tire .

[0051] The tire building machine 1 has several components , modules or stations (not shown) , such as building and shaping drums , bead grippers and bead setters , a transferring and various tire component servicers , for processing and / or assembling tire components .

[0052] As shown in figure 1 the tire building machine 1 has a front side 10 that faces a workspace W of a human operator . In other words , the workspace W of the human operator is located in front of the tire building machine 1 . The human operator can move around in the workspace W without interrupting the operation of the tire building machine 1 . Safety measures , such as safety light barriers , safety light curtains or physical walls or gratings , may be in place to prevent access to the tire building machine 1 or to turn-off the operation of the tire building machine 1 automatically when unauthorized access is detected .

[0053] The tire building machine 1 is provided with a human machine interface 11 , for example a touch screen, at the front side 10 . The human machine interface 11 is accessible for the human operator from the workspace W .

[0054] Moreover, the tire building machine 1 is provided with a green tire inspection station, a green tire removal station or a green tire unloading unit 12 for inspecting and / or unloading green tires from the tire building machine 1 . In this example , the green tire unloading unit 12 is also located at the front side 10 .

[0055] The tire building machine 1 further comprises a robot 14 for handling production materials or tools that are used and / or processed in the tire building machine 1 . The 'handling' may include one or more of the following actions : pick-up up, releasing, trans ferring, repositioning, separating, returning . The robot 14 is located at the front side 10 of the tire building machine 1 . In this example , the robot 14 is a co-bot that shares a common workspace W with a human operator during operation of the tire building machine 1 . In other words , the robot 14 is intended for safely interacting directly with the human operator within the shared workspace W . The robot 14 can be provided with rounded edges , may be limited in speed and force, or is provided with sensors and software to ensure safe behavior in close proximity to the human operator .

[0056] As further shown in figure 1 , the tire building machine 1 comprises an exchange station 2 for exchanging the production materials or tools with a tire building machine 1 . The production materials are carried on a first transport unit T1 and a second transport unit T2 . In this example , the first transport unit T1 carries a stack of bead-apexes , separated by spacers . The second transport unit T2 may initially be empty and is designated to receive and carry empty spacers . When transferring bead- apexes to a processing station of the tire building machine 1 , the robot 14 picksup at least the bead-apex ( and optionally also the spacer ) and then separates a bead-apex from a spacer . The bead- apex is subsequently transferred to the processing station and the empty spacer is ultimately returned to the second transport unit T2 .

[0057] The transport units Tl , T2 are movable into and out of the exchange station 2 . In particular, the transport units Tl , T2 are provided with driven or undriven wheels , in particular castor wheels , to be movable in at least one direction over a factory floor . In this example , each transport unit Tl , T2 comprises trolley or a cart with wheels for rolling over a factory floor and a platform for supporting the production materials or tools .

[0058] The exchange station 2 comprises a docking space S for docking two transport units Tl , T2 . In this example , the docking space S defines two docking positions Pl , P2 aligned in a row in a loading direction A. The docking space S may alternatively define more than two docking positions aligned in a row in the loading direction A. In other words , the docking space S has a loading depth D in the loading direction A that is sufficient to receive the two transport units Tl , T2 in a row in the loading direction A. Moreover, the dockings space S has a loading width XI in a lateral direction L perpendicular to the loading direction A that is sufficient to accommodate at least the width of the transport units Tl , T2 , when arranged in a row in the loading direction A.

[0059] The exchange station 2 is provided with a floor 20 that defines a footprint of said docking space S for receiving the two transport units Tl , T2 in the two docking positions Pl , P2 . The floor 20 may be the factory floor or a dedicated floor of the exchange station 2 .

[0060] The exchange station 2 further comprises an access portal 21 for passing the two transport units Tl , T2 on or over the floor 20 in the loading direction A into the docking space S . The exchange station 2 is accessible via the access portal 21 at the front side 10 of the tire building machine 1 . The access portal 21 may be formed by two side j ambs , posts or uprights on either side of the docking space S , optionally interconnected by a top j amb to form a door frame The access portal 21 may be open or provided with a door .

[0061] The exchange station 2 is further provided with a rear side 22 opposite to the access portal 21 in the loading direction A. The rear side 22 may be at least partially open to exchange the production materials and / or tools through said rear side 22 with the rest of the tire building machine 1 . Alternatively, the rear side 22 may be at least partially closed, in which case the production materials and / or tools may be exchanged with the rest of the tire building machine 1 through the top of the exchange station 2 .

[0062] The exchange station 2 defines a safety zone Z to prevent human access to the docking space S during operation of the tire building machine 1 from any side other than the access portal 21 . In particular, safety measures , such as safety light barriers , safety light curtains or physical walls or gratings , may be in place at the boundaries of the exchange station 2 , to prevent access to the tire building machine 1 or to turn-off the operation of the tire building machine 1 automatically when unauthori zed access is detected through any side of the exchange station 2 other than the access portal 21 .

[0063] As best seen in figure 2 , the exchange station 2 further comprises an unloader 3 that is configured for simultaneously ej ecting or unloading the two transport units Tl , T2 from the exchange station 2 in an unloading direction B opposite to the loading direction A. The unloader 3 unloads the transport units Tl , T2 simultaneously by interacting with the first transport unit Tl in the first docking position Pl . In particular, the unloader 3 is arranged or configured for pushing against the first transport unit Tl in the unloading direction B . Note that the unloader 3 has direct interaction exclusively or solely with the first transport unit T1 . The second transport unit T2 is pushed out indirectly by the first transport unit Tl .

[0064] In the embodiment as shown in figure 2 , the unloader 3 has an unloader body 30 that is movable relative to the access portal 21 . The unloader body 30 comprises a hook 31 , a handle 32 and an arm 33 interconnecting the hook

[0065] 31 and the handle 32 . The hook 31 is configured or arranged for interacting with the first transport unit Tl . The handle

[0066] 32 may comprise be a gripping bar or a ergonomically shaped grip for manually gripping and / or pulling the unloader 3 in the unloading direction B .

[0067] When the unloader 3 is in a start position, as shown in figures 1 , 2 and 4A, the hook 31 is located in, at or beyond the first docking position Pl , considered in the loading direction A. In particular, the hook 31 is arranged or configured for hooking behind the first transport unit Tl , considered in the loading direction A. As shown in figure 2 , the hook 31 extends in a hook direction H parallel to the floor 20 and transverse or perpendicular to the arm direction G . The hook 31 extends in the hook direction H over a hook length X2 corresponding to at least thirty percent of the loading width XI , preferably at least forty percent of the loading width XI and more preferably at least fifty percent of the loading width XI .

[0068] As further shown in figure 2 , in the start position, the arm 33 extends in an arm direction G parallel to the unloading direction B and / or the floor 20 . The arm 33 extends alongside the two or more docking positions Pl , P2 , considered in a lateral direction L perpendicular to the unloading direction B and parallel to the floor 20 , at least up to the position where the hook 31 is connected to said arm 33 . In particular, the arm 33 extends over an arm length Y corresponding to at least seventy percent of the loading depth D, preferably at least eighty percent of the loading depth D, more preferably at least ninety percent of the loading depth D, and most preferably at least one-hundred percent of the loading depth D . In this example, the arm 33 protrudes out of the docking space S through the access portal 21 when the unloader 3 is positioned in the start position .

[0069] As a result, the handle 32 can be located at least partially outside of the docking space S or inside the docking space S within a manual reach R of less than eighty centimeters from the access portal 21 in the loading direction A, while the hook 31 is hooked behind the first transport unit T1 in the start position of the unloader 3 .

[0070] In this example , the unloader 3 further comprises a pusher 34 that protrudes from the hook 32 in the unloading direction B for abutting the first transport unit T1 in a pushing position E . The pushing position E is preferably located in a center area C of the loading width XI , for example within a tolerance of twenty-five percent from the center of the loading width XI . The pusher 34 may be provided with a suitably shaped pushing surface, which may or may not be adapted so as to be compatible with a corresponding mating surface of first transport unit Tl . Moreover, the pusher 34 may be provided with a suitable pushing material , for example a rubber material , which may absorb impacts when the pusher 34 contacts the first transport unit Tl .

[0071] In the embodiment as shown in figure 2 , the exchange station 2 comprises a guide 24 for guiding the movement of unloader 3 in the unloading direction B relative to the access portal 21 . In particular, the guide 24 is formed as a beam extending in or parallel to the loading direction A and the unloading direction B to carry at least a part of the weight of the unloader 3 as it moves in the respective directions A, B . In this example, the guide 24 extends alongside the arm 33 when the unloader 3 is in the start position . One of the exchange station 2 or the unloader 3 comprises one or more guide rollers 25 for slidably engaging a guide element 35 at the other of the exchange station 2 or the unloader 3 . The unloader 3 may additionally be provided with one or more wheels (not shown) to carry at least a part of the weight of the unloader 3 while rolling over the floor 20 or any other support surface .

[0072] It will be appreciated that many alternative guide mechanisms will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention .

[0073] Figure 3 shows an alternative unloader 103 according to a second embodiment of the invention, that di ffers from the previously discussed unloader 3 according to the first embodiment of the invention in that the two guides 24 are replaced by a plurality of unloader wheels 135 for rolling the alternative unloader 103 over the floor 20 . Without any direct or indirect mechanical connection the access portal 21 and / or the rest of the exchange station 2 , the alternative unloader 103 may be freely movable relative to the access portal 21 . The alternative unloader 103 may even be removed completely from the exchange station 2 together with the transport units Tl , T2 . Furthermore, one or more unloader wheels 135 of the plurality of unloader wheels 135 may be freely rotatable wheels or castor wheels . The unloader wheels 135 may be actively driven, i . e . by motors , to assist the manual removal of the alternative unloader 103 from the exchange station 2 . Alternatively, the unloader wheels 135 may be undriven .

[0074] Figures 5A and 5B show a further alternative unloader 203 according to a third embodiment of the invention, that differs from the previously discussed unloaders 3 , 103 in that the further alternative unloader 203 is provided with an actuator 236 for automatically or semi-automatically pushing against the first transport unit Tl in the unloading direction B relative to the unloader body 30 , while the human operator may still pull on the unloader body 30 . In particular, the actuator 236 is connected to the unloader body 30 for pushing against the first transport unit Tl in the unloading direction B relative to the unloader body 30 . The actuator 236 may be one of , but not limited to : a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a telescopic drive or a linear drive . Preferably, the actuator 236 has a working range F of at least fifty percent of the loading depth D, more preferably at least seventy percent of the loading depth D and most preferably at least ninety percent of the loading depth D .

[0075] Figures 6A and 6B show a further alternative unloader 303 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, that di ffers from the previously discussed unloaders 3 , 103 , 203 in that the further alternative unloader 303 is provided with an actuator 336 for automatically or semi-automatically pushing against the unloader body 330 in the unloading direction B relative to rear frame 23 of the exchange station 2 . In this example , the actuator 336 may be positioned alongside the docking space S for pushing against the further unloader body 330 in the unloading direction B relative to the access portal 21 and / or the rear frame 23 . By placing the actuator 336 on the side, space can be saved at the rear frame 23 , allowing for a more compact configuration of the exchange station 2 . Alternatively, the actuator 336 may be connected to the rear frame 23 for pushing against the further unloader body 330 in the unloading direction B relative to said rear frame 23 . Again, the actuator 336 may be one of , but not limited to : a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a telescopic drive or a linear drive . The actuator 336 also preferably has a working range F similar to the working range of the previously described actuator 236 . The unloader body 330 may optionally di ffer from the aforementioned unloader bodies 30 in that it is no longer provided with a handle for manual operation .

[0076] Figures 7A and 7B show a further alternative unloader 403 according to a fi fth embodiment of the invention, that dif fers from the previously discussed unloaders 3 , 103 , 203 , 303 in that the further alternative unloader 403 is provided with an actuator 436 for automatically or semi- automatically pushing against the first transport unit T1 in the unloading direction B relative to rear frame 23 of the exchange station 2 . In particular, the actuator 436 is connected to the rear frame 23 for pushing against the first transport unit T1 in the unloading direction B relative to said rear frame 23 . Again, the actuator 436 may be one of , but not limited to : a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a telescopic drive or a linear drive . The actuator 436 also preferably has a working range F similar to the working range of the previously described actuators 236, 336.

[0077] A method for simultaneously unloading two or more transport units Tl , T2 from the exchange station 2 of the tire building machine 1 using the exchange station 2 with the aforementioned unloader 3 according to the first embodiment of the invention will now be briefly elucidated with reference to figures 4A-4D . It will be appreciated that the steps of the method also apply, muta ti s mutandis , to the alternative unloaders 103 , 203 , 303 , 403 in figures 3 , 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B .

[0078] Figure 4A shows the situation in which the two transport units Tl , T2 are docked in the two docking positions Pl , P2 in the docking space S .

[0079] Figure 4B shows the situation in which the two transport units Tl , T2 are simultaneously unloaded from the exchange station 2 in the unloading direction B using the unloader 3 to interact with the first transport unit Tl in the first docking position Pl of the two more docking positions Pl , P2 that is closest to the rear side 22 of the exchange station 2 . In figure 4B, the unloading is performed by the human operator that manually pulls on the handle 32 in the unloading direction B .

[0080] Alternatively, as shown in figure 5B, the unloader body 30 of the further alternative unloader 203 may be pulled or kept in place by the human operator while the actuator 236 starts , assists or completes the unloading by pushing the first transport unit Tl out . In the embodiments of figures 6B and 7B, the actuators 336 , 436 push and no manual pulling is required .

[0081] Figure 4C shows the situation in which the unloader 3 is pushed back or returned towards and / or into the start position of figure 4A to prepare the exchange station 2 for receiving new transport units , as the unloaded transport units Tl , T2 are transported away from the tire building machine 1 by other means .

[0082] Figure 4D shows the situation in which the unloader 3 has been returned to the start position of figure 4A and two new transport units T3 , T4 have been loaded into the exchange station 2 in the loading direction A. The exchange station 2 is now ready for a new cycle of the method .

[0083] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention . From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention .

[0084] In summary the invention relates to an exchange station 2 for exchanging production materials or tools , carried on transport units Tl , T2 , with a tire building machine 1 , wherein the exchange station 2 comprises an unloader 3 , 103 , 203 , 303 , 403 that is configured for simultaneously unloading the two or more transport units Tl , T2 from the exchange station 2 in an unloading direction B by interacting with a first transport unit Tl of the two or more transport units Tl , T2 that is in a docking position Pl that is closest to the rear side 22 of the exchange station 2 . The invention further relates to an unloader 3 , 103 , 203 , 303 , 403 for use in said exchange station 2 , a tire building machine 1 comprising said exchange station 2 and a related method .

[0085] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0086] I tire building machine

[0087] 10 front side

[0088] I I human machine interface

[0089] 12 green tire unloading unit

[0090] 14 robot 2 exchange station

[0091] 20 floor

[0092] 21 access portal

[0093] 22 rear side

[0094] 23 rear frame

[0095] 24 guide

[0096] 25 guide roller

[0097] 3 unloader

[0098] 30 unloader body

[0099] 31 hook

[0100] 32 handle

[0101] 33 arm

[0102] 34 pusher

[0103] 35 guide element

[0104] 103 alternative unloader

[0105] 135 unloader wheel

[0106] 203 further alternative unloader

[0107] 236 actuator

[0108] 302 alternative exchange station

[0109] 303 further alternative unloader

[0110] 330 unloader body

[0111] 336 actuator

[0112] 403 further alternative unloader

[0113] 436 actuator

[0114] A loading direction

[0115] B unloading direction

[0116] C center area

[0117] D loading depth

[0118] E pushing position

[0119] F working range

[0120] G arm direction

[0121] H hook direction

[0122] L lateral direction

[0123] Pl first docking position

[0124] P2 second docking position

[0125] R manual reach

[0126] S docking space T1 first transport unit

[0127] T2 second transport unit

[0128] T3 , T4 new transport units

[0129] W common workspace XI loading width

[0130] X2 hook length

[0131] Y arm length

[0132] Z safety zone

Claims

C L A I M S1 . Exchange station for exchanging production materials or tools , carried on transport units , with a tire building machine, wherein the exchange station comprises a docking space for docking two or more transport units in two or more docking positions aligned in a row in a loading direction, a floor that defines a footprint of said docking space for receiving the two or more transport units , an access portal for passing the two or more transport units over the floor in the loading direction into the docking space and a rear side opposite to the access portal in the loading direction, wherein the exchange station further comprises an unloader that is configured for simultaneously unloading the two or more transport units from the exchange station in an unloading direction opposite to the loading direction by interacting with a first transport unit of the two or more transport units that is in a first docking position of the two more docking positions that is closest to the rear side of the exchange station .2 . Exchange station according to claim 1 , wherein the unloader is arranged for direct interaction solely with the first transport unit .3 . Exchange station according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the exchange station defines a safety zone to prevent human access to the docking space during operation of the tire building machine from any side other than the access portal .4 . Exchange station according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the unloader is configured for pushing against the first transport unit in the unloading direction .

5. Exchange station according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the unloader is positionable in a start position relative to the access portal , wherein theunloader comprises a hook for interacting with the first transport unit when the unloader is in the start position, a handle for manually pulling on the unloader in the unloading direction when the unloader is in the start position and an arm interconnecting the hook and the handle .

6. Exchange station according to claim 5 , wherein the hook is configured for hooking behind the first transport unit in the loading direction .7 . Exchange station according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the arm extends in the unloading direction when the unloader is in the start position .8 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 5-7 , wherein, when the unloader is in the start position, the hook is located at or beyond the first docking position in the loading direction and the handle is located at least partially outside of the docking space or inside the docking space within a manual reach of less than eighty centimeters from the access portal in the loading direction .

9. Exchange station according to any one of claims 5- 8 , wherein the arm protrudes out of the docking space through the access portal when the unloader is positioned in the start position .10 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 5- 9, wherein the arm extends alongside the two or more docking positions in a lateral direction perpendicular to the unloading direction and parallel to the floor when the unloader is positioned in the start position .11 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 5- 10 , wherein the arm extends in an arm direction parallel to the floor, wherein the hook extends in a hook direction parallel to the floor and transverse or perpendicular to the arm direction .12 . Exchange station according to claim 11 , wherein the docking space has a loading width in a lateral direction perpendicular to the unloading direction and parallel to the floor, wherein the hook extends in the hook direction over a hook length corresponding to at least thirty percent of theloading width, preferably at least forty percent of the loading width and more preferably at least fifty percent of the loading width .13 . Exchange station according to claim 12 , wherein the unloader further comprises a pusher that protrudes from the hook in the unloading direction for abutting the first transport unit in a pushing position that is in a center area of the loading width .14 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 5- 13 , wherein the docking space has a loading depth in the loading direction, wherein the arm extends over an arm length corresponding to at least seventy percent of the loading depth, preferably at least eighty percent of the loading depth, more preferably at least ninety percent of the loading depth, and most preferably at least one-hundred percent of the loading depth .15 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 5- 14 , wherein the unloader is configured for moving in the unloading direction relative to the access portal from the start position .16 . Exchange station according to claim 15, wherein the exchange station comprises one or more guides for guiding the movement of unloader in the unloading direction relative to the access portal .17 . Exchange station according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein the unloader is configured for moving on or over the floor .18 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 15-17 , wherein the unloader comprises one or more unloader wheels for rolling over the floor .19 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 15-18 , wherein the unloader is freely movable relative to the access portal .20 . Exchange station according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the unloader comprises an actuator for automatically or semi-automatically pushing against the first transport unit in the unloading direction .21 . Exchange station according to claim 20 , wherein the docking space has a loading depth in the loading direction, wherein the actuator has a working range that is at least fi fty percent of the loading depth, preferably at least seventy percent of the loading depth, and more preferably at least ninety percent of the loading depth .22 . Exchange station according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the unloader comprises an unloader body that is movable relative to the access portal in the unloading direction, wherein the actuator is connected to the unloader body for pushing against the first transport unit in the unloading direction relative to the unloader body .23 . Exchange station according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the exchange station comprises a rear frame fixed in the unloading direction at the rear side of the exchange station, wherein the actuator is connected to the rear frame for pushing against the unloader body or the first transport unit in the unloading direction relative to said rear frame .24 . Exchange station according to any one of claims 20-23 , wherein the actuator comprises one of : a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a telescopic drive or a linear drive .25 . Tire building machine comprising the exchange station according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the tire building machine is provided with a human machine interface that is provided at a front side of the tire building machine , wherein the exchange station is accessible via the access portal at the front side of the tire building machine .26 . Tire building machine according to claim 25 , wherein the tire building machine further comprises a robot for handling the production materials or tools carried on the transport units , wherein the robot is located at the front side of the tire building machine .27 . Tire building machine according to claim 26 , wherein the robot is a co-bot that shares a common workspace with a human operator during operation of the tire buildingmachine .28 . Method for simultaneously unloading two or more transport units from an exchange station of a tire building machine using the exchange station according to any one of claims 1-24 , wherein the method comprises the steps of : docking two or more transport units in the two or more docking positions in the docking space ; and simultaneously unloading the two or more transport units from the exchange station in the unloading direction using the unloader to interact with the first transport unit in the first docking position of the two more docking positions that is closest to the rear side of the exchange station .29 . Method according to claim 28 , wherein the unloader pushes against the first transport unit in the unloading direction .30 . Method according to claim 28 or 29 , wherein the unloader comprises a hook, a handle and an arm interconnecting the hook and the handle, wherein the method further comprises the steps of : positioning the unloader in a start position relative to the access portal in which the hook hooks behind the first transport unit in the loading direction when the unloader is in the start position; and manually pulling on the unloader in the unloading direction when the unloader is in the start position .31 . Method according to any one of claims 28-30 , wherein the production materials are bead-apexes , supported in stacks on the two or more transport units and / or wherein the tools are spacers for separating the bead-apexes from each other in the stacks .— o— o— o— o— o— o— o— o—RM / HZ

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