Transfer assembly and method for transferring a tire component

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer assembly for transferring a tire component to a building drum, wherein the transfer assembly comprises a supply device for supplying the tire component in a transport direction in a support plane, wherein the transfer assembly further comprises a transfer wheel that is rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the transfer wheel is positionable in a pickup position above the supply device for transferring the tire component from the supply device to the transfer wheel by rotating said transfer wheel about the rotation axis, wherein the transfer assembly further comprises an inspection device for scanning a first side of the tire component at a first inspection position at the supply device, and for scanning a second side of the tire component opposite to the first side at a second inspection position at the transfer wheel.

Description

[0001] P143165PC00

[0002] Transfer assembly and method for trans ferring a tire component

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] The present invention relates to a trans fer assembly for transferring a tire component . The present invention further relates to a method for transferring a tire component .

[0005] WO 2023003456 Al discloses a dual tire component servicer and a method for supplying a first tire component and a second tire component to a tire building drum, wherein the dual tire component servicer comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor for conveying the first tire component and the second tire component, respectively, in a transport direction towards the tire building drum, wherein the dual tire component servicer further comprises a first pick-and- place unit and a second pick-and-place unit for trans ferring the first tire component and the second tire component , respectively, from their respective conveyors to the tire building drum.

[0006] The dual tire component servicer comprises a first sensor unit upstream of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and-place unit relative to the transport direction for detecting lateral positions of the first tire component and the second tire component on the first conveyor and the second conveyor, respectively . The first sensor unit can be used to correct the lateral positions of the tire components based on detection signals obtained upstream of the tire building drum, i . e . based on the lateral positions of the tire components on the respective conveyors . The dual tire component servicer further comprises a second sensor unit downstream of the first pick-and-place unit and the second pick-and- place unit relative to the transport direction for detecting lateral positions of the first tire component and the second tire component on the tire building drum . The detection signals of the second sensor unit can thus be used to determine any further movements of the pick-and-place unit required in the lateral direction to align the remaining portions of the tire components still to be trans ferred to the tire building drum, with the portions of the tire components already on the tire building drum.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In the abovementioned tire component servicer, single layer tire components are supplied to the tire building drum. However, some configurations in tire building require the use of multi layer tire components , i . e . pre-assemblies of two or more stacked tire elements , that are applied to the tire building drum in a single winding step .

[0009] A disadvantage of the known tire component servicer is that only one side of the tire component can be inspected . Accordingly, in the case of a pre-assembly, only the top most tire element can be inspected .

[0010] In a specific use case , a first tire element, such as a chafer or a steel chafer, may at one side thereof be provided with gum strips at the lateral edges . In other words , said gum strips may cover and / or obscure either the top or bottom lateral edges of the chafer . Accordingly, when using the known servicer, it may not be possible to reliably determine a lateral position of the lateral edges of the chafer at the side at which the gum strips are applied .

[0011] A further disadvantage of the known tire component servicer is that multiple sensors at dif ferent locations are required to monitor the lateral positions of the tire components both upstream and downstream of the pick and place unit .

[0012] It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide a transfer assembly and a method for transferring a tire component, wherein the tire component can be transferred more accurately and / or precisely .

[0013] According to a first aspect , the invention provides a transfer assembly for transferring a tire component to a building drum, wherein the transfer assembly comprises a supply device for supplying the tire component in a transport direction in a support plane , wherein the transfer assembly further comprises a transfer wheel that is rotatable about a rotation axis , wherein the trans fer wheel is positionable in a pickup position above the supply device for transferring the tire component from the supply device to the transfer wheel by rotating said transfer wheel about the rotation axis , wherein the transfer assembly further comprises an inspection device for, at a first inspection position at the supply device, scanning a first side of the tire component that faces away from the support plane, and for scanning a second side of the tire component opposite to the first side at a second inspection position at the trans fer wheel .

[0014] By scanning the tire component both on the supply device and on the transfer wheel , both sides of the tire component can be inspected by the inspection device . Accordingly, defects in the tire component can be detected on both sides of the tire component . Hence, defects can be detected more reliably .

[0015] Moreover, a position of the tire component , e . g . a lateral position of the lateral edges thereof , can be inspected both before and after picking up the tire component with the trans fer wheel . Hence, a position of the lateral edges can be determined even when at one side of the tire component, the lateral edges are obscured by the gum strips . In an embodiment thereof , the inspection device is arranged for scanning the first side and / or the second side of the tire component while the transfer wheel is in the pickup position . Preferably, the inspection device is arranged for scanning the first side of the tire component while transferring the tire component to the transfer wheel . Accordingly, both the first side and the second side of the tire component can be inspected without displacing the transfer wheel . Hence, the first and second side can be inspected more efficiently .

[0016] In a further embodiment, the inspection device comprises a camera with a field of view for scanning the tire component within said field of view, wherein the camera is movable between a first inspection orientation in which the field of view is directed towards the first inspection position and a second inspection orientation in which field of view is directed towards the second inspection position . In other words , a single camera can be used to inspect both the first side and the second side of the tire component . Using only a single camera can be more economical .

[0017] In an embodiment thereof , the camera is rotatable about a pivot axis to move the field of view between the first inspection position and the second inspection position . Preferably, the pivot axis extends parallel to the support plane . Additionally or alternatively, the pivot axis extends parallel to the rotation axis , at least when said transfer wheel is in the pickup position . In other words , the camera can conveniently be rotated about the pivot axis to move the field of view between the firs inspection position and the second inspection position . Hence, the inspection of the first side and the second side of the tire component can be facilitated .

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the inspection device comprises a first camera for scanning the first side of the tire component at the first inspection position, wherein the inspection device further comprises a second camera for scanning the second side of the tire component at the second inspection position . In other words , the first side of the tire component can be inspected by the first camera and the second side of the tire component can be inspected by the second camera . Accordingly, both sides of the tire component can be inspected without displacing the first and second cameras .

[0019] In a further embodiment, the trans fer assembly further comprises a control unit, wherein the control unit is functionally coupled to the inspection device for processing the signals from the inspection device and for controlling the trans fer assembly based on said processed signals . The control unit may for example be configured to process the signals from the inspection device to obtain positional data of the tire component with respect to the support plane and / or the trans fer wheel . Alternatively, the control unit may be configured to detect defects or abnormalities of the tire component .

[0020] In an embodiment thereof , the inspection device is arranged for, at the first inspection position, detecting at least a lateral position of a first lateral edge of the tire component and / or a lateral position of a second lateral edge of the tire component opposite to the first lateral edge . In a preferred embodiment thereof , the transfer wheel and the supply device are movable relative to one another in a first correction direction parallel to the support plane and transverse or perpendicular to the transport direction, and wherein the control unit is configured for ef fecting a mutual displacement between the trans fer wheel and the supply device in the first correction direction in response to a detected lateral position of the tire component in the first inspection position . Accordingly, the tire component can be laterally aligned during the transition or trans fer from the support surface to the transfer wheel . Hence , the tire component can be trans ferred to the transfer wheel more accurately and / or precisely . Accordingly, the tire component can subsequently be more accurately and / or precisely transferred from the transfer wheel to the building drum .

[0021] In a further embodiment, the inspection device is arranged for, at the second inspection position, detecting at least a lateral position of a first lateral edge of the tire component and / or a lateral position of a second lateral edge of the tire component opposite to the first lateral edge .

[0022] In a preferred embodiment thereof , wherein the building drum is rotatable about a drum axis , wherein the transfer wheel is further positionable in an application position at or near the building drum in which the rotation axis of the transfer wheel extends parallel to the drum axis for transferring the tire component from the trans fer wheel to said building drum. Preferably, in the application position, the transfer wheel and the building drum are movable relative to one another in a second correction direction parallel to the drum axis , and wherein the control unit is configured for effecting a mutual displacement between the transfer wheel and the building drum in the second correction direction in response to a detected lateral position in the second inspection position . Accordingly, the tire component can be laterally aligned during the transition or transfer from the transfer wheel to the building drum. Hence , the tire component can be trans ferred to the building drum more accurately and / or precisely .

[0023] In a further embodiment, the inspection device is arranged for, at the first inspection position, detecting a leading edge and / or a trailing edge of the tire component . Accordingly, the leading edge can be positioned in the pickup position more accurately and / or precisely . Hence, the transfer wheel can pick up the leading end of the tire component more reliably .

[0024] In an embodiment thereof the control unit is configured to determine a length of the tire component between the leading edge and the trailing edge based on the data of the inspection device . Hence , the inspection device can reliably determine the length of the tire component prior to or during the transfer of said tire component from the supply device to the trans fer wheel .

[0025] In a preferred embodiment thereof , the control unit is functionally coupled to the transfer wheel for controlling a rotation of said trans fer wheel about the rotation axis , wherein the control unit is further functionally coupled to the building drum for controlling a rotation of said building drum about the drum axis , wherein the control unit is configured to adapt di fference between the circumferential velocity of the building drum and the circumferential velocity of the trans fer wheel based on the determined length of the tire component . Hence, the tire component can selectively be stretched to create a desired overlap or but splice at a splice region at the building drum. Accordingly, the tire component can be stitched more reliably .

[0026] In a further embodiment, the inspection device is arranged for, at the second inspection position, detecting a leading edge and / or a trailing edge of the tire component . Accordingly, the trans fer wheel can be rotated to position said leading or trailing end in a position facing the building drum prior to transferring the tire component to the building drum. Accordingly, the tire component can be transferred to the building drum more accurately and / or reliably .

[0027] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for transferring a tire component with the use of a trans fer wheel , wherein the transfer wheel is rotatable about a rotation axis and comprises a support surface that extends circumferentially about the rotation axis , wherein the method comprises the steps of : a) supplying the tire component in a support plane in a transport direction towards the transfer wheel ; b) scanning a first side of the tire component which faces away from the support plane at a first inspection position at the support plane upstream of the transfer wheel ; c) positioning the transfer wheel in a pickup position above the support plane in which the support surface abuts the leading end at the first side of the tire component, and rotating the trans fer wheel in said pickup position for winding the tire component around the trans fer wheel ; and d) scanning a second side of the tire component opposite to the first side at a second inspection position at the transfer wheel . Preferably, the tire component is a multi layer tire component or a pre-assembly of two or more stacked tire elements . The tire component may for example comprise a chafer and one or more gum strips . Said gum strips are typically applied to the lateral edges of the chafer .

[0028] By scanning the tire component at the first side and the second side, both sides of the tire component can be inspected . Accordingly, defects in the tire component can be detected on both sides of the tire component . Hence, defects can be detected more reliably .

[0029] Moreover, a position of the tire component , e . g . a lateral position of the lateral edges thereof , can be inspected both before and after picking up the tire component with the trans fer wheel . Hence, a position of the lateral edges can be determined even when at one side of the tire component, the lateral edges are obscured by the gum strips .

[0030] In a preferred embodiment thereof , step b) is performed prior to and / or during step c) .

[0031] In a further embodiment, step b) comprises detecting a lateral position of at least a part of the tire component, and wherein the method further comprises correcting said lateral position by moving the trans fer wheel relative to the support plane during step c ) . Hence , the tire component can transferred to the trans fer wheel more accurately and / or precisely .

[0032] In a further embodiment, the method further comprises the step of : e ) positioning the transfer wheel in an application position at a building drum in which the second side of the tire component abuts an external drum surface of said drum, and rotating the transfer wheel and the building drum in opposite directions to apply the tire component to the building drum. In other words , the tire component can subsequently be trans ferred from the trans fer wheel to a building drum. Accordingly, by more accurately and / or transferring the tire component to the transfer wheel , the tire component can subsequently be more accurately and / or precisely be transferred to the building drum.

[0033] In an embodiment thereof , step d) comprises detecting a lateral position of at least a part of the tire component, and wherein the method further comprises correcting said lateral position by moving the transfer wheel relative to the building drum during step e ) . Hence, a lateral position of the tire component can be determined on the transfer wheel instead of or in addition to determining the lateral position of the tire component in the support plane .

[0034] In a further embodiment thereof , step b ) further comprises detecting the positions of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the tire component and determining a length of the tire component between said leading edge and said trailing edge , wherein step e ) comprises adapting a rotational speed of the transfer wheel and / or the building drum to stretch or compress the length of the tire component to a desired length . Alternatively, a length of the tire component may be determined by detecting the leading and trailing edges at the second inspection position during step d) . Hence, the tire component can selectively be stretched to create a desired overlap or but splice at a splice region at the building drum. Accordingly, the tire component can be stitched more reliably .

[0035] In a further embodiment, step d) comprises detecting an angular position of a leading edge or a trailing edge of the tire component about the rotation axis , wherein the method, prior to step e ) , comprises the step of positioning the trans fer wheel about the rotation axis such that the leading edge or the trailing edge is facing towards the drum surface . Hence , the leading end of the tire component can be applied to the building drum more reliably .

[0036] In a further embodiment, the method comprises the use of the transfer assembly according to the first aspect of the invention . In other words , the transfer assembly according to the first aspect can be arranged for carrying out the method according to the second aspect of the invention . According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a use of the transfer assembly according to the first aspect of the invention to perform the method according to the second aspect of the invention .

[0037] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium having computerexecutable instructions adapted to cause the transfer assembly according to the first aspect of the invention to perform the method according to the second aspect of the present invention .

[0038] 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 .

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings , in which : figures 1A-1E show an embodiment of a transfer assembly according to the present invention during exemplary steps of a method according to the present invention; figure 2 shows a top view according to the line I ll i in figure 1A; figure 3 shows a side view according to the line I I I-I I I in figure ID; and figure 4 shows an alternative trans fer assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention .

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Figures 1A- 1E show a transfer assembly 1 for transferring a tire component 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention . The trans fer assembly 1 comprises a supply device 2 for supplying the tire component 9 and a transfer drum or transfer wheel 3 for transferring the tire component 9 from the supply device 2 to a building drum 8 . The supply device 2 is arranged for supplying the tire component 9 towards and / or up to the trans fer wheel 3 in a transport direction T in a support plane P . The trans fer wheel 3 is arranged for picking up the tire component 9 from the supply device 2 at the support plane P and for subsequently applying the tire component 9 to the building drum 8 .

[0043] In the embodiment as shown, the tire component 9 is a multi layer tire component or sub-assembly comprising a first tire element or chafer 93 , and two second tire elements or gum strips 94 .

[0044] The chafer 93 is belt shaped and comprises a leading end LE and a trailing end TE . The leading end LE is arranged downstream in the transport direction T and the trailing end TE is arranged upstream in the transport direction T . Accordingly, the leading end LE is first picked up by the trans fer wheel 3 and the trailing end TE is subsequently picked up by the transfer wheel 3 . The chafer 93 is a belt shaped tire component 9. The chafer 93 is typically parallelogram shaped or substantially parallelogram shaped, i . e . having a tapering leading end LE and a tapering trailing end TE .

[0045] The gum strips 94 have been applied to the chafer 93 at the second side 92 of said chafer 93 . More particularly, the gum strips 94 have been applied at a first lateral edge

[0046] 931 of the chafer 93 and a second lateral edge 932 of said chafer 93 opposite to the first lateral edge 931 , respectively . Preferably, the gum strips partially overlap said first lateral edge 931 and / or said second lateral edge

[0047] 932 .

[0048] In the embodiment as shown in figures 1A- 1E, the supply device 2 is a supply conveyor . The supply device 2 is arranged for conveying the tire component 9 towards the transfer wheel 3 in the transport direction T . The supply device 2 comprises a belt surface or support surface 20 for supporting the tire component 9 in the support plane P . Said support surface 20 may for example be at least partly constituted by a belt and or rollers of the supply device 2 .

[0049] As is further shown in figures 1A- 1E, the tire building drum or building drum 8 is rotatable about a drum axis D . Th building drum 8 comprises a drum surface 80 for receiving the tire component 9 . The drum surface 80 extends circumferentially about the drum axis D . In the embodiment as shown, the building drum 8 is located near the terminal end of the supply device 2 , i . e . downstream of the supply device 2 in the transport direction T . However, the present invention also encompasses configurations of the building drum 8 and the supply device 2 in which the building drum 8 and the supply device 2 are displaced relative to one another the transport direction T and / or a further direction perpendicular to the transport direction T .

[0050] The transfer wheel 3 is rotatable about a rotation axis A. The transfer wheel comprise a support surface 30 for supporting the tire component 9 thereon . Said support surface 30 extends in a circumferential direction about the rotation axis A. Optionally, the transfer wheel 3 further comprises retaining elements (not shown) for retaining the tire component 9 to the support surface 30 .

[0051] As is best shown in figures 1A and IB The transfer wheel 3 is movable relative to the supply device 2 into a pickup position for trans ferring the tire component 9 from the supply device 2 to the transfer wheel 3 . In the embodiment as shown, the transfer wheel 3 is movable towards and away from the supply device 2 in a pickup direction Y . Additionally or alternatively, the supply device 2 may be movable towards and away from the transfer wheel 3 .

[0052] Optionally, the trans fer wheel 3 may further be movable relative to the supply device 2 in a correction direction (not shown) for correcting a lateral position of the tire component 9. Preferably, the trans fer wheel 3 at least a vector component in the lateral direction L . Preferably, the correction direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the rotation axis A of the transfer wheel 3 .

[0053] As is shown in figure IE, the transfer wheel 3 is movable relative to the building drum 8 into an application position for transferring the tire component 9 from the transfer wheel 3 onto the building drum 8 . In particular, the transfer wheel 3 is movable towards and away from the building drum 8 in an application direction X . Preferably, said application direction X comprises at least a vector component in a direction perpendicular to the drum axis D . Additionally or alternatively, the building drum 8 may be movable towards and away from the transfer wheel 3 .

[0054] Optionally, the trans fer wheel 3 is further movable relative to the building drum 8 in a second correction direction (not shown) for aligning the tire component 9 on the building drum 8 . Preferably, the second correction direction is parallel to the rotation axis A of the transfer wheel 3 and / or parallel to the drum axis D .

[0055] As is further shown in figures 1A- 1E , the trans fer assembly 1 comprises an inspection device 6 for scanning and / or inspecting the tire component 9 . The inspection device 6 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9, in particular a first side 91 of the tire component 9 that faces away from the support plane P, at a first inspection position at the supply device 2 , as is shown in figures 1A and IB . Additionally, the inspection device 6 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9, in particular a second side 92 of the tire component 9 opposite to the first side 91 , at a second inspection position at the transfer wheel 3 , as is shown in figures 1C and ID . The first inspection position is arranged upstream of the pickup position in the transport direction T .

[0056] The inspection device 6 is arranged above the supply device 2 in the pickup direction Y . In other words , the inspection device 6 and the transfer wheel are arranged at the same side of the supply plane P . The inspection device 6 is arranged upstream of the transfer wheel 3 in the transport direction T . In particular, the inspection device 6 is arranged upstream of the first in section position in the transport direction T .

[0057] In the embodiment as shown, the inspection device 6 comprises an optical sensor or camera 61 that is movable between a first inspection orientation, as shown in figures 1A- 1B, and a second inspection orientation as is shown in figures 1C-1E . The camera 61 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9 within a field of view F of said camera 61 . Preferably, the camera 61 is arranged for optically detecting the contours of the tire component 9 along a measuring line .

[0058] It is noted that the first and second inspection orientation may encompass both a viewing direction of the camera 61 and a positioning of the camera 61 relative to the supply device 2 and / or relative to the trans fer wheel 3 . In the embodiment as shown, the camera 61 is rotatable or pivotable about a pivot axis R between the first inspection orientation and the second inspection orientation . Additionally or alternatively, the camera 61 may be translatable and / or movable between the first inspection orientation and the second inspection orientation . In other words , the camera 61 may be positionable in the first inspection orientation and the second inspection orientation . Preferably, the pivot axis R extends parallel to the support plane P . More preferably, the pivot axis R extends transverse or perpendicular to the transport direction T .

[0059] As is shown in figures 1A and IB, in the first inspection orientation, the camera 61 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9, in particular the first side 91 of said tire component 9 , at the first inspection position . In said first inspection orientation, the field of view F of the camera 61 is directed towards the first inspection position . In particular, the field of view F is directed toward the first inspection position from a position above the support plane P and / or the support surface 20 . In the embodiment as shown, the viewing direction of the camera 61 extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the support plane P and / or the support surface 20 . Alternatively, the viewing direction of the camera 61 may extend at an angle with respect to the support plane P and / or the support surface 20 .

[0060] As is best shown in figure 2 , the camera 61 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9 at the first inspection position along a first inspection line Ml while said tire component is being fed onto the supply device 2 in the transport direction T . Preferably, the camera 61 is arranged for optically detecting the contours and / or a height profile of the tire component 9 along said first inspection line Ml . The camera 61 may be an optical camera with image recognition capabilities , a camera in combination with one or more proj ection means ( single laser line or laser triangulation) or other means for detecting a profile, contours or edges of the tire component 9.

[0061] As is further shown in figures 1C- 1F, in the second inspection orientation, the camera 61 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9, in particular the second side 92 of said tire component 9, in the second inspection position . In the second inspection orientation, the field of view F of the camera is directed to or towards the second inspection . In particular, in the second inspection orientation, the field of view F of the camera 61 is directed towards the circumferential support surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 . In the embodiment as shown, the viewing direction of the camera 61 is directed normal to or substantially normal to he support surface 30 . In other words , the viewing direction of the camera 61 is directed in or substantially in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis A of the transfer wheel 3 .

[0062] As is shown in figures 1A-1E, the trans fer assembly 1 further comprises a control unit 7 . The control unit 7 is operationally and / or functionally coupled to the inspection device 6 for processing the signals from the inspection device 6. The control unit 7 is further arranged for controlling the transfer assembly 1 based on said processed signals . In particular, the control unit 7 is configured to determine position data of the tire component 9 based on the signals from the inspection device 6. Preferably, the control unit 7 is provided with digital storage medium or memory 70 for temporarily storing the position data of the tire component 9.

[0063] The control unit 7 is further operationally connected to the supply device 2 such that scans and / or measurements of the inspection device 6 at the first inspection position and / or the first inspection line Ml can be coupled and / or related to a longitudinal position of the tire component 9 in the transport direction T . Accordingly, the control unit 7 is operationally connected to the transfer wheel 3 such that scans and / or measurements of the inspection device 6 at the second inspection position and / or the second inspection line M2 can be coupled and / or related to an angular position of the tire component 9 about the rotation axis A.

[0064] A method for transferring the tire component 9 from the supply device 2 to the building drum 8 will be elucidated hereafter with reference to figures 1A-1E, 2 and 3 .

[0065] In the situation as shown in figures 1A and 2 , the tire component 9 has been supplied in the support plane P by the supply device 2 . The tire component 9 is supported in the support plane P by the support surface 20 of said supply device 2 . The second side 92 of the tire component 9 is facing the support surface 20 . Accordingly, the first side 91 of the tire component 9 is facing away from the support surface 20 .

[0066] The gum strips 94 have been applied to the second side 92 of the chafer 93 . Preferably, the gum strips 94 have been applied to the chafer 93 prior to supplying the tire component 9 on the support surface 20 . As is shown in figure 2 , the gum strips 94 have been applied, to the first lateral edge 931 and the second lateral edge 932 of the chafer 93 . The gum strips 94 have been positioned between the chafer 93 and the support surface 20 . As is shown in figure 2 , the gum strips 94 may extends past the leading edge 933 of the chafer 93 in the transport direction T . Additionally or alternatively, the gum strips 93 may extend past the first lateral edge 931 and / or the second lateral edge 932 , respectively, in the lateral direction L .

[0067] The camera 61 has been positioned the first inspection orientation with respect to the pivot axis R . Accordingly, the field of view F of the camera 61 is directed towards the first inspection position . In particular, the field of view F is directed towards and / or centered or focused at the first inspection line Ml .

[0068] As is best shown in figure 2 , the leading end LE of the tire component 9 has been transported up to and past the first inspection line Ml in the transport direction T . In other words , the leading end LE has been transported through and / or past the field of view F of the camera 61 .

[0069] The leading edge 933 has been detected as soon as the leading end LE passes the first inspection line Ml in the transport direction T . Position data of the leading edge 933 have been stored in the memory 70 for use by the control unit 7 . Additionally, lateral position of the first lateral edge 931 and the second lateral edge 932 have been detected by the camera 61 and have been stored in the memory 70 .

[0070] In the situation as shown in figure IB the tire component 9 has been transported further in the transport direction T by the supply device 2 . More particularly, the tire component 9 has been transported in the transport direction T up to the pickup position of the transfer wheel 3 . The first lateral edge 931 and the second lateral edge 932 of the tire component 9 have been detected by the camera 61 while being fed past the first inspection line Ml in the transport direction .

[0071] As is further shown in figure IB, the transfer wheel 3 has been positioned in the pickup position for picking up the tire component 9. The transfer wheel 3 has been brought into contact with the first surface 91 of the tire component 9 at the leading end LE of said tire component 9. More particularly, the trans fer wheel 3 has been moved in the pickup direction Y towards the tire component 9.

[0072] In the situation as shown in figure 1C, the leading end LE of the tire component 9 has been picked up by the transfer wheel 3 . Subsequently, the transfer wheel 3 has been rotated about the rotation axis A to transfer the tire component 9 to the transfer wheel 3 . While transferring the tire component 9 to the transfer wheel 3 , the remainder of the tire component 9 has been scanned by the camera 61 at the first inspection line Ml . Preferably, at least the trailing edge 934 of the tire component 9 is scanned while transferring the tire component 9 to the trans fer wheel 3 . Subsequently, position data of the trailing edge 934 are compared with the stored position data of the leading edge 933 to determine a length of the tire component 9. Said length of the tire component 9 is subsequently stored in the memory 70 .

[0073] As is further shown in figure 1C, the tire component 9 has been wound about the support surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 . The first side 91 of the tire component 91 is supported on the support surface 30 of the trans fer wheel 3 . Accordingly, the second side 92 of the tire component 9 faces away from the support surface 30 . Accordingly, as is best shown in figure 3 , the first lateral edge 931 and the second lateral edge 932 are covered by the gum strips 94 . In other words , the first lateral edge 931 and the second lateral edge 932 are obscured from the field of view F of the camera 61 at the second inspection line M2 .

[0074] Preferably, the method comprises rotating the transfer wheel 3 about the rotation axis A at a rotational velocity at which a circumferential velocity a the support surface 30 is equal to or substantially equal to a transport velocity of the supply device 2 in the transport direction T during the transfer of the tire component 9 from the supply device 2 to the transfer wheel 3 .

[0075] Optionally, the method may comprises moving the supply device 2 and the trans fer wheel 3 relative to one another in the lateral direction L in response to the stored sensor data that correspond to the lateral positions of the first lateral edge 931 and the second lateral edge 932 that have been collected at the first inspection line Ml .

[0076] The camera 61 has been rotated about the pivot axis R into the second inspection orientation . Optionally, the camera may be used to scan the second side 92 of the tire component 9 at the second inspection position during at least a part of the winding of said tire component 9 around the support surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 . Preferably, at least an angular position of the leading edge 933 of the tire component is detected at the second inspection line M2 during the winding of the tire component 9 about the support surface 30 .

[0077] In the situation as shown in figures ID and 3 the transfer wheel 3 has been moved away from the supply plane P in the pickup direction Y . Accordingly, the tire component 9 has been li fted from the support surface 20 of the supply device 2 . Optionally, the method comprises the step of rotation the transfer wheel 3 about the rotation axis A to rotate the tire component 9 past the second inspection line M2 . Preferably, at least an angular position of the leading edge 933 and / or the trailing edge 934 is detected and stored in the memory 70 .

[0078] In the situation as shown in figure IE , the transfer wheel 3 has been moved towards the building drum 8 in the application direction X to bring the second side 92 of the tire component 9 into abutment with the drum surface 80 . A part of the tire component 9 has been applied to the building drum 8 . Preferably, the method comprises rotating the transfer wheel 3 about the rotation axis A to position the detected leading end LE of the tire component 9 in an angular application position in which the leading end LE faces the building drum 8 . Subsequently, the leading end LE is applied to the building drum 8 by moving the building drum 8 and the transfer wheel 3 towards one another in the application direction X . Next, the remainder of the tire component 9 is applied to the building drum 8 by rotating the building drum 8 and the transfer wheel 3 in opposite directions . In the embodiment as shown in figure IE, the transfer wheel 3 is rotated clockwise about the rotation axis A. Accordingly, the building drum 8 is rotated counterclockwise about the drum axis D . Preferably, the respective rotational velocities of the building drum 8 and the transfer wheel 3 are adapted to the length of the tire component 9 that has been stored in the memory 70 . Preferably, the rotational velocities are adapted to stretch the length of the tire component 9 up to a circumference of the drum surface 80 . In other words , the rotational velocities are adapted such that a circumferential velocity at the drum surface 80 is equal to or greater than a circumferential velocity at the support surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 .

[0079] After the tire component 9 has been transferred to the building drum 8 , a further tire component 9 is supplied by the supply device 2 and the trans fer wheel 3 is positioned in the position as shown in figure 1A for picking up said further tire component 9.

[0080] Figure 4 shows an alternative transfer assembly 101 for trans ferring the tire component 9 to the building drum 8 according to a further embodiment of the present invention .

[0081] The alternative transfer assembly 101 differs from the previously discussed trans fer assembly 1 in that it comprises an alternative inspection device 106. Said alternative inspection device 106 comprises a first camera 161 for scanning and / or inspecting the tire component 9 at the first inspection position and a second camera 162 for scanning and / or inspecting the tire component 9 at the second inspection position .

[0082] More particularly, the first camera 161 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9 within a first field of view Fl of said first camera 161 at the first inspection position and / or the first inspection line Ml . Accordingly, the second camera 162 is arranged for scanning the tire component 9 within a second field of view F2 of said second camera 162 at the second inspection position and / or the second inspection line M2 .

[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] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0085] 1 transfer assembly

[0086] 2 supply device

[0087] 20 support surface

[0088] 3 transfer wheel

[0089] 30 support surface

[0090] 6 inspection device

[0091] 61 camera

[0092] 7 control unit

[0093] 70 memory

[0094] 8 building drum

[0095] 80 drum surface

[0096] 9 tire component

[0097] 91 first side

[0098] 92 second side

[0099] 93 chafer

[0100] 931 first lateral edge

[0101] 932 second lateral edge

[0102] 933 leading edge

[0103] 934 trailing edge

[0104] 94 gum strip

[0105] 101 alternative transfer assembly

[0106] 106 alternative inspection device

[0107] 161 first camera 162 second camera

[0108] A rotation axis

[0109] D drum axis

[0110] F field of view

[0111] Fl first field of view

[0112] F2 second field of view

[0113] L lateral direction

[0114] LE leading end

[0115] Ml first inspection line

[0116] M2 second in inspection line

[0117] P support plane

[0118] R pivot axis

[0119] T transport direction

[0120] TE trailing end

[0121] X application direction

[0122] Y pickup direction

Claims

23C L A I M S1 . Transfer assembly for trans ferring a tire component, wherein the transfer assembly comprises a supply device for supplying the tire component in a transport direction in a support plane, wherein the transfer assembly further comprises a transfer wheel that is rotatable about a rotation axis , wherein the transfer wheel is positionable in a pickup position above the supply device for picking up the tire component and transferring the tire component from the supply device to the transfer wheel by rotating said transfer wheel about the rotation axis , wherein the transfer assembly further comprises an inspection device for scanning, at a first inspection position at the supply device, a first side of the tire component that faces away from the support plane, and for scanning a second side of the tire component opposite to the first side at a second inspection position at the transfer wheel .2 . Transfer assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inspection device is arranged for scanning the first side and / or the second side of the tire component while the transfer wheel is in the pickup position .3 . Transfer assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the inspection device comprises a camera with a field of view for scanning the tire component within said field of view, wherein the camera is movable between a first inspection orientation in which the field of view is directed towards the first inspection position and a second inspection orientation in which field of view is directed towards the second inspection position .4 . Transfer assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the camera is rotatable about a pivot axis to move the field of view between the first inspection position and the second inspection position .

5. Transfer assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the pivot axis extends parallel to the support plane .

6. Transfer assembly according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the pivot axis extends parallel to the rotation axis , at least when said trans fer wheel is in the pickup position .7 . Transfer assembly according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the inspection device comprises a first camera for scanning the first side of the tire component at the first inspection position, wherein the inspection device further comprises a second camera for scanning the second side of the tire component at the second inspection position .8 . Transfer assembly according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the transfer assembly further comprises a control unit, wherein the control unit is functionally coupled to the inspection device for processing the signals from the inspection device and for controlling the transfer assembly based on said processed signals .

9. Transfer assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the inspection device is arranged for, at the first inspection position, detecting at least a lateral position of a first lateral edge of the tire component and / or a lateral position of a second lateral edge of the tire component opposite to the first lateral edge .10 . Transfer assembly according to claim 9, wherein the transfer wheel and the supply device are movable relative to one another in a first correction direction parallel to the support plane and transverse or perpendicular to the transport direction, and wherein the control unit is configured for effecting a mutual displacement between the transfer wheel and the supply device in the first correction direction in response to a detected lateral position of the tire component in the first inspection position .11 . Transfer assembly according to any one of the claims 8-10 , wherein the inspection device is arranged for, at the second inspection position, detecting at least a lateral position of a first lateral edge of the tire component and / or a lateral position of a second lateral edge of thetire component opposite to the first lateral edge .12 . Transfer assembly according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the trans fer wheel is further positionable in an application position at or near a building drum for trans ferring the tire component from the trans fer wheel to said building drum .13 . Transfer assembly according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 11 , wherein the building drum is rotatable about a drum axis , wherein, in the application position, the transfer wheel and the building drum are movable relative to one another in a second correction direction parallel to the drum axis , and wherein the control unit is configured for effecting a mutual displacement between the transfer wheel and the building drum in the second correction direction in response to a detected lateral position in the second inspection position .14 . Transfer assembly according to any one of the claims 8-13 , wherein the inspection device is arranged for, at the first inspection position, detecting a leading edge and / or a trailing edge of the tire component .

15. Transfer assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the control unit is configured to determine a length of the tire component between the leading edge and the trailing edge based on the data of the inspection device .

16. Transfer assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the control unit is functionally coupled to the transfer wheel for controlling a rotation of said transfer wheel about the rotation axis , wherein the control unit is further functionally coupled to the building drum for controlling a rotation of said building drum about the drum axis , wherein the control unit is configured to adapt a dif ference between the circumferential velocity of the building drum and the circumferential velocity of the transfer wheel based on the determined length of the tire component .17 . Transfer assembly according to any one of the claims 8-16, wherein the inspection device is arranged for,26 at the second inspection position, detecting a leading edge and / or a trailing edge of the tire component .18 . Method for transferring a tire component with the use of a trans fer wheel , wherein the transfer wheel is rotatable about a rotation axis and comprises a support surface that extends circumferentially about the rotation axis , wherein the method comprises the steps of : a) supplying the tire component in a support plane in a transport direction towards the transfer wheel ; b) scanning a first side of the tire component which faces away from the support plane at a first inspection position at the support plane upstream of the transfer wheel ; c) positioning the transfer wheel in a pickup position above the support plane in which the support surface abuts the leading end at the first side of the tire component, and rotating the trans fer wheel in said pickup position for winding the tire component around the trans fer wheel ; and d) scanning a second side of the tire component opposite to the first side at a second inspection position at the transfer wheel .

19. Method according to claim 18 , wherein step b) is performed prior to or during step c ) .20 . Method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein step b) comprises detecting a lateral position of at least a part of the tire component, and wherein the method further comprises correcting said lateral position by moving the transfer wheel relative to the support plane during step c) .21 . Method according to any one of the claims 18- 20 , wherein the method further comprises the step of : e ) positioning the transfer wheel in an application position at a building drum in which the second side of the tire component abuts an external drum surface of said building drum, and rotating the transfer wheel and the building drum in opposite directions to apply the tire component to the building drum .22 . Method according to claim 21 , wherein step d) comprises detecting a lateral position of at least a part of27 the tire component , and wherein the method further comprises correcting said lateral position by moving the transfer wheel relative to the building drum during step e ) .23 . Method according to claim 21 or 22 , wherein step b) further comprises detecting the positions of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the tire component and determining a length of the tire component between said leading edge and said trailing edge , wherein step e ) comprises adapting a rotational speed of the transfer wheel and / or the building drum to stretch or compress the length of the tire component to a desired length .24 . Method according to any one of the claims 21-23 , wherein step d) comprises detecting an angular position of a leading edge or a trailing edge of the tire component about the rotation axis , wherein the method, prior to step e ) , comprises the step of positioning the transfer wheel about the rotation axis such that the leading edge or the trailing edge is facing towards the drum surface .

25. Method according to any one of the claims 18-24 , wherein the tire component is a multi layer tire component or a pre-assembly of two or more stacked tire elements , preferably wherein the tire component comprises a chafer and one or more gum strips .

26. Method according to any one of the claims 18-25, wherein the method comprises the use of the transfer assembly according to any one of the claims 1- 17 .27 . Computer-readable medium having computerexecutable instructions adapted to cause the transfer assembly according to any one of the claims 1-17 to perform the method according to any one of the claims 18-26 .-o-o-o-o-o- o-o-o-GH / RM

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