Method and apparatus for handling tyres

Abstract

A method and an apparatus (1 ) for handling tyres. The method comprises: arranging a tyre (200) to be handled having a respective rotation axis (Y-Y); retaining the tyre (200) on a radially outer surface (210) thereof through a contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) which is extended with continuity along an arc of circumference coaxial with the rotation axis (X-X); moving the contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) in order to drive the tyre (200) in rotation around the above-mentioned rotation axis (Y-Y). The contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) is carried by a grip element (3) of the apparatus (1 ).

Description

[0001] “Method and apparatus for handling tyres”

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for handling tyres. The present invention is situated in the field of processes and apparatuses for building tyres for vehicle wheels and / or for executing controls or other operations on the green or vulcanised built tyres.

[0005] Definitions

[0006] By “tyre”, it is intended - when not otherwise specified - the green tyre or the moulded and vulcanised tyre.

[0007] With the term “handling” referred to tyres, it is intended moving (translating along one or more directions and / or rotating around one or more axes) and / or spatially positioning a tyre in order to carry out operations on the tyre itself, wherein such operations may be related to the building of the tyre or performed downstream of the vulcanisation, such as for example the application of sound-absorbent inserts or of a sealing layer, or to the control of the green or vulcanised tyre or to further accessory operations, such as for example the installation of sensors within the tyre. With the term “controlling” referred to tyres, it is generically intended all those nondestructive operations that allow detecting possible external defects (on the radially outer surface and / or radially inner surface) and / or internal defects (in the structure) of the tyre.

[0008] The terms "axial", "axially", "radial", "radially", “diametral”, “diametrically”, “circumferential” and “circumferentially” are used with reference to the tyre.

[0009] In particular, with the terms "axial" and “axially" it is intended references / sizes arranged / measured or extended in a direction substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the tyre.

[0010] With the terms "radial" and “radially" and also “diametral”, “diametrically”, references / sizes are intended that are arranged / measured or extended in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the tyre and lying in a plane comprising such rotation axis. With the terms “circumferential” and “circumferentially”, references / sizes are intended that are arranged / measured or extended along a circumference that is extended around the rotation axis of the tyre.

[0011] State of the art

[0012] The document W02005 / 106420 A1 illustrates an apparatus and a method for facilitating the installation of balancing weights on wheels provided with tyres. The apparatus comprises a handling mechanism provided with a pair of grip elements configured for engaging the wheel. The grip elements are vertically movable and approach or move away from each other. The grip elements are jointly rotatable around a lateral axis in order to orient the wheel. In addition, each of the grip elements comprises a pair of small rollers oriented vertically and one of the small rollers is motorised such that the wheel, retained between the grip elements, can be rotated around the rotation axis thereof.

[0013] The document CN220444545U illustrates a device for cleaning tyres which comprises a conveyor belt used for transporting the tyres, a blowing head and a suction head. The device also comprises a centring frame provided with two pairs of centring rollers. One of the two rollers of each pair is matched with a motor in order to determine the rotation of the tyre interposed between the two pairs of centring rollers around a rotation axis thereof.

[0014] The document JP2022076897A illustrates an apparatus for producing tyres which comprises a support device which supports a tyre such that it can rotate around a rotation axis thereof and an application device that applies a sealing layer on the inner surface of the tyre supported by the support device. The support device comprises a plurality of blocking portions which block the tyre radially from the outside, a rotary plate that supports the blocking portions, an actuation portion that moves the blocking portions and rotates the rotary plate and a movement mechanism, defined by a robot arm, which moves the rotary plate and the actuation portion. The blocking portions are distributed on a circumference centred on a rotation axis of the rotary plate.

[0015] Summary

[0016] In the context of apparatuses for handling tyres like those described above, the Applicant has perceived the need to obtain that, during handling, the tyre is deformed as little as possible and / or maintains its own non-deformed configuration, in particular at portions of said tyre subjected to the abovementioned operations, so as to improve the quality of the tyre produced and / or the reliability of the executed controls.

[0017] The Applicant has in fact observed that the handling apparatuses of known type, such as for example those described above, engage portions of the tyre of limited extension, so that they exert pressures such to deform these portions, in particular if the tyre is green, rendering the operations executed on the tyre not very reliable nor precise. Such localised deformations may for example falsify the executed controls or compromise the correct application of elements within the tyre.

[0018] The Applicant had also observed that the motorised rollers which engage the tread of the tyre and determine the rotation thereof around the rotation axis thereof, such as for example in the abovementioned documents W02005 / 106420 A1 and CN220444545U, generate undesired vibrations which may themselves compromise the processing operations and / or falsify the controls executed on the tyre.

[0019] The Applicant has therefore felt the need to improve the handling of tyres in order to reduce the drawbacks associated therewith, in particular due to the localised deformations and the vibrations.

[0020] The Applicant has perceived that one possible solution to the abovementioned problems may be offered through grip elements of the tyre that are not only “discrete” relative to the contact points, such as the above-illustrated rollers, but also “continuous”, i.e. having wide surface areas in order to come into contact with a significant part of the tyre surface.

[0021] The Applicant has finally found that the above objective and still others may be obtained by retaining and handling the tyre through a grip element provided with a contact surface applied against a radially outer surface of the tyre and extended with continuity along an arc of circumference coaxial with a rotation axis of the tyre itself. According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for handling tyres.

[0022] The method comprises: arranging a tyre to be handled having a respective rotation axis.

[0023] The method also comprises: retaining said tyre on a radially outer surface thereof through at least one contact surface which is extended with continuity along an arc of circumference coaxial with said rotation axis.

[0024] Preferably, said contact surface is carried by a grip element. Preferably, provision is made for moving said at least one contact surface in order to drive the tyre in rotation around said rotation axis.

[0025] In accordance with a second aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for handling tyres.

[0026] The apparatus comprises: a support structure; a grip element mounted on the support structure; wherein said grip element comprises a contact surface configured for being coupled with a radially outer surface of a tyre.

[0027] Preferably, the contact surface of said grip element is movable for allowing a rotation of the tyre around a respective rotation axis.

[0028] Preferably, said grip element comprises: a tape wound to form a closed path; a motor operatively connected to said tape in order to move it along said closed path; wherein said contact surface is defined by a section of said closed path configured for driving the tyre in rotation around the respective rotation axis.

[0029] The Applicant deems that the present invention contributes to improving the quality of the produced tyres since the use of the contact surface which is extended with continuity allows reducing the deformations and the vibrations of the tyre during the handling thereof.

[0030] The Applicant has in particular verified that the abovementioned contact surface, in addition to determining the transmission of the motion and the rotation of the tyre around the rotation axis, reduces possible vibrations due to the contact of the rollers on the tread band.

[0031] The Applicant has also verified that the abovementioned contact surface allows distributing the forces applied to the tyre by the elements that support and handle it and thus reduce possible localised deformations. This allows preventing that such deformations remain on the finished tyre and even if the handling is actuated for carrying out non-destructive controls on the tyre, it allows increasing the precision and reliability of such controls which have not been negatively affected by such localised deformations.

[0032] The Applicant has thus verified that the use of a tape that carries the contact surface is a reliable and relatively simple solution.

[0033] The invention according to any one of the aforesaid aspects can have one or more of the preferred features described hereinbelow. Preferably, an angle at the centre of the arc of circumference is equal to or higher than 30°, more preferably equal to or higher than 60°, more preferably equal to or higher than 90°.

[0034] Preferably, an angle at the centre of the arc of circumference is equal to or less than 330°, more preferably equal to or less than 270°, more preferably equal to or less than 180°, more preferably equal to or less than 120°.

[0035] The Applicant has verified that such angles allow a wide contact surface and at the same time leave an outer part of the tyre free for bringing close control and / or processing devices and the execution of relative controls and / or processing.

[0036] Preferably, a ratio between an axial width of the tyre and an axial extension of the contact surface is equal to or higher than 0.2, preferably equal to or higher than 0.3, preferably equal to or higher than 0.4.

[0037] Preferably, a ratio between an axial width of the tyre and an axial extension of the contact surface is equal to or less than 0.8, preferably equal to or less than 0.7, preferably equal to or less than 0.6.

[0038] Preferably, said at least one contact surface is deformable for copying a curvature of the tyre.

[0039] Preferably, the rotation axis of the tyre is parallel to said at least one contact surface. Preferably, when said at least one contact surface is uncoupled from the radially outer surface of the tyre, said at least one contact surface is flat.

[0040] Preferably, when said at least one contact surface is coupled to the radially outer surface of the tyre, said at least one contact surface is extended with continuity along said arc of circumference coaxial with the rotation axis.

[0041] The Applicant has verified that the above-illustrated features of the contact surface allow obtaining a continuous and uniform contact with the radially outer surface of the tyre during all the handling steps.

[0042] Preferably, a plurality of contact surfaces is provided for. More preferably, each contact surface is extended with continuity along a respective arc of circumference coaxial with the rotation axis.

[0043] Preferably, the contact surfaces of the plurality of contact surfaces are distributed around the rotation axis.

[0044] Preferably, the contact surfaces of the plurality of contact surfaces are in side-by- side relationship along an axial direction of the tyre.

[0045] Preferably, said at least one contact surface belongs to a tape. Preferably, each contact surface of said plurality of contact surfaces belongs to a respective tape.

[0046] Preferably, a first contact surface of said plurality of contact surfaces is coupled to a first axial half of the tyre.

[0047] Preferably, a second contact surface of said plurality of contact surfaces is coupled to a second axial half of the tyre.

[0048] The Applicant has verified that the use of two contact surfaces, one for each axial half, allows axially centring the tyre and preventing that the tyre can be axially moved during rotation.

[0049] Preferably, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are axially aligned. More preferably, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are placed symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis of the tyre.

[0050] Preferably, the first contact surface and the second contact surface share a same arc of circumference.

[0051] Preferably, the first contact surface and the second contact surface are angularly offset with respect to each other around the rotation axis.

[0052] Preferably, the contact surfaces of said plurality of contact surfaces belong to a single grip element.

[0053] Preferably, the contact surfaces of said plurality of contact surfaces belong to different grip elements.

[0054] Preferably, a first contact surface and a second contact surface of said plurality of contact surfaces are situated at diametrically opposite portions of the tyre.

[0055] Preferably, provision is made for coupling said at least one contact surface to the radially outer surface through a movement of said at least one contact surface along a radial direction of the tyre.

[0056] Preferably, provision is made for coupling said at least one contact surface to the radially outer surface through respective movements of the first contact surface and of the second contact surface towards each other and along respective radial directions of the tyre.

[0057] Preferably, the tyre is also retained on its own radially outer surface through at least one auxiliary grip element.

[0058] Preferably, the auxiliary grip element is structurally different from the grip element. Preferably, the auxiliary grip element is circumferentially spaced from said at least one contact surface. Preferably, provision is made for retaining the tyre on one of respective sidewalls in order to prevent axial movements of said tyre.

[0059] Preferably, provision is made for retaining the tyre on both respective sidewalls in order to prevent axial movements of said tyre.

[0060] Preferably, provision is made for rotating the tyre around an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis while it is retained on its own radially outer surface.

[0061] Preferably, provision is made for rotating the tyre around said axis perpendicular to the rotation axis while it is driven in rotation around the rotation axis by said at least one contact surface.

[0062] Preferably, said axis perpendicular to the rotation axis lies in a middle line plane of the tyre retained on its own radially outer surface.

[0063] The Applicant has verified that in this manner it is possible to obtain the correct positioning of monitoring and / or processing devices during the execution of respective activities.

[0064] The Applicant has also verified that the tyre may be oriented around said axis perpendicular to the rotation axis according to different positions without the contact surface having to release it and then retake it in order to execute different control cycles.

[0065] Preferably, said grip element comprises: a plurality of tapes arranged along the same closed path and in mutually side-by-side relationship along longitudinal edges thereof.

[0066] Preferably, the tapes of the plurality are axially spaced from each other.

[0067] Preferably, the tapes of the plurality are two.

[0068] Preferably, the tapes of the plurality are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane in which said axis lies perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0069] Preferably, the grip element is configured for allowing an elongation and a bending of said section along a direction orthogonal to the contact surface when said contact surface is coupled with the radially outer surface of the tyre.

[0070] Preferably, said section is rectilinear when the grip element is uncoupled from the tyre.

[0071] Preferably, said section is extended along an arc of circumference coaxial with the rotation axis when the grip element is coupled to the tyre. The Applicant has verified that this structure allows a continuous and uniform contact of the tape with the radially outer surface of the tyre during all the handling steps.

[0072] The Applicant has also verified that this structure allows retaining and handling tyres of different radial sizes without having to change and / or adjust parts of the apparatus.

[0073] Preferably, the arc of circumference has an angle at the centre equal to or higher than 30°, more preferably equal to or higher than 60°, more preferably equal to or higher than 90°.

[0074] Preferably, the arc of circumference has an angle at the centre equal to or less than 330°, more preferably equal to or less than 270°, more preferably equal to or less than 180°, more preferably equal to or less than 120°.

[0075] Preferably, the grip element comprises a plurality of rollers rotatable around respective rotation axes.

[0076] Preferably, the tape is wound on the rollers.

[0077] Preferably, the tape is made of reinforced chloroprene rubber or reinforced polyurethane.

[0078] Preferably, the motor is operatively connected to at least one of the rollers.

[0079] Preferably, said section is defined between two reference rollers of said plurality of rollers.

[0080] Preferably, the two reference rollers are arranged one after the other along the closed path.

[0081] Preferably, the rotation axes of the rollers, at least of the two reference rollers, are parallel to the rotation axis of the tyre.

[0082] Preferably, the plurality of rollers comprises a compensator roller movable along a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis thereof in order to compensate for an elongation and a bending of said section. The tape is not elongated overall and the elongation and the bending of the single section are allowed by the translation of the compensator roller.

[0083] Preferably, an elastic element is operatively coupled to the compensator roller and is configured for opposing a movement of the compensator roller along said orthogonal direction.

[0084] Preferably, the closed path has a triangle shape. Preferably, the two reference rollers and the compensator roller are situated at vertices of the triangle.

[0085] The Applicant has verified that the two reference rollers contribute to retaining the tyre. In particular, when the tyre is placed vertically with the rotation axis thereof horizontal, the reference roller placed lower down prevents the tyre from falling.

[0086] Preferably, an elongation and a bending of said section, from rectilinear to arc of circumference, determine an elastic deformation of the elastic element which tends to oppose the elongation and the bending of the rectilinear section.

[0087] The Applicant has verified that the action exerted by the elastic element facilitates the return of said section from arc of circumference to rectilinear.

[0088] Preferably, the compensator roller is mounted on a movable trolley.

[0089] Preferably, the elastic element is coupled to the movable trolley.

[0090] Preferably, the elastic element comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

[0091] Preferably, the motor is connected to the compensator roller in order to drive said compensator roller in rotation.

[0092] Preferably, the motor is mounted on the trolley.

[0093] Preferably, the grip element also comprises stop rollers configured for being coupled with one of respective sidewalls of the tyre.

[0094] Preferably, the grip element comprises stop rollers configured for being coupled with both respective sidewalls of the tyre in order to prevent axial movements of said tyre.

[0095] Preferably, the stop rollers are freely movable in rotation around respective main axes.

[0096] Preferably, at least some of the stop rollers are movable between a first position, in which they engage the respective sidewall, and a second position, in which they disengage the respective sidewall and allow an axial movement of the tyre.

[0097] Preferably, the stop rollers comprise: first stop rollers configured for being coupled with a first sidewall of the tyre and second stop rollers configured for being coupled with a second sidewall of the tyre.

[0098] Preferably, the second stop rollers are axially spaced from the first stop rollers.

[0099] Preferably, the main axes of the first stop rollers are rotatable around respective movement axes in order to move said first stop rollers between the first position and the second position. Preferably, the movement axes are perpendicular to the main axes of the first stop rollers.

[0100] Preferably, the main axes of the second stop rollers are fixed.

[0101] Preferably, at least one actuator is operatively coupled to the first stop rollers in order to rotate them around the respective movement axes.

[0102] The Applicant has verified that, while the rotation axes of the rollers are vertically positioned, the second stop rollers are arranged below the first stop rollers and the first stop rollers are in the second position, it is possible to abut the tyre against such second stop rollers before coupling the contact surface with the radially outer surface of the tyre. The movement of the first stop rollers allows loading the tyre, when the first stop rollers are in the second position, and then allowing that it is axially stabile, when the first stop rollers are in the first position.

[0103] Preferably, adjustment devices are coupled to the first stop rollers and / or to the second stop rollers in order to adjust an axial distance between said first stop rollers and second stop rollers.

[0104] The Applicant has verified that this allows handling tyres with different axial sizes. Preferably, the axial spacing of the stop rollers occurs symmetrically with respect to the axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the tyre.

[0105] Preferably, the grip element is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0106] Preferably, an auxiliary motor is operatively coupled to the grip element and is configured for rotating the grip element around the axis perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0107] The Applicant has verified that the rotation of the tyre around the axis perpendicular to the rotation axis allows orienting the tyre and hence using only one processing device or only one control device in order to work on or control both axial halves of the tyre. Once arranged according to a desired orientation, the tyre is made to rotate around its own processing axis while the processing device or the control device remain fixed.

[0108] Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of grip elements mounted on the support structure.

[0109] Preferably, movement devices are operatively coupled to at least one of the grip elements. Preferably, the movement devices are configured for moving the grip elements in mutual approaching or moving apart between an engagement position, in which the contact surfaces are coupled with the radially outer surface of the tyre, and a position of disengagement of said tyre from the grip elements.

[0110] Preferably, the movement devices are configured for moving the grip elements into an intermediate position between the engagement position and the disengagement position.

[0111] Preferably, in the engagement position, said section is coupled to the radially outer surface of the tyre and is extended along the arc of circumference.

[0112] Preferably, in the disengagement position, said section is rectilinear and spaced from the radially outer surface of the tyre.

[0113] Preferably, in the intermediate position, said section is rectilinear and close to the radially outer surface of the tyre.

[0114] Preferably, the apparatus comprises two grip elements placed facing each other.

[0115] Preferably, each of said two grip elements is rotatable around a common axis perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0116] Preferably, the auxiliary motor is operatively coupled to at least one of the two grip elements and is configured for rotating the two grip elements around the common axis perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0117] Preferably, the movement devices are configured for moving each of the grip elements mutually close or away along said axis perpendicular to the rotation axis. Preferably, a movable frame is mounted on the support structure and is moved along a guide placed on said support structure through the movement devices, wherein the grip element is mounted on the movable frame.

[0118] Preferably, each grip element is mounted on a respective movable frame.

[0119] Preferably, the two grip elements are mounted on respective movable frames along a common diametral direction.

[0120] Preferably, the apparatus comprises at least one auxiliary grip element mounted on the support structure.

[0121] Preferably, said at least one auxiliary grip element is structurally different from the grip element.

[0122] Preferably, said at least one auxiliary grip element comprises at least one roller, optionally a pair of rollers, having a radially outer surface thereof directly couplable with the radially outer surface of the tyre. The Applicant has verified that, even if not all the grip elements are provided with tape, that or those which have it still allow a reduction of the deformations and of the vibrations.

[0123] Preferably, the grip element and said at least one auxiliary grip element are rotatable around a common axis perpendicular to the rotation axis.

[0124] Preferably, an electronic control unit is configured and / or programmed for automatically controlling the apparatus for handling tyres and / or for automatically executing the method for handling tyres.

[0125] Preferably, the handled tyre is a green tyre or a vulcanised tyre.

[0126] Preferably, the method for handling tyres is actuated during the execution of nondestructive controls on the green or vulcanised tyre, optionally through image acquisition.

[0127] Preferably, the method for handling tyres is actuated during the execution of processing operations on the green or vulcanised tyre.

[0128] Preferably, the apparatus for handling tyres is part of a control station of green or vulcanised tyres.

[0129] Preferably, the control station comprises at least one control device, optionally an image acquisition device.

[0130] Preferably, the apparatus for handling tyres is part of a processing station of the green or vulcanised tyres.

[0131] Preferably, the processing station comprises at least one processing device. More preferably, multiple processing devices may intervene simultaneously.

[0132] Further characteristics and advantages will be clearer from the detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of an apparatus and of a method for handling tyres according to the present invention.

[0133] Description of the drawings

[0134] Such description will be set forth hereinbelow with reference to the enclosed drawings, provided only as a non-limiting example, in which: figure 1 is an overall view of a control station provided with an apparatus for handling tyres according to the invention; figure 2 illustrates the control station of figure 1 in which a tyre to be controlled is positioned; figure 3 illustrates a grip element of the apparatus for handling tyres pursuant to the preceding figures; figure 4 illustrates a side view of the grip element of figure 3; figures 5 and 6 illustrate several components of the grip element of figure 3 and 4 in respective operative configurations; figures 7 and 8 illustrate a group of components of the grip elements in respective top and bottom views; figures 9 and 10 illustrate components of the group of figures 7 and 8 in respective operative positions; figure 11 illustrates a portion of the group of components of figures 7-10; figure 11A illustrates an axonometric cross section of the grip element pursuant to the preceding figures; figures 12 - 15 show the apparatus for handling tyres of the invention in a sequence of operating steps; figure 16 is a flow diagram that illustrates the method of the invention; figures 17-20 schematically illustrate embodiment variants of the apparatus pursuant to the preceding figures.

[0135] Detailed description

[0136] Reference number 100 overall indicates a station for controlling vulcanised tyres 200. The control station 100 is configured for executing non-destructive controls on the vulcanised tyres 200 and for such purpose comprises for example image acquisition devices 300 and 310, illustrated in figures 1 and 2 by way of example and which not be further described herein. In the method and in the apparatus according to the invention described hereinbelow, nothing would change if the tyre 200 was instead a green tyre.

[0137] The control station 100 comprises an apparatus 1 for handling the tyres 200, illustrated on its own in figures 12-15. The apparatus 1 comprises a support structure 2, shaped as a beam abutted against the ground, and two grip elements 3 mounted on the support structure 2. Each of the two grip elements 3 is carried by an upper end of a respective movable frame 4. The movable frame 4 is mounted on a guide 5 installed on the support structure 2 and is moved along the guide 5 by movement devices, not illustrated in the enclosed figures. Each guide 5 is a track formed by two rails. The two guides 5 are aligned along a common translation direction “A” coinciding with the longitudinal extension of the support structure 2. The movement devices are configured for moving the two movable frames 4 with the two grip elements 3 in mutual approaching or moving apart along the common translation direction “A”.

[0138] The two grip elements 3 with the respective movable frame 4, the respective guide

[0139] 5 and the respective movement devices are identical to each other, so that hereinbelow only one of such assemblies will be described.

[0140] The grip element 3 comprises an upper plate 6 and a lower plate 7 parallel to each other and each having a substantially Y shape. The single appendage of the Y is joined to the movable frame 4 while the two appendages that split from the single appendage project cantilevered.

[0141] Between the upper plate 6 and the lower plate 7, two reference rollers 8 and a compensator roller 9 (figures 5 and 6) are housed. The reference rollers 8 and the compensator roller 9 are rotatable around respective axes perpendicular to the upper plate 6 and to the lower plate 7 and are parallel to each other. The compensator roller 9 is situate at the abovementioned single appendage of the Y while the two reference rollers 8 are positioned at the ends of the two appendages of the Y. It follows that the two reference rollers 8, the upper plate 6 and the lower plate 7 delimit a recess 10.

[0142] The rotation axes of the reference rollers 8 are fixed with respect to the upper plate

[0143] 6 and to the lower plate 7. The compensator roller 9 is mounted on a trolley 11 which may translate with respect to the upper plate 6 and to the lower plate 7 along a direction parallel to the translation direction “A” and orthogonal to the rotation axis thereof. In particular, the upper plate 6 and the lower plate 7 have respective grooves 12 (that of the lower plate 7 is clearly visible in figures 5 and 6). A small shaft of the compensator roller 9 passes through the two grooves 12 and each end of the small shaft is connected to a respective sheet 13 belonging to the trolley 11 which slides on a respective track 14 mounted on the upper plate 6 and on the lower plate 7.

[0144] A tape is wound around the reference rollers 8 and the compensator roller 9 according to a triangular closed path. In the illustrated embodiment, the tape comprises an upper tape 15 and a lower tape 16. The upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16 are both arranged along the same triangular closed path. Longitudinal edges of the upper tape 15 and of the lower tape 16 are in mutually side-by-side relationship and are close to each other.

[0145] A motor 17 is mounted on the trolley 11 and is connected to the compensator roller 9 in order to rotate it and in order to move the upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16 along said triangular closed path. A section of the upper tape 15 and a section of the lower tape 16 which are extended between the two reference rollers 8 respectively define a first contact surface 18a and a second contact surface 18b intended to be placed in contact with a radially outer surface 210 of the tyre 200. The upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16 are for example made of reinforced chloroprene rubber or reinforced polyurethane.

[0146] An elastic element defined by a pneumatic cylinder 19 (figure 11A) is coupled to the movable trolley 11 and is configured for opposing a movement of the compensator roller 9 along said direction parallel to the translation direction “A” and towards the upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16 when such movement is caused by a force exerted on the first and second contact surface 18a, 18b and towards the compensator roller 9.

[0147] The grip element 3 is also pivoted on the movable frame 4 so as to be able to rotate around an axis “X-X” parallel to the translation direction “A”. An auxiliary motor 20, mounted on the movable frame 4, is operatively coupled to the grip element 3 and is configured for rotating the grip element 3 around the axis “X-X” parallel to the translation direction “A”. The upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16 are arranged symmetrically with respect to plane in which said axis “X-X” lies, parallel to the translation direction “A”.

[0148] The grip element 3 also comprises a pair of first stop rollers 21 configured for being coupled with a first sidewall of the tyre 200 and a pair of second stop rollers 22 configured for being coupled with a second sidewall of the tyre 200. The first stop rollers 21 are mounted on the upper plate 6 and the second stop rollers 22 are mounted on the lower plate 7 such that the two pairs result spaced from each other. Adjustment devices 23 (figures 11 and 11 A) are coupled to the first stop rollers 21 and to the second stop rollers 22 in order to adjust a distance between the two pairs. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 11 A, the adjustment devices 23 comprise a rack coupled to a gear moved in rotation by a respective motor 23a. Both the first stop rollers 21 and the second stop rollers 22 are freely movable in rotation around respective main axes. The main axes of the second stop rollers 22 are fixed while the main axes of the first stop rollers 21 are rotatable around respective movement axes perpendicular to the main axes through respective actuators 24 (figures 9 and 10). Such rotations around the movement axes allow moving the first stop rollers 21 between a first position, illustrated in figure 10, in which the two first stop rollers 21 are parallel and close to each other, and a second position, illustrated in figure 9, in which the two first stop rollers 21 are rotated on opposite sides and spaced. In the first position, the section of the upper tape 15 and the section of the lower tape 16 which are extended between the two reference rollers 8 are interposed between the first stop rollers 21 and the second stop rollers 22. In the second position, the first stop rollers 21 are substantially parallel to the two appendages of the upper plate 6. In use and in accordance with the method for handling tyres of the present invention, the movement devices carry or maintain the two grip elements 3 in a disengagement position (figure 12) in which a distance between the first and second contact surfaces 18a, 18b of one of the two grip elements 3 and the first and second contact surfaces 18a, 18b of the other grip element 3 is greater than a radial size of the tyre 200. In addition, the auxiliary motor 20 carries or maintains the two grip elements 3 in a horizontal position, i.e. with the axes of the two reference rollers 8 and of the compensator roller 9 placed vertically.

[0149] The actuators 24 carry or maintain the first stop rollers 21 in the respective second position (figure 9) in order to prevent possible interferences during the loading of the tyre 200. The sections of the upper tape 15 and of the lower tape 16 which are extended between the two reference rollers 8 are maintained taut and rectilinear by the action exerted by the pneumatic cylinder 19. The first and the second contact surface 18a, 18b are therefore flat and the rotation axis “Y-Y” of the tyre 200 is parallel to said contact surfaces 18a, 18b. The rectilinear sections are spaced from the radially outer surface 210 of the tyre 200. In addition, ends of the second stop rollers 22 project beyond the sections of the upper tape 15 and of the lower tape 16. While the first two grip elements 3 are maintained in the disengagement position, the tyre 200 is carried, through non-illustrated transport devices, to the control station 100 and positioned between the two grip elements 3 (figure 12) with the rotation axis “Y-Y” thereof being vertical. The two grip elements 3 are situated at diametrically opposite portions of the tyre 200. The rotation axis “Y-Y” is therefore parallel to the axes of the two reference rollers 8 and of the compensator roller 9 of the two grip elements 3 and is perpendicular to the translation direction “A”. The movement devices symmetrically move the two grip elements 3 close to each other and to the tyre 200, by moving them along the translation direction “A” and up to positioning them in an intermediate position (figure 13) in which the sections of the upper tape 15 and of the lower tape 16 are close to the radially outer surface 210 of the tyre 200 and are still rectilinear. In such position, the second stop rollers 22, which project beyond the sections of the upper tape 15 and of the lower tape 16, lie below the tyre 200 and abut against one of the sidewalls of said tyre 200.

[0150] The movement devices further move the two grip elements 3 close to each other and to the tyre 200, by symmetrically moving them along the translation direction “A”, i.e. along radial directions of the tyre 200, up to bringing them into an engagement position (figure 14). Such movement determines the deformation of the sections of the upper tape 15 and of the lower tape 16 of both the grip elements 3. Such sections are elongated and bent, being adapted to the shape of the radially outer surface 210 of the tyre 200, i.e. by copying a curvature of the same. The upper 15 and lower 16 tapes are not elongated overall and the elongation and the bending of only the abovementioned sections are allowed by the translation of the compensator roller 9 partially opposed by the pneumatic cylinder 19 (one side of the triangular path is elongated while the other two sides are shortened). The first and the second contact surface 18a, 18b of the sections of the two grip elements 3 are extended with continuity along arcs of circumference coaxial with the rotation axis “Y-Y” of the tyre 200 and said tyre 200 is retained on its own radially outer surface 210 through said first and second contact surface 18a, 18b. The pneumatic cylinder 19 maintains the abovementioned adherent sections against the radially outer surface 210 of the tyre 200. In addition, the first stop rollers 21 are brought into the respective first position, so that the tyre 200 is axially blocked by the first stop rollers 21 and by the second stop rollers 22 which engage the two sidewalls.

[0151] In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in figures 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15, the distance between the reference rollers 8 and the dimensions of the tyre 200 are such that, in the engagement position, an angle at the centre “a” of the arc of circumference of each of the two grip elements 3 is about 120° (figure 6). In addition, both the upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16 have an axial extension “H” (or width) equal to about of an axial width “C” of the tyre 200 (figure 4). The upper tape 15 is coupled to a first axial half of the tyre 200 and the lower tape 16 is coupled to a second axial half of the tyre 200 and the middle line plane of the tyre 200 results placed between the upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16.

[0152] At this point, the auxiliary motors 20 of the two grip elements 3 can orient the tyre 200, making it rotate around the axis “X-X” which is parallel to the translation direction “A” and perpendicular to the rotation axis “Y-Y” (figure 15). Such axis “X- X” parallel to the translation direction “A” lies in a middle line plane of the tyre 200. Once the tyre 200 is oriented such to allow the image acquisition devices 300 and 310 to operate on a zone of the free radially outer portion, i.e. not engaged by the grip elements 3, the motors 17 are actuated by moving the upper 15 and lower 16 tapes of the two grip elements 3 in the same senses and then driving said tyre 200 in rotation around the rotation axis “Y-Y”. The continuous rotation around the rotation axis “Y-Y” allows the image acquisition of the entire radially outer portion and / or of an entire radially inner portion of the tyre 200.

[0153] The tyre 200 can subsequently be rotated around the axis “X-X” parallel to the translation direction “A” and brought into a different position such to allow further controls by other devices without the grip elements 3 having to release it and then retake it.

[0154] Once the controls have terminated, the grip elements 3 are brought back into horizontal position and moved away up to bringing them into the intermediate position (figure 13). The first stop rollers 21 are brought into the second position and the transport devices, not illustrated, can pick up the tyre 200.

[0155] An electronic control unit is configured for automatically managing all the aboveillustrated operations.

[0156] Figures 17 - 20 schematically illustrate several embodiment variants of the apparatus and of the method of the invention.

[0157] In figures 17 and 18, the tyre 200 is retained by a single contact surface 18 which is for example part of a grip element 3 provided with only one upper tape 15 and with an angle at the centre “a” of about 180°, and by an auxiliary grip element 25 that is structurally different from the grip element 3. The illustrated auxiliary grip element

[0158] 25 is circumferentially spaced from the grip element and comprises a pair of rollers

[0159] 26 which have a radially outer surface thereof directly coupled to the radially outer surface 210 of the tyre 200 and may be motorised or free to rotate around rotation axes thereof. Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a different arrangement of the upper tape 15 and of the lower tape 16 and hence of the respective first and second contact surface 18a, 18b carried by the two grip elements 3. The upper tape 15 and the lower tape 16 of each of the grip elements 3 are angularly offset around the rotation axis “Y-Y”.

[0160] In embodiment variants, not illustrated in the enclosed drawings, the angle at the centre of the contact surface 18 or contact surfaces 18a, 18b is / are different from 120° or 180° and may for example be comprised between 30° and 330°. There may for example be only one contact surface 18 and wind around the tyre 200 by 330°. In addition, the ratio between the axial width “C” of the tyre 200 and the axial extension “H” of the contact surface 18 may be comprised between 0.2 and 0.8.

[0161] In embodiment variants, not illustrated in the enclosed drawings, the grip elements 3 and / or the contact surfaces 18 may be more than two and they may be distributed around the rotation axis “Y-Y” and / or in side-by-side relationship along an axial direction of the tyre 200.

[0162] In embodiment variants, the apparatus 1 may be controlled so that it rotates the tyre 200 around the axis “X-X” perpendicular to the rotation axis “Y-Y” while it drives it in rotation around the rotation axis “Y-Y” through the contact surface(s) 18, 18a, 18b. In addition, the apparatus 1 for handling vulcanised tyres 200 as described above, in addition to being used in a control station 100 like that illustrated, may also be employed in stations for controlling green tyres 200 or in stations for processing vulcanised tyres 200 or green tyres 200 provided with processing devices configured for executing, for example, finishing processing operations on such tyres 200.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Method for handling tyres, comprising: arranging a tyre (200) to be handled having a respective rotation axis (Y-Y); retaining said tyre (200) on a radially outer surface (210) thereof through at least one contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) which is extended with continuity along an arc of circumference coaxial with said rotation axis (Y-Y), said contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) being carried by a grip element (3); moving said at least one contact surface (18) in order to drive the tyre (200) in rotation around said rotation axis (Y-Y).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein an angle at the centre (a) of the arc of circumference is comprised between 30° and 330°.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a ratio between an axial width (C) of the tyre (200) and an axial extension (H) of the contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) is comprised between 0.2 and 0.8.

4. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 3, wherein said at least one contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) is deformable for copying a curvature of the tyre (200).

5. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein said at least one contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) belongs to a tape (15, 16).

6. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 5, comprising: coupling said at least one contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) to the radially outer surface (210) through a movement of said at least one contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) along a radial direction of the tyre (200).

7. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 6, wherein the tyre (200) is also retained on its radially outer surface (210) through at least one auxiliary grip element (25) that is structurally different from the grip element (3) and circumferentially spaced from said at least one contact surface (18; 18a, 18b).

8. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 7, comprising a plurality of contact surfaces (18; 18a, 18b) distributed around the rotation axis (X-X) and / or in side-by-side relationship along an axial direction of the tyre (200).

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein a first contact surface (18a) of said plurality of contact surfaces (18; 18a, 18b) is coupled to a first axial half of the tyre (200) and a second contact surface (18b) of said plurality of contact surfaces (18; 18a, 18b) is coupled to a second axial half of the tyre (200).

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the contact surfaces (18; 18a, 18b) of said plurality of contact surfaces (18; 18a, 18b) belong to a single grip element (3) or to different grip elements (3).

11. Method according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein a first contact surface (18a) and a second contact surface (18b) of said plurality of contact surfaces (18; 18a, 18b) are situated at diametrically opposite portions of the tyre (200).

12. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 11 , comprising: retaining the tyre (200) on one of respective sidewalls or retaining the tyre (200) on both the respective sidewalls in order to prevent axial movements of said tyre (200).

13. Method according to one of the claims from 1 to 12, comprising: rotating the tyre (200) around an axis (X-X) perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y-Y) while it is retained on its own radially outer surface (210).

14. Method according to claim 13, comprising: rotating the tyre (200) around said axis (X-X) perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y-Y) while it is driven in rotation around the rotation axis (Y-Y) by said at least one contact surface (18; 18a, 18b).

15. Apparatus for handling tyres, comprising: a support structure (2); a grip element (3) mounted on the support structure (2);wherein said grip element (3) comprises a contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) configured for being coupled with a radially outer surface (210) of a tyre (200); wherein the contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) of said grip element (3) is movable for allowing a rotation of the tyre (200) around a respective rotation axis (Y-Y); wherein said grip element (3) comprises: a tape (15, 16) wound to form a closed path; a motor (17) operatively connected to said tape (15, 16) in order to move it along said closed path; wherein said contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) is defined by a section of said closed path configured for driving the tyre (200) in rotation around the respective rotation axis (Y-Y).

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said grip element (3) comprises: a plurality of tapes (15, 16) arranged along the same closed path and in mutually side- by-side relationship along longitudinal edges thereof.

17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the grip element (3) is configured for allowing an elongation and a bending of said section along a direction orthogonal to the contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) when said contact surface (18; 18a, 18b) is coupled with the radially outer surface (210) of the tyre (200).

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said section is rectilinear when the grip element (3) is uncoupled from the tyre (200) and is extended along an arc of circumference coaxial with the rotation axis (Y-Y) when the grip element (18) is coupled to the tyre (200).

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the arc of circumference has an angle at the centre (a) comprised between 30° and 330°.

20. Apparatus according to one of the claims from 15 to 19, wherein the grip element (3) comprises a plurality of rollers rotatable around respective rotation axes, the tape (15, 16) being wound on the rollers and the motor (17) being operatively connected to at least one of the rollers.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said section is defined between two reference rollers (8) of said plurality of rollers, the two reference rollers (8) being arranged one after the other along the closed path.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 or 21 when claim 20 depends on one of the claims from 17 to 19, wherein the plurality of rollers comprises a compensator roller (9) movable along a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis thereof in order to compensate for the elongation and the bending of said section.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, comprising an elastic element operatively coupled to the compensator roller (9) and configured for opposing a movement of the compensator roller (9) along said orthogonal direction.

24. Apparatus according to claim 22 or 23 when claim 21 depends on claim 20, wherein the closed path has a triangle shape, the two reference rollers (8) and the compensator roller (9) being placed at vertices of the triangle.

25. Apparatus according to one of the claims from 15 to 24, wherein the grip element (3) also comprises stop rollers (21 , 22) configured for being coupled with one of respective sidewalls or with both the respective sidewalls of the tyre (200) in order to prevent axial movements of said tyre (200).

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein at least several of the stop rollers (21 , 22) are movable between a first position, in which they engage the respective sidewall, and a second position, in which they disengage the respective sidewall and allow an axial movement of the tyre (200).

27. Apparatus according to one of the claims from 15 to 26, comprising:- a plurality of grip elements (3) mounted on the support structure (2);- movement devices operatively coupled to at least one of the grip elements (3) and configured for moving the grip elements (3) in mutual approaching or moving apart between an engagement position, in which the contact surfaces (18) are coupled with the radially outer surface (210) of the tyre (200), and a position of disengagement of said tyre (200) from the grip elements (3).

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, comprising:- two grip elements (3) placed facing each other, each of said two grip elements (3) being rotatable around a common axis (X-X) perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y-Y) of the tyre (200);- an auxiliary motor (20) operatively coupled to at least one of the two grip elements (3) and configured for rotating the two grip elements (3) around the common axis (X-X) perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y-Y); wherein the movement devices are configured for moving each of the grip elements (3) in mutual approaching or moving apart along said axis (X-X) perpendicular to the rotation axis (Y-Y).

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