Guided Application Head for Tyre Label Placement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for applying labels on vehicle tires lack accuracy and repeatability due to electromechanical systems with multiple degrees of freedom, leading to positioning errors and insufficient adhesion forces, which compromise the quality of tire finishing.
Innovation Solution
A guided application head system with a dedicated guide device and a compact, rigid structure that ensures precise movement and adhesion of labels to the tire sidewall, using a main actuator for thrust and abutment elements for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electromechanical systems with multiple degrees of freedom are used to move the application head, then the system possesses flexibility and mobility, but positioning accuracy and repeatability deteriorate due to accumulated errors from each degree of freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: a mobile support device that handles transportation and positioning, and a fixed guide device that ensures precise label application. The support device can move to different locations, while the guide device remains stationary to provide stable, accurate label placement, thereby eliminating positioning errors from multiple degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device acts as an intermediary between the mobile support device and the tire. It receives the application head from the support device and guides it to the exact label application position on the tire, ensuring high positioning accuracy regardless of the support device's mobility.
2Ease of operation
If electromechanical systems are used to press the application head against the tire, then movement capability is achieved, but adhesion force is insufficient for complete and permanent label adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the movement function (handled by the electromechanical support device) from the adhesion function (handled by the fixed guide device). The guide device applies sufficient pressing force through its fixed structure to ensure complete and permanent label adhesion, while the support device provides mobility without compromising adhesion strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed guide device is introduced for precise label application, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed guide device serves multiple functions: it guides the application head to the correct position, provides the pressing force for adhesion, and ensures repeatable positioning. By combining these functions into a single fixed structure, the system achieves high precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for labelling tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus (18) comprises an application head (30) having a support surface (32) for a label (19) to be applied, at least one label (19)-holder feeder (23, 24) and movement devices (22) connected to the application head (30). The movement devices (22) are configured for moving the application head (30) between label (19)-holder feeder (23, 24) for picking up a label (19), and an application zone (26 ) of the label (19) to a green tyre (2). The apparatus further comprises a guide device (25) located at the application zone (26). The guide device (25) comprises a guide (41 ) extending along a predefined path and a support (42) movable along the guide (41). A connection device (44) of the support (42) is operatively couplable to the application head (30) for removably coupling the application head (30) to the support (42) and move it together with the support (42) along the predefined path during the application of the label (19) to the green tyre (2).