Optical Code Panel for Tire DOT Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for applying and verifying the DOT code on tires during vulcanization are inefficient due to the need for frequent panel changes, potential reading errors, and the challenging environmental conditions of the vulcanization mold area, leading to production inefficiencies and risks of incorrect tire production.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical code on the panel that encodes the DOT information, allowing for pre-mount verification using OCR or optical readers in a controlled environment, ensuring accurate panel alignment and reducing human error, and enabling automated checks before tire production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual visual verification of DOT code is performed, then human inspection is possible, but reading errors and production inefficiency occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDOT code verification accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated optical reading system. An optical reader equipped with a camera and image processing unit automatically captures and verifies the DOT code on the panel, eliminating human reading errors and significantly improving verification speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-verification by automatically capturing the DOT code image, processing it through image recognition algorithms, and validating the information without requiring human intervention. The panel itself provides the verification data through its encoded DOT information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If panel changes are performed frequently to update DOT codes, then current production requirements are met, but production inefficiency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDOT code update capabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-encodes the DOT code information onto the panel in an optical format before the panel is mounted on the mold. This preliminary encoding allows the DOT information to be verified automatically without requiring panel changes during production, maintaining adaptability while eliminating the productivity loss from frequent panel changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an optical copy (image) of the DOT code on the panel and verifies this copy automatically. The optical reader captures the DOT information as an image, processes it through image recognition, and validates it without physical panel changes, thus maintaining code updates while preserving production continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Extent of automation

If optical code is added to panel, then automated verification is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification automation levelVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-functional integrated system where the optical reader performs multiple functions: capturing the DOT code image, processing the image through recognition algorithms, validating the information, and controlling the verification process. This universal approach enables high automation while managing complexity through consolidation of functions into a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures accurate and efficient verification of the DOT code, preventing incorrect tire production, reducing production inefficiencies, and improving safety by automating the checking process, thus meeting stringent quality and safety standards.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating an optical code on the panel that encodes the DOT information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical encoding:

Implementation Method 2

allowing for pre-mount verification using OCR or optical readers in a controlled environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3898213B1Process and apparatus for marking a panel containing an information to be impressed on a tyre and panel obtained through said process and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 PIRELLI TYRE SPA
  • EP3898213B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP3898213B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3898213B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A process for marking a panel (5) containing an information to be impressed on a tyre is described. The process comprises providing a panel (5) containing the information to be impressed on the tyre, acquiring an image of the panel (5) preferably through an OCR recognition camera (110), reading said information in said image preferably through the aforementioned OCR recognition camera (110), and applying on the panel (5), preferably through a laser marking or incision device (120), an optical code (7) containing an encoding of the information that has been read. An apparatus (200) that carries out the aforementioned process and a panel (5) obtained through such a process are also described.