Optical Code Verification for Tire Vulcanization Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for ensuring the correct application of the DOT code on tires during the molding and vulcanization process are inefficient due to the need for visual checks, which are prone to errors and hindered by the harsh environment of the vulcanization mold, leading to potential incorrect panel mounting and production inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an optical code on the panel that encodes the DOT information, allowing for pre-mounting verification using an optical reader, ensuring accurate panel alignment and eliminating the need for visual digit reading, thus enabling error-free and efficient tire production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual checks are used to verify DOT code application, then the process is simple to implement, but it is prone to errors and hindered by the harsh environment of the vulcanization mold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with an optical reading system. An optical reader automatically reads the optical code on the panel, eliminating the need for visual checks by workers in the harsh vulcanization mold environment. This substitution of mechanical/visual inspection with optical automation resolves the contradiction by improving reliability while reducing operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an optical code as a digital copy of the DOT code information. Instead of directly reading the physical DOT digits in the harsh environment, the system reads the optical code which contains encoded information about the DOT code. This copying approach allows verification without direct exposure to the harsh vulcanization mold conditions.
2Reliability
If manual visual verification is performed, then the equipment complexity is low, but it leads to potential incorrect panel mounting and production inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual verification with an automated optical reading system. The optical reader automatically decodes the optical code on the panel, providing reliable verification of panel mounting accuracy without requiring complex manual inspection procedures. This automation improves reliability while keeping the system practically simple to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optical code on the panel provides encoded information about the DOT code, and the optical reader provides feedback on whether the panel is correctly mounted. This feedback loop ensures high reliability in panel mounting accuracy by automatically verifying the code information.
3Measurement precision
If workers perform visual checks in the vulcanization mold environment, then the process remains manual and simple, but the harsh environment hinders accurate verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical code as a digital copy of the DOT code information that can be read in the harsh vulcanization mold environment. The optical code serves as an intermediary that encodes the DOT code information, allowing accurate verification without direct visual contact with the harsh environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the human visual inspection system with an automated optical reading system that is not affected by the harsh environment. The optical reader can accurately read the optical code despite the challenging conditions in the vulcanization mold, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the harmful environmental effects on human workers.
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 method ensures immediate and error-free verification of the DOT code before tire production, preventing incorrect panel mounting and enhancing production efficiency by automating the check process, reducing the risk of discarding tires and improving working conditions.
Implementation Method 1
reading the optical code, through an optical reader, from the panel mounted on the vulcanization mold
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for controlling a molding and vulcanization process of a tyre is described. The method comprises providing a panel (5) containing an information to be impressed on the tyre, acquiring an image of the panel (5) preferably through an OCR recognition camera (110), reading in said image said information to be impressed preferably through the aforementioned OCR recognition camera (110), applying on the panel (5), preferably through a laser marking or incision device (120), an optical code (7) containing an encoding of the information to be impressed being read, mounting the panel (5) on a vulcanization mold (10), reading through an optical reader (130) the optical code (7) from the panel (5) mounted on the vulcanization mold (10) so as to decode said information to be impressed and obtain a decoded information, and comparing said decoded information with a reference information. If upon said comparison the decoded information corresponds to the reference information, the molding and vulcanization of the tyre through the vulcanization mold (10) is carried out. It is also described both a tyre manufacturing process wherein the aforementioned method is actuated and a tyre obtained through the aforementioned manufacturing process.