Digital Code Pattern on Rubber Articles via Laser Recess
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques are not optimized for providing a digital code pattern on rubber articles, such as tires, and struggle to achieve high-quality surface manipulation on large areas.
Innovation Solution
A method using a marking device, potentially with a laser, to create a digital code pattern by removing rubber material and forming recess patterns with specific dimensions and orientations, allowing for the creation of high-quality digital code patterns on curved or angled surfaces, including QR codes, with recess portions and protrusions that provide contrast and improved readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional surface manipulation techniques are used on rubber articles, then large surface areas can be treated, but the quality and precision of digital code patterns cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The digital code pattern is segmented into individual code modules, each formed by controlled material removal. This segmentation allows precise formation of each code element while maintaining overall pattern quality, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking device employs dynamic control of the radiation beam parameters (intensity, duration, focus) to adaptively form different code module types (dark, light, blank). This dynamic adjustment enables high-precision digital code patterns while maintaining efficient processing across the entire surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If digital code patterns are created during molding, then manufacturing is simplified, but flexibility for post-manufacturing application is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber article is prepared with a thickened portion that serves as a pre-prepared substrate for subsequent digital code pattern formation. This preliminary action simplifies the post-manufacturing marking process while maintaining full flexibility for code application, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickened portion acts as an intermediary layer between the base rubber article and the digital code pattern. This intermediary structure facilitates easy code application and removal while protecting the base article, enabling flexible post-manufacturing customization without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
3Measurement precision
If surface material is removed to create digital code patterns, then pattern readability is improved, but surface integrity and wear resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Material removal is applied locally only to the extent necessary for code module formation, with different removal depths for different code types. This localized approach maintains high readability where needed while preserving surface integrity and wear resistance in surrounding areas, resolving the contradiction between readability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickened portion is created beforehand to provide a cushion of material that can accommodate the necessary material removal for code formation. This prior cushioning ensures that code readability is achieved while the remaining material maintains sufficient thickness and structural integrity for wear resistance.
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
Enables the efficient and high-quality creation of digital code patterns on rubber articles, enhancing readability and wear resistance while allowing for post-manufacturing application, unlike traditional molding processes.
Implementation Method 1
generating a recess pattern in the rubber article by removal of rubber material with a radiation beam
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a method of marking a rubber article (102), the method comprising: generating a recess pattern in the rubber article by removal of rubber material, the recess pattern defining a digital code pattern comprising a plurality of code modules; the recess pattern (122) comprising a first recess portion (124) and a second recess portion (126), the first and second recess portions being recessed with respect to an unaltered surface of the rubber article; the first recess portion and the second recess portion defining therebetween a protrusion (130) protruding over a bottom of each recess portion; wherein a pitch (136) between the first recess portion (124) and the second recess portion (126) is larger than 0.5 mm or wherein the first recess portion and the second recess portion are part of a recess surrounding the protrusion and the protrusion has a base area of more than 0.2 square millimeters.