Tyre Control Apparatus with Optical Positioning and Rotating Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for tyre inspection are inefficient due to complex mechanisms and slow positioning processes, leading to long control times that are not compatible with high productivity production lines, resulting in either incomplete or inaccurate inspections.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a rotating table that can receive and support a tyre, allowing for simultaneous movement and rotation around a vertical axis, integrated with detection and actuation systems to precisely centre and control the tyre, enabling rapid and accurate inspections without the need for bulky mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex positioning mechanisms are used to ensure accurate tyre inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and control time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a camera-based detection system that optically identifies tyre position and sends signals to actuators. This substitution of mechanical detection with optical/electronic detection reduces mechanism complexity while maintaining inspection accuracy, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the tyre's own visual features (patterns, markings, geometry) as natural reference points for positioning and identification. The detection camera captures images of these inherent tyre characteristics to determine position and orientation, eliminating the need for external positioning markers or complex mechanical alignment systems, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If complex positioning mechanisms are used to ensure accurate tyre inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but control time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical positioning with rapid optical detection and electronic signal processing. The camera captures tyre position information and the control unit processes images to determine positioning, which is much faster than mechanical measurement and adjustment systems, thereby reducing control time while maintaining inspection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of tyre position and identification before the actual inspection process. By pre-positioning and pre-identifying the tyre using visual features, the system prepares the inspection setup in advance, reducing the time required during the actual inspection while ensuring precision.
3Reliability
If bulky mechanisms are used for tyre positioning and control, then reliability is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical positioning and control mechanisms with compact electronic and optical systems. The camera-based detection and electronic actuator control occupy minimal space compared to traditional mechanical systems, reducing apparatus size while maintaining or improving reliability through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection camera serves multiple functions: identifying tyre position, determining orientation, and triggering inspection sequences. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized mechanisms for each function, reducing overall apparatus size while maintaining system reliability through integrated control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequent adaptations are made to accommodate different tyre models, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies different tyre models by recognizing their inherent visual features (patterns, markings, geometry) captured by the detection camera. This self-identification capability allows the system to adapt to various tyre models without requiring manual configuration or physical adjustments, achieving high adaptability while keeping the system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts inspection parameters and positioning based on real-time visual recognition of the specific tyre model being inspected. Rather than requiring pre-programmed settings for each model, the system adapts its behavior based on what it detects, providing versatility without complex preconfiguration mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a process for controlling tyres. The apparatus comprises at least one control station (27a, 27b) which comprises: a base (34); a rotating table (35) mounted on the base (34) so as to be able to rotate around a respective vertical rotation axis (Z); at least one control device (50) operatively active at the rotating table (35); a movement device (38) configured for rotating the rotating table (35) around the vertical rotation axis (Z). The rotating table (35) has a substantially horizontal abutment portion (36) configured for receiving and supporting a sidewall (11) of a tyre (2) to be controlled. The abutment portion (36) is movable in the horizontal plane according to two directions (x, y) with respect to the vertical rotation axis (Z) by means of an actuator (45, 46). A detection device (47) is configured for detecting a shift (S) between the vertical rotation axis (Z) and the main axis (X-X) of the tyre (2). An electronic management unit (48) operatively connected to the detection device (47) and to the actuator (45, 46) is configured for driving the actuator (45, 46) and moving the abutment portion (36) according to the two directions (x, y) as a function of the detected shift (S) in order to render such shift less than a pre-established value, so as to centre the tyre (2) with respect to the vertical rotation axis (Z) before executing the controls.