Tyre Noise Element Placement via Image Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for applying noise reducing elements to vehicle tires lack precision due to unpredictable positioning on conveyor belts, leading to misalignment, overlap, or incorrect orientation, which increases the risk of wasted time and resources in correcting incorrectly positioned elements.

Innovation Solution

An image detection system is used to precisely detect noise reducing elements on conveyor belts, allowing a robotized arm to pick them up accurately and apply them correctly to the tire's radially inner surface, ensuring precise positioning and orientation, even with elements of different dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional conveyor belt methods are used to transport noise reducing elements, then the application process is simple and fast, but the positioning precision deteriorates leading to misalignment and overlap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the noise reducing element's position and orientation on the conveyor belt using an image detection system before the robotized arm picks it up. This preliminary action allows the system to calculate and compensate for positioning deviations in advance, ensuring precise application to the tire without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during the picking and placing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If image detection system is introduced to improve positioning precision, then positioning accuracy improves to below 1 mm, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with an image detection system combined with computational processing. Instead of using精密 mechanical guides, adjustment mechanisms, or feedback-controlled actuators to achieve precise positioning, the system uses optical detection and software-based coordinate calculation to determine the exact position and orientation of noise reducing elements, thereby achieving high precision with simpler physical hardware.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If robotized arm with image detection is used to ensure precise positioning, then positioning errors are reduced below 1 mm, but the cycle time may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning errorVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous operation by performing image detection and processing during periods that would otherwise be idle or overlapping with other operations. The image acquisition and processing occur while the conveyor belt continues to transport elements and while the robotized arm prepares for or performs other picking operations, ensuring that the precision-improving detection steps do not add to the overall cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Manufacturing precision

If conventional methods are used without image detection, then the system is simpler and faster, but orientation accuracy deteriorates to below 0.1 degrees

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation accuracyVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the image detection system to continuously monitor and measure the actual position and orientation of noise reducing elements on the conveyor belt. This measurement feedback is then used by the control unit to calculate the precise picking coordinates and orientation angles required for the robotized arm, enabling accurate placement even when elements are initially positioned with variations on the conveyor belt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3820687B1Method for controlling the application of noise reducing elements to tyres for vehicle wheels and working station therefor
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 PIRELLI TYRE SPA
  • EP3820687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820687B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3820687B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Method for controlling the application of noise reducing elements to tyres, comprising: feeding a sequence of tyres to a working station (1); feeding to said working station, by means of a first conveyor (10), a first set (S1) of noise reducing elements; activating a detection system (30) for detecting one or more first images representative of at least one noise reducing element of said first set (S1); activating a processor for determining, as a function of said first images, first parameters (P1) indicative of coordinates in a first plane and an angle of orientation of said at least one noise reducing element; sending to a robotized arm (50) equipped with a terminal tool (51), a first movement command (MC1) for: positioning and orienting said terminal tool, so as to couple said terminal tool to said at least one noise reducing element of said first set and applying the same to the inner surface of a tyre.