CA1118893A - Tread length sensor - Google Patents
Tread length sensorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1118893A CA1118893A CA000302089A CA302089A CA1118893A CA 1118893 A CA1118893 A CA 1118893A CA 000302089 A CA000302089 A CA 000302089A CA 302089 A CA302089 A CA 302089A CA 1118893 A CA1118893 A CA 1118893A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tread
- leading edge
- signal
- trailing edge
- generating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
- G01B11/02—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness
- G01B11/04—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving
- G01B11/043—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving for measuring length
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
- Tyre Moulding (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A tread length sensor has a means to produce a beam of radiation which can impinge the leading edge of the tread. The beam is sensed by a sensing means, the output of which is a first electrical signal indicative of the impinging of the beam on the leading edge. The tread is supported on a support means. The trailing edge of the tread is detected by a detecting moans which is sensitive to the contrast between the support means and the tread. The detecting means is at a fixed distance from the beam and produces an output signal which is responsive to the contrast between the tread and the support means. The signals from the sensing means and the detecting means along with the fixed distance are used by a calculating means to cal-culate the tread length.
A tread length sensor has a means to produce a beam of radiation which can impinge the leading edge of the tread. The beam is sensed by a sensing means, the output of which is a first electrical signal indicative of the impinging of the beam on the leading edge. The tread is supported on a support means. The trailing edge of the tread is detected by a detecting moans which is sensitive to the contrast between the support means and the tread. The detecting means is at a fixed distance from the beam and produces an output signal which is responsive to the contrast between the tread and the support means. The signals from the sensing means and the detecting means along with the fixed distance are used by a calculating means to cal-culate the tread length.
Description
1~188~3 The present invention relates to an apparatus for the measurement of the length of an object and more particularly to ~he measurement of the length of a tread.
Tires are made from, among other things, treads. Typically, treads are made continuously from rubber extruder systems. The tread is extruded through different dies in one continuous length from softened rubber and is then conveyed over a series of belts for cooling. The treads are then cut Erom this continuous length at a "cutting" station into specified lengths for use in different si~es and types of tires. The treads, cut in various sizes, are then transported over a series of belts to an area termed "booking"
station whence they, along with other items, such as cord, are taken to be assembled into a tire.
Between the "cutting" station and the "booking" station (~ypically between 50 to 100 feet) the treads are moved onto a series of conveyors. The conveyors serve to accelerate the tread on it relative to the subsequent tread. The cut treads are also moved onto weighing belts which determine the weight of each tread. The effect of this series of conveyors is to increase the spacing between each tread so that a requisite amount of time between each tread for weighing and removal from conveyors is provided. A tread failing to meet the requisite weight requirement is rejected at this point.
Although the distance between the "cutting" station and tlle "booking"
station is relatively short, this spacing is required as part of quality con-trol ~for weight specification) and to provide time for removal from the con-v~yors. Ilowcver, i~ has also been observecl that ~he leng~h o~ ~he tread cut at khe "Gu~king" sta~ion i~ not the same as the leng~h of the same ~read at the ~booking" station. Mos~ of the t:Lme the tread will have shrunk between the "~utting" statiQn and the "booking" sta~ion The cause oE this shrinkage s~ems ~rom ~wo ac~ors. Tho Eirst is the relaxation o~ ~onsion in ~ho trcad as soon as it is cut. The olasticity O-e rubber, while a very much desirable quality in tire, is a source oE objection in this part o~ the manufacturing 9;~
process. The second is that despite the cooling of the tread prior to cut-ting~ the temperature of the tread immediately after cutting is not the same as ambient temperature. rrhus, the tread is subject ~o further cooling between the "cutting" station and the "booking" station.
The tread at assembly must meet certain specifications for size for proper fitting to a tire. Thus, the shrinkage of the tread must be accounted for during the manufacturing process, e.g. cut the tread to a size larger than desired to allow shrinkage. However, the shrinkage of the tread is, as discussed, uncontrollable and is to a certain degree unpredictable. The unpredictability arises from the fact that many factors contribute to the shrinking phenomenum, e.g. ambient temperature, type of rubber used, tempera-ture of tread at cutting, etc.
Heretofore, the solution to this problem of production control and ~uality assurance in the manufacturing of treads to specified lengths has been to manually and selectively measure a few treads at the "booking" station to measure and calculate the degree of shrinkage and to control the production of subsequent treads. Clearly, an automatic system which can measure every tread is desirable.
A tread length sensor for measuring the length of a tread, having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a one surface which is substantially flak, comprises a means for generating a beam of radiation. The beam is aligned such that it can impinge the leading edge of the tread. The beam is detected by a sensing means which produces a first electrical signal which is res-ponsive to the beam impinging the leading edge. The tread is supported by a supporting means. The traillng edge o~ the trcad is illuminated by illuminat-lng mcaTIs. Thc trailing edge is de~ccted by a detecting means which is positloned at a fixed dlstance fr~m the beam. ~he clotecting me~ns produces a sccond clectriGal si~nal in response to the con~rast between the supporting means and the tread. The first electrical signal J ~hu second clectrical signal and -the fixed distance are used by a calculating means to determine the length of the trcad.
~:igure 1 ls a cross-sectional view of a typical tread.
~igure 2 is a perspective view of a typical tread.
Figure 3 is a side view of a typical tread.
~igure 4 is a schematic view of the sensor of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic view of an example of an image of the trail-ing edge of a tread detected by a digital camera at the instant -the leading edge impinges the beam.
~ igure 6 is a block diagram of a partial system using the sensor of the present invention to correct for the production of treads.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a typical tread 10. The tread 10 has a one surface 12 which is substantially flat, and a top surface 15, opposite the one surface 12. The top surface 15 is substantially wavy. As the tread 10 moves in the direction shown by arrow 18, the tread 10 is characterized by a leading edge 14 and a trailing edge 16.
As can be seen from Figure 3, the leading edge 14 and the trailing edge 16 are not perpendicular to the one surface 12. In the cutting process, the tread 10 is cut at an angle less than 90 degrees from the one surface 12.
Referring to Figure 4 there is shown the tread length sensor, generally designatcd as 20, of the present inven~ion. The tread lO to be measured by the tread length sensor 20 is shown as moving in a direction 18.
The sensor 20 comprises a laser 22. The laser 22 is capable of emitting a beam 24 of radiation. The beam 2~ is aligned such that it would impinge the leading edge 14 of the one surface 12 of the tread 10 as the tread 10 moves in tha direction 1~. The beam 2~ is detccted by a photode~ec~or 26. Tho photocl~ector ~6 outputs a Eirst electrical signal 28 wh:Lch :indicatos when thebeam 24 has impinged the leading edge 1~.
Tho tread 10 is suppor~ed by a bel-~ X0. The belt xn supports the tread 10 on the one surface 12S the surEace which is subs~antially -Elat.
Lamps 32 are used ~o illuminate the traillng eclge l6 Oe the tread 10. A
dig:ital camera 34 detects the trailing edge 16 by detecting the contrast between the trailing edge 16 of the one surface 12 and the belt 30. The camera 34 produces a second electrical signal 36 in response to the contrast between the trailing edge 16 and the belt 30. The camera 34 is at a fixed distance from the laser 22. The ~irst electrical signal 28 and the second electrical signal 36 are entered into a digital computer 38 which, along with the information of the fixed distance between the camera 34 and the laser 22, can calculate the length of the tread lO.
In general, any means to generate a beam of radiation, such as x-ray tube, incoherent light (visible or invisible) etc., can be used in place of the laser 22 -- so long as the beam 24 produced is capable of impinging the leading edge 14 of the tread 10. Similarly, any sensing means, such as ionization chamber, photomultiplier tube, photodiode~ etc., can be used in place of the photodetector 26 -- so long as the sensing means can detect the beam 24 impinging the leading edge 14. The ~irst electrical signal 28, pro-duced by the photodetector 26 to indicate when the beam 24 has impinged the leading edge 14, can be simply the output signal of the photodetector 26 passed through an inverter. The belt 30 supports the tread 10. Typically~
it is a moving belt moving ~n the direction shown by arrow 18. The require-ment for the belt 30 is that it supports the tread 10 and provides sufficient contrast be~ween the belt 30 and the tread 10 to be detected by the digital camera 34. The lamps 32 illuminating the trailing edge 16 can be Oe any illuminating means, so long as the contrast between the tread 10 and the belt 30 can be detected. Another possible use of lamps 32 is to position them below the ~read 10 and the belt 30 to provide back light illumination. The digl~nl camera S~ can bo o~ any klnd, such as *Rokicon LC600 manufacturod by tho Ro~icon Corporation o~ Sunnyval~, Caliornia.
The ~h~ory o opora-tion Oe the sensor 20 Oe the prcs~nt invontion is as ~'ollows. A~ter ~ho ~read 10 is cut by the cu-~er Cnot shown~ it conkinucs ~o move toward the beam 2~. As soon as ~he leading cclgo 14 Oe th~ tread 10 *Trade Mark ;mpinges the beam 24, a first signal 28 is sent to the computer 38. The com-puter 38 then immediately receives the second signal 36 ~rom the digital cam-era 34. The second signal 36 may be adjusted for the speed of the moving belt 30. The first signal 28, the second signal 36 and the fixed distance are used by the computer 38 to calculate the length of ~he tread 10. A schematic view of an example of an image received by the digital camera 34 at the instant the leading edge 14 is impinged by the beam 24 is shown in Figure 5. There are ten dots, each representing a photosensitive element, such as a photo-diode.
Typically, the camera 34 will have more than ten elements. The six left-most elements are darkened to reflect the image of the tread LO. The four right-most elements reflect the image of the belt 30. The contrast between the tread 10 and the belt 30 is evident at the division between the fourth and fifth right-most elements. ~ypically, the tread 10 is dark; thus, the belt 30 need be only of a light color to provide sufficient contrast. From a predetermined measurement based upon the fixed distance between the camera 34 and the laser 22, the distance of each element from the point where the beam 24 impinges the leading edge 14 is determined. Thus, the length of the tread 10 that is within the view of the digital cc~mera 34 can be calculated.
There are many advantages of the sensor 20 of the present invention.
Pirst there are no moving parts; thus, the sensor 20 is not subject to mechanical wear. Secondly~ unlike the manual system of measuring a selective number of treads, the sensor 20 is entirely compatible with the manufacturing process~ i.e., it can automatically and without contact or interruption mqasure each ~read lO as each is produced. Thirdly, the treads lO comq ln dl~eeren~ slæq5~ Thq digi~al camera 34 can a~commodate treads Oe varying sizes so long as ~he ~railing ed~e 16 is wlkhill tho viqw o~ ~he camera 34. rrhus, tho s~nsor 20 naqd not be adjuxtqd to accommodate limited variations in the size Oe the ~reads lO. Measurement of varying slzes Oe treads ls possible.
Pour~hly, in the sensor 20 of tho present invention, the len~th ~-~' of the tread 10 is measured rather than A-A' (shown in ~igure 2) as done in the prior art. By measuring B-B' it is seen from ~igure 4 that a greater degree of con-trast is availa~le, i.e., the camera 34 can distinguish a greater degree of contrast between trailing edge 16 of the one surface 12 and the belt 30 than the contrast between the trailing edge 16 and the top surface 15 opposite the one surface 12. Fifthly, by measuring B~B' a lower probability of error is introduced than measuring A-A'. Typically, as the tread 10 is produced~ it may move in a skew manner. Thus, if the measurement of the length of the tread 10 were performed on the top surface 15, a deviation of only a few degrees ~ may result in the measurement of the length C-A'. However, that same deviation of a few degrees ~ will result in a smaller error if the measurement were made on the one surface 12, e.g., B'-D, as is done by the sensor 20 of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a block diagram of a partial system using the sensor 20 of the present invention to adjust the production of treads 10. The length sensor calculator 38 is as discussed in Figure 4.
The calculator 38 produces a third output signal 40 which is the calculation of the measurement of the length of the tread 10. The third signal 40 enters into a comparator 44. A fourth signal 42 is also entered into the comparator 44. The fourth signal 42 is a pre-set signal, i.e. it is the desired value of the length of the tread 10. It can be set by the operator of the process.
The comparator 44 compares the third signal 40 to the fourth signal 42 to pro-duce a correction signal 46. The correction signal 46 is used to adjust the cutter ~not shown). In this manner complete feedback control of the production o ~reads 10 based upon the length sensor 20 is accomplished.
Tires are made from, among other things, treads. Typically, treads are made continuously from rubber extruder systems. The tread is extruded through different dies in one continuous length from softened rubber and is then conveyed over a series of belts for cooling. The treads are then cut Erom this continuous length at a "cutting" station into specified lengths for use in different si~es and types of tires. The treads, cut in various sizes, are then transported over a series of belts to an area termed "booking"
station whence they, along with other items, such as cord, are taken to be assembled into a tire.
Between the "cutting" station and the "booking" station (~ypically between 50 to 100 feet) the treads are moved onto a series of conveyors. The conveyors serve to accelerate the tread on it relative to the subsequent tread. The cut treads are also moved onto weighing belts which determine the weight of each tread. The effect of this series of conveyors is to increase the spacing between each tread so that a requisite amount of time between each tread for weighing and removal from conveyors is provided. A tread failing to meet the requisite weight requirement is rejected at this point.
Although the distance between the "cutting" station and tlle "booking"
station is relatively short, this spacing is required as part of quality con-trol ~for weight specification) and to provide time for removal from the con-v~yors. Ilowcver, i~ has also been observecl that ~he leng~h o~ ~he tread cut at khe "Gu~king" sta~ion i~ not the same as the leng~h of the same ~read at the ~booking" station. Mos~ of the t:Lme the tread will have shrunk between the "~utting" statiQn and the "booking" sta~ion The cause oE this shrinkage s~ems ~rom ~wo ac~ors. Tho Eirst is the relaxation o~ ~onsion in ~ho trcad as soon as it is cut. The olasticity O-e rubber, while a very much desirable quality in tire, is a source oE objection in this part o~ the manufacturing 9;~
process. The second is that despite the cooling of the tread prior to cut-ting~ the temperature of the tread immediately after cutting is not the same as ambient temperature. rrhus, the tread is subject ~o further cooling between the "cutting" station and the "booking" station.
The tread at assembly must meet certain specifications for size for proper fitting to a tire. Thus, the shrinkage of the tread must be accounted for during the manufacturing process, e.g. cut the tread to a size larger than desired to allow shrinkage. However, the shrinkage of the tread is, as discussed, uncontrollable and is to a certain degree unpredictable. The unpredictability arises from the fact that many factors contribute to the shrinking phenomenum, e.g. ambient temperature, type of rubber used, tempera-ture of tread at cutting, etc.
Heretofore, the solution to this problem of production control and ~uality assurance in the manufacturing of treads to specified lengths has been to manually and selectively measure a few treads at the "booking" station to measure and calculate the degree of shrinkage and to control the production of subsequent treads. Clearly, an automatic system which can measure every tread is desirable.
A tread length sensor for measuring the length of a tread, having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a one surface which is substantially flak, comprises a means for generating a beam of radiation. The beam is aligned such that it can impinge the leading edge of the tread. The beam is detected by a sensing means which produces a first electrical signal which is res-ponsive to the beam impinging the leading edge. The tread is supported by a supporting means. The traillng edge o~ the trcad is illuminated by illuminat-lng mcaTIs. Thc trailing edge is de~ccted by a detecting means which is positloned at a fixed dlstance fr~m the beam. ~he clotecting me~ns produces a sccond clectriGal si~nal in response to the con~rast between the supporting means and the tread. The first electrical signal J ~hu second clectrical signal and -the fixed distance are used by a calculating means to determine the length of the trcad.
~:igure 1 ls a cross-sectional view of a typical tread.
~igure 2 is a perspective view of a typical tread.
Figure 3 is a side view of a typical tread.
~igure 4 is a schematic view of the sensor of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic view of an example of an image of the trail-ing edge of a tread detected by a digital camera at the instant -the leading edge impinges the beam.
~ igure 6 is a block diagram of a partial system using the sensor of the present invention to correct for the production of treads.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a typical tread 10. The tread 10 has a one surface 12 which is substantially flat, and a top surface 15, opposite the one surface 12. The top surface 15 is substantially wavy. As the tread 10 moves in the direction shown by arrow 18, the tread 10 is characterized by a leading edge 14 and a trailing edge 16.
As can be seen from Figure 3, the leading edge 14 and the trailing edge 16 are not perpendicular to the one surface 12. In the cutting process, the tread 10 is cut at an angle less than 90 degrees from the one surface 12.
Referring to Figure 4 there is shown the tread length sensor, generally designatcd as 20, of the present inven~ion. The tread lO to be measured by the tread length sensor 20 is shown as moving in a direction 18.
The sensor 20 comprises a laser 22. The laser 22 is capable of emitting a beam 24 of radiation. The beam 2~ is aligned such that it would impinge the leading edge 14 of the one surface 12 of the tread 10 as the tread 10 moves in tha direction 1~. The beam 2~ is detccted by a photode~ec~or 26. Tho photocl~ector ~6 outputs a Eirst electrical signal 28 wh:Lch :indicatos when thebeam 24 has impinged the leading edge 1~.
Tho tread 10 is suppor~ed by a bel-~ X0. The belt xn supports the tread 10 on the one surface 12S the surEace which is subs~antially -Elat.
Lamps 32 are used ~o illuminate the traillng eclge l6 Oe the tread 10. A
dig:ital camera 34 detects the trailing edge 16 by detecting the contrast between the trailing edge 16 of the one surface 12 and the belt 30. The camera 34 produces a second electrical signal 36 in response to the contrast between the trailing edge 16 and the belt 30. The camera 34 is at a fixed distance from the laser 22. The ~irst electrical signal 28 and the second electrical signal 36 are entered into a digital computer 38 which, along with the information of the fixed distance between the camera 34 and the laser 22, can calculate the length of the tread lO.
In general, any means to generate a beam of radiation, such as x-ray tube, incoherent light (visible or invisible) etc., can be used in place of the laser 22 -- so long as the beam 24 produced is capable of impinging the leading edge 14 of the tread 10. Similarly, any sensing means, such as ionization chamber, photomultiplier tube, photodiode~ etc., can be used in place of the photodetector 26 -- so long as the sensing means can detect the beam 24 impinging the leading edge 14. The ~irst electrical signal 28, pro-duced by the photodetector 26 to indicate when the beam 24 has impinged the leading edge 14, can be simply the output signal of the photodetector 26 passed through an inverter. The belt 30 supports the tread 10. Typically~
it is a moving belt moving ~n the direction shown by arrow 18. The require-ment for the belt 30 is that it supports the tread 10 and provides sufficient contrast be~ween the belt 30 and the tread 10 to be detected by the digital camera 34. The lamps 32 illuminating the trailing edge 16 can be Oe any illuminating means, so long as the contrast between the tread 10 and the belt 30 can be detected. Another possible use of lamps 32 is to position them below the ~read 10 and the belt 30 to provide back light illumination. The digl~nl camera S~ can bo o~ any klnd, such as *Rokicon LC600 manufacturod by tho Ro~icon Corporation o~ Sunnyval~, Caliornia.
The ~h~ory o opora-tion Oe the sensor 20 Oe the prcs~nt invontion is as ~'ollows. A~ter ~ho ~read 10 is cut by the cu-~er Cnot shown~ it conkinucs ~o move toward the beam 2~. As soon as ~he leading cclgo 14 Oe th~ tread 10 *Trade Mark ;mpinges the beam 24, a first signal 28 is sent to the computer 38. The com-puter 38 then immediately receives the second signal 36 ~rom the digital cam-era 34. The second signal 36 may be adjusted for the speed of the moving belt 30. The first signal 28, the second signal 36 and the fixed distance are used by the computer 38 to calculate the length of ~he tread 10. A schematic view of an example of an image received by the digital camera 34 at the instant the leading edge 14 is impinged by the beam 24 is shown in Figure 5. There are ten dots, each representing a photosensitive element, such as a photo-diode.
Typically, the camera 34 will have more than ten elements. The six left-most elements are darkened to reflect the image of the tread LO. The four right-most elements reflect the image of the belt 30. The contrast between the tread 10 and the belt 30 is evident at the division between the fourth and fifth right-most elements. ~ypically, the tread 10 is dark; thus, the belt 30 need be only of a light color to provide sufficient contrast. From a predetermined measurement based upon the fixed distance between the camera 34 and the laser 22, the distance of each element from the point where the beam 24 impinges the leading edge 14 is determined. Thus, the length of the tread 10 that is within the view of the digital cc~mera 34 can be calculated.
There are many advantages of the sensor 20 of the present invention.
Pirst there are no moving parts; thus, the sensor 20 is not subject to mechanical wear. Secondly~ unlike the manual system of measuring a selective number of treads, the sensor 20 is entirely compatible with the manufacturing process~ i.e., it can automatically and without contact or interruption mqasure each ~read lO as each is produced. Thirdly, the treads lO comq ln dl~eeren~ slæq5~ Thq digi~al camera 34 can a~commodate treads Oe varying sizes so long as ~he ~railing ed~e 16 is wlkhill tho viqw o~ ~he camera 34. rrhus, tho s~nsor 20 naqd not be adjuxtqd to accommodate limited variations in the size Oe the ~reads lO. Measurement of varying slzes Oe treads ls possible.
Pour~hly, in the sensor 20 of tho present invention, the len~th ~-~' of the tread 10 is measured rather than A-A' (shown in ~igure 2) as done in the prior art. By measuring B-B' it is seen from ~igure 4 that a greater degree of con-trast is availa~le, i.e., the camera 34 can distinguish a greater degree of contrast between trailing edge 16 of the one surface 12 and the belt 30 than the contrast between the trailing edge 16 and the top surface 15 opposite the one surface 12. Fifthly, by measuring B~B' a lower probability of error is introduced than measuring A-A'. Typically, as the tread 10 is produced~ it may move in a skew manner. Thus, if the measurement of the length of the tread 10 were performed on the top surface 15, a deviation of only a few degrees ~ may result in the measurement of the length C-A'. However, that same deviation of a few degrees ~ will result in a smaller error if the measurement were made on the one surface 12, e.g., B'-D, as is done by the sensor 20 of the present invention.
Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a block diagram of a partial system using the sensor 20 of the present invention to adjust the production of treads 10. The length sensor calculator 38 is as discussed in Figure 4.
The calculator 38 produces a third output signal 40 which is the calculation of the measurement of the length of the tread 10. The third signal 40 enters into a comparator 44. A fourth signal 42 is also entered into the comparator 44. The fourth signal 42 is a pre-set signal, i.e. it is the desired value of the length of the tread 10. It can be set by the operator of the process.
The comparator 44 compares the third signal 40 to the fourth signal 42 to pro-duce a correction signal 46. The correction signal 46 is used to adjust the cutter ~not shown). In this manner complete feedback control of the production o ~reads 10 based upon the length sensor 20 is accomplished.
Claims (9)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An apparatus for measuring the length of a tread having a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a one surface substantially flat, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a beam of radiation, said beam aligned to be capable of impinging the leading edge of said tread; means for sensing said beam, said sensing means capable of producing a first electrical signal res-ponsive to said beam impinging said leading edge of said tread; means for supporting said tread; means for illuminating the trailing edge of said tread; means for detecting said trailing edge of said tread; said detecting means capable of generating a second electrical signal in response to the contrast between said supporting means and said tread; said detecting means positioned at a fixed distance from said generating means; and means for calculating the length of said tread based upon said first signal, said second signal, and said fixed distance.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said beam is aligned to be capable of impinging the leading edge of the one surface of the tread; and said sensing means is capable of producing a first electrical signal responsive to said beam impinging said leading edge of said one surface of said tread.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said supporting means supports said tread on said one surface.
4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said detecting means is capable of generating a second electrical signal in response to the contrast between the supporting means and the trailing edge of said one surface.
5. The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein said generating means is a laser.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein said detecting means is a digital camera.
7. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein said supporting means is a belt.
8. The apparatus of Claim 7 wherein said calculating means is a digital computer.
9. A system for controlling the production of a tread to a desired length, wherein said tread is manufactured in a continuous process, cut by a cutter, and is characterized by a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a one surface substantially flat, said system comprising: means for generating a beam of radiation, said beam aligned to be capable of impinging the leading edge of said tread; means for sensing said beam, said sensing means capable of producing a first electrical signal responsive to said beam impinging said leading edge of said tread; means for supporting said tread; means for illuminating the trailing edge of said tread; means for detecting said trailing edge of said tread; said detecting means capable of generating a second electrical signal in response to the contrast between said supporting means and said tread; said detecting means positioned at a fixed distance from said generating means; means for calculating the length of said tread based upon said first signal, said second signal, and said fixed distance;
means for comparing said calculated length to said desired length to produce a correction signal; and means for adjusting said cutter in response to said correction signal.
means for comparing said calculated length to said desired length to produce a correction signal; and means for adjusting said cutter in response to said correction signal.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US81946877A | 1977-07-27 | 1977-07-27 | |
| US819,468 | 1977-07-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1118893A true CA1118893A (en) | 1982-02-23 |
Family
ID=25228252
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000302089A Expired CA1118893A (en) | 1977-07-27 | 1978-04-27 | Tread length sensor |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5425757A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1118893A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2829660A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2399001A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1574263A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1097874B (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6114507A (en) * | 1984-06-30 | 1986-01-22 | Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd:The | Measuring method of tire tread length |
| JPH0244202A (en) * | 1988-08-05 | 1990-02-14 | Bridgestone Corp | Apparatus for detecting end position of object |
| US5271284A (en) * | 1991-10-08 | 1993-12-21 | Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. | Lap splice width monitor |
| DE4225506A1 (en) * | 1992-08-01 | 1994-02-03 | Karl Schimanek | Strips prodn. e.g. for retreading used tyres - by passing uncured strip between suitably profiled roller and at least one smooth roller, and curing as required |
| JPH0830645B2 (en) * | 1992-11-12 | 1996-03-27 | 横浜ゴム株式会社 | Measuring method of tire tread length |
| DE19801781A1 (en) * | 1998-01-19 | 1999-07-22 | Alpma Alpenland Masch | Method and device for preparing the processing of an object |
| DE10127746B4 (en) * | 2001-06-08 | 2006-03-30 | A-Z Formen- Und Maschinenbau Gmbh | Cutting device for treads |
| JP2003075343A (en) * | 2001-09-03 | 2003-03-12 | Bridgestone Corp | Inspection method for extrusion tread and its device |
| DE20218187U1 (en) | 2002-11-23 | 2003-02-27 | FESTO AG & Co., 73734 Esslingen | Length determination of an object on a moving conveyor belt being scanned by a camera |
| DE102010017290A1 (en) | 2010-06-08 | 2011-12-08 | Vmi Holland B.V. | expander |
| NL2031484B1 (en) | 2022-04-04 | 2023-10-25 | Vmi Holland Bv | Conveyor belt, conveyor, system, method and use of said conveyor belt for conveying a tire component |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1149915B (en) * | 1961-02-10 | 1963-06-06 | Licentia Gmbh | Device for non-contact width or length measurement |
| DE1197232B (en) * | 1961-11-07 | 1965-07-22 | Marcel Charles Pfister | Device for measuring lengths |
| SE331367B (en) * | 1967-11-03 | 1970-12-21 | Nordstjernan Rederi Ab | |
| DE2602373A1 (en) * | 1975-02-03 | 1976-08-05 | Huta Im Gen K Swierczewskiego | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE LENGTH OF EXTENDED WORKPIECES |
-
1978
- 1978-02-16 GB GB6201/78A patent/GB1574263A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-03-10 FR FR7807007A patent/FR2399001A1/en active Granted
- 1978-04-27 CA CA000302089A patent/CA1118893A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-07-06 DE DE19782829660 patent/DE2829660A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1978-07-19 IT IT25875/78A patent/IT1097874B/en active
- 1978-07-26 JP JP9137778A patent/JPS5425757A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT1097874B (en) | 1985-08-31 |
| JPS5425757A (en) | 1979-02-26 |
| FR2399001A1 (en) | 1979-02-23 |
| GB1574263A (en) | 1980-09-03 |
| IT7825875A0 (en) | 1978-07-19 |
| FR2399001B1 (en) | 1985-05-17 |
| DE2829660A1 (en) | 1979-02-08 |
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