DE202014011007U1 - Digital coding of rubber articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A rubber article (100) comprising a vulcanized polymeric material (104) forming a surface of the rubber article (100), the surface comprising: a first surface portion (106) having a first optical reflectivity; a second surface portion (108) having a second optical reflectivity that is less than the first optical reflectivity; wherein the first surface portion (106) and the second surface portion (108) form at least a portion of a digital code pattern (102).

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of marking gum articles.

background

EP 1 063 071 A2 discloses a polymeric article, particularly a tire, having a visible surface wherein either a portion of the surface is corrugated in such a manner that the corrugation to corrugation comb pitch is between 4 μm and 40 μm or at least a portion of the surface is knopped in one in such a way that the distance from the nib tip to the nub point is between 5 μm and 60 μm.

US 2009/0218019 A1 discloses an article having at least one visible surface, said surface having on at least a portion thereof a pattern contrasting with the surface of the article, said pattern comprising a plurality of fibers distributed throughout the pattern, each fiber having an average cross section between 0.003 and 0.06 mm ² . Also disclosed is a forming process for forming a high contrast pattern on a surface of an article that can be molded in a mold, this process comprising producing a plurality of cavities of average cross section between 0.003 and 0.06 mm ² at the position of the pattern the surface of the mold. The pattern gives the article on which it is produced a velvet feel.

From the website

" http://qr.biz/articles/the_michelin_concept_qr_code_tire_meets_the_inter ests_of_farmers / "It is known to equip a tire using Velvettechnologie with a QR code.

US 2012/0227879 A1 discloses a tire having a visible surface having a pattern which contrasts with the surface, the pattern having over the entire surface thereof a plurality of fibers distributed with a density of at least 5 fibers / mm ² or a plurality of laminations substantially parallel to one another and arranged at a pitch of less than 0.5 mm, each fiber having a central cross section having a diameter of between 0.03 mm and 0.5 mm or each Slat has a mean width of between 0.03 mm and 0.5 mm, characterized in that the walls of the fibers or the slats over at least 1/4 of the surface thereof have an average roughness Rz between 5 microns and 30 microns. The effect of these fibers or lamellae is to capture the incident light on the surface of the pattern and, by absorbing light, to give the pattern that is to be produced a dull black appearance. Further disclosed is a method of producing molds provided to form the visible impression of the tires having such a pattern during vulcanization.

Summary

In view of the above-described situation, there is a need for an improved technique which enables a rubber article to be provided with improved characteristics while substantially avoiding or at least reducing one or more of the problems of known technologies.

This need can be met by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the objects disclosed herein are described in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, there is provided a method of providing a rubber article having a digital code pattern, the rubber article comprising a vulcanized polymeric material, the method comprising: generating a digital code pattern in the vulcanized polymer material of the rubber article, wherein the digital code pattern is a first Surface portion and a second surface portion having different optical reflectivity.

This aspect is based on the idea that the characteristic of a rubber article can be improved by using a digital code pattern for marking and generating the code pattern after vulcanizing the polymer material of the rubber article. Accordingly, providing the digital code pattern may be decoupled from producing (vulcanizing) the rubber article, particularly in terms of location and time.

According to embodiments of the first aspect, the method is arranged to provide the functionality as described by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein and / or to provide the functionality required by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein or results from these.

According to a second aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a rubber article provided with a vulcanized polymer material forming a surface of the rubber article, the surface comprising: a first surface portion having a first optical reflectance; a second surface portion having a second optical reflectivity lower than the first optical reflectivity; wherein the first surface portion and the second surface portion form at least a portion of a digital code pattern, the digital code pattern identifying the rubber article, particularly within a manufacturing batch of rubber articles.

According to embodiments of the second aspect, the rubber article is arranged to provide functionality as described by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein and / or to provide functionality as required by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein or results from these, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, there is provided a rubber article marking apparatus comprising: a radiation source for supplying electromagnetic radiation; and a controller for controlling the radiation source so as to carry out the method according to the first aspect or an embodiment thereof.

According to embodiments of the third aspect, the rubber article marking apparatus is arranged to provide the functionality as described by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein and / or to provide functionality as required by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein or results from these, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, there is provided a computer program product, in particular in the form of a computer program or in the form of a computer readable medium containing the computer program, for controlling the operation of a rubber article marking device, wherein the computer program is configured to operate when on a data processor device is executed to control the method according to the first aspect or an embodiment thereof.

According to embodiments of the fourth aspect, the computer program product is arranged to provide the functionality as described by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein and / or to provide functionality as required by one or more of the aspects or embodiments disclosed herein or results from these, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, there is provided a method of identifying a rubber article according to the second aspect or an embodiment thereof, the method comprising: reading the digital code pattern from a polymer surface of the rubber article.

According to embodiments of the fifth aspect, the method is arranged to provide the functionality as described by one or more of the aspects or embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality required by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein or results from these, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect.

According to a sixth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, there is provided a computer program product, in particular in the form of a computer program or in the form of a computer readable medium containing the computer program, for controlling the operation of a rubber article identification device, wherein the computer program is arranged to operate as it is a data processor device is executed to control the method according to the fifth aspect or an embodiment thereof.

According to embodiments of the fifth aspect, the method is arranged to provide the functionality as described by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein, and / or to provide functionality as required by one or more of the aspects or embodiments recited herein is or results from these, in particular the embodiments of the fifth aspect.

As used herein, reference to a computer program product is intended to be equivalent to reference to a computer program and / or computer-readable medium containing a computer program for controlling a computer system to effect and / or coordinate the execution of one or more of the computer programs method described above.

The computer program may be implemented as a computer readable instruction code using any suitable programming language, such as, for example, JAVA, C ++, and may be stored on a computer computer readable medium (removable disc, volatile or non-volatile memory, embedded memory / processor, etc.). The instruction code is operable to program a computer or any other programmable device to perform the intended functions. The computer program may be available from a network, such as the World Wide Web, from which it can be downloaded.

The objects disclosed herein can be realized by means of a computer program or software. However, the objects disclosed herein may also be realized by means of one or more specific electronic circuits or hardware. Furthermore, the articles disclosed herein can also be realized in hybrid form, i. in a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

The foregoing has described and described in the following exemplary embodiments of the articles disclosed herein with respect to a rubber article, a rubber article marking device, and related methods. It must be emphasized that of course any combination of features pertaining to various aspects of the items disclosed herein is also possible. In particular, some features have been or will be described with reference to device-type embodiments, whereas other features have been or will be described with respect to process-type embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing and following description that, unless otherwise specified, in addition to any combination of features pertaining to one aspect, any combination of features belonging to different aspects or embodiments, for example, combinations themselves of features of the device-type embodiments and features of the method-type embodiments are considered to be disclosed with this application.

The aspects and embodiments defined above and other aspects and embodiments of the objects disclosed herein will become apparent from the examples which will be described below and explained with reference to the drawings, to which the invention is, however, not limited.

Brief description of the drawings

1 FIG. 12 illustrates a method of providing a rubber article having a digital code pattern in a vulcanized polymeric material of the rubber article according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

2 12 shows, in cross-sectional view, a portion of a first surface portion and a second surface portion in accordance with embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

3 FIG. 12 shows an intensity pattern on a second surface part according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. FIG.

4 FIG. 12 shows an intensity pattern on a second surface part according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. FIG.

5 FIG. 12 illustrates another process of generating a digital code pattern in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

6 shows a rubber article marking device according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

7 FIG. 12 shows another rubber article marking device according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. FIG.

8th FIG. 12 shows an apparatus for identifying a rubber article and illustrating a method of identifying a rubber article according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. FIG.

Detailed description

The illustration in the drawings is schematic. It is noted that in different figures, the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals or with reference numerals, which differ from the corresponding reference numerals only in the first position. Accordingly, the description of similar or identical features in the description of subsequent figures will not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. However, it should be understood that the description of these features in the preceding figures is equally valid for the following figures, unless stated otherwise.

1 illustrates a method of providing a rubber article 100 with a digital code pattern 102 in a vulcanized polymeric material of the rubber article 100 in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the rubber is optical 100 a tire, of which only part is in 1 is shown. According to one embodiment, the method comprises generating the digital code pattern 102 in the vulcanized polymer material 104 of the rubber article 100 on, where the digital code pattern 102 a first surface part 106 and a second surface part 108 having different optical reflectivity (hereinafter also referred to as "reflectivity" for short). Because the digital code pattern is created in the vulcanized polymeric material, the digital code pattern is a permanent pattern (as opposed to adhesive labels). In one embodiment, the digital code pattern is 102 an optically readable digital code pattern. Typically, and in one embodiment, the digital code pattern 102 a plurality of first surface parts 106 and a plurality of second surface portions 108 on, like in 1 shown. In one embodiment, the digital code pattern is 102 a binary code pattern having two different reflectivities. However, it should be understood that the digital code pattern may also be implemented with more than two different reflectivities, for example three, four or more different reflectivities. In one embodiment, the digital code pattern is 102 a bar code, such as a linear (one-dimensional) bar code or a matrix (two-dimensional) bar code (for example, a QR code). However, other digital code patterns are possible as well.

According to one embodiment, the term "optical reflectivity" includes a reflectivity for at least one of, for example, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation.

According to one embodiment, the digital code pattern identifies 102 the rubber article 100 in particular within a manufacturing batch of rubber articles. According to other embodiments, another identification may be by the digital code pattern 102 for example, within one week of production (for example, within tires having the same DOT code and / or tires made within a specific curing cycle ("curing batch") within a monthly production or within an annual production, etc. According to another embodiment, the digital code pattern identifies each rubber product individually, for example, within a batch, According to another embodiment, the digital code pattern identifies the rubber article as belonging to a subset of a batch (for example, a cure batch) Example identifies the digital code pattern according to an embodiment as belonging to a subset of a batch of the rubber article, wherein the subset has been provided with specific properties (for example, an emergency operating characteristic of a tire which causes, i small defects in the tire are automatically repaired by a suitable inner layer in the tire).

An identification of the rubber article by the digital code pattern 102 is enabled by any process involving the digital code pattern 102 individually in every single rubber article 100 generated.

According to an embodiment, generating the digital code pattern 102 reducing the surface area of the first surface part (for example by smoothing) and / or increasing the surface area of the second surface part (for example by artificial roughening, for example by creating a surface structure).

According to one embodiment, generating the digital code pattern comprises irradiating the first surface part and / or the second surface part with an electromagnetic radiation 110 , for example, a laser beam, as in 1 shown on. According to other embodiments, mechanical techniques are used to generate the digital code pattern in the vulcanized polymeric material 104 ,

2 shows in a cross-sectional view a part of a first surface part 106 and a second surface part 108 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment, generating the digital code pattern 102 creating a surface texture 112 in the second surface part 108 on. According to one embodiment, the surface structure increases 112 the surface area of the second surface part 108 , According to a further embodiment, the surface structure provides 112 a second optical reflectivity that is lower than a first optical reflectivity of the first surface part 106 , According to one embodiment, generating the surface structure 112 selectively removing a portion of the vulcanized polymeric material 104 on. The removed part of the vulcanized polymer material 104 is in 2 with dashed lines at 113 shown. According to one embodiment, the selective removal of the part of the vulcanized polymer is carried out with electromagnetic radiation. According to a further embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation is a laser radiation, for example a pulsed laser radiation. The pulsed laser radiation may have a pulse length of less than 200 nanoseconds, eg less than 100 nanoseconds or less than 20 nanoseconds. However, it should be understood that the laser power and pulse length may be adjusted to the particular application, and in particular to the material of which the rubber article is formed.

According to one embodiment, the surface structure 112 a plurality of protrusions 114 on, like in 2 shown. According to one embodiment, the first surface part 106 generally flat, without surface structure, as in 2 shown. In this regard, it is noted that any real material and hence also the vulcanized polymeric material 104 has a certain surface roughness Ra. However, a surface structure as referred to herein has dimensions that are larger (at least a factor of two in one embodiment) than the average surface roughness Ra of the rubber article. According to one embodiment, the mean surface roughness Ra of the vulcanized polymer material is less than 4 micrometers (Ra <4 μm). In another embodiment, the average surface roughness Ra of the vulcanized polymeric material is less than 1 micrometer (Ra <1 μm) or less than 0.5 micrometers (Ra <0.5 μm). According to one embodiment, the generation of the surface structure results 112 not in a roughening of the surface, and thus the vulcanized polymer material has the surface texture 112 forms a surface roughness equal to or even lower than the surface roughness Ra of the vulcanized polymer material 104 before creating the surface texture.

According to one embodiment, the vulcanized polymer material forming the surface structure has an average roughness Ra of 4 microns or less (Ra <4 μm), e.g. 1 micron (Ra <1 micron) or less than 0.5 micron (Ra <0.5 micron).

According to one embodiment, the surface structure 112 a plurality of protrusions 114 on, like in 2 shown. The projections 114 can be generated by selectively removing vulcanized polymeric material 104 in the vicinity of the area of the vulcanized polymer where the projection is to be made.

In one embodiment, the method of generating a digital code pattern comprises generating a (spatial) intensity pattern of varying intensity of the electromagnetic radiation on the second surface portion for performing the selective removal of cured polymer in high intensity regions of the intensity pattern.

3 shows an intensity pattern 116 on a second surface part 108 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. The intensity pattern 116 results in selective removal of vulcanized polymeric material in areas of high radiation intensity, thereby creating a surface texture 112 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment, the intensity pattern is 116 which is in 3 generated by moving an electromagnetic radiation beam along a path on the second surface part 108 , In this sense, the intensity pattern may be an accumulated intensity pattern that shows the intensity that is generated during the generation of the surface texture 112 was accumulated. According to one embodiment, the path of the electromagnetic radiation beam corresponds to the desired intensity pattern 116 ,

According to another embodiment, the intensity pattern becomes 116 generated by any other suitable means, for example by a reticle which, when illuminated with electromagnetic radiation, projects a projection of the intensity pattern 116 on the second surface part 108 generated. In one embodiment, the reticle is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation and allows the electromagnetic radiation to selectively pass to areas of the second surface portion 108 where the vulcanized polymer material 104 should be removed. Further, the reticle blocks the electromagnetic radiation from passing to areas on the second surface portion 108 in which vulcanized polymer material should not be removed.

In another embodiment, the intensity pattern is generated using a higher order mode of a laser that provides the electromagnetic radiation.

According to one embodiment, the intensity pattern becomes 116 generated by interference. For example, in one embodiment, a diffraction grating is positioned in the radiation path of the electromagnetic radiation, resulting in a diffraction of the incoming electromagnetic radiation beam, wherein the diffracted beam is the intensity pattern 116 generated on the second surface part. Depending on the grid, the intensity pattern may be a line pattern, as in FIG 3 represented, or may be eg a dot pattern.

According to one embodiment, the intensity pattern 116 a first set of parallel lines 118 and a second set of parallel lines 120 on, being a line 118 of the first sentence at least one line 120 of the second sentence. The first set of lines and the second set of lines can define an angle of 90 ° between them, as in 3 or, in another embodiment, may define an angle therebetween that is different than 90 degrees. According to another embodiment, the intensity pattern comprises three or more sets of parallel lines (in FIG 3 not shown) positioned at angles with respect to each other, eg for generating an intensity pattern having hexagonal parts. According to another embodiment, the intensity pattern comprises a single set of parallel lines. Selective removal of vulcanized polymeric material 104 along the lines 118 . 120 produces a plurality of protrusions, some of which are schematic at 114 in 3 are indicated. Generally speaking, there is a lead 114 produced by selectively removing vulcanized polymer material 104 around the area where the projection is to be created.

According to one embodiment, the intensity pattern is generated by moving the electromagnetic radiation beam only once along the path. According to a further embodiment, the intensity pattern (eg the intensity pattern which is in 3 is shown) by moving the electromagnetic radiation beam twice or more along the path. According to a further embodiment, the contour of the second surface parts is at least once, for example three times. When a pulsed laser is used, the pulse overlap of successive pulses may range between 50% and 90%, eg between 70% and 80%, eg 76%. An exemplary 1 / e ² beam diameter of the radiation beam may be between 130 and 180 microns, eg at 150 microns. According to one embodiment, the distance between the parallel lines may be smaller than the 1 / e ² beam diameter and may be between 70 and 150 microns, eg at 100 microns for a 150 micrometer 1 / e ² beam diameter. In conjunction with a Gaussian beam profile, this can lead to rounded protrusions 114 to lead. The maximum depth in the surface structure may be between 70 microns and 500 microns, for example 100 microns. Exemplary laser parameters (Ytterbium pulsed fiber lasers, central emission wavelength about 1064 nm) are an average power of 20 watts, a repetition rate of 20 kilohertz (kHz) and a pulse duration of 100 nanoseconds.

According to a further embodiment, the surface structure 112 a plurality of holes. In contrast to creating a protrusion which involves selectively removing vulcanized polymeric material along one or more lines, a hole is formed by removing vulcanized polymeric material at a point. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the plurality of holes is generated by an intensity pattern having one or more individual spots.

4 shows a (spatial) intensity pattern 122 on a second surface part 108 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. The intensity pattern 122 results in selective removal of vulcanized polymeric material in areas of high radiation intensity, thereby creating a surface texture 112 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment, the intensity pattern 122 a number of spots, some of them in 4 at 124 are indicated. Every spot 124 creates a hole 126 by selectively removing the vulcanized polymeric material 104 in the area of the spot 124 ,

According to other embodiments, other intensity patterns may be used to create the surface texture in the second surface portions. Furthermore, other surface structures in the second surface portion may be generated to provide a second reflectivity that is lower than the first reflectivity of the first surface portion.

According to one embodiment, the entire intensity pattern is simultaneously generated on the second surface part or, according to another embodiment, on all the second surface parts of the digital code pattern (simultaneous exposure mode), e.g. using a suitable reticle. According to another embodiment, the intensity pattern is generated on a second surface part over a certain period of time (scan mode), e.g. by moving a beam of electromagnetic radiation across the second surface portion.

As already noted, any embodiments disclosed herein may be combined. In particular, with respect to the objects disclosed herein, it should be noted that generally a (spatial) intensity pattern or the generation of an intensity pattern may be configured to include features of two or more embodiments as disclosed herein. For example, according to one embodiment, the intensity pattern is generated by moving an electromagnetic radiation beam along a path on the second surface portion, the electromagnetic radiation beam itself having a structured intensity distribution generated, for example, by interference or a higher order mode of a laser beam. This can lead to an intensity pattern on the second surface having spatial intensity variations on different length scales.

Generally, the intensity pattern may have spatial variations on different length scales. According to one embodiment this may also be produced by corresponding movements of an electromagnetic radiation beam or, advantageously, by combining different embodiments of intensity pattern generation, eg by moving an electromagnetic radiation beam having a structured intensity distribution over the second surface, as described above. Thus, in a more general embodiment, the surface structure has two or more substructures on different length scales. In one embodiment, this may provide lower reflectivity as well as good cleaning performance of the second surface portion.

It should be understood that the combinations of embodiments described above may be used to generate an intensity pattern having lines on longer length scales (eg, with a substructure having lines and / or points) or, in another embodiment , may be used to generate an intensity pattern having points on the longer length scale (eg, with a substructure having lines and / or points).

d

der 1/e²-Strahldurchmesser der elektromagnetischen Strahlung und

x

der Abstand zwischen den kleinsten Strukturelementen der Oberflächenstruktur ist, größer als 0,5 (r > 0,5).

According to one embodiment, a ratio r, which is defined as r = d / x, in which

d

the 1 / e ² beam diameter of the electromagnetic radiation and

x

the distance between the smallest structural elements of the surface structure is greater than 0.5 (r> 0.5).

Here, the 1 / e ² beam width, as usual, is defined as the distance between two points on the beam, where intensity 1 / e ² = 0.135 times the beam profile maximum intensity. Maintaining the beam width in the specified range is advantageous particularly in the scanning mode in which an intensity pattern is generated on the second surface portion by moving the beam of electromagnetic radiation across the second surface portion to produce the surface texture.

According to one embodiment, the Rayleigh length of the electromagnetic radiation is greater than 1.5 millimeters, e.g. greater than 2 mm or larger than 4 mm. A large Rayleigh length which provides a large depth of field may be advantageous for generating digital code patterns on curved surfaces, e.g. on tires.

According to one embodiment, providing the first surface part 106 producing the vulcanized polymeric material 104 with a predetermined surface roughness Ra at least in one area, which is the first surface part 106 having; and maintaining the predetermined surface roughness Ra in the first surface part 106 during the generation of the surface structure 112 in the second surface part 108 , In other words, according to an embodiment, the first surface part 106 in the generation of the digital code pattern 102 remain unchanged.

Additionally or, alternatively, alternatively to selectively providing the surface structure 112 in the second surface parts 108 can reflect the reflectivity of the first surface parts 106 be set. According to an embodiment, generating the digital code pattern comprises 102 a smoothing of the first surface parts 106 , wherein the smoothed first surface parts 106 provide a first optical reflectivity which is higher than a second optical reflectivity of the second surface parts 108 , According to one embodiment, providing the first surface part 106 reducing the surface roughness Ra in the first surface part 106 of the vulcanized polymeric material as prepared.

5 shows another process for generating a digital code pattern 102 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment, the area is where the digital code pattern 102 is to be produced, completely with a surface structure 112 as described herein, ie in the area of the first surface part 106 (shown in dashed lines in FIG 5 ) as well as in the area of the second surface part 108 , Subsequently, the first surface part 106 be generated by smoothing the surface structure 112 in the area of the first surface part 106 , eg by the area of the first surface part 106 electromagnetic radiation 110 is suspended. According to one embodiment, in the region of the second surface part 108 the surface structure 112 retain, which causes the second surface parts 108 a lower optical reflectivity than the first surface parts 106 exhibit.

6 shows a rubber article marking device according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

The rubber article marking device 150 has a holder 151 to pick up a rubber article 100 , Furthermore, the Rubber articles marking device 150 a radiation source 152 to provide electromagnetic radiation 110 and a controller 154 for controlling the radiation source 152 Thus, a method of providing a rubber article with a digital code pattern 102 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment, the rubber article marking device 150 at least one actuator (eg a scanning unit, in 6 not shown) configured to move the electromagnetic radiation beam 110 with respect to the rubber article in the holder 150 to get the digital code pattern 102 on the rubber article 100 to create. According to one embodiment, the actuator is controlled by the controller 154 controlled. In another embodiment, the controller is 154 configured to control the operation of the radiation source, eg for turning on and off the electromagnetic radiation beam 110 ,

According to one embodiment, the controller 154 a data processor device 155 For example, a computer may be configured to execute a computer program that is configured to run on the data processor device 155 is executed to control a method according to one or more embodiments as disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the computer program is in a software update or a firmware update of the controller 154 so that existing tools can be updated to provide functionality in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the controller is 154 configured to exchange signals 153 with at least one entity (eg supplying control signals to at least one entity) by the controller 154 to be controlled. Such entities can eg the radiation source 152 , Conveying devices (in 6 not shown) etc. include.

According to one embodiment, the method of providing a rubber product with a digital code pattern comprises adjusting the focus position of the radiation source 152 that the electromagnetic radiation 110 during the generation of the digital code pattern 102 generated, on. For this purpose, the light source 152 a focus position adjusting device 157 exhibit. Adjusting the focus position during the generation of the code pattern may be advantageous, for example, when the digital code pattern is generated on a curved surface of the cured polymeric material. Adjusting the focus position may be further advantageous when the radiation source is configured to move the electromagnetic radiation beam 110 over the vulcanized polymer material by pivoting the electromagnetic radiation beam, causing the electromagnetic radiation beam to impinge obliquely on the vulcanized polymeric material. The adjustment of the focus position may be performed according to a predefined control sequence which may be adapted to the particular rubber product and which in a memory 156 the controller 154 can be stored. According to another embodiment, a sensor 158 provided for determining a position of the rubber article 100 , eg with respect to the focusing lens. According to one embodiment, the sensor has a distance sensor for determining the position of the rubber article 100 on. In one embodiment, the controller is 154 configured to adjust the focus position of the radiation source 152 in response to the position of the rubber article 100 , Adjustment of the focus position may be performed, for example, by moving one or more lenses (eg, the focusing lens) of the radiation source or, according to another embodiment, expanding the beam incident on the focusing lens of the radiation source 152 falls, just to name a few examples.

An adjustment of the focus position can be made to the focus position on the surface of the rubber article 100 to move.

7 shows a part of another rubber article marking device 250 according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein.

The rubber article marking device 250 has a radiation source 152 on which a beam splitter 163 (beam splitter) for splitting a primary radiation beam 164 in two secondary rays, a first secondary ray 165 and a second secondary beam 166 having. According to one embodiment, the radiation source contains 152 a suitable source 167 , eg a laser, for delivering the primary radiation beam 164 , as in 7 shown. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the radiation source 152 a phase adjusting device 168 to change the phase of the first secondary beam 165 with respect to the phase of the second secondary beam 166 and for providing a phase shifted second secondary beam 170 , According to one embodiment, the phase adjustment device 168 mirror 172 . 174 . 176 on, of which at least some (eg two mirrors 172 . 174 ) may be movable (indicated at 177 ) to the phase adjuster 168 with the ability to change the phase shift.

The radiation source 152 also has two scanning units 178 . 180 on, of which a first scan unit 178 configured to project the phase-shifted first secondary beam 170 on the rubber article 100 in a first spot 182 and a second scanning unit 180 is configured to project the second secondary beam 166 on the rubber article in a second spot 184 , which is the first spot 182 overlaps. In one embodiment, the two beams overlap 166 . 170 on the article 100 be projected in time and space and therefore generate an interference pattern in the overlap of both spots 182 . 184 , According to one embodiment, the phase adjustment device 168 into the corresponding scanning unit 178 be integrated. As described herein, the interference pattern can be used to selectively vulcanized polymeric material from the rubber article 100 to generate a digital code pattern. In one embodiment, the controller is 154 configured to operate the scan units 178 . 180 so as to provide the desired intensity pattern on a second surface part by moving the overlapping spots 182 . 184 together over the second surface part. According to a further embodiment, in which the radiation source 152 is configured to illuminate an entire (eg second) surface part, the controller can 154 be configured to the overlapping spots 182 . 184 together from a (second) surface part 108 to another (second) surface part 108 to move. It is noted that the two overlapping beams 166 . 170 together an "electromagnetic radiation 110 "Referred to herein in other embodiments.

According to one embodiment, the rubber article marking device may comprise a reticle (not shown in FIG 7 ), which defines the size of the corresponding surface part (first surface part or second surface part) to which the electromagnetic radiation is to be applied. This may be advantageous in an embodiment in which the intensity pattern (such as an interference pattern) is simultaneously delivered over the entire surface of the second surface portion or in an embodiment in which the first surface portion is smoothed with electromagnetic radiation. In such cases, the reticle provides sharply defined edges of the corresponding surface portion. According to one embodiment, the reticle is configured to provide the corresponding surface portion with a variable area, eg, by movable portions, which laterally define a passage, which in turn define the corresponding surface portion. Accordingly, the size of the corresponding surface part is variable, which may be necessary in some digital code patterns, eg in a QR code, in which the size of the first and second surface parts depends on the amount of information to be encoded with the QR code ,

8th FIG. 12 shows an apparatus for identifying a rubber article and illustrating a method of identifying a rubber article according to embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. FIG.

According to one embodiment, a device 160 for identifying a rubber article 100 (eg, in the form of a tire) provided in accordance with embodiments of the articles disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the device is 160 configured to read the code pattern 102 from a polymer 104 Surface of the rubber article 100 , For example, the device may 160 a camera configured to capture an image of the digital code pattern 102 , According to one embodiment, the device 160 a controller 162 which is configured to decode the digital code pattern 102 and for providing, in response thereto, a digital representation of the information contained in the digital code pattern 102 is stored. For example, the digital code pattern may be a graphical representation of identification information (eg, a serial number) of the rubber article 100 its what the device is 160 allowed the rubber article 100 to identify and therefore what the device 160 allows specific information about the rubber article 100 to deliver. According to one embodiment, the device has 160 Accessing a database which has stored therein the identification information represented by the digital code pattern and the specific information about the rubber article. This allows the device 160 to retrieve the specific information about the rubber article from the database on extracting (decoding) the identification information from the acquired digital code pattern.

The device 160 may be a stationary device, such as in a tire manufacturing plant, or may be, for example, a portable device such as a smartphone that allows a user of the rubber article, eg, a tire, to retrieve information about the rubber article in a familiar and comfortable manner.

Identifying a rubber article, such as a tire, is advantageous in any application in which identification tracking of a tire is helpful or even mandatory. Generating the digital code pattern in the vulcanized polymer allows the rubber article to be provided with the digital code pattern independent of manufacture of the rubber article, and without requiring adhesive labels or the like.

Further, although some embodiments relate to a tire, etc., it should be understood that each of these references is considered to be an implicit disclosure of a corresponding reference to the generic term "rubber article" and vice versa. Also, other terms referring to specific terms (eg, a laser) are considered to implicitly disclose the corresponding generic term with the specified functionality.

According to one embodiment of the invention, any suitable entity (e.g., components, units and devices) disclosed herein, e.g. the controller may be provided, at least in part, in the form of corresponding computer programs that enable a processor device to provide the functionality of the corresponding entities as disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, any suitable entity disclosed herein may be provided by hardware. According to other hybrid embodiments, some entities may be provided in software while other entities are provided in hardware.

It should be noted that any entity disclosed herein (e.g., components, units and devices such as the controller, the radiation source, the scanning unit, the phase shifting unit, etc.) are not limited to a dedicated entity as described in some embodiments. Rather, the items disclosed herein may be implemented in various ways and with different granularity at the device level or, where applicable, at the software module level while still providing the stated functionality.

It should also be noted that, according to embodiments, a separate entity (portion, part, surface, component, unit, structure, or device) may be provided for each of the functions disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, an entity (portion, part, surface, component, unit, structure, or device) is configured to provide two or more functions as disclosed herein. In yet other embodiments, two or more entities (e.g., portion, part, surface, component, unit, structure, or device) are configured to function together as disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment, the controller has a processor device which has at least one processor for executing at least one computer program which corresponds to a corresponding software module.

It should be noted that the term "having" does not exclude other elements or steps and that "a" or "one" does not exclude a plurality. Thus, according to one embodiment, the term "having" means "inter alia." According to another embodiment, the term "having" means "consisting of". Also, elements described in connection with various embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. It should also be noted that reference signs in the specification and reference of the description to the drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the description. Rather, the drawings illustrate only an exemplary implementation of the described embodiments.

It should also be noted that while examples in the drawings contain a particular combination of several embodiments of the subject matters disclosed herein, any other combination of embodiments is equally possible and will be deemed to be disclosed with this application.

To repeat some of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, it can be said that:
Described is a method of providing a rubber article having a digital code pattern, wherein the rubber article comprises a vulcanized polymeric material, the method comprising: generating, eg, by electromagnetic radiation, a digital code pattern in the vulcanized polymer material of the rubber article, the digital code pattern comprising a first surface portion and a second surface portion having different optical reflectivity. Generating the digital code pattern may include generating protrusions or holes in the second surface portions. The digital code pattern can identify the rubber article, eg within a batch of rubber articles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

 rubber Goods

102

 digital code pattern

104

 polymer material

106

 first surface part

108

 second surface part

110

 electromagnetic radiation

112

 surface structure

114

 head Start

116

 intensity pattern

118

 first set of parallel lines

120

 second set of parallel lines

122

 intensity pattern

124

 commercial

126

 hole

150

 Rubber articles marking device

151

 holder

152

 radiation source

153

 Signal (e.g., control signal)

154

 control

155

 Data processor device

156

 Storage

157

 Fokuspositionseinstellvorrichtung

158

 sensor

160

 Device for identifying a rubber article

162

Control of 160

163

 beamsplitter

165

 first secondary beam

166

 second secondary beam

167

 Source for a primary beam

168

 phaser

170

 phase shifted first secondary beam

172

 mirror

174

 mirror

176

 mirror

177

Movability of 172 . 174

178

 scan unit

180

 scan unit

182

 first spot

184

 second spot

250

 Rubber articles marking device

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1063071 A2 [0002]
• US 2009/0218019 A1 [0003]
• US 2012/0227879 A1 [0005]

Cited non-patent literature

• http://qr.biz/articles/the_michelin_concept_qr_code_tire_meets_the_inter ests_of_farmers / [0004]

Claims (42)

Rubber articles ( 100 ) comprising a vulcanized polymer material ( 104 ) containing a surface of the rubber article ( 100 ), the surface comprising: a first surface portion ( 106 ) having a first optical reflectivity; a second surface part ( 108 ) having a second optical reflectivity which is less than the first optical reflectivity; wherein the first surface part ( 106 ) and the second surface part ( 108 ) at least part of a digital code pattern ( 102 ) form. Rubber article according to claim 1, wherein the digital code pattern ( 102 ) the rubber article ( 100 ), in particular within a production batch of rubber articles. Rubber article according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the rubber article has a surface structure ( 112 ) in the second surface part ( 108 ), wherein the surface structure ( 112 ) provides a second optical reflectivity which is less than a first optical reflectivity of the first surface part ( 106 ). Rubber article according to claim 3, wherein the surface structure ( 112 ) a plurality of holes ( 126 In particular, the rubber article has one or more of the following features: a diameter of the holes is between 130 μm and 180 μm; a diameter of the holes is greater than 130 microns, in particular greater than 150 microns and further more particularly greater than 180 microns; the holes are circular; the holes have a Gaussian cross section in the longitudinal direction; the holes have a depth between 70 μm and 500 μm. Rubber article according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the surface structure ( 112 ) by selectively removing a portion of the vulcanized polymer material ( 104 ) was generated. A rubber article according to claim 5, wherein the selective removal of the part of the vulcanized polymer ( 104 ) with electromagnetic radiation ( 110 ), in particular laser radiation, for example pulsed laser radiation having a pulse length of less than 200 nanoseconds, in particular pulsed laser radiation of an Ytterbium pulsed fiber laser with a power of 20 watts, a repetition rate of 20 kilohertz and a pulse duration of 100 nanoseconds; in particular, wherein a radiation beam of the electromagnetic radiation has a Gaussian beam profile; and / or wherein the radiation beam has a 1 / e ² diameter between 130 μm and 180 μm, in particular a 1 / e ² diameter of 150 μm; the radiation beam has a structured intensity distribution; and / or the radiation beam has a round cross-section. A rubber article according to claim 6, wherein the selective removal of vulcanized polymeric material has been realized by generating an intensity pattern ( 116 . 122 ) of varying intensity of electromagnetic radiation ( 110 ) on the second surface part ( 108 ) and thereby selectively removing vulcanized polymer ( 104 ) in high intensity regions of the intensity pattern ( 116 . 122 ). A rubber article according to claim 7, further comprising at least one of the following features: the intensity pattern ( 116 ) has a line pattern on the intensity pattern ( 116 ) is a dot pattern; the intensity pattern ( 116 ) is generated by interference, in particular by diffraction of the radiation beam at a grating; the intensity pattern ( 116 ) is generated by moving an electromagnetic radiation beam along a path on the second surface part (FIG. 108 ), in particular by moving the electromagnetic radiation beam at least once along the path; in particular wherein the intensity pattern is generated by a pulsed laser, wherein in particular the pulse overlap of successive pulses is in a range between 50% and 90%, in particular between 70% and 80%, for example 76%; the intensity pattern ( 116 ) has spatial variations on different length scales, in particular lines on a longer length scale with a substructure having lines and / or points or points on the longer length scale with a substructure having lines and / or points). Rubber article according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the intensity pattern ( 116 ) a single set of parallel lines ( 120 ) having. Rubber article according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein intensity patterns ( 116 ) a first set of parallel lines ( 118 ) and a second set of parallel lines ( 120 ), where a line ( 118 ) of the first sentence at least one line ( 120 ) of the second sentence. The rubber article of claim 10, wherein the first set of lines and the second set of lines define an angle of 90 ° between them or define an angle between them that was different from 90 degrees.  The rubber article according to claim 8, wherein the intensity pattern comprises three or more sets of parallel lines positioned at angles with respect to each other, in particular for generating an intensity pattern having hexagonal parts. A rubber article according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the parallel lines have a pitch of between 70 μm and 150 μm, in particular a pitch of 100 μm; and / or wherein the parallel lines have a distance which is between 130 μm and 180 μm, in particular at 150 μm; and / or wherein the distance of the parallel lines is smaller than a 1 / e ² beam diameter of a radiation beam of the electromagnetic radiation, in particular wherein the radiation beam has a 1 / e ² beam diameter which is between 130 μm and 180 μm, in particular at 150 μm.  Rubber article according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the intensity pattern has crossing points of the lines having a density between 1 / (0.07 × 0.07) and 1 / (0.15 × 0.15) crossing points per square millimeter, in particular a density of 1 / (0.1 × 0 , 1) = 100 crossing points per square millimeter; and or wherein the intensity pattern has crossing points of the lines having a density of more than 1 / (0.18 × 0.18) crossing points per square millimeter, in particular a density of more than 1 / (0.15 × 0.15) crossing points per square millimeter and further in particular has a density of more than 1 / (0.13 x 0.13) crossing points per square millimeter.  The rubber article according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the intensity pattern at cross points of the lines has an intensity maximum.  A rubber article according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the intensity pattern comprises one or more spots. A rubber article according to any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the intensity pattern has been generated by interference, in particular by interference of electromagnetic radiation at a diffraction grating. A rubber article according to any one of claims 6 to 17, wherein the ratio r = (1 / e ²⁾ beamwidth of the electromagnetic radiation ( 110 )) / (Distance between the smallest structural elements of the surface structure ( 112 )) is greater than 0.5. A rubber article according to any one of claims 6 to 18, wherein a Rayleigh length of the electromagnetic radiation is greater than 1.5 millimeters, in particular greater than 2 millimeters, more particularly greater than 4 millimeters. A rubber article according to any one of claims 6 to 19, wherein a focus position of a radiation source ( 152 ), which the electromagnetic radiation ( 110 ) during the generation of the digital code pattern ( 102 ), in particular, was adjusted to the focus position on the surface of the rubber article ( 100 ) to move. Rubber article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first surface parts ( 106 ) and wherein the smoothed first surface parts ( 106 ) provide a first optical reflectivity which is higher than a second optical reflectivity of the second surface parts ( 108 ). Rubber article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital code pattern ( 102 ) is a bar code, such as a one-dimensional bar code or a matrix bar code, in particular a QR code. Rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 22, wherein the surface structure ( 112 ) a plurality of projections ( 114 ), in particular wherein the projections are rounded. Rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 23, wherein the surface structure ( 112 ) a plurality of projections ( 114 ) and recesses. Rubber article according to any one of claims 23 or 24, wherein a projection ( 114 ) of the plurality of protrusions by selectively removing vulcanized polymeric material ( 104 ) was created around the area of the projection. Rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 22, wherein the surface structure comprises a projection ( 114 ) to which vulcanized polymer material ( 104 ) is removed. Rubber article according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the surface structure has the protrusions having a density between 1 / (0.07 × 0.07) and 1 / (0.15 × 0.15) protrusions per square millimeter, in particular with a density of 100 protrusions per square millimeter; and / or wherein the surface structure has the protrusions with a density of more than 1 / (0.18 × 0.18) protrusions per square millimeter, in particular a density of more than 1 / (0.15 × 0.15) protrusions per square millimeter and further particularly has a density of more than 1 / (0.13 x 0.13) protrusions per square millimeter.  The rubber article according to any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the projections are parallelepipedic.  A rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 28, comprising at least one of the following features: the surface structure has a line pattern along which vulcanized polymeric material is removed; the surface structure has a dot pattern in which vulcanized polymer material is removed; the surface structure has two or more substructures on different length scales; the surface structure has spatial variations on different length scales, in particular lines on a longer length scale with a substructure having lines and / or points, or points on the longer length scale with a substructure having lines and / or points. A rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 29, wherein the surface structure comprises a first set of parallel lines ( 118 ) and a second set of parallel lines ( 120 along which vulcanized polymer material is removed, wherein a line ( 118 ) of the first sentence at least one line ( 120 ) of the second sentence. A rubber article according to claim 30, wherein the first set of lines ( 118 ) and the second set of lines ( 120 ) define an angle of 90 ° between them or define an angle between them that is different from 90 degrees. A rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 30, wherein the surface structure comprises three or more sets of parallel lines along which vulcanized polymer material is removed and which are positioned at angles relative to each other, in particular for producing a line pattern having hexagonal portions. Rubber article according to any one of claims 30 to 32, where crossing points of the lines are present with a density between 1 / (0.07 × 0.07) and 1 / (0.15 × 0.15) crossing points per square millimeter, in particular with a density of 100 crossing points per square millimeter; and or the crossing points having a density of more than 1 / (0.18 × 0.18) crossing points per square millimeter, in particular with a density of more than 1 / (0.15 × 0.15) crossing points per square millimeter, and more particularly with a density of more than 1 / (0.13 x 0.13) crossing points per square millimeter.  A rubber article according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein depressions are formed at the crossing points of the lines. A rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 29, wherein the surface structure comprises a single set of parallel lines ( 120 ) along which vulcanized polymeric material is removed. A rubber article according to any one of claims 9 to 35, wherein the parallel lines have a pitch of between 70 μm and 150 μm, in particular a pitch of 100 μm; and / or wherein the parallel lines have a spacing which lies between 130 μm and 180 μm, in particular at 150 μm, in particular wherein the distance of the parallel lines is smaller than a 1 / e ² beam diameter of a radiation beam of the electromagnetic radiation, in particular wherein the radiation beam has a 1 / e ² beam diameter which is between 130 microns and 180 microns, especially at 150μm. Rubber article according to one of claims 3 to 36, wherein a maximum depth in the surface structure is between 70 μm and 500 μm, in particular 100 μm. A rubber article according to any one of claims 3 to 37, wherein the surface structure has a wave-shaped cross-section. Rubber article according to one of claims 1 to 38, wherein an average surface roughness Ra of the vulcanized polymer material is less than 4 micrometers (Ra <4 μm). The rubber article according to any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein the vulcanized polymer material has a curved surface and the digital code pattern is formed on the curved surface. A rubber article according to any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the rubber article is a tire and in particular an edge of the tire has the digital code pattern. Rubber article according to any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the first surface part ( 106 ) has an unchanged tire surface.

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