DE2812942A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE FORMING OF A TIRE PROFILE - Google Patents

Description

Patent attorneys Dipl.-Ing. H. Weickmann, Dipl.-Phys. Dr. K. Fincke

Dipl.-Ing. F. A. Weιckmann, Dipl.-Chem. B. Huber Dr.-Ing. H. Liska

8 MUNICH 86, DEN 2 3rd \ 'ioil

PO Box 860 820

MÖHLSTRASSE 22, CALL NUMBER 98 39 21/22

AMP INCORPORATED, 777 Westchester Avenue, White Plains,

New York 10604, V.St.A.

Method and device for controlling the shape of a

Tire tread

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the formation of a tire profile on a rotating one Carcass by applying a rubber-like profile material, as set out in more detail in the main claims.

The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus used in connection with a tire manufacturing machine as described in US Pat. No. 3,177,198, and which involve the application of a rubber-like material to a base allow in a controllable manner according to a given tire profile

Other systems, such as that of US Pat. No. 3,308,000, are already in use to control the application of a rubbery material to a base. In this system, a tread winder uses a mechanically controlled arrangement for applying an elastomeric tape to a tire. However, this attempted solution is purely mechanical and uses a mechanical programming device with an enclosed counter for the number of revolutions.

Further reference is made to US-PS 3-843 482, which has a profile winding machine describes in which a volume for controlling the

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speed of rotation of the device for applying the rubber sheet, as well as the amount of azimuth shift is used to regulate the thickness of the applied web.

Other patents known to the applicant illustrate known approaches to the movement of a profile programmer to control. In no lall, however, a combination has been disclosed in which the use of a coupling system with a Pr of ^ applicator of such kind is that the instant Rotational position of the tire forms the basis for a series of digital commands, v / o by an extremely precise, digital controlled simultaneous transverse movement of the tire is possible.

The previous systems use profile forming devices that with additional variables of time, the tire rotation speed or the stencils work. By eliminating these variables, mistakes are made in their messing and control eliminated. The present invention offers control of the tire position in the transverse direction directly as a program mized puncture of the rotational position of the tire.

The invention is based on the object of eliminating deficiencies in the prior art and of providing a method and a device create, according to which a predetermined program forms a special tire profile on a carcass and the transverse movement of the Profile material controls during application.

According to the invention, the rotational position of the tire is monitored during the application of the tread material, so that a shift between the rotational position and the transverse position of the carcass a. forms a special relationship with controlling the profile.

To practice the invention, a programmer is used, which is mainly a microcomputer, a floppy disk and includes a keypad. The invention makes it possible the new

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Take advantage of microprocessor technology, making changes to a tire tread in a convenient way through modifications of the software concerned can be reached instead of changes to the hardware.

The use of a coupling system with a microcomputer programmer for a profile application device represents a new method for controlling the profile during application of the Profile material on a substrate.

According to the invention, the microcomputer is with the tire building machine coupled and creates a base on which the tread application device and the holding device of the carcass can be controlled to synchronize the application of the extruded web with the position of the tire on its axis of rotation enable. This is done by coupling a microcomputer programming device with the tread application device of the tire manufacturing machine via a direct current stepper motor, the serves to drive the applicator and its position with respect to the carcass during the rotation during the tread application to control.

The invention is based on a device for Pormen a Tire tread on a tire support by feeding a rubber-like tread material onto a rotating carcass, which on a tire turning device is supported. The tire is rotated by a common motor and a stepper motor is used to to gradually advance the rotating tire in the transverse direction while the tread pattern is being formed. The tire rotation motor is in turn connected to a tire rotation control device that records the gradual change in the tire's angular position during its rotation monitored. A control unit is inserted between this rotation control device and the stepper motor, represented by a microcomputer that processes certain output signals to control the stepper motor, see above that the structure of the tire profile is based on the hatred of a given

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nea, controlled program stored in the microcomputer will.

The invention further provides a method for controlling the formation of a tread on a rotating tire surface by applying a rubber-like tread material TOr ₅ while the tire _{surface is forced 9 to} run through a specific movement path. A tire tread program in the form of a series of tread segments is entered into a microcomputer which is responsive to the tire movement during the formation of the tread. Thereafter, steps of the rotating tire are measured and the rotating tire is given a stepwise movement in the transverse direction. Electrical input signals ₉ which measure the angular steps of the rotating tire ^ are fed into the microcomputer and this in turn supplies a series of output signals in order to move the tire step-by-step as a puncture of the tire tread segments *. Finally, the input signals are counted in the rotational steps UNAE with prograramierten segment length compared, eia next Prograattasegment wirä then input to the microcomputer _s when the counts are the same "

Further objects, details and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment based on the attached drawings * Barin seigexu

Iig.1 a front view of an application form, the invention with a device for. Application of a profile rubber material and a device for turning the carcass, to apply the tread material to a carcass}

Pig. 2 shows a biook diagram of the Sesi microcomputer according to the invention together with main input- unü -auegafoeeinrichtungen

The underlying the invention ReifeBherstellwngsmaschine which _s is composed of a professional applying apparatus 11 to a machine frame 12 and the Karkassenhaltevorrichtung 7 is of the

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in US Pat. No. 3,177,918, although the reference numbers used in the present application are not necessarily match those of the stated PS.

A microcomputer 1 is used as the rope of the overall system 2. In operation, the microcomputer 1 receives signals for the rotational position from a digital encoder 3, which is directly connected to a drive motor 8 is coupled to rotate the carcass. The signals take the form of a series of electrical impulses that form a direct function of the rotational position of the Karkasee 4 on its axis of rotation are.

The microcomputer 1 uses previously stored profile data and relates them to the input pulses in order to control the position of the carcass 4 in the transverse direction zn. The output signals, which are in the form of a series of electrical pulses, are input to a DC stepping motor 5 through a stepper drive 6. The direct current stepping motor 5 and its associated drive 6 form a system which converts electrical pulses into individual angular steps of the stepping motor 5 in order to finally provide a driving force for the movement of the carcass holding device 7 in the transverse direction and to regulate this movement.

The block diagram of Figure 2 illustrates the microcomputer 1 and the associated hardware. A display and control panel 9 contains a series of pushbutton switches 10 (ligol) and IED displays 13 (lig.i), which are used to control and monitor the profile application device 11 (FIG. 1), the carcass holding device 7 and the application of profile material 14 serve on a carcass ι under program control.

The display and switch panel 9 is connected to a central data processing unit 15 connected, which is provided with a commercially available microprocessor, for example with Motorola MC6800, Shown in "Motorola M6800 Micro-computer System Design

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Data Manual ", published 1976 by Motorola Inc., Phoenix, Arizona. To the central data processing unit 15 is a Computer-dependent (on-line) memory subsystem 16 connected. In operation, the on-line storage subsystem 16 contains all of them necessary program data to use the device according to the invention to operate and to control the relative positions of the tire carcass and the tread application device 11. The central one Data processing unit 15 provides the necessary program steps in order to process those contained in the on-line storage subsystem 16 To execute commands. The on-line storage subsystem 16 used herein may be of the type made up of the following Composed of commercially available components: Motorola MCM 6810A X 8 Bit Static Random Access Memory, shown and described on p.111 of "M6800 Micro-computer System Design Data Manual "published 1976 by Motorola Inc. Phoenix, Arizona.

An off-line storage subsystem 17 contains all active and inactive machine logic coding, as well as all tire tread programs, as stored by the operator and entered through a keypad 18, which is of the type as the commercially available Grayhill keypad, shown and displayed described in Bulletin 262 published 1976 by Grayhill Inc., Ia Grange, Illinois. The off-line storage subsystem 17 uses a floppy disk drive, such as the OalComp 140 Floppy Disk Drive, shown in ⁿ 140 Floppy Disk Drive OEM Reference Manual ", published in 1974 by the California Computer Products Inc., Anaheim California.

General description of the micro-computer

After the necessary tire profile data and their relationship to the device have been obtained from calculated data, is a specially developed program is used · This information is in turn directly entered into the microcomputer 1 with Entered using a keyboard 18. Consequently, every pro-

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gram permanently stored and called up by the surgeon as will be explained later. Corrections and subsequent changes can also be easily made Key in and save and a modified program can replace or supplement the original program.

The actual construction that constitutes the microcomputer 1 comprises a number of subsystems (see Pig.2), the electrical Are natural and are connected to a display and control panel 9 for the surgeon, which with a series of push buttons switches 10 (see Fig. 1) is equipped to. the invention Device 2 to control. For example, the profile application device 11 can be operated with the aid of suitable push-button switches 10 can be controlled manually to move to the right or left or to a certain starting position. the Starting position of the profile application device 11 before the start the profile program is supported by a program reset foot produced, which has been calculated in advance to define the starting position.

A preset profile program is taken from the off-line memory 17 accessed by a predetermined on a thumbwheel switch 20 Code number selected and a program loader switch 21 actuated will. In particular, the microcomputer 1 is provided with several display elements, e.g. I22C display elements 13, in order to display the To monitor parameters of the profile program. A program display 19 gives the current program number in the on-line memory

16 at. Other IiEDs show parameters such as the program segment or the position, the number of revolutions of the tire in a certain segment of the tire casing structure and the length of the path the profile applicator for a given segment.

During operation, the programs created by the microcomputer 1 are stored internally on its off-line memory

17 read by a specific program identification number

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is selected on the thumbwheel switch 20. The saved Program is then retrieved from memory by a program loader switch 21 is actuated and made available to expire. The programs can be checked visually as all Values can be made numerically visible on a series of EED displays 13, 19.

Puncture of the microcomputer for the formation of the tire tread

If the. Drive motor 8 for rotating the tire carcass is started, a commercially available digital encoder 3 sends a series of electrical pulses to the microcomputer 1. These impulses are a direct and continuous puncture of the rotational position of the carcass on its axis of rotation, namely the Axis around which the tire rotates while the tread material is being applied turns. More precisely, the pulses have the properties of discrete electrical signals that are extremely small Describe the steps involved in turning the tire The microcomputer 1 calculates a predetermined program a ratio that is the required tire profile for a given Profile segment reproduces. The term "tread segment" as used herein is intended to mean a geometric part of a tire tread be understood, which can be defined by a fixed, constant relationship between the relative distance covered Distance of tire rotation and movement in. Transverse direction for a certain length along the transverse movement line. The output of the microcomputer 1 is in the form of an electrical pulse generated by the microcomputer 1 is sent by the stepping motor drive 6 to the stepping motor 5, whereby the carcass holding device 7 is forced, move transversely to the axis of rotation of the tire. The amount of relative movement between the tire rotation and the soap lateral displacement is determined from the ratio calculated by the microcomputer 1. The tire profile experiences changes its spatial shape according to the prescribed program, the microcomputer 1 the relationship between the

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Tire rotation and lateral displacement changes. This is done in such a way that the microcomputer 1 receives the data from the digital encoder 3 received electrical impulses and compares the counting result with preprogrammed values. When the counted Pulses from! Digital encoder 3 reached the preprogrammed value the next programmed ratio is entered into the microcomputer 1. At this point in time the relative movement changed between tire rotation and lateral displacement according to the newly entered ratio.

I ¹ Ur of each tire tread segment, the microcomputer 1 converts the pulses received from the digital encoder 3 into electrical signals using a programmed ratio value, which are sent to the drive device 6 of the stepping motor. Meanwhile, the microcomputer 1 controls the transverse displacement position relative to the angular position of the carcass 4. This relationship is maintained during the entire process of tread application, even if the peripheral speed of the tire is subject to changes. This positional relationship is based exclusively on the displacement of the carcass, as it is represented by the discrete electrical pulses transmitted by the digital encoder 3. The relative movement between the tire rotation and lateral displacement is independent of the speed of the tire or of the time. In this way, a significantly more precise and repeatable tire tread structure is achieved, since the invention makes it possible to directly control the tire tread structure through the ratio of tire rotation to tire lateral displacement.

Compared to the embodiment described, various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. The specific The ratios of the winding of the web to the application speed are only intended to improve the efficiency of the device and to illustrate the process and the results to be expected in practical use.

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Claims (12)

Expectations .) Method for controlling the formation of a tire tread on a rotating tire carcass by applying a elastomeric tread material, while the tire carcass runs through a controlled path as a function of signals from a profile programming device, characterized in that that a profile program in the form of a series of profile segments is entered into a microcomputer based on the movement the tire carcass is loaded during the formation of the profile, that the rotational position of the tire carcass is measured in the smallest steps during its rotation, that the rotating Tires are given a step-by-step movement in the transverse direction that input signals are fed to the microcomputer, which correspond to the rotational steps of the rotating tire carcass that a series of output signals in the microcomputer is generated to impart incremental movement to the tire carcass as a function of the tire tread segments, that these rotary step input signals are summed and the sum compared with the programmed segments and that a next program segment is entered into the microcomputer. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that entered a series of Profilsegaenten in the microcomputer that are determined by fixed conditions, the rotational position and the transverse displacements and routes along the transverse direction of the tire carcass are formed. 3. Method for forming a given profile on a tire carcass, which is mounted on a profile application device which has a drive for rotating the carcass, characterized in that the profile is controlled by Applying a moving elastomeric material 809840/0 912 ORIGINAL INSPECTED -a. rials formed on a surface of the tire carcass under the control of preprogrammed profile parameters which are entered into a microcomputer, which the position of the tire carcass in the transverse direction and in the direction of rotation controls during the application of the tread material, and that for this purpose a series of input signals are entered into the microcomputer, which signals from the rotational position of the carcass depend on their rotation in the circumferential direction, these input signals being in the form of discrete electrical signals have, represent the rotational steps of the carcass rotation, and that the transverse movement of the tire carcass with respect to the advancing elastomeric material from the microcomputer is controlled by having a relationship between the input signals and the preprogrammed profile parameters maintains " 4. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the microcomputer is assigned a monitor, the input signals for the rotational position of the tire carcass to the microcomputer sends which is a direct function of the perimeter position of the tire carcass are about the axis of rotation of the tire. 5. The method according to claim 5 »characterized in that the Microcomputer a drive for a transverse displacement of the tire carcass is assigned and that this drive as a function of output signals from the microcomputer with energy is fed, which are transferred in discrete Brehwinkel steps. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that ai.f a change in the spatial requirements for the profile entered a new ratio in the microcomputer will. 7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the 809840/0912 Transverse displacement of the tire carcass during application of profile material as a puncture of an input signal to the microcomputer is controlled by the instantaneous Rotation position of the tire depends. 8. gate direction for exercising the method according to any one of the preceding claims with a motor-driven tire rotation device, characterized by a step drive device (5, 6) which is in functional connection with the profile application device to move the rotating tire in the transverse direction, by a Control for controlling the application of a profile to the tire surface, and in that a device (3) for monitoring the differential rotation of the tire carcass during the rotation of the tire is connected to the motor (8), in that the control has a microcomputer (1) _s äer lies between the monitoring device (3) and the step drive device (5 _} 6) and is designed in such a way that it monitors the signals representing the rotation of the tire carcass and controls the step drive device (5, 6) in such a way that a tire profile according to a predetermined program stored in the microcomputer ms is built up, the signals being calculated ratios of the Xage of the tread application device (11) in the transverse direction to the breeching position of the tire carcass (4) about its axis of rotation. 9 · Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the microcomputer (1) between the drive unit (5, 6) to move the rotating one step by step Tire carcass in the transverse direction and a digital cutter (3) which is directly connected to the motor (8) for rotating the tire carcass is coupled so that the digital encoder (3) is able to input signals to the microcomputer (1) of the motor (8) during the rotation of the tire carcass as an immediate puncture of the circumferential position of the 809840/0912 fenkarkasse on their axis of rotation and thereby enable him to use these input signals with previously stored Relate profile data in order to control the lateral displacement of the tire carcass accordingly. 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 »characterized in that the microcomputer has a number of electrical output signals to the stepping drive device (5, 6) for the step-by-step displacement of the rotating tire carcass, wherein these signals represent discrete rotational position steps to the transverse displacement of the tire carcass during the application to control the profile material. 11. Device according to one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the microcomputer (1) calculates a ratio which corresponds to a profile for a given profile segment, wherein the profile segment is a geometric part of a tire profile in which a fixed relationship between the covered rotation of the tire carcass and its transverse displacement over a certain length along a transverse line. . 12. Device according to one of claims 8-11, characterized in that that the microcomputer (1) is able to determine the relationship between the rotation and the lateral displacement the tire carcass depending on changes in the to change the spatial shape of the tire tread as it is preprogrammed in the microcomputer. 809840/0912 Patent attorneys Dipl-Ing. H. \ 7e: ckmann, D ^ pl ^ Phys. Dr. K. Fincke Dipl.-Ing. F. A / Weickmann, Dipl.-Chem. B. Huber Dr. -Ing. H. Liska 8 MUNICH 86, THE ^ .3 · ™ H- '· "» PO Box 860 820 MÖHLSTRASSE 22, CALL NUMBER 98 3921/22 1)) With the registration and in the course of the procedure The patent claims submitted are attempts at formulation without prejudice to the achievement of more extensive ones Patent protection. 2) References used in subclaims refer to the further development of the subject matter of the main claim through the features of the respective subclaims; they are not considered to be a waiver Achievement of an independent, objective protection for the features of the referenced subclaims to understand. 3) The applicant reserves the right to add more, so far only to claim features of importance to the invention disclosed in the description; in particular the applicant intends to make substance claims on any new substances disclosed in the documents. 809840/0912