EP3038818A1

EP3038818A1 - Method and device for producing starting material for vehicle tires

Info

Publication number: EP3038818A1
Application number: EP14730147.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Möller; Peter Wichmann; Tim RENNMANN; Oliver Schramm
Original assignee: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 2013-08-29
Filing date: 2014-06-12
Publication date: 2016-07-06
Also published as: WO2015028166A1; DE102013109346A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing vehicle tires having a high production quality, said method comprising the following steps: a) producing of an extruded material layer (8) from elastomer material by means of at least two parallel-operated extruders (19, 21, 22, 23, 24), wherein the material layer (8) has material regions (1 to 5) in the cross-section having differing rubber mixtures after the extrusion process, b) receiving of the extruded material layer (8) by a transport means, c) forwarding of the material layer (8) to a measurement device for inspection of the cross-section profile of the material layer (8), wherein the measurement device comprises a light section process (9), d) continuous measuring and analyzing of the cross-section profile of the material layer (8) by means of the light section process (9), wherein the cross-section profile is sub-divided into a plurality of segment areas (48-52) and characteristic values of the individual segment areas (48-52) are identified by an automated method, e) comparing of the identified characteristic values of the individual segment areas (48-52) to specified tolerance ranges, wherein the evaluation of the characteristic values occurs in the form of measurement data by means of a central control (20).

Description

description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING PRE-MATERIAL FOR VEHICLE TIRES

The invention relates to a method for producing starting material for vehicle tires.

In the manufacture of vehicle tires it is known to produce the tread or other components of the vehicle tire as a starting material with an extruder. Especially in the production of the tread and the side parts as a starting material, it is important that the material layer produced with the extruder complies with the specified material weight and the corresponding dimensions. Significant variations in material weight generally result in rejects of material. The same applies to the case when the material strip produced does not comply with the predetermined dimensions. The invention had the object to provide a method with which

Vehicle tires can be produced with a high production quality.

In particular, the starting materials are to have a high production quality in the production with an extruder. The task is solved by a procedure with the following steps:

a) producing an extruded material layer of elastomer material with at least two extruders operated in parallel,

wherein the material layer in cross-section after the extrusion process

Having material areas with different rubber compounds,

wherein the cross-sectional profile of the material layer is formed with an extruder head,

b) receiving the extruded material layer by a means of transport, c) forwarding the material layer to a measuring device for checking the cross-sectional profile of the material layer,

wherein the measuring device comprises a non-contact measuring method, d) continuously measuring and analyzing the cross-sectional profile of the material layer with the non-contact measuring method,

wherein the cross-sectional profile is subdivided into a plurality of segment areas and characteristic values of the individual segment areas are determined in each case with an automated method,

e) comparison of the determined characteristic values of the individual segment areas with predetermined tolerance ranges,

wherein the evaluation of the characteristic values takes place in the form of measured data with a central control,

f) carrying out a control on at least one of the extruders,

if the measured characteristic values of the individual segment areas of the

Material layer in each case leave predetermined tolerance ranges,

wherein each segment surface is associated with an extruder and the volume output is increased or reduced at the respective associated extruders, whereby the cross-sectional profile of the material layer is subsequently brought back to the predetermined dimensions for the material layer,

whereby different quality-relevant criteria can be weighed against each other, prioritized and influenced with different response behaviors,

g) onward transport and further processing of the material layer with further steps.

An advantage of the invention is to be seen in particular in that

Inventive process Materials for vehicle tires with a high

Production quality can be produced. Directly after leaving the material layer from the extruder head, the dimensions of the material layer are checked using a non-contact measuring method (for example a laser light-section method). With the

Light-section method, the cross-sectional profile of the material layer can be continuously determined with high accuracy. At a significant deviation of the measured Dimensions of the given dimensions is a corresponding

Control intervention. In this control intervention, only the extruder is controlled, which has led to the corresponding deviation of the cross-sectional profile. In particular, for materials which consist of a plurality of rubber compounds in cross-section, targeted regulation of the individual extruders is important in order to achieve a high production quality for the starting materials. With the appropriate regulation, it can be ensured that the material layer continuously weights a constant material and complies with the given dimensions.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that in the steps d) to f), the respective surface dimension of the segment surfaces is determined and evaluated as a characteristic value.

The segment surfaces can each be assigned to a special extruder. In the case of a deviation of the surface dimension from a predetermined surface dimension, the central control can directly intervene and control the volume flow at the

if the interference does not result in an impermissible deviation of another quality criterion (such as exceeding the weight per meter or the total width of the extruded profile).

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the non-contact measuring method (9) comprises a light-section method.

As a result, the measurement of the material layer is carried out with high accuracy.

In a further advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the width and / or height dimensions of the individual segment surfaces are determined and evaluated as characteristic values in steps d) to f).

The width and height dimensions of the individual segment surfaces are also easily determinable measured variables with which geometric deviations can be detected. In a further advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that in steps d) to f) individual characteristic values are added and then the determined sum is evaluated.

Deviations from predefined setpoints can also be easily determined in this way.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that an additional measuring device is provided for checking the material layer produced, wherein the additional measuring device comprises a meter scale with the

Material weight of the material layer on a conveyor system continuously determined in certain time periods and compared with predetermined tolerance ranges.

The material weight of the material layer is an important measure to the

Monitoring production quality of the material layer. This criterion is compared with the other quality-related, measured characteristic values and a control intervention is undertaken, which does not conflict with any of the important properties.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the measured data of the meter scale is forwarded to the central controller and the measured data are likewise taken into account in the regulation of the individual extruders.

The measurement data of the meter scale are taken into account when controlling the individual extruders with a high priority.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that in step a) with the extruder head, a material strip is produced, wherein the material strip in cross section has pronounced edges and / or corners.

In this way, the distribution of the cross-sectional profile is facilitated in individual segments surfaces. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the strip of material is produced with an extruder head, wherein 5 parallel extruder are connected to the extruder head.

In this way, a material layer can be produced which has up to five different rubber compounds in the cross-sectional profile.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a tread for a vehicle tire is produced by the method.

Especially in the production of treads, it is important that this in the

Cross section consists of different rubber compounds.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the method produces a side wall for a vehicle tire. Reference to an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail. It shows:

Fig. 1: an embodiment of the method according to the invention

2 and 3: an extruded strip of material in the form of a tread in the

Cross-sectional view

Fig. 4: the tread divided into different segments

Fig. 5: an exemplary measurement diagram.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

In the process, five parallel extruders 19, 21, 22, 23 and 24 are used. All five extruders are connected to the extruder head 16, with which the

Material layer 8 is produced in the form of a tread. By using the five parallel extruders can be on the strip of material 8 a

Create cross-sectional profile, which includes five different rubber compounds.

After the material strip emerges from the extruder head, the material strip 8 is measured with the light-section method 9. The light-section method comprises a

Scanning the material surface of the material strip 8 with a laser. Subsequently the corresponding cross - sectional profile of the

Material strip 8 determined. Corresponding characteristic values 25, such as, for example, the area dimension of certain segment areas of the material strip, are subsequently sent to the central controller 20 or a higher-order controller

forwarded. In the case of a deviation of the characteristic values from predefined target values, a control intervention takes place, which adjusts the volume output at one of the five extruders. For example, the case may occur that the edge regions of the material strip have too small height dimensions. By means of a corresponding control intervention, the central controller 20 would receive this information and then increase the volume output at the corresponding extruder. Also conceivable is the situation that at the same time a corresponding control intervention is required at several extruders to again reach the predetermined cross-sectional profile for the strip of material. After the strip of material 8 with the

Lightweight cutting method 25 was measured, there is a check of the material weight with the meter scale 10. The weight of the material is also an important parameter that is forwarded to the central controller 20. In the normal case, the material layer 8 is conveyed further at a constant conveying speed 27. In the end of the

Device is a cutting process, the material strip in predetermined

Sections parts.

FIG. 2 shows the material layer 8 in the form of a tread in cross section. The running strip has a total width 6 and a shoulder width 28th

FIG. 3 shows the tread 8 in the cross-sectional profile. The tread has in cross section five different rubber mixtures 1 to 5. The base member 1 of the tread 8 is located substantially on the underside. The lateral components of the tread 8 are also formed by special rubber compounds.

Furthermore, the tread 8 comprises a right cap component 3, a middle cap component 4 and a left cap component 5, which are likewise formed from special rubber compounds. FIG. 4 shows the cross-sectional profile of the tread 8 after it has been removed from the tread

Light section method was measured. In this survey, the

Cross-sectional profile, for example, divided into five different segment areas 48 to 52. Each segment area is assigned individual characteristic values as shown in the figure. The surface dimension 29 is the area dimension of the left component of the raceway. In addition, the segment surface shown has a mean height dimension 34 and the width dimension 39. The second segment surface 49 has the surface dimension 30 and the height dimension 35 and the

Width dimension 40. Each of the five segment surfaces shown has

Generally different characteristic values or dimensions 29 to 43.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a regulation of the five extruders. The abscissa shows the time in seconds. On the ordinate, the measured values of the meter scale and the light-section method are plotted. The top line shows the measurement data course 44 of the scale. Until time ti, the meter scale is used to measure that the material weight of the material layer has decreased continuously. At time 24, the control intervention takes place with the central controller. In this control intervention, one of the respective extruders is adjusted to increase the volume output at this extruder. The second line shows the measured data course 45 of the sum of the width dimensions 40, 41 and 42. About this measurement data acquisition can also be a deviation from a predetermined setpoint selected. The third line shows the measurement data course 46 of the area dimension 31. This measurement data course likewise shows a considerable deviation from the specified setpoint value. By a

Evaluation of the three measured data Gradients 44, 45 and 46 can be automated to determine at which of the five extruders a control intervention has to be made. Subsequently, the volume flow is increased at the respective extruder, so that after the time ti again the predetermined setpoint value for the cross-sectional profile and the material weight is achieved. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(is part of the description)

1 base component of the tread

2 Lateral components of the tread

3 Right cap component of the tread

4 Middle cap component of the tread

5 Left cap component of the tread

6 Total width of the tread

7 cutting device

8 material layer in the form of a tread in cross section

9 Non-contact measuring method for measuring the cross-sectional profile (for example, light-section method)

10 meter scale

11 conveyor line

12 piece balance or meter scale

13 Measuring device after cutting process

14 extruder system with 5 extruders

15 flow channel or end portion of the first extruder

16 extruder head

17 Component of the extruder head

18 Component of the extruder head

19 First extruder

20 central controller (controller)

21 second extruder

22 Third extruder

23 Fourth extruder

24 fifth extruder

25 characteristic values of the segment surfaces

26 meter weight of the material layer

27 Transport speed of the material layer 28 width of the shoulder of the tread

29 surface dimension of the first surface segment of the material layer

30 surface dimension of the second surface segment of the material layer

31 area dimension of the third area segment of the material layer

32 area dimension of the fourth area segment of the material layer

33 surface dimension of the fifth surface segment of the material layer

34 height dimension of the first surface segment of the material layer

35 height dimension of the second surface segment of the material layer

36 height dimension of the third surface segment of the material layer

37 height dimension of the fourth surface segment of the material layer

38 height dimension of the fifth surface segment of the material layer

39 Width dimension of the first surface segment of the material layer

40 width dimension of the second surface segment of the material layer

41 width dimension of the third surface segment of the material layer

42 Width dimension of the fourth surface segment of the material layer

43 Width dimension of the fifth surface segment of the material layer

44 Measurement process of the meter wagon

45 Measurement data course of the sum of widths 40 to 42

46 Measured data course of the area measurement 31

47 Time at which a control intervention with the central control takes place

48 Segment area 1

49 Segment area 2

50 segment area 3

51 Segment area 4

52 Segment area 5

Claims

claims

1. A process for the production of starting material for vehicle tires, comprising the following steps: a) producing an extruded material layer (8) of elastomer material with at least two extruders (19, 21, 22, 23, 24) operated in parallel,

wherein the material layer (8) in cross section after the extrusion process

Material regions (1 to 5) having different rubber mixtures, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the material layer (8) is formed with an extruder head (16),

b) receiving the extruded material layer (8) by a means of transport,

c) passing the material layer (8) to a measuring device for checking the cross-sectional profile of the material layer (8),

wherein the measuring device comprises a contactless measuring method (9), d) continuously measuring and analyzing the cross - sectional profile of the

Material layer (8) with the non-contact measuring method (9), wherein the

Cross-sectional profile is divided into a plurality of segment surfaces (48 - 52) and each characteristic values of the individual segment surfaces (48 - 52) are determined by an automated method,

e) comparison of the determined characteristic values of the individual segment areas (48-52) with predetermined tolerance ranges,

wherein the evaluation of the characteristic values takes place in the form of measured data with a central controller (20) or a higher-level control,

f) performing a control on at least one of the extruders (19, 21, 22, 23, 24) when the measured characteristic values of the individual segment surfaces (48-52) of the material layer (8) each leave predetermined tolerance ranges,

wherein each segment surface (48-52) is associated with an extruder (19, 21, 22, 23, 24) and at the respective associated extruders (19, 21, 22, 23, 24) the volume output is increased or reduced, whereby the cross-sectional profile the material layer (8) is subsequently returned to the predetermined dimensions for the material layer (8),

different quality-related criteria weighed against each other, prioritized and can be influenced with different response behaviors,

g) onward transport and further processing of the material layer (8) with further steps.

Method according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the non-contact measuring method (9) comprises a light-section method.

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

in the steps d) to f) the respective surface dimension (29 - 33) of the segment surfaces (48 - 52) is determined and evaluated as a characteristic value.

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

in steps d) to f), the widths and / or as characteristic values

Height dimensions (34-43) of the individual segment surfaces (48 - 51) are determined and evaluated.

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

in steps d) to f) individual characteristic values are added and then the determined sum is evaluated.

Method according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

an additional measuring device is provided for checking the produced material layer (8),

wherein the additional measuring device comprises a meter scale (10) with which the material weight of the material layer (8) on a conveyor system continuously determined in certain time periods and compared with predetermined tolerance ranges.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the measured data of the meter wagon (10) is forwarded to the central controller (20) and the measurement data taken into account in the control of the individual extruders (19, 20, 21 to 24).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

in step a) with the extruder head (16) a strip of material is generated, wherein the

Material strip (8) in cross-section pronounced edges and / or corners.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the material strip (8) is produced with an extruder head (16),

wherein 5 parallel extruder (19, 21 - 24) are connected to the extruder head (16).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the process produces a tread for a vehicle tire.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

less or more than 5 subregions of the extruded profile, as well as their sums and the meter weight are evaluated and included in the scheme.

1 2. Apparatus for producing starting material for vehicle tires,

characterized in that

the starting material is produced in the form of a tread or a side wall according to claim 1.