EP4731430A1 - Automatic tire rfid applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An RFID applicator apparatus includes an applicator frame and a guide block attached to the applicator frame and configured to support an elongated liner carrying a plurality of RFID tags adhered to the liner. The guide block defines a dispensing edge around which the liner moves. The apparatus includes a backing anvil and includes an applicator head movable relative to the guide block. The applicator head carries a suction pickup. A controller is configured to control movement of the backing anvil and the applicator head to grasp the tag, pull the tag off the liner, release the tag from the backing anvil, and then apply the tag to a tire carcass.

Description

AUTOMATIC TIRE RFID APPLICATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for applying an RFID tag to a tire during manufacturing of the tire.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] During the manufacture of tires an RFID tag may be attached to the tire carcass. Subsequently information regarding the identification of the individual tire and tire history of its manufacture may be read onto the RFID tag.

[0003] There is a need for improved apparatus and methods for automatically applying such RFID tags to the tire carcasses.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one embodiment an RFID applicator apparatus includes an applicator frame and a guide block attached to the applicator frame and configured to support an elongated liner carry ing a plurality of RFID tags adhered to the liner. Tire guide block defines a dispensing edge around which the liner moves. The apparatus includes a backing anvil at least a portion of which is movable relative to the guide block. An applicator head is movable relative to the guide block. The applicator head carries a suction pickup. A controller is configured to control movement of the elongated liner, the backing anvil and the applicator head to:

(a) advance the elongated liner across the guide block until one of the RFID tags is in a dispense position in which tire RFID tag extends partially past tire dispensing edge;

(b) grasp the RFID tag between tire backing anvil and the suction pickup by engaging the backing anvil with one planar side of the RFID tag with tire RFID tag in the dispense position and engaging the suction pickup with an opposite planar side of the RFID tag with the RFID tag in the dispense position; and

(c) pull the RFID tag off the liner by moving at least the portion of the backing anvil and the suction pickup together away from the liner.

[0005] In another embodiment an RFID applicator apparatus includes an applicator frame and a guide block attached to the applicator frame and configured to support an elongated liner carrying a plurality of RFID tags adhered to the liner. The guide block defines a dispensing edge around which the liner moves. The apparatus includes a backing anvil including an anvil base and a movable anvil portion movable relative to tire anvil base. An applicator head includes a suction pickup. A controller is configured to control movement of the elongated liner, the suction pickup and the movable anvil portion to: advance the elongated liner across the guide block until one of the RFID tags is in a dispense position in which the RFID tag extends partially past the dispensing edge and is located between tire backing anvil and the suction pickup; grasp the RFID tag between the backing anvil and the suction pickup by engaging the suction pickup with a side of the RFID tag facing the suction pickup with the RFID tag in the dispense position; and pull the RFID tag off the liner by moving the movable anvil portion and the suction pickup together away from the liner.

[0006] In another embodiment a method of automatically applying an RFID tag to a tire during manufacturing of the tire, includes: advancing an elongated liner carrying a plurality of RFID tags adhered to the liner across a guide block until one of the RFID tags is in a dispense position in which the RFID tag extends partially past a dispensing edge of the guide block; grasping the RFID tag between a backing anvil and a suction pickup by engaging the suction pickup with a planar side of the RFID tag facing tire suction pickup with tire RFID tag in the dispense position; and pulling the RFID tag off the liner by moving the suction pickup away from the liner.

[0007] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 A is a side elevation view of an RFID applicator apparatus.

[0009] Fig. IB is a plan view of the RFID applicator apparatus of Fig. 1 A.

[0010] Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of the RFID applicator apparatus of Fig. 1 A in a position in which an RFID tag is prepared to be grasped. The tag is still attached to the liner.

[0011] Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the tag grasped between the backing anvil and the suction pickup.

[0012] Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, showing the tag being pulled off of the liner by the backing anvil and the suction pickup.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 2-4, showing the tag being released by moving the backing anvil away from the RFID tag such that the RFID tag is held solely by the suction pickup.

[0014] Fig. 6A is a side elevation view of the RFID applicator apparatus wherein the applicator head has been rotated after the releasing step of Fig. 5.

[0015] Fig. 6B is a plan view of the RFID applicator apparatus of Fig. 6A.

[0016] Fig. 7A is a side elevation view of the RFID applicator apparatus wherein the applicator head has been translated away from the guide block, and the suction tip has been extended linearly relative to the applicator head to apply the RFID tag to a tire carcass.

[0017] Fig. 7B is a plan view of the RFID applicator apparatus of Fig. 7A.

[0018] Fig. 8 is a schematic drawing of the controller of the RFID applicator apparatus.

[0019] Fig. 9 schematically shows a path of a liner carrying a plurality of RFID tags.

[0020] Fig. 10 is a flow chart of one example of the software programming to perform the described methods.

[0021] Fig. 11A is a schematic end elevation view of the backing anvil showing a recess in dashed lines.

[0022] Fig. 1 IB is a schematic plan view of the backing anvil of Fig. 1 la.

[0023] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the anvil including an anvil base and movable anvil fingers.

[0024] Fig. 13 is an elevation rear view of the anvil of Fig. 12.

[0025] Fig. 14 is a side elevation view of the anvil of Fig. 12.

[0026] Fig. 15 is a side elevation view of the anvil of Fig. 12 incorporated in tire RFID applicator apparatus.

[0027] Fig. 16 is an enlarged view of the encircled area around the anvil in Fig. 15. In Fig. 16 the suction pickup is in a raised position above the anvil. Figs. 16-19 are a sequential series of enlarged views showing the operation of the suction pickup and the anvil fingers.

[0028] Fig. 17 shows the view of Fig. 16 with the suction pickup having moved downwards to engage the tag.

[0029] Fig. 18 show s the view of Fig. 17 with the suction pickup and the anvil fingers having moved upwards together to pull the tag off the elongated liner.

[0030] Fig. 19 shows the view of Fig. 18 with the anvil fingers retracted such that the tag is held solely by the suction pickup.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0031] Referring now to Figs. 1-7B, an RFID applicator apparatus is shown and generally designated by the number 10. The apparatus 10 includes an applicator frame 12. The applicator frame 12 is schematically shown as including two frame portions 12a, 12b each mounted on a ground or floor 14. It will be understood that the frame 12 may be unitary or it may include multiple frame components fixed to the ground or floor 14.

[0032] A plurality of RFID tags 16 are supplied on an elongated liner 18 from a supply spool 20 rotatably mounted on the applicator frame 12. The tags 16 on liner 18 are seen in plan views 6B and 7B and schematically in Fig. 9. As best seen in the schematic view of Fig. 9, the liner 18 leaving the spool 20 moves around a first guide pin 22 and then around one end 23 of a guide block 24. An upper surface of guide block 24 defines a dispensing plane 26 of tire guide block 24, and the opposite end of the guide block 24 defines a dispensing edge around the dispensing end 28 and finally is wound upon a take up reel 30. The take up reel 30 may be powered by an electric motor or other actuator under control of a controller 102 of the apparatus 10 to advance the liner 18 along the path shown in dashed lines in Fig. 9.

[0033] Also schematically shown in Fig. 9 is a scraper 82 arranged to engage a misplaced RFID tag 16b stuck to a back side of the liner 18 to remove the misplaced RFID tag 16b from the back side of the liner 18. It will be appreciated that due to the tacky nature of the adhesion between the tags 16 and the liner 18 it is possible for one of the tags occasionally to become stuck to the wrong side of the liner 18, and the scraper 82 removes such misplaced tags to prevent them from interfering with the proper operation of the machine 10.

[0034] Hie tags 16 are adhered to the liner 18 in such a manner that the tags 16 can be easily pulled off of the liner 18. The dispensing edge 28 of the guide block 24 is configured such that as the liner 18 is pulled in a sharp bend around the dispensing edge 28, a leading edge 16a of a tag 16 which is partially past the dispensing edge 28 will lift off of the liner 18. The position of the tag 16 partially protruding over the dispensing edge 28 as shown in Fig. 9 is referred to herein as a dispense position. Tire apparatus 10 is designed to automatically grasp this protruding portion of the tag 16 in this dispense position and pull the tag 16 off of the liner 18.

[0035] As seen in Fig. 2 the apparatus 10 includes a backing anvil 32 and an applicator head 34, both of which are movable relative to the guide block 24 to grasp the tag 16 in the dispense position and to pull the tag 16 off of the liner 18. As is further explained below, the applicator head 34 includes a suction pickup 52 which is movable relative to the remainder of the applicator head 34.

[0036] The backing anvil 32 is mounted on a linear guide 44 and connected to a pin 36. The pin 36 is in turn carried by a clevis 38 attached to an extendible piston 40 of a first pneumatic cylinder actuator 42. The first pneumatic cylinder actuator 42 moves the backing anvil 32 up and down relative to linear guide 44. The pneumatic cylinder actuator 42 is in turn carried by the linear guide 44 which slides on a slide guide 46 mounted on the frame 12. The linear guide 44 is moved by a second pneumatic cylinder actuator 48 to move the backing anvil 32 right and left in Figs. 2-5.

[0037] The applicator head 34 carries a suction head 50 which includes one or more suction pickups 52. Tire suction head 50 and suction pickups 52 are movable linearly relative to the applicator head 34 by a pneumatic cylinder 54 built into the applicator head 34. Preferably there are at least two suction pickups 52 engaging the tag 16. A partially extended piston 56 of the pneumatic cylinder 54 can be seen in Fig. 3.

[0038] The applicator head 34 is shown in Figs. 2-5 in a vertically oriented position with the suction pickups 52 facing in a downward direction toward the backing anvil 32. The applicator head 34 is rotatable 90 degrees to a horizontally oriented position as seen in Figs. 6A and 6B where the suction pickups face laterally to one side. The rotational movement of the applicator head 34 is accomplished by a rotational actuator 74 carried by an applicator base 60 which is in turn slidably mounted on the frame 12. The applicator base 60, rotational actuator 74 and applicator head 34 may be collectively translated left and right in the figures relative to the backing anvil 32 and the frame 12a by a rotary screw drive 62 driven by motor 63.

[0039] Tire machine 10 includes a position sensor 64 for detecting whether a tag 16 is present in the dispense position. In the illustrated embodiment the position sensor 64 is a laser sensor including a laser transmitter 66 and laser receiver 68. The position of a laser beam 70 between the transmitter 66 and the received 68 is shown. As can be seen for example in Fig. 2 the path of the laser beam 70 is intersected by the RFID tag 16 in the dispense position overhanging the dispense edge 28 of the guide block 24.

[0040] But it is noted that in the side elevation view such as seen in Figs. 2 and 3 the path of the laser beam 70 also crosses the location of the backing anvil 32. As shown in Figs. 11A and 1 IB, backing anvil 32 includes a recess 72 defined therein and configured such that the laser beam 70 from the laser sensor 64 can pass through the recess 72 so that the presence of the backing anvil 32 does not trigger the laser position sensor 64 and provide a false indication of the presence of the RFID tag 16 in the dispense position. As seen in the side elevation view of Fig. 11A the bottom surface of recess 72 is shown as a dash line. The width of the recess 72 is seen in the top plan view of Fig. 11B.

[0041] Tire frame 12 also carries a vacuum source configured to provide a sub-atmospheric pressure to tire suction pickups 52. As used herein, references to a vacuum or a suction both are intended to refer generally to any sub- atmospheric pressure, and it will be understood that references to “a vacuum” do not require a complete vacuum in the physical sense. A pressure sensor 76 (see Fig. 8) is communicated with the suction pickups 52 in order to detect whether an RFID tag 16 is being held against the suction pickups 52 by suction. If the suction pickups 52 are holding an RFID tag 16 by suction then the expected sub-atmospheric pressure will be detected by the pressure sensor 76. But if the attempted pickup of the RFID tag 16 has failed and the suction pickups 52 are open to atmospheric pressure then the pressure sensor 76 will detect the higher pressure closer to atmospheric pressure.

[0042] As schematically shown in Fig. 8 the machine 10 includes a control system 100 including a controller 102 for receiving signals from the various sensors and for sending command signals to the various actuators to control the operation of the machine 10. The controller 102 may be part of the machine control system of the machine 10, or it may be a separate control module. Hie controller 102 is configured to receive input signals from the various sensors. The signals transmitted from the various sensors to the controller 102 are schematically indicated in Fig. 8 by lines connecting the sensors to the controller with an arrowhead indicating the flow of the signal from the sensor to the controller 102.

[0043] For example, a signal from the laser position sensor 64 is received by the controller 102 so the controller 102 can detect whether an RFID tag 16 is present in the dispensing position. The controller 102 will receive a pressure signal from the pressure sensor 76 to detect whether an RFID tag is held in place by suction against the suction pickups 52.

[0044] Similarly, the controller 102 will generate control signals for controlling the operation of the various actuators discussed above, which control signals arc indicated schematically in Fig. 8 by lines connecting the controller 102 to graphic depictions of the various actuators with the arrow indicating the flow of the command signal from the controller 102 to the respective actuators. It will be understood that for control of a pnuematic cylinder type actuator the controller 102 will send an electrical signal to an electro/mechanical control valve (not shown) which controls flow of high pressure air to and from the pneumatic cylinder.

[0045] Controller 102 includes or may be associated with a processor 104, a computer readable medium 106, a data base 108 and an input/output module or control panel 110 having a display 112. An input/output device 114, such as a keyboard joystick or other user interface, is provided so that the human operator may input instructions to the controller. It is understood that the controller 102 described herein may be a single controller having all of the described functionality, or it may include multiple controllers wherein the described functionality is distributed among the multiple controllers.

[0046] Various operations, steps or algorithms as described in connection with the controller 102 can be embodied directly in hardware, in a computer program product 116 such as a software module executed by the processor 104, or in a combination of the two. The computer program product 116 can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, or any other form of computer-readable medium 106 known in the art. An exemplary computer-readable medium 106 can be coupled to the processor 104 such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the memory/ storage medium. In the alternative, the medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the medium can reside in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the medium can reside as discrete components in a usertenninal.

[0047] The tern “processor” as used herein may refer to at least general -purpose or specific-purpose processing devices and/or logic as may be understood by one of skill in the art, including but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0048] Tire data storage in computer readable medium 106 and/or database 108 may in certain embodiments include a database service, cloud databases, or the like. In various embodiments, the computing network may comprise a cloud server, and may in some implementations be part of a cloud application wherein various functions as disclosed herein are distributed in nature between the computing network and other distributed computing devices. Any or all of the distributed computing devices may be implemented as at least one of an onboard vehicle controller, a server device, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, or any other electronic device capable of executing instructions. A processor (such as a microprocessor) of the devices may be a generic hardware processor, a special-purpose hardware processor, or a combination thereof

[0049] Particularly the controller 102 may be programmed to receive signals from the laser position sensor 64 and the pressure sensor 76 and to control the operation of the first and second pneumatic actuators 42 and 48 to control movement of the backing anvil 32, and to control the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 54 of the applicator head 34 to control extension and retraction of the suction pickup 52, to control the rotary actuator 74 for rotation of the applicator head 34, and to control the rotary screw drive 62 to control translation of the applicator head 34 left and right as seen in the figures. Controller 102 may also control drive of take up spool 30 to control advancement of the liner 18.

[0050] The controller 102 may be configured by appropriate programming of software included in the computer program product 166 to perform steps of:

(a) advancing the elongated liner 18 across the guide block 24 until one of the RFID tags 16 is in a dispense position in which the RFID tag 16 extends partially past the dispensing edge 28 as seen in Figs. 2 and 9;

(b) grasping the RFID tag 16 between the backing anvil 32 and the suction pickup 52 by engaging tire backing anvil 32 with one planar side of the RFID tag with the RFID tag in the dispense position, and engaging suction pickup 52 with an opposite planar side of the RFID tag with the RFID tag in the dispense position as seen in Fig. 3 and

(c) pulling the RFID tag 16 off the liner 18 by moving the backing anvil 32 and the suction pickups 52 together away from the liner 18, as shown for example in the movement from the position of Fig. 3 to tire position of Fig. 4.

[0051] Tire controller 102 may confirm the position of the RFID tag 16 in the dispense position by monitoring the position signal from the laser position sensor 64.

[0052] In step (b) the backing anvil 32 is movable in a first direction (up in Figs. 2 and 3) normal to the dispensing plane 26 to engage the one planar side of the RFID tag 16 with the RFID tag 16 in the dispense position. The first pneumatic linear actuator 42 is arranged to move the backing anvil 32 in the first direction.

[0053] In step (c) the backing anvil 32 is movable in a second direction (to the right in Figs. 2 and 3) parallel to tire dispensing plane 26 to pull tire RFID tag 16 off of the liner 18. The second pneumatic linear actuator 48 is arranged to move the backing anvil 32 in the second direction away from the tag 16 after tag removal from liner 18.

[0054] In step (b) the suction pickup 52 is movable in a third direction (downward in Figs. 2 and 3) opposite to the first direction to engage the suction pickup 52 with the opposite planar side of tire RFID tag 16 with the RFID tag 16 in tire dispense position of Figs. 2 and 9. The downward movement of tire suction pickup 52 may be accomplished by extension of piston 56 of the pneumatic actuator 54 of the actuator head 34.

[0055] In step (c) the suction pickup 52 is movable with the backing anvil 32 in the second direction parallel to tire dispensing plane 26 to pull tire RFID tag 16 off of the liner 18. Tire movement of the suction pickup 52 in the second direction may be accomplished by activation of the rotary screw drive 62 to move the applicator head 34 to tire right from the position of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. 4.

[0056] The controller 102 may be further configured to perform a step of releasing the RFID tag 16 from the backing anvil 32 after step (c) by moving the backing anvil 32 away from the RFID tag 16 as seen in Fig. 5, such that the RFID tag 16 is held solely by the suction pickups 52. Movement of the backing anvil 32 downward away from tire RFID tag 16 may be accomplished by retraction of the first pneumatic cylinder actuator 42. The controller 102 may be further configured such that prior to the releasing step the controller 102 performs a step of applying a sub-atmospheric pressure to the suction pickups 52. The sub-atmospheric pressure may be provided by communicating the vacuum source with the suction pickups 52.

[0057] The controller may also be configured to confirm that the RFID tag 16 is being successfully held by the suction pickups 52 by monitoring the pressure between the vacuum source and the suction pickups 52 with tire pressure sensor 76. If tire RFID tag is successfully held in place by the suction pickups 52 tire pressure sensor 76 will sense the sub-atmospheric pressure from the vacuum source. If tire tag 16 is missing, the pressure sensor will sense the atmospheric pressure entering the open pickups 52.

[0058] Once the controller 102 determines that an RFID tag is successfully held by tire pickups 52 as shown in Fig. 5, the controller 102 may control the application of that tag to afire carcass 80 being manufactured as follows. Hie controller 102 may control movement of the applicator head 34 to perform steps of rotating the applicator head 34 after the releasing step as shown in Fig. 6, translating tire applicator head 34 after the releasing step as shown in Fig. 7. and after the rotating and the translating, extending the suction tips 52 with the RFID tag 16 linearly relative to the applicator head 34 to engage the RFID tag 16 with a partially manufactured carcass 80 of a tire as schematically shown in Fig. 7.

[0059] The rotating of the applicator head 34 may be accomplished by the rotational actuator 74. The translating of the applicator head may be accomplished by the rotary screw drive 62. The extension of the suction tip 52 may be accomplished by the pneumatic cylinder 54 extending piston 56.

[0060] Fig. 10 is a flow chart summarizing one example of the software programming 116 of controller 102 to perform the methods described above. The programming starts at block 202. Block 204 causes the controller 102 to command the various actuators to return to the initial positions as shown in Fig. 2. In block 206 the controller 102 may confirm the presence of a tire carcass 80 in position to receive a tag 16. Block 208 causes controller 102 to command tire drive of the take up reel 30 to advance the liner 18.

[0061] In tire query- of block 210 the controller receives tire position signal from the laser position sensor 64 and confinns whether a tag 16 is present in tire dispense position as seen in Fig. 2. In not, then the liner 18 continues to advance. If yes, then the liner 18 is stopped as indicated at block 212. Next the backing anvil 32 is raised per block 214 and the pickup 52 is lowered or extended per block 216 to grasp tire tag 16 as shown in Fig. 3. Vacuum is applied to the pickup 52 from the vacuum source per block 218. The tag 16 is pulled from the liner 18 as shown in Fig. 4, per block 220. Then per block 222 the tag is released by lowering the backing anvil 32 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0062] In the query block 224 the controller 102 confirms whether a tag 16 is being held by the suction pickups 52. If not, then the process returns to block 204. If yes, then the tag 16 is applied to the tire carcass by rotating the applicator head 34 as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B per block 226, translating the applicator head 34 as shown in Figs. 7A and 7B per block 228, and then extending tire pickups 52 as shown in Fig 7B to apply the tag 16 to the tire carcass 80. Tlien the process returns to block 204 and repeats for the next tire carcass.

[0063] In one variation of the process 116 illustrated in Fig. 10, the step 214 of raising the anvil 32 may occur prior to step 208 so that the anvil 32 is already in the raised position when the line 18 and tag 16 are advanced to the dispensed position. This can be described as moving the anvil 32 in the first direction to be in a position to engage the one planar side of the RFID tag 16 in tire dispense position.

[0064] In a further variation of the process 116 illustrated in Fig. 10, die step 214 of raising the anvil 32 may be eliminated and the anvil 132 may be moved solely in the horizontal direction back and forth between tire positions illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. hr this embodiment, instead of lowering the anvil 32 when releasing the tag 16, the pickup 52 would be raised relative to the anvil 32 to release the tag 16.

The Embodiment of Figs. 12-19:

[0065] In the embodiment of Figs. 1-11 discussed above the entire backing anvil 32 is movable both vertically and horizontally relative to the guide block 24.

[0066] Figs. 12-19 show an alternative embodiment in which the backing anvil 32 includes a backing anvil base 32.1 and a movable anvil portion 32.2. The movable anvil portion 32.2 includes first and second anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 which are movable relative to the backing anvil base 32.1 between a retracted position as seen in Figs. 12-17 and 19, and an extended position as seen in Fig. 18.

[0067] The anvil base 32.1 includes an outer surface 32.5 facing the applicator head 34 and having first and second recesses 32.6 and 32.7 defined in the outer surface 32.5. Tire first and second anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 are received in the first and second recesses 32.6 and 32.7, respectively, when the anvil fingers are in the retracted position of Figs. 12-17 and 19. In the extended position of Fig. 18 the first and second anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 are extended past the outer surface 32.5.

[0068] As is best seen in Fig. 13, the outer surface 32.5 of anvil base 32.1 has a convex curvature. This convex curvature may be described as extending in a direction transverse to a direction of advancement of the elongated liner 18 toward the dispensing edge 28 of the guide block 24. And as is best appreciated in Figs. 13, 15 and 16, a central portion 32.8 of the outer surface 32.5 closest to the applicator head 34 is substantially level with the dispensing plane 26 of the guide block 24. By having the portion of the outer surface 32.5 substantially level with the dispensing plane 26 the tag 16 will extend over the outer surface 32.5 in close proximity to the outer surface 32.5 when the tag 16 extends over the dispensing edge 28. This allows the tag 16 to be grasped between the suction pickup 52 and the anvil 32 simply by moving the suction pickup 52 downwards to engage the top surface of the tag 16 without there being any need for an upw'ard movement of the anvil 32.

[0069] A pneumatic actuator 120 includes an extendible piston 122 connected by a sliding link 124 to the first and second anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4. Tire sliding link 124 is received in a linear guide 126. The pneumatic actuator 120 is communicated with the controller 102 in the same manner as the pneumatic actuators 42 and 48 previously described, so that the controller 102 may control the movement of the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4.

[0070] The manner of operation of the embodiment of Figs. 12-19 to engage and remove a tag 16 from the liner 18 is shown in the sequential series of views of Figs.16-19.

[0071] In Figs. 15 and 16 the RFID applicator apparatus 10 is shown with the suction head 50 and suction pickup 52 in a raised position over the backing anvil 32. The anvil base 32.1 is fixed in position and does not move during the operations illustrated in Figs. 16-19. In Figs. 15 and 16 the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 are in their retracted positions within the recesses 32.6 and 32.7 and thus are not visible in the side view of Figs. 15 and 16. Atag 16 is shown in Figs. 15 and 16 in adispense position in which the tag 16 extends partially past the dispensing edge 28 of the guide block 24.

[0072] In Fig. 17 the suction head 50 and suction pickup 52 has been lowered so that the suction pickup 52 is about to engage the upper surface of the tag 16 thus grasping the tag 16 between the suction pickup 52 and the anvil 32.

[0073] In Fig. 18 the suction head 50 and suction pickup 52 have moved upwards simultaneously with the raising of the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 to their extended position, thus pulling the tag 16 vertically upward off of the liner 18. The tag 16 is still grasped between the suction pickup 52 and the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4. The suction fingers 32.3 and 32.4 aid in pulling the tag 16 off the liner 18.

[0074] Finally in Fig. 19 the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 are shown back in their retracted position so that the tag 16 is held solely by the suction pickup 52.

[0075] In a manner similar to that described above for the embodiment of Figs. 1-11, the controller 102 may be programmed to perform the actions shown in Figs 16-19. The controller 102 may receive signals from the laser position sensor 64 and the pressure sensor 76 to control the operation of the pneumatic actuator 120 to control movement of the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 of the backing anvil 32, and to control the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 54 of the applicator head 34 to control extension and retraction of the suction pickup 52, to control tire rotary actuator 74 for rotation of the applicator head 34, and to control the rotary screw drive 62 to control translation of the applicator head 34 left and right as seen in the figures. Controller 102 may also control drive of take up spool 30 to control advancement of the liner 18.

[0076] Tire controller 102 may be configured by appropriate programming of software included in the computer program product 166 to perform steps of: advancing the elongated liner 18 across the guide block 24 until one of the RFID tags 16 is in a dispense position in which tire RFID tag 16 extends partially past the dispensing edge 28 as seen in Figs. 15 and 16; grasping the RFID tag 16 between the backing anvil 32 and tire suction pickup 52 by engaging tire suction pickup 52 with a planar side of the RFID tag facing the suction pickup 52 with the RFID tag in the dispense position as seen in Fig. 17; and pulling the RFID tag 16 off the liner 18 by moving the suction pickup 52 upward away from the liner 18, while simultaneously raising the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4, as shown for example in the movement from the position of Fig. 17 to the position of Fig. 18.

[0077] In the pulling step tire anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 of the backing anvil 32 are movable in a first direction (up in Figs. 17 and 18) normal to the dispensing plane 26 to aid in lifting the tag 16 off the liner 18.

[0078] In the grasping step the suction pickup 52 is movable in a second direction (downward) opposite to the first direction to engage the suction pickup 52 with the opposite planar side of the RFID tag 16 with the RFID tag 16 in the dispense position of Figs. 16 and 17. The downward movement of the suction pickup 52 may be accomplished by extension of piston 56 of the pneumatic actuator 54 of the actuator head 34.

[0079] In the pulling of tire RFID tag 16 off of the liner 18 tire suction pickup 52 is movable upwards with the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 of the backing anvil 32 to pull the RFID tag 16 off of tire liner 18. Hie upward movement of the suction pickup 52 may be accomplished by retraction of piston 56 of the pneumatic actuator 54 of the actuator head 34.

[0080] The controller 102 may be further configured to perform a step of releasing the RFID tag 16 from the backing anvil 32 after pulling the tag 16 off the liner 18 by moving the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 of the backing anvil 32 away from the RFID tag 16 as seen in Fig. 19, such that the RFID tag 16 is held solely by the suction pickups 52. Movement of the anvil fingers 32.3 and 32.4 of backing anvil 32 downward away from the RFID tag 16 may be accomplished by extension of the pneumatic cylinder actuator 120. The controller 102 may be further configured such that prior to the releasing step the controller 102 performs a step of applying a sub-atmospheric pressure to the suction pickups 52. The sub-atmospheric pressure may be provided by communicating tire vacuum source with tire suction pickups 52.

[0081] Hie controller may also be configured to confinn that the RFID tag 16 is being successfully held by the suction pickups 52 by monitoring the pressure between the vacuum source and the suction pickups 52 with the pressure sensor 76. If the RFID tag is successfully held in place by the suction pickups 52 the pressure sensor 76 will sense the sub-atmospheric pressure from tire vacuum source. If the tag 16 is missing, tire pressure sensor will sense the atmospheric pressure entering the open pickups 52.

[0082] Once the controller 102 determines that an RFID tag is successfully held by tire pickups 52 as shown in Fig. 19, the controller 102 may control the application of that tag to a tire carcass 80 being manufactured in a manner like that described above with regard to Figs. 1-11.

[0083] Thus, it is seen that the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure readily achieve tire ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described for present purposes, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts and steps may be made by those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Each disclosed feature or embodiment may be combined with any of the other disclosed features or embodiments.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 : An RFID applicator apparatus, comprising: an applicator frame: a guide block attached to the applicator frame and configured to support an elongated liner earn ing a plurality of RFID tags adhered to the liner, the guide block defining a dispensing edge around which the liner moves; a backing anvil at least a portion of which is movable relative to the guide block; an applicator head movable relative to the guide block, tire applicator head carrying a suction pickup; and a controller configured to control movement of the elongated liner, the suction pickup, backing anvil and the applicator head to: advance the elongated liner across the guide block until one of the RFID tags is in a dispense position in which the RFID tag extends partially past the dispensing edge; grasp the RFID tag between the backing anvil and the suction pickup by engaging the backing anvil with one planar side of tire RFID tag with the RFID tag in the dispense position and engaging the suction pickup with an opposite planar side of the RFID tag with the RFID tag in the dispense position; and pull the RFID tag off the liner by moving at least the portion of tire backing anvil and tire suction pickup together away from the liner.

2: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the guide block defines a dispensing plane in which the RFID tag moves as the RFID tag approaches tire dispensing edge; to grasp tire RFID tag tire entire backing anvil is movable in a first direction normal to the dispensing plane to engage or be in position to engage the one planar side of the RFID tag with the RFID tag in the dispense position; and the entire backing anvil is movable in a second direction parallel to the dispensing plane to pull the RFID tag off of the liner.

3: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 2, wherein: to grasp the RFID tag tire suction pickup is movable in a third direction opposite to the first direction to engage the suction pickup with the opposite planar side of the RFID tag with the RFID tag in the dispense position; and the suction pickup is movable with the backing anvil in the second direction parallel to the dispensing plane to pull the RFID tag off of the liner.

4: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a first pneumatic linear actuator arranged to move tire backing anvil in tire first direction; and a second pneumatic linear actuator arranged to move the backing anvil in the second direction.

5 : The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the controller is further configured to release tire RFID tag from the backing anvil after pulling the RFID tag off tire liner by separating the backing anvil and the suction pickup such that the RFID tag is held solely by the suction pickup.

6: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the controller is further configured to apply a sub-atmospheric pressure to the suction pickup before releasing the RFID tag from the backing anvil.

7 : The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a vacuum sensor configured to confirm that a sub-atmospheric pressure is maintained in the suction pickup to indicate that tire RFID tag is being held by the suction pickup.

8: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the controller is further configured to control movement of the applicator head to: rotate tire applicator head after releasing the RFID tag from tire backing anvil; translate the applicator head after releasing tire RFID tag from the backing anvil; and after the rotation and the translation, extend the suction tip with tire RFID tag linearly relative to the applicator head to engage the RFID tag with a partially manufactured carcass of a tire.

9: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a position sensor configured to detect a presence of one of the RFID tags in the dispense position; and wherein the controller is operably connected to the position sensor to receive a position signal from tire position sensor.

10: Tire RFID applicator apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the position sensor is a laser sensor; and the backing anvil has a recess defined therein configured such that a laser beam from the laser sensor can pass through the recess so that the presence of the backing anvil does not trigger the position sensor and provide a false indication of the presence of the RFID tag in the dispense position.

11 : The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a scraper arranged to engage an RFID tag stuck to a back side of the liner to remove the RFID tag from the back side of the liner.

12: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the backing anvil includes an anvil base and a movable anvil portion movable relative to the anvil base, the movable anvil portion being the portion which is movable relative to the guide block.

13: Hie RFID applicator apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the guide block defines a dispensing plane in which the RFID tag moves as the RFID tag approaches the dispensing edge; the movable anvil portion is movable relative to the anvil base and relative to the guide block in a first direction normal to the dispensing plane: and the movable anvil portion and the suction pickup together move in the first direction normal to the dispensing plane to pull the RFID tag off the liner.

14: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the anvil base includes an outer surface facing the applicator head and having first and second recesses defined in the outer surface; and the movable anvil portion includes first and second anvil fingers movable between a retracted position in which the first and second anvil fingers are received in the first and second recesses, respectively, and an extended position in which the first and second anvil fingers are extended past the outer surface.

15: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the guide block defines a dispensing plane in which the RFID tag moves as the RFID tag approaches tire dispensing edge; and the anvil base is fixed in position relative to the guide block, and the anvil base includes an outer surface facing the applicator head, the outer surface having a convex curvature in a direction transverse to a direction of advancement of the elongated liner toward the dispensing edge, and a part of the outer surface closest to the applicator head is substantially level with tire dispensing plane.

16: An RFID applicator apparatus, comprising: an applicator frame: a guide block attached to the applicator frame and configured to support an elongated liner carrying a plurality of RFID tags adhered to the liner, the guide block defining a dispensing edge around which the liner moves; a backing anvil including an anvil base and a movable anvil portion movable relative to the anvil base; an applicator head including a suction pickup; and a controller configured to control movement of the elongated liner, the suction pickup and tire movable anvil portion to: advance the elongated liner across the guide block until one of the RFID tags is in a dispense position in which the RFID tag extends partially past the dispensing edge and is located between the backing anvil and the suction pickup; grasp tire RFID tag betw een the backing anvil and the suction pickup by engaging the suction pickup with a side of the RFID tag facing the suction pickup with the RFID tag in the dispense position; and pull the RFID tag off the liner by moving the movable anvil portion and the suction pickup together away from the liner.

17: Tire RFID applicator apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the guide block defines a dispensing plane in which tire RFID tag moves as tire RFID tag approaches the dispensing edge; the movable anvil portion is movable relative to the anvil base and relative to the guide block in a first direction normal to the dispensing plane; and the movable anvil portion and the suction pickup together move in the first direction nonnal to the dispensing plane to pull the RFID tag off the liner.

18: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the anvil base includes an outer surface facing the applicator head and having first and second recesses defined in the outer surface; and the movable anvil portion includes first and second anvil fingers movable between a retracted position in which tire first and second anvil fingers are received in the first and second recesses, respectively, and an extended position in which the first and second anvil fingers are extended past tire outer surface.

19: The RFID applicator apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the guide block defines a dispensing plane in which the RFID tag moves as the RFID tag approaches the dispensing edge; and the anvil base is fixed in position relative to the guide block, and the anvil base includes an outer surface facing the applicator head, the outer surface having a convex curvature in a direction transverse to a direction of advancement of the elongated liner toward the dispensing edge, and a part of the outer surface closest to the applicator head is substantially level with the dispensing plane.

20: A method of automatically applying an RFID tag to a tire during manufacturing of the tire, comprising:

(a) advancing an elongated liner carry ing a plurality of RFID tags adhered to the liner across a guide block until one of the RFID tags is in a dispense position in which the RFID tag extends partially past a dispensing edge of the guide block;

(b) grasping tire RFID tag between a backing anvil and a suction pickup by engaging tire suction pickup with a planar side of the RFID tag facing the suction pickup with the RFID tag in the dispense position; and

(c) pulling the RFID tag off the liner by moving the suction pickup away from the liner.

21 : The method of claim 20, wherein: in step (b) tire backing anvil remains fixed relative to tire guide block.

22: Hie method of claim 21, wherein: in step (a) the guide block defines a dispensing plane in which the RFID tag moves as the RFID tag approaches the dispensing edge; and in step (c) the suction pickup moves together with a movable portion of the backing anvil in a first direction normal to the dispensing plane to pull the RFID tag off of the liner.

23 : The method of claim 22, further comprising: releasing the RFID tag after step (c) by separating the suction pickup and the movable portion of the backing anvil such that the RFID tag is held solely by the suction pickup.

24: The method of claim 23, further comprising: applying a sub-atmospheric pressure to the suction pickup before the releasing step.

25 : The method of claim 23, further comprising: confirming that the RFID tag is being held by the suction pickup by sensing that a vacuum is maintained in the suction pickup.

26: The method of claim 23, further comprising: rotating an applicator head carrying the suction pickup after the releasing step; translating tire applicator head after the releasing step; and after the rotating and the translating, extending the suction pickup with the RFID tag linearly relative to the applicator head to engage the RFID tag with a partially manufactured carcass of a tire.

27 : The method of claim 20, further comprising: detecting a presence of one of the RFID tags in tire dispense position with a position sensor.

28: The method of claim 20, further comprising: scraping off an RFID tag stuck to a back side of the liner to remove the RFID tag from the back side of the liner.