Method and device for handling tires

Abstract

A handling device for tires having at least one extension arm, wherein the at least one extension arm is secured with a first extension arm pivot location to a receiving member in such a manner that a pivoting of the at least one extension arm relative to the receiving member is supported and the at least one extension arm has a second extension arm pivot location so that at least one gripping tool is coupled to the at least one extension arm. At least a second gripping tool is coupled to the second extension arm pivot location, and the at least two gripping tools can be pivoted relative to at least one extension arm pivot location. The invention further relates to a method for carrying out a loading and unloading cycle with tires of a tire vulcanization machine.

Claims

1. A handling device for tires, comprising: a receiving member; at least one extension arm secured with a first extension arm pivot location to the receiving member so that the at least one extension arm is pivotable relative to the receiving member; a first gripping tool, the at least one extension arm having a second extension arm pivot location so that the first gripping tool is coupled to the at least one extension arm; and at least one second gripping tool coupled to the second extension arm pivot location, wherein the at least two gripping tools are pivotable relative to at least one of the extension arm pivot locations, wherein the gripping tools are coupled to the extension arm so as to be pivotable along a movement kinematics BK2,3 of at least one of the gripping tools, wherein the movement kinematics of the at least two gripping tools are concentric relative to each other or congruent.

2. A handling device for tires, comprising: a receiving member; at least one extension arm secured with a first extension arm pivot location to the receiving member so that the at least one extension arm is pivotable relative to the receiving member; a first gripping tool, the at least one extension arm having a second extension arm pivot location so that the first gripping tool is coupled to the at least one extension arm; and at least one second gripping tool coupled to the second extension arm pivot location, wherein the at least two gripping tools are pivotable relative to at least one of the extension arm pivot locations, wherein each of the at least two gripping tools is coupled by a respective gripping tool receiving member, wherein the handling device has at least one linear degree of freedom which is non-parallel with respect to a pivot plane so that the gripping tools are movable in different spatial height levels.

3. The handling device for tires according to claim 2, wherein the at least one linear degree of freedom is supported by the receiving member and/or the extension arm pivot location and/or the gripping tool receiving member and/or at least one of the gripping tools.

4. A handling device for tires, comprising: a receiving member; at least one extension arm secured with a first extension arm pivot location to the receiving member so that the at least one extension arm is pivotable relative to the receiving member; a first gripping tool, the at least one extension arm having a second extension arm pivot location so that the first gripping tool is coupled to the at least one extension arm; and at least one second gripping tool coupled to the second extension arm pivot location, wherein the at least two gripping tools are pivotable relative to at least one of the extension arm pivot locations, wherein the extension arm has a length dimensioning and/or a pivot path capacity to provide a handling space which comprises operating locations in a tire vulcanization machine and a transport device and a blank stand.

5. A method for carrying out a loading and unloading cycle of a tire vulcanization machine with tires with a handling device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: i. positioning a first gripping tool in a position 3; ii. gripping a previously prepared tire blank with the gripping tool positioned in position 3; iii. pivoting the handling device about the first extension arm pivot location so that a second gripping tool is pivoted from a position 2 to a position 1; iv. gripping the completed tire with the second gripping tool in a handling space of the tire vulcanization machine; v. pivoting the handling device about the first extension arm pivot location so that the second gripping tool with the gripped completed tire is pivoted from position 1 to position 2; vi. placing the completed tire on a transport device; vii. pivoting at least one of the gripping tools about the second extension arm pivot location between position 2 and position 3 so that the gripped tire blank is positioned in position 2, viii. pivoting the handling device about the first extension arm pivot location so that the first gripping tool with the gripped tire blank is pivoted from position 2 to position 1; ix. placing the tire blank in the handling space of the tire vulcanization machine; and x. pivoting the handling device about the first extension arm pivot location so that the first gripping tool is pivoted from position 1 to position 2.

6. The method for carrying out a loading and unloading cycle of a tire vulcanization machine with tires according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: xi. pivoting at least one of the gripping tools about the second extension arm pivot location between position 2 and position 3 so that the gripped tire blank is positioned in position 2.

7. The method for carrying out a loading and unloading cycle of a tire vulcanization machine with tires according to claim 5, wherein the steps i. and/or iii. and/or v. and/or vii. and/or viii. and/or x. are carried out within a spatial height level different from a spatial height level of the steps ii. and/or iv. and/or vi. and/or ix.

8. The method for carrying out a loading and unloading cycle of a tire vulcanization machine with tires according to claim 5, wherein the step iii. and/or v. and/or viii. and/or x. is carried out along movement kinematics (BK1,2).

9. The method for carrying out a loading and unloading cycle of a tire vulcanization machine with tires according to claim 5, wherein the step vii. and/or xi. is carried out along movement kinematics (BK2,3).

10. A production installation for producing tires, comprising: at least one tire vulcanization machine; at least one transport device; at least one blank stand; and at least one handling device according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) The construction variant of the at least two gripping tools secured at the end side to a tool arm is illustrated in the Figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the handling device (30), and

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of a schematically illustrated region of a tire production installation with a tire vulcanization machine (100), a handling device (30) and a transport device (60), and

(4) FIG. 3 is the plan view of a schematically illustrated region of a tire production installation with two tire vulcanization machines (100), two handling devices (30) and two transport devices (60).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 is the schematic plan view of the handling device (30) as a highly simplified schematic diagram. The at least one extension arm (36) is coupled by means of a first extension arm pivot location (36) to a receiving member (35) or is supported at that location. The receiving member (35) can be constructed as a base (35) and can have a preferably linear degree of freedom so that different operating planes can be approached. For example, a sliding member (35) may provide the linear degree of freedomthe sliding member (35) and base (35) are not illustrated.

(6) The first extension arm pivot location (36) which is provided at the end side of the extension arm (36) preferably supports a pivot movement about a vertical axis and thus enables the pivoting of the extension arm (36) in a horizontal plane. The pivot movement kinematics centrally relative to the first extension arm pivot location (36) preferably follows a circular shape and can accordingly carry out pivot paths of up to 360 degrees. However, as a result of the spatial relationships adjacent to a tire vulcanization machine (100), the pivot path is often limited to from 90 to 180 degrees.

(7) The second extension arm pivot location (36) which is provided opposite the first extension arm pivot location (36) and preferably also at the end side couples the at least two gripping tools (30) to the extension arm (36) with a first degree of freedom of movement.

(8) The second extension arm pivot location (36) is preferably constructed in a similar manner to the first extension arm pivot location (36) and preferably also supports a pivot movement about a vertical axis so that a pivoting of the at least two gripping tools (30) relative to the extension arm (36) can be carried out in a horizontal plane.

(9) The at least two gripping tools (30) can each be arranged at the end side on a tool arm (39)in this instance, the tool arm (39) is practically interposed between the gripping tools (30) and the coupling location in the form of the second extension arm pivot location (36). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the production is carried out in a symmetrical manner, but other asymmetrical situations can also be provided, in particular by selecting the coupling location eccentrically relative to the tool arm (39). The symmetrical embodiment shown is advantageous since without correction pivot movements of the extension arm (36) precisely one operating location (300) can be approached with both gripping tools (30).

(10) The pivot movement kinematics BK2,3 of the at least two gripping tools (30) relative to the extension arm (36) about the second extension arm pivot location (36) is in the form of a circular path and can accordingly produce pivot paths of up to 360 degrees. With the symmetrical construction shown, the circular paths of the gripping tools (30) are both concentric and congruent. In the case of an asymmetrical production, the circular path movements of the gripping tools (30) are also concentric, but the circular path diameters differ according to the center offset of the second extension arm pivot location (36) with respect to the tool arm (39).

(11) The gripping tools (30) are preferably coupled to the tool arm (39) by means of a gripping tool receiving member (38) in each case. There may be provision for the gripping tool receiving members (38) to support a degree of freedom of movement. Preferably, this degree of freedom of movement is in terms of construction and spatial orientation identical to that of the second extension arm pivot location (36).

(12) The gripping tools (30) may be structurally identical and constructed in such a manner that handling and gripping tasks can be carried out both for tire blanks (200) and for completed tires (200).

(13) A variant of the handling device (30) according to the invention makes provision for the gripping tools (30) to be adapted to the handling tasks for tire blanks (200) and completed tires (200) since the mechanical properties and the sensitivity of tire blanks (200) and completed tires (200) differs considerably.

(14) From a point of view of the tire vulcanization machine (100) with the core element thereof formed from the handling space (110), it is loaded with tire blanks (200) and, after the tire vulcanization, completed tires (200) are unloaded. According to this nomenclature, loader gripping tools (34) and unloading gripping tools (32) are referred to.

(15) FIG. 2 includes the plan view of a schematically illustrated region of a tire production installation with a tire vulcanization machine (100), a handling device (30) and a transport device (60) in the form of a schematic diagram.

(16) The handling device (30) is arranged relative to the tire vulcanization machine (100) in a spatial direction and is in this manner capable of providing all the handling functions in the form of loading and unloading from a direction of the tire vulcanization machine (100).

(17) The handling device (30) which is arranged at the rear side of the tire vulcanization machine (100) is particularly preferred so that the accessibility of the front side is supported in an unlimited manner. An additional or alternative advantage of this relative arrangement of the tire vulcanization machine (100) and handling device (30) relative to each other and/or the integration of all the handling functions in a handling device (30) is also that only one handling space is required. Since handling spaces have in most cases to be secured with person protection measures, the invention reduces this complexity. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, this complexity is consequently at least halved.

(18) In order to be able to approach the different operating locations (300) of the handling space (110) of the tire vulcanization machine (100), the transport device (60) and the blank stand or magazine (302), the extension arm (36) pivots about the first extension arm pivot location (36) and/or the tool arm (39) pivots about the second extension arm pivot location (36) so that the respective gripping tools (30) can be positioned in the required positions or operating locations (300). The pivot movements about the two extension arm pivot locations (36, 36) may be carried out sequentially and/or at least partially in parallel.

(19) The sequence of the handling functions for loading and unloading and incoming transport and outgoing transport are carried out operationally as follows.

(20) From the additional piece of handling equipment (not illustrated), a tire blank (200) is placed in the blank stand (302) in position 4. The blank stand (302) pivots the tire blank (200) from position 4 to position 3 by carrying out a supply movement BK3,4. The position 3 is the operating location (300) which can be approached by both the blank stand (302) and the handling device (30).

(21) The handling device (30) preferably pivots in a room plane level which differs from position 3 and/or position 4 in such a manner that a gripping tool (30, 34) is displaced into a congruent parallel plane of the operating location (300) of position 3. If this positioning is concluded, the handling device (30) preferably moves by means of linear movement into the spatial plane level of position 4. The linear movement is enabled by means of the degree of freedom of the receiving member (35) which is constructed as a base (35) with a sliding member (35). The sliding member (35) and base (35) are also not illustrated in FIG. 2.

(22) The gripping tool (30, 34) grips in the operating location (300) of position 3 the tire blank (200) offered by the blank stand (302). Subsequently, the blank stand (302) which is then empty pivots from position 3 back to position 4 along the supply movement BK3,4. The blank stand (302) after reaching position 4 is ready to be loaded again with a tire blank (200) by the additional piece of handling equipment.

(23) In the next handling step, the handling device (30) moves with the gripped tire blank (200) from the spatial plane level of position 4 into the spatial plane level of position 1. The approach location (300) in Position 1 corresponds to the operating plane of the handling space (110) of the tire vulcanization machine (100).

(24) If the tire vulcanization machine (100) is located in a handling state as a result of the fact that the handling space (110) is open, the handling device (30) pivots to the spatial height level of the operating plane (300) of the handling space (110) with the gripping tool (30, 32) from position 2 into position 1. The pivot movement is preferably a circular kinematics along the path BK1,2.

(25) In position 1, the gripping tool (30, 32) grips the completed tire (200) which has residual heat and subsequently pivots from position 1 into position 2. If position 2 is reached, the completed tire (200) is placed on a transport device (60) which is provided for transporting the tire (200) away in a transport movement direction (60).

(26) After the completed tire (200) has been placed on the transport device (60) and the situation-related state of the handling device (30) as illustrated in FIG. 2, the gripping tool (30, 34) is moved with the gripped tire blank (200) along the pivot path BK2,3 from position 3 to position 2. The movement kinematics BK2,3 is in this Instance circular and has a pivot path which substantially corresponds to a radian measure amount of 180 degrees.

(27) The gripping tool (30, 34) with the gripped tire blank (200) is pivoted from position 2 along the pivot path BK1,2 to position 1 and therefore into the operating location (300) of the processing space (110) of the tire vulcanization machine (100). The gripping tool (30, 34) subsequently places the tire blank (200) in Position 1 and subsequently pivots along the pivot path BK1,2 from position 1 into position 2.

(28) The subsequent last handling step of a complete loading and unloading cycle is the production of the circular pivot path BK2,3 in the context of the radian measure value PI so that the location and position arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is present, but with empty gripping tools (30, 32, 34) without tires (200, 200).

(29) FIG. 3 explains with reference to a schematic plan view comprising a schematically illustrated region of a tire production installation with two tire vulcanization machines (100), two handling devices (30) and two transport devices (60) additional possibilities for use and embodiments of the invention.

(30) FIG. 3 practically shows the duplicated situation according to FIG. 2, that is to say, in each case a handling device (30) for all the required loading and unloading handling functions is associated with a tire vulcanization machine (100) and carries out the handling functions from one side, preferably the rear side of the tire vulcanization machine (100).

(31) However, the invention also recognizes that, under suitable conditions, a handling device (30) which is preferably arranged centrally and symmetrically relative to the tire vulcanization machines (100) can combine all the mentioned handling functions for both tire vulcanization machines (100).

(32) The conditions are present when the tire vulcanization cycle time within the tire vulcanization machines (100) is both identical and temporally offset with respect to each other, and the handling time requirement for a complete handling cycle is at least not substantially above the tire vulcanization time of the tire vulcanization machines (100).

(33) If a handling device (30) with two gripping tools (30, 32, 34) is used, there is further a requirement that in both tire vulcanization machines (100) tire dimensions which can be gripped with the gripping tools (30, 32, 34) are processed.

(34) In the case of a handling device (30) for two tire hot presses (100), the invention provides for a pivot capacity of the at least one extension arm (36) about the first extension arm pivot location (36) of preferably 1 of 180 degrees.

(35) If considerably different tire dimensions are intended to be processed in the two tire vulcanization machines, the invention makes provision for a handling device (30) for all the handling tasks of both tire vulcanization machines (100) via four gripping tools (30, 32 34) with gripping jaw widths which are adapted in pairs to the different tire dimensions. In order to position the respective gripping tools (30, 32, 34) for different tire dimensions, there is introduced according to the invention in the gripping tool receiving members (38) by means of a rotary articulation another rotary degree of freedom which pivots the gripping tools (30, 32, 34) which are arranged in a sandwich-like manner and consequently in pairs between the handling cycles for each tire vulcanization machine (100) in the operating plane thereof.