Dosage control in the manufacture of tires
AssigneeCompagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin
InventorsAurelien Tournebize, Sebastien Lafond, Jean-Claude Sabatier
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Abstract
In the field of tire production, the invention relates to methods and systems for creating unvulcanized rubber batches prior to mixing them in a rubber mixer, including selecting at least one batch for mixing in the mixer, wherein each batch corresponds to a selection of rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) each corresponding to a rubber nature (A, B, C) having predefined characteristics, in order to obtain a proportion corresponding to a predetermined proportion, a target weight to attain a difference between (a) the required weight of the batch and (b) the sum of the weight of the bales (AI, BI, CI) and the weight of the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ).
Claims18
A method for creating batches of unvulcanized rubber before mixture in a rubber mixer, including selecting at least one batch for mixing in the rubber mixer, wherein each batch corresponds to a selection of uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) that correspond to natures (A, B, C) of rubber composition having predetermined characteristics, comprising the steps of:
- providing a supply station where the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) are supplied from the corresponding natures (A, B, C);
- selecting uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) from natures (A, B, C) and in a predetermined proportion corresponding to a selected batch at the supply station;
- providing a cutting station for cutting at least one uncured rubber bale (AI, BI, CI) into pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ);
- providing a transport system that feeds the cutting station and transfers the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ) to the rubber mixer;
- weighing the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ) to obtain a sum of a weight of the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and a weight of the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ);
- comparing the sum obtained with a required weight of the selected batch, which is created by mixing different kinds and different grades of elastomers;
- and
- obtaining, in a proportion corresponding to the predetermined proportion, a target weight to attain a difference between the sum obtained and the required weight of the selected batch,
- wherein the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ) are transported between the supply station, the cutting station and the rubber mixer according to a sequence determined by the equivalence between the required weight of the selected batch and (a) the weight of the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) or (b) a sum of the weight of the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and a weight of the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ), and
- wherein the step of obtaining a target weight further comprises the following steps:
- providing a reference rubber bale (R) of a nature (A, B, C) and a predetermined proportion that corresponds to a batch at the bale supply station, the reference rubber bale (R) having a predefined weight and a predefined length (L) between one end (RL) and an opposite end (RL′);
- and
- determining a cutting length (LC) and a cutting position (P) of a learning cut of the reference rubber bale (R) that are required to obtain the required weight of the selected batch.
A system for creating unvulcanized rubber batches prior to mixing them in a rubber mixer, including a selection of at least one batch for mixing in the rubber mixer, wherein each batch corresponds to a selection of uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI), that correspond to natures of rubber composition (A, B, C) having predetermined characteristics, the system comprising:
- a bale supply station where uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) are provided from the corresponding natures;
- a cutting station that cuts at least one bale (AI, BI, CI) into pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ);
- a weighing station for weighing the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ) removed therefrom;
- a transport system that transfers the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and the rubber pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ) to the rubber mixer and transports the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ) between the supply station, the cutting station and the rubber mixer according to a sequence determined by attaining an equivalence between a sum of a bale weight of the uncured rubber bales (AI, BI, CI) and a weight of the pieces (AIJ, BIJ, CIJ) and a required weight of the batch in a proportion corresponding to a predetermined proportion;
- and
- at least one linear actuator that adjusts a position of a reference rubber bale (R) of a predetermined rubber nature and proportion that corresponds to a selected batch at the bale supply station, the provided reference rubber bale (R) having a predefined weight and a predefined length (L) between one end (RL) and an opposite end (RL′), until the opposite end (RL′) is brought into contact against a side of a blade (Q) that performs a step of cutting the reference rubber bale (R) at the position (P) of a learning cut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.