Laser system for marking tires
First Claim
1. A tire marking system, comprising:
- a memory containing tire information including height profiles;
at least one image processing system including a light sheet sensor adapted to measure the height profile of the tire sidewall, said image processing further adapted to identify the type and size of tires by comparison to the tire information and height profiles contained in the memory;
a marking laser adapted for engraving markings on a specific spot in rubber on the side of a tire via laser radiation after the type and size of the tire and a marking sport has been identified by the image processing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System for identifying and marking individual automotive tires including use of a light sheet sensor enabled image processing for the identification of the tire type and the marking spot. The height profile of the raised symbols on the tire sidewall can be measured using the light sheet sensor and matched to a library of reference profiles stored in memory. The light sheet sensor measures the height profile of the tire sidewall for identifying the tire and for selecting the marking spot and where the light sheet sensor and a laser are mounted on a swivel arm. The light sheet sensor can be incorporated into a single- or multi-station system. A marking laser is adapted for engraving markings on a specific spot in rubber on the side of a tire via laser radiation after the type and size of the tire and a marking sport has been identified by image processing.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A tire marking system, comprising:
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a memory containing tire information including height profiles;
at least one image processing system including a light sheet sensor adapted to measure the height profile of the tire sidewall, said image processing further adapted to identify the type and size of tires by comparison to the tire information and height profiles contained in the memory;
a marking laser adapted for engraving markings on a specific spot in rubber on the side of a tire via laser radiation after the type and size of the tire and a marking sport has been identified by the image processing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tire marking system, comprising:
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tire information stored in memory, said tire information including height profiles and sidewall templates;
a light sheet sensor enabled image processing system adapted to measure the height profile of tire sidewalls, said image processing further adapted to identify the type and size of tires by comparison to the tire information stored in the memory;
a marking laser adapted for engraving markings on a specific spot in rubber on tire sidewalls via laser radiation after the type and size of the tire and a marking sport has been identified by the image processing system; and
a swivel arm whereon at least one of the image processing system or marking laser are mounted, said swivel arm adapted to swing forward and backward to enable at least one of tire identification by the image processing system, selection of a laser marking spot by the image processing system, or engraving a mark on a tire sidewall with the marking laser. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A tire marking system, comprising:
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tire information stored in memory, said tire information including height profiles and sidewall templates;
a first station located along a conveyor belt, the first station including a laser scanner for identifying the center position of a tire on the conveyor belt;
a second station located along a conveyor belt after the first station, said second station including a first image processing system adapted with a light sheet sensor to measure the height profile of tire sidewalls, said image processing further adapted to identify the type and size of tires by comparison to the tire information and height profiles contained in the memory; and
a third station located along a conveyor belt after the second station, the third station including a marking laser adapted for engraving markings on a specific spot in rubber on the side of a tire via laser radiation after the type and size of the tire and a marking sport has been identified by the first image processing system. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification