Method and device for automatically stacking tires on a support

US8244400B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KUKA Roboter GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Norbert Cottone · Zusmarshausen, DE
• Daniel Kotzor · Hanerau-Hademarschen, DE
• Torsten Albrecht · Uttenreuth, DE
• Martin Peghini · Augsburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2006
• Grant date: Aug 14, 2012
• Expiry date: Feb 16, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G2201/0273
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for automatically stacking tires (4) on a support (1). According to the method, geometrical data of the tires (4) and/or a digital model of the tires (4) is provided, based on the geometrical data and/or the tire model and a predefinable size of the support (1), an algorithm calculates a stacking pattern for the tires (4) on the support (1) by taking into account a predefined size of the support, said stacking pattern making it possible to store the largest possible number of tires (4) in a stable manner on the support (1). Positional data of the tires (4) are adopted from the stacking pattern and associated trajectories of a handling device for stacking the tires (4) are generated and stored according to the stacking pattern. The stored positional data and trajectories are retrieved and transferred to the handling device, which receives the tires (4) at a given receiving position and puts the same on the support (1) in accordance with the positional data and associated trajectories. The present method and the associated device make it possible to automatically stack the tires with an optimal stacking pattern for the tires.