A SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE LOAD IN A MECHANICAL TYRE MOULDING PRESS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the load in a mechanical press, and more particularly to a system for monitoring the load in the mechanical tyre moulding/curing press.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally in a mechanical press for shaping and curing a tire, green tire is placed in the mould where the green tire is moulded. The mechanical press applies the load on the mould for pressurization during the vulcanization or curing of the tire. During vulcanizing/curing of a tire, the press applies the appropriate amount of load to the mould. If the load is too high, the mould or the press may be damaged. If the load is too low, tire rubber ("flash") may leak from the mould, the tire may be defective.
In the mechanical press, to check that the appropriate load is applied or not is a tedious and cumbersome process. Therefore, there is need in art to provide an apparatus for monitoring the load in the mechanical press.
In the prior art US patent bearing No. 7524443, discloses a monitoring and controlling system for a vertical mechanical press. This US patent discloses the mechanical press that includes upper and lower beams to which mating mould halves are attached. The mechanical press also includes side links for moving the beams relative to each other. Typically, the side links are used to move the upper beam downward toward the lower beam to close and apply load to the mould and upward away from the lower beam to open the mould.

Furthermore, the US patent discloses that the mechanical press also includes a mechanical drive for actuating the side links to cause relative movement between the beams. The side links have an eccentric connection with crank gears that are supported on the mechanical press for rotation about an axis.
One method by which the amount of load can be monitored is through the measurement and monitoring of strain in the side links of the tire curing press. The monitoring of strain in the side links in this US patent is done by means of the strain transducer.
The strain transducer having an inductive distance sensor. This sensor measures the elongation/strain of the side link by measuring the distance of the dial actuator relative to the sensor. This type of monitoring is requires frequent calibration and cannot reset from remote. Therefore, there is need in art to provide a better monitoring apparatus having simpler monitoring means and also cost efficient.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention to provide an improved system for monitoring the load in the mechanical press in a tyre moulding process.
Another object of the present invention to provide a simple and cost effective system for monitoring the load in the mechanical press.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system for monitoring the load in the mechanical press from the remote place.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a system for monitoring the load in the mechanical press which can be calibrated from the remote place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention which achieves the objectives relates to a system for monitoring load in a mechanical press, having a gauge member fixed with an actuating member of the mechanical press and configured to proportionally translate the strain of the actuating member. A first dial and a first dial actuator housed in a housing configured to proportionally reciprocate to the movement of the gauge member. A reading apparatus housed in the housing and having a second dial actuator, second dial, pointer and a positioning element, and the reciprocal movement of the first dial actuator actuates the second dial actuator and the positioning element.
A sensor configured to measure angular position of the positioning element, and to generate signal pertaining to the angular position of the positioning element. A processor configured to receive a signal pertaining to the measured position of the positioning element, and the processor processes the signal from the sensor to measure the proportional load applied by the mechanical press.
The gauge member is affixed with the actuating member of the mechanical press, in such a way that the strain of the actuating member is translated in a proportional reciprocation of the gauge member. The mechanical press has a base link, a plurality of bottom half mould attached to the base link, a top link arranged parallel to the base link and a plurality of upper half moulds attached to the top link. The upper half moulds are arranged parallel to the bottom half moulds.
A side link is mechanically linked with the top link and configured to move the top link, in upward direction away from the base link to open the moulds, and to move the top link in downward direction towards the base link to engage the moulds and apply load on the moulds, when the moulds are engaged and load is applied on the moulds the side link elongates.

The strain of the actuating member relatively proportional to the load applied by the mechanical press, and is measured by means of a load monitoring apparatus. The load monitoring apparatus comprising a first dial housed in housing and a first dial actuator is in contact with the gauge member. The first dial actuator reciprocates proportionally to the reciprocation of the gauge member. A reading apparatus is housed in the housing and having a second dial which is having a second dial actuator, the second dial actuator is in contact with the first dial actuator, and the reciprocal movement of the first dial actuator biases the second dial actuator.
The second dial has a pointer positioned on the face of the second dial, which deflects in rotational motion relative to the biasing of the second dial actuator; a positioning element is affixed on the face of the dial and above the pointer, the positioning element deflects angularly in angular motion which is proportional to the rotational motion of the pointer; and a dial cover to cover the face of the second dial.
The sensor is positioned appropriately on the plunger dial to measure angular position of the positioning element. The sensor generates signal pertaining to the angular position of the positioning element. A processor is in contact with the sensor to receive a signal pertaining to the measured position, and the processor processes the signal to relay the proportional load applied by the mechanical press.
In the second embodiment of the present invention the object of the present invention can be achieved with an arrangement as the first embodiment and without the first dial as specified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS
Figure 1 shows the arrangement of the mechanical press with the monitoring apparatus, in accordance to the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the monitoring apparatus having a reading apparatus in exploded view, in accordance to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the monitoring apparatus having a reading apparatus in exploded view, in accordance to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 elucidates the flow chart of the monitoring system, the signals from the sensor is transmitted to the processor and from thereon to the display unit/HMI (human machine interface), in accordance to the present invention.
Figure 5 elucidates a second embodiment of monitoring apparatus having a single dial gauge in accordance with the present invention.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention as embodied by a system for monitoring the load in a mechanical press and succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need(s) in the art. The present invention has objective(s) arising as a result of the above-mentioned need(s), said objective(s) being enumerated below. In as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration.

Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation(s)/modification(s) applied to the structural alternative(s)/functional alternative(s) within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form(s) without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
The system for monitoring the load applied in a mechanical press, in particular vertical mechanical press in a tyre moulding process, comprising a base link (101), a plurality of bottom half moulds (102) are attached to the base link (101). A top link (103) is arranged parallel to the base link (101) and a plurality of upper half moulds (104) is attached to the top link (103). The upper half moulds (104) are arranged parallel to the bottom half moulds (102), the plurality of bottom half moulds (102) are proportional to the plurality of upper half moulds (104). A side link (105) is mechanically linked with the top link (103) and configured to move the top link (102), in upward direction away from the base link (101) to open the moulds (102, 104). Also configured to move the top link (103) in downward direction towards the base link (101) to engage the moulds (102, 104) and apply load on the moulds. When the moulds (102, 104) are engaged and load is applied on to the moulds, the side link (105) elongates.
A gauge member (106) is affixed to the side link (105). The gauge member (106) having a bottom end and a top end and the bottom end of the gauge member is affixed with the side link (105) in such a way that the elongation of the side link is translated in a proportional reciprocation of the gauge member (106). The elongation of the side link (105) is measured by means of a load monitoring apparatus (100). The load monitoring apparatus (100) is affixed on the side link (105), and the top end of the gauge member (106) is in contact with the load monitoring apparatus (100).

Also, when the load applied by mechanical press, the actuating member (105) tends to strain and the strain of the actuating member (105) is proportionally relative to the load applied by the mechanical press. The strain of the actuating member (105) is measured by means of a load monitoring apparatus (100). The load monitoring apparatus (100) is affixed on the actuating member (105), and the top end of the gauge member (106) is in contact with the load monitoring apparatus (100). The load monitoring apparatus (100) has housing (107).
In the first embodiment, a first dial (108) is housed in the housing (107). The first dial (108) is having a first dial actuator (109). The first dial actuator having a first end (109a) and a second end (109b). The first end (109a) is in contact with the top end of the gauge member (106). As the gauge member (106) reciprocates, the first dial actuator (109) is configured to reciprocate proportionally. The first dial (108) indicates the value proportional to the reciprocation of the first dial actuator (109). The indicated value on the first dial (108) is the load applied by the mechanical press. The load applied by the press can be monitored physically by noting the value of the first dial (108).
A reading apparatus (110) is housed in the housing (107) to for the purpose of monitoring the load on the moulds (102, 104). The reading apparatus (110) having a second dial (111). The second dial (111) having a second dial actuator (112), the second dial actuator (112) is in contact with the second end of the first dial actuator (109b). The reciprocal movement of the first dial actuator (109) biases the second dial actuator (112). The second dial actuator dial (111) having a pointer (113), which deflects in rotational motion relative to the biasing of the second dial actuator (112). A positioning element (114) is affixed on the face of the second dial and above the pointer (113). The positioning element (114) deflects angularly in angular motion which is proportional to the rotational motion of the pointer (113). The face of the second dial (111) is covered by a dial cover (115), which thereby covering the second dial (111), the pointer (113) and the positioning element (114).

Furthermore, the reading apparatus (110) has a sensor (116), and is positioned appropriately in front of the second dial (111) and dial cover (115) to measure the angular deflection of the pointer (113) of the second dial (111). The sensor (116) is an angle sensor. The sensor (116) measures the angular position of the positioning element (114). The signal pertaining to the measured angular position of the positioning element (114) is transmitted to a processor (117). The processor (117) processes the signal to relay the proportional load applied by the mechanical press. A display unit (or) HMI (118), and the display unit (118) receives the processed relay from the processor (117). The display unit (118) displays the load applied by the mechanical press at the remote place.
The load monitoring apparatus (100) measures the load applied by the mechanical press on the moulds (102, 104). The load monitoring apparatus (100) is affixed on the actuating member (105), and the top end of the gauge member (106) is in contact with the load monitoring apparatus (100). As the gauge member (106) reciprocates, the first dial actuator (109) also reciprocate proportionally. The first dial actuator can be plunder. The first dial (108) indicates the value proportional to the reciprocation of the first dial actuator (109). The indicated value on the first dial (108) is the load applied by the mechanical press on the moulds (102, 104). The first dial can be plunger dial or any other dial gauge.
According to the present invention, when the load is applied by the mechanical press, the gauge member (106) proportionally reciprocates in downward direction as the actuating member (105) elongates. Similarly when the load is removed, the gauge member proportionally reciprocates in upward direction as the actuating member (105) returns to its original length.
On the basis of reciprocal movement of the gauge member (106) which is proportionally relative to the strain of the actuating member (105), the load applied by the mechanical press can be measured. A reading apparatus is housed in the housing (107) to for the purpose of monitoring the load on the moulds (102,

104). The reading apparatus (110) having a second dial (111). The second dial
(111) having a second dial actuator (112) and the second dial actuator (112) is in contact with the second end of the dial actuator (109b). The reciprocal movement of the first dial actuator (109) biases the second dial actuator (112). The second dial (111) can be plunger dial or any other dial gauge. The second dial actuator
(112) can be a plunger or any other means of actuating the second dial (111).
The plunger dial (111) having a pointer (113), which deflects in rotational motion relative to the biasing of the plunger (112). A positioning element (114) is affixed on top of the pointer (113). The positioning element (114) deflects angularly in angular motion which is proportional to the rotational motion of the pointer (113). The face of the plunger dial (111) is covered by a dial cover (115), which thereby covering the plunger dial (111), the pointer (113) and the positioning element (114). Furthermore, the reading apparatus (110) having a sensor (116), said sensor (116) is positioned appropriately in front of the dial cover (115) and the plunger dial (111) to measure the deflection of the pointer (113) of the plunger dial (111). The sensor (116) is an angle sensor.
The sensor (116) measures the angular position of the positioning element (114). The sensor generate signal pertaining to the angular position of the positioning element (114). The signal pertaining to the measured angular position of the positioning element (114) is transmitted to a processor (117). The processor (117) processes the signal to relay the proportional load applied by the mechanical press on the moulds (102, 104). A display unit/HMI (118), and the display unit/HMI (118) receives the processed relay from the processor (117). The display unit (118) displays the load applied by the mechanical press on the moulds (102, 104), at the remote place.
The first dial (108) is for the purpose of physical monitoring and the second dial (111) is for purpose of the monitoring of the mechanical press squeeze load (or) closing force (or) load to the mould from the remote place.

In an embodied example of the monitoring apparatus as shown in the figure 2, the sensor (116) employed is an angle sensor of magnetic type. The monitoring type having the plunger dial (111) with the positioning element (114) on its face above the pointer (113) and covered by the dial cover (115). The positioning element (114) in this embodiment is a permanent magnet. A circlip (121) is positioned on the dial cover (115). A holder (122) interiorly fastened on a shield (119). The shield (119) is the enclosure of the housing. The shield having an aperture to accommodate the sensor (116). The sensor (116) is positioned in the housing (107) through said aperture on the holder (122) at the appropriate place to measure the angle of the positioning element (114).
The monitoring apparatus as shown in the figure 3, the sensor (116) is an angle sensor of inductive type. The monitoring type having the plunger dial (111) with the positioning element (114) on its face above the pointer (113) and covered by the dial cover (115). The circlip (121) is positioned on the dial cover (115). A spacer (120) is interiorly fastened to the shield (119) and positioned in between the sensor (116) and the shield (119). Thus the sensor (116) is fastened appropriately to the shield (119) through the spacer (120). The position of fastening of the sensor is in front of the dial cover (115) to appropriately measure the angle of the positioning element (114).
The Figure 4 depicting the flow chart of output signal from the sensor (116) based on the angle of the positioning element (114) is transmitted to the processor (117). The output signal can be a voltage signal or current signal or any other signal. The processor (117) processes the received output signal from the sensor (116). The processor (117) thereby converts the output signal into appropriate load value. This load value is the load applied by the mechanical press. This value is further transmitted to relay the value at the remote place on the display unit (118). The display unit can be at the place where the operator controls the load in the mechanical press. Thus the load in the mechanical press can be controlled and monitored.

In the second embodiment of the present invention as shown in the figure 5, the system can be utilised without the first dial (108). The second dial (111) is housed in the housing (107), which is in contact with the gauge member (106). The gauge member (106) having the similar arrangement in the mechanical press as described above in the first embodiment. The proportional movement of the gauge member (106) actuates the second dial (111) by means of the second dial actuator (112). The pointer (113) rotates angularly on the face of the second dial (111). The positioning element (114) also deflects angularly which is proportional to the angular rotation of the pointer. As indicated above the sensor (116) measures the position of the positioning element (114) and process the signals as discussed above in the first embodiment.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.
Reference numerals:
Load monitoring apparatus (100)
Base link (101)
Bottom half moulds (102)
Top link (103)
Upper half moulds (104)
Side link (105)
Gauge member (106)
Housing (107)
First Dial (108)
First Dial actuator (109)
Dial actuator first end (109a)
Dial actuator second end (109b)
Reading apparatus (110)

Second dial (111) Second dial actuator (112) Pointer (113) Positioning element (114) Sensor(116) Dial cover (115) Processor (117) Display unit/HMI (118) Shield (119) Spacer(120) Circlip (121) Holder (122)

We claim:
1. A system for monitoring load in a mechanical press, comprising
a gauge member (106) fixed with an actuating member (105) of the mechanical press and configured to proportionally translate the strain of the actuating member (105);
a first dial (108) and a first dial actuator (109) housed in a housing (107) configured to proportionally reciprocate to the movement of the gauge member (106);
characterized in that the system has
a reading apparatus (110) housed in the housing (107) , and having a second dial actuator (112), a second dial (111), a pointer (113) and a positioning element (114), wherein the reciprocal movement of the first dial actuator (109) actuates the second dial actuator (112) and the positioning element (114);
a sensor (116) configured to measure angular position of the positioning element (114), and to generate signal pertaining to the angular position of the positioning element (114);
a processor (117) configured to receive a signal pertaining to the measured position of the positioning element (114), wherein the processor (117) processes the signal to measure the proportional load applied by the mechanical press.
2. A system for monitoring load in a mechanical press, comprising
a gauge member (106) fixed with an actuating member (105) of the mechanical press and configured to proportionally translate the strain of the actuating member (105);
characterized in that the system has
a reading apparatus (110) housed in the housing (107), and having a second dial actuator (112), a second dial (111), a pointer (113) and a positioning element (114), wherein the reciprocal movement of the gauge

member (106) actuates the second dial actuator (112) and the positioning element (114), wherein the second dial actuator (112) reciprocates proportionally to the reciprocation of the gauge member (106);
a sensor (116) configured to measure angular position of the positioning element (114), and to generate signal pertaining to the angular position of the positioning element (114);
a processor (117) configured to receive a signal pertaining to the measured position of the positioning element (114), wherein the processor (117) processes the signal to measure the proportional load applied by the mechanical press.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the gauge member (106) has a bottom end and a top end, the bottom end of the gauge member (106) is affixed with the actuating member (105) in such a way that the strain of the actuating member (105) is translated in a proportional reciprocation of the gauge member (106), and the strain of the actuating member (105) relatively proportional to the load applied by the mechanical press.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first dial actuator having a first end (109a) and a second end (109b), said first end (109a) is in contact with the top end of the gauge member (106), the first dial actuator (109) reciprocates proportionally to the reciprocation of the gauge member (106).
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second dial actuator (112) is in contact with the second end (109b) of the first dial actuator (109), and the reciprocal movement of the first dial actuator (109) biases the second dial actuator (112), and the pointer (113) positioned on the face of the second dial (111), which deflects in rotational motion relative to the biasing of the second dial actuator (112).

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning element (114) is fixed on the face of the second dial (111) and above the pointer (113), and deflects angularly in angular motion which is proportional to the rotational motion of the pointer (113).
7. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the processed signals from the processor (117) is transmitted to a display unit/HMI (118) (human machine interface) to display the load applied by the mechanical press.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor (116) is an angle sensor or any other sensor, particularly a magnetic type angle sensor or an inductive type angle sensor.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the signals generated by the sensor (116) is a voltage signals or a current signals (or) any signal
10. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating member (105) is mechanically linked with a top link (103) and configured to move the top link (103), in upward direction away from a base link (101) to open a moulds (102, 104), and to move the top link (103) in downward direction towards the base link (101) to engage the moulds (102, 104) and apply load on the moulds, when the moulds (102, 104) are engaged and load is applied on the moulds (102, 104), the actuating member (105) elongates, and when the load is removed from the moulds (102,104), the actuating member (105) returns back to its original length.