FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: INTERLOCK UNIT FOR PLY-WINDING UNIT
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian 82 Satpur MIDC Nasik,
Maharashtra, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates in general to a ply-winding unit and, in particular, to an interlock for a ply-winding unit.
BACKGROUND [002] Ply-winding units are, typically, used for winding of plies on rollers. The plies can be then used in, for example, tire building operations. The plies can include, for example, sheets, liners, and the like. In ply-winding units, pressing down of an electrical peddle by an operator causes a motor, a pneumatic solenoid valve, and a pneumatic cylinder to actuate. This causes a supply roller, comprising the ply, and a service roller, for receiving the ply, to rotate. When a particular length of ply is wound on the servicer roll, the operator releases the electrical peddle and the ply-winding unit stops.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. [004] Fig. 1 illustrates an interlock unit for a ply-winding unit, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.
[005] Fig. 2 depicts the interlock unit in greater detail, according to an implementation of the present subject matter.
[006] Fig. 3 depicts an example method of controlling the ply-winding unit, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[007] The present subject matter relates to an interlock unit in a ply-winding unit, the ply-winding unit, and a method of controlling the ply-winding unit. [008] Ply-winding units are, typically, used for winding of plies, for example, sheets, liners, and the like, on rollers. In ply-winding units, pressing down of an electrical peddle by an operator causes a supply roller and a service roller to rotate. This further causes winding of the ply from the supply roller to the service roller. The service roller can hold only a pre-determined length of the ply, the supply roller may be able to hold multiple times the pre-determined length of the ply. When the pre¬determined length of ply is wound on the service roller, the operator releases the electrical peddle and the ply-winding unit stops.
[009] If the ply-winding unit is not stopped by the operator, the service roller can break down due to excess ply being wound on it. Further, the wound ply is susceptible to being unwound as spring contacts on the service roller get disengaged and start rotating in the reverse direction. In addition, spring assemblies and spring locking bolts are also susceptible to breakage and damage due to increase in load. In such a case, the operations of the ply winding unit have to be stopped and restarted after appropriate corrective action is taken. Since the operations of the ply winding unit depend on the operator having to manually stop the winding operation each time the pre-determined length of ply is wound on a service roller, the operations are prone to such stoppages due to break down of the service roller.
[0010] The present subject matter provides an interlock unit for a ply-winding unit. The interlock unit comprises a sensor provided in proximity to a roller of the ply-winding unit. The ply-winding unit comprises a plurality of rollers. The interlock unit also comprises a control circuit coupled to the ply-winding unit. The control circuit is to receive a signal from the sensor and stop operation of the rollers based on the signal received from the sensor.
[0011] In an example, the sensor is one of a color sensor and an optical sensor. The sensor is to detect a color marker on a ply and send the signal to the control circuit on

detection of the color marker. In an implementation, the control circuit comprises a switch. The signal from the sensor causes the switch to open to stop the operation of the rollers. The ply can be, in an implementation, a rubber sheath which is used for tire building.
[0012] By using the interlock unit of the present subject matter, the rollers can be stopped once the required length of the ply has been wound on the roller. Further, by using the interlock unit, even if the operator does not release the electrical peddle, once the required length has been wound, the control circuit causes the rollers to stop. Therefore, the interlock unit prevents breakdown of the ply-winding unit even if the electrical peddle is not released by the operator.
[0013] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0014] Fig. 1 illustrates an interlock unit 102 in a ply-winding unit 104, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. The interlock unit 102 comprises a sensor 106. The sensor 106 is provided in proximity to a roller 108 of the ply-winding unit 104. The ply-winding unit 104 comprises a plurality of rollers 108. As shown in Fig. 1, in an implementation, the ply-winding unit 104 comprises a supply roller 108a and a service roller 108b. It is to be understood that the supply

roller 108a can comprise multiple sub-supply rollers (not shown) and the service roller 108b can comprise multiple sub-service rollers (not shown). [0015] The supply roller 108a comprises a ply 110 which is to be wound on the service roller 108b. In an implementation, the sensor 106 is provided in proximity to the supply roller 108a. In an implementation, the ply 110 is a rubber sheath. It is to be understood that the ply-winding unit 104 can comprise any number of rollers 108 and can be used for winding of any material.
[0016] The ply-winding unit 104 also comprises components, actuation of which, causes rollers 108 to rotate. For example, pressing down of an electrical peddle (not shown) by an operator causes actuation of a motor 112. Rotation of the shaft of the motor 112 causes rotation of a drive pulley 114 and, subsequently, a driven pulley 116. The rotation of the driven pulley 116 causes actuation of a pneumatic cylinder 118 by opening of a solenoid valve. The pneumatic cylinder 118 subsequently causes rotation of a drive sprocket 120 and a driven sprocket 122. The rotation of the driven sprocket 122 is transmitted to a rubber wheel 124 via shaft 126 of cylinder 128. Rotation of the rubber wheel 124 causes rotation of at least one roller 108 of the rollers 108. In an implementation, only the service roller 108b is caused to rotate. In said implementation, rotation of the service roller 108b causes unwinding of the ply 110 from the supply roller 108a and winding of the ply 110 on the service roller 108b.
[0017] It is possible that each roller 108 of the rollers 108 may be associated with a rotating mechanism and associated components. It is also possible that all rollers 108 may be associated with a single rotating mechanism and associated components. The same has not been explained for the sake of brevity.
[0018] The ply 110 to be wound comprises a color marker 130 provided at regular intervals of the ply 110, such as after every pre-determined length, for example 22 meters. The color marker 130 may be, for example, a patch of a color different from that of the ply 110. The patch can be provided on the ply 110 by surface treatment

techniques, such as painting, dyeing, patterning, and the like. The detection of the color marker 130 by the senor 106 indicates that the required length of the ply 110 has been unwound from one roller 108, for example supply roller 108a, and wound onto another roller 108, for example service roller 108b. The sensor 106 of the interlock unit 102 detects the color marker 130 and sends a signal to a control circuit to stop operation of the ply-winding unit 104. Thus, the interlock unit ensures that excess ply does not get wound on the service roller 108b and the service roller 108b does not break down. Further, the operator will be unable to start the ply-winding unit 104 until the color marker 130 moves away from the sensor 106. This can be accomplished by removing the service roller 108b, replacing it with a new service roller, and pulling down the ply to initially wind/ connect it to the new service roller, thereby moving the color marker 130 away from the sensor 106. Once this is done, the operator can restart the ply-winding unit 104. Thus, stoppages due to break down of the service roller are substantially eliminated.
[0019] Fig. 2 depicts the interlock unit 102 for the ply-winding unit 104 in greater detail, according to an implementation of the present subject matter. As previously explained, the interlock unit 102 comprises the sensor 106 provided in proximity to the roller 108a. In an implementation, the sensor 106 is a color sensor. For example, the sensor 106 may be a Red-Green-Blue (RGB) color sensor which has been suitably calibrated to detect the color marker 130 on the ply 110. In other examples, the sensor 106 can be any other optical sensor and accordingly, the color marker 130 can be of any other color or can have an optical property that can be detected by the sensor 130. [0020] The interlock unit 102 also comprises a control circuit 202 coupled to the ply-winding unit 104. In an implementation, the control circuit 202 is coupled to a solenoid valve 203 of the ply-winding unit 104. The sensor 106 detects the color marker 130 and sends the signal to the control circuit 202 on detection of the color marker 130.

[0021] The control circuit 202 receives a signal from the sensor 106 and stops operation of the rollers 108 based on the signal received from the sensor 106. In an implementation, the control circuit 202 comprises a switch 204. The signal from the sensor 104 causes the switch 204 to open to stop the operation of the rollers 108 (as shown in Fig. 1). In an implementation, the control circuit 202 is coupled to the sensor 106 and the solenoid valve 203. In said implementation, the switch 204 is provided between an output pin 206 of the sensor 106 and the solenoid valve 203. It is to be understood that the sensor 106 can comprise other pins, for example, a positive pin and a negative pin for receiving power supply; and ground pin. For the sake of brevity, the other pins of the sensor 106 have not been discussed herein. [0022] Upon detection of the color marker 130, the sensor 106 sends the signal to the control circuit 202 which causes the switch 204 to open. The opening of the switch 204 causes the solenoid valve 203 to close. This further cuts off supply of fluids to the pneumatic cylinder 118 and, subsequently, rotation of the rollers 108 is stopped. [0023] In operation, with respect to Fig.(s) 1 and 2, pressing down of the electrical peddle by an operator causes actuation of components, such as the motor 112. It is to be understood that signal from the electrical peddle for actuation of motor 112 passes through the control circuit 202 at a point before the switch 204. Therefore, the motor 112 is actuated only if both the electrical peddle and the switch 204 are closed. [0024] Actuation of the motor 112 causes sequential actuation of the drive pulley 114, the driven pulley 116, the solenoid valve 203, the pneumatic cylinder 118, the drive sprocket 120, the driven sprocket 122 and the rubber wheel 124. Rotation of the rubber wheel 124 causes rotation of the rollers 108. Rotation of the rollers 108 causes winding of the ply 110 on the service roller 108b and unwinding of the ply 110 from the supply roller 108a.
[0025] When the sensor 106 detects the color marker 130 on the ply 110, a signal is sent from the sensor 106 to the control circuit 202. The signal causes opening of the switch 204. The opening of the switch 204 causes the solenoid valve 203 to close,

thereby, cutting off supply of fluids to the pneumatic cylinder 118 and, subsequently, stopping rotation of the rollers 108. Therefore, even if the operator does not release the electrical peddle, as the pneumatic cylinder 118 does not receive fluid supply, the rollers 108 do not rotate. Thereby, any breakdown of the ply-winding unit 104 can be prevented. In an example, where the supply roller 108a and service roller 108b comprise sub-supply rollers and sub-service rollers, the interlock unit 102 is capable of stopping operation of one or all of the sub-supply rollers and sub-service rollers. The present subject matter also provides the ply-winding unit 104, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.
[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates an example method 300 for controlling the ply-winding unit 104, in accordance with principles of the present subject matter. The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement method 300 or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 300 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. For discussion, the method 300 is described with reference to the implementations illustrated in Fig(s). 1-2.
[0027] At block 302, the method 300 comprises winding a ply on a roller of the ply-winding unit 104. In an implementation, the ply 110 is wound onto service roller 108b of the ply-winding unit 104. At block 304, the method 300 comprises detecting by a sensor a color marker on the ply. In an implementation, the sensor 106 is used for detection of the color marker 130 on the ply 110.
[0028] At block 304, the method 300 comprises providing by the sensor a signal to a control circuit based on the detection of the color marker on the ply. The signal is for stopping the roller from winding the ply. In an implementation, the sensor 106 provides the signal to the control circuit 202 based on the detection of the color marker 130 on the ply 110. Stopping the rollers 108 from winding the ply 110 comprises opening of the switch 204 provided in the control circuit 202. In an

implementation, the switch 204 is opened to stop operation of the ply-winding unit
104.
[0029] Therefore, the present subject matter stops the rollers 108 once the required
length of the ply 110 has been wound on the roller as detected by the sensor 106.
Further, by using the interlock unit 102, even if the operator does not release the
electrical peddle, operation of the ply-winding unit 104 is stopped, thereby,
preventing breakdown of the ply-winding unit 104.
[0030] Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with
reference to certain examples and implementations thereof, other implementations are
possible. As such, the present disclosure should not be limited to the description of
the preferred examples and implementations contained therein.

I/We Claim:
1. An interlock unit (102) for a ply-winding unit (104), the interlock unit (102)
comprising:
a sensor (106) provided in proximity to a roller (108a) of the ply-winding unit (104); and
a control circuit (202) coupled to the ply-winding unit (104), wherein the control circuit (202) is to receive a signal from the sensor (106) and stop operation of rollers (108) based on the signal received from the sensor (106).
2. The interlock unit (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (106) is a color sensor.
3. The interlock unit (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (106) is an optical sensor.
4. The interlock unit (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor (106) is to detect a color marker (130) on a ply (110) and send the signal to the control circuit (202) on detection of the color marker (130).
5. The interlock unit (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit (202) comprises a switch (204), and wherein the signal from the sensor (106) causes the switch (204) to open to stop the operation of the rollers (108).
6. The interlock unit (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control circuit (202) is coupled to a solenoid valve (203) of the ply-winding unit (104).
7. The interlock unit (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ply (110) is a rubber sheath.
8. A ply-winding unit (104) comprising:
rollers; and
an interlock unit (102), wherein the interlock unit (102) comprises:
a sensor (106) provided in proximity to a roller (108a) of the ply-winding unit (104); and

a control circuit (202) coupled to the ply-winding unit (104), wherein the control circuit (202) is to receive a signal from the sensor (106) and stop operation of the rollers (108) based on the signal received from the sensor (106).
9. A method (300) of controlling a ply-winding unit (104), the method (300)
comprising:
winding a ply (110) on a roller (108a) of the ply-winding unit (104);
detecting by a sensor (106) a color marker (130) on the ply (110);
providing by the sensor (106) a signal to a control circuit (202) based on the detection of the color marker (130), wherein the signal is for stopping operation of the rollers (108) based on the signal received from the sensor (106).
10. The method (300) as claimed in claim 9, wherein stopping the roller from
winding the ply comprises opening of a switch provided in the control circuit.