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: STRIP WINDING MACHINE
2. Applicant(s)

NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian RPG HOUSE, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai Maharashtra 400030, 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
[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to a strip winding machine
and, particularly but not exclusively, to a foot-operable pedal assembly in the strip winding machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In a tire manufacturing process, a strip winding machine is used to apply
rubberized fabric belt, such as tread rubber (in strip form), on a carcass of a tire building machine, thus, producing a green tire (uncured tire). During the green tire manufacturing process, the rubberized fabric belts are wounded around the carcass inwardly around the circumferential margins of the tire building drum. The rubberized fabric belts are usually kept on a conveyor system of the strip winding machine and, while applying on the carcass, a rubberized fabric belt is first taken out from the conveyor system, and then a tip of the tire building strip is located. The located tip of the rubberized fabric belt is placed and affixed to a predetermined position on the carcass. After the winding of the rubberized fabric belt on the carcass, the rubberized fabric belt, at finishing end, is slashed, and then the rubberized fabric belt is folded back to the conveyor system.
[0003] After winding all the required rubberized fabric belt on the carcass, the
rubberized fabric belt is applied on the carcass by an applicator. The rubber strip is fed into extruder from which circular section rubber comes out. The rubber strip is fed to the calendar to convert this rubber into the profiled strip. This profiled strip is taken on a cooling drum and then on the conveyor system and applicator. Finally, this rubber strip is applied to the carcass through a predetermined program. This results in a green tire. The green tire is then dismantled from the flanges of the tire building drum and is sent for further processing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0004] 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.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a strip winding machine of a
tire-building process, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject
matter; and
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates another schematic diagram of a strip winding machine
of a tire-building process, in accordance with an implementation of the present
subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] The present subject matter relates to a movement automation system for
controlling the movement of a foot-operable pedal assembly in a strip winding machine.
[0008] A green tire is manufactured by winding various types of rubber
components, such as rubberized fabric cord precut to the circumferential length of a
carcass of a tire building machine, on the carcass in such a manner that both ends of
the rubberized fabric belt are exactly abutted against each other on the carcass.
[0009] Proper placement of the rubberized fabric belt on the carcass is very
important for giving the tire its required strength and shape. Therefore, a strip winding machine, configured with a conveyer belt system, is used for systematic placement of the rubberized fabric belt onto the carcass. The conveyer belt system is a feeding mechanism which may be fixed to the strip winding machine and may be operated to convey the rubberized fabric belt onto the carcass either centrally or eccentrically.
[0010] The conveyer belt system of the strip winding machine comprises
rubberized fabric belt and is generally positioned above the carcass to enable an operator of the strip winding machine to easily locate a tip of a rubberized fabric belt and then place and affix the located tip of the rubberized fabric belt to a predetermined position on the building drum. The operation of the conveyer belt

system of the strip winding machine is controlled by a foot-operable pedal assembly. The foot-operable pedal assembly comprises foot-operable pedals and the operator, by using the foot-operable pedals, controls the process of placement of the rubberized fabric belt on the carcass.
[0011] In a conventional strip winding machine, the foot-operable pedal
assembly needs to be manually brought onto the platform of the tire building
machine near the carcass, so that, once the operator turns on the conveyer belt
system causing the rubberized fabric belt to be released from the conveyer belt
system, the operator can affix the rubberized fabric belt on the carcass at a
predetermined position before winding the rubber strip around the carcass.
[0012] Once the rubberized fabric strip is affixed on the carcass at a
predetermined position, the foot-operable pedal assembly is taken away from the interaction area of the tire building machine sub-assemblies to avoid possible hindrance in the automatic operation and interaction of the various interconnected sub-assemblies of the tire building machine. However, conventionally, lifting operation of the foot-operable pedal assembly is done manually by the operator of the tire building machine in different cycles of the green tire manufacturing. A foot-operable pedal assembly weighs around fourteen to fifteen kilograms and the manual lifting operation of the foot-operable pedal assembly may create a strain on the operator’s shoulder and fatigue in the operator’s body. Also, the operator performs this manual lifting operation of the foot-operable pedal assembly approximately forty to fifty times in a single working shift of eight hours. This may affect the overall working capacity of the operator, resulting in loss of productivity.
[0013] The present subject matter provides a strip winding machine which
includes a movement automation system that automatizes the movement of a foot-operable pedal assembly without requiring any manual lifting operation to be performed by an operator of the tire building machine.

[0014] In an example implementation of the present subject matter, the strip
winding machine comprises a platform that is raised with respect to a floor on which the strip winding machine rests. Available between the strip winding machine resting floor and the platform is an opening. The strip winding machine further comprises a movement automation system that controls the movement of a foot-operable pedal assembly. The movement automation system comprises a pneumatic cylinder that is accommodated within the opening between the strip winding machine resting floor and the platform. The pneumatic cylinder can be extended and retracted in the opening.
[0015] The pneumatic cylinder has a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end is fixedly mounted on a stationary member of the strip winding machine and the second end is connected to a lower end of the foot-operable pedal assembly through an L-shaped connector. With the help of the L-shaped connector, the lower end of the foot-operable pedal assembly is disposed on the pneumatic cylinder in such a manner that the foot-operable pedal assembly can be moved automatically, in a longitudinal direction, from a predetermined first position to a predetermined second position and vice-versa with respect to the pneumatic cylinder.
[0016] By configuring the pneumatic cylinder with the foot-operable pedal
assembly of the strip winding machine, the present invention allows for an automatic movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly from an inactive position to an active position, i.e., from a predetermined first position to a predetermined second position, without any manual intervention. The technique of the present invention overcomes the limitations associated with the conventional techniques of handling the foot-operable pedal assembly and eliminates the need for manually moving the foot-operable pedal assembly, from the inactive position to the active position and vice versa, in different cycles of the green tire manufacturing. Also, since no manual effort is required from the operator in handling the foot-operable pedal assembly, the

production time of a green tire is reduced, thus increasing the efficiency of the operator.
[0017] The above-mentioned implementations are further described herein with
reference to the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures relate to exemplary implementations and should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a strip winding machine 100 of
a tire-building process, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. In an implementation, the strip winding machine 100 rests on a platform 102 that is raised to a certain height with respect to a ground floor 104, and an opening 106 provided between the platform 102 and the floor 104.
[0019] The strip winding machine 100 of the tire-building process further
includes a movement automation system 108 that controls the movement of a foot-operable pedal assembly 110 of the strip winding machine 100. The movement automation system 108 eliminates the need for the foot-operable pedal assembly to be carried manually from an inactive position to an active position and vice-versa in order to control the operation of the strip winding machine that affected the overall working capacity of an operator, resulting in loss of productivity.
[0020] The movement automation system 108 of the present invention
automatizes the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 from an inactive position to an active position and vice-versa without requiring any manual intervention from an operator 128 of the strip winding machine 100. The movement automation system 108 comprises a pneumatic cylinder 116 which is accommodated in the gap provided between the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100 the

floor 104, wherein the pneumatic cylinder 116 is extendible and retractable in the
available opening 106. The pneumatic cylinder 116 has a first 118 end and a second
end 120, wherein the first end 118 is fixedly mounted on a stationary member 122 of
the strip winding machine 100. Further, the second end 120 is connected to a lower
end of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 via an L-shaped connector 124.
Furthermore, the lower end of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 is connected to
the pneumatic cylinder 116, via the L-shaped connector 124, in such a manner that
the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 can be moved, over the platform 102 of the
strip winding machine 100, longitudinally, from a predetermined first position 126 to
a predetermined second position (illustrated in FIG. 2) and vice-versa with respect to
the contraction and extension of the pneumatic cylinder 116 that takes place in the
opening 106 provided between the platform 102 and the floor 104. The connection
between the second end 120 of the pneumatic cylinder 116 and the lower end of the
foot-operable pedal assembly 110 is possible through a cavity (now illustrated) that
is provided on the platform 102 to which the L-shaped connector 124 passes.
[0021] In an example embodiment of the present subject matter, in the retracted
state of the pneumatic cylinder 116 of the strip winding machine 100, the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 may remain at the predetermined first position 126 on the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100. Since, in the first position 126 position, the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 remains non-operational, the first position 126 of the pneumatic cylinder 116 may also be called as an inactive position. In another example embodiment of the present subject matter, the opening 106, which is centered below the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100, maybe in the shape of an alphabet T.
[0022] In yet another example embodiment of the present subject matter, the
foot-operable pedal assembly 110 of the strip winding machine 100 may comprise three foot-operable pedals that are operatively engaged with an upper conveyor system 112 and a lower conveyor system 114 of the strip winding machine 100. The

upper conveyor system 112 and the lower conveyor system 114 may be used for conveying different types of rubberized fabric belt on a carcass 130. While operating the strip winding machine 100, the operator 128 may use a first foot-operable pedal to control a first function of the at least one conveyor system 112, 114, i.e., to move forward the at least one conveyor system 112, 114. Further, a second foot-operable pedal may be used by the operator 128 of the strip winding machine 100 to control a second function of the at least one conveyor system 112, 114, i.e., to move forward the at least one conveyor system 112, 114. Likewise, a third foot-operable pedal may be used by the operator 128 of the strip winding machine 100 to control a third function of the at least one conveyor system 112, 114, i.e., to select between the upper conveyor system 112 and the lower conveyor system 114.
[0023] In an example embodiment of the present subject matter, each of the foot-
operable pedals may include an indication for identifying corresponding first, second, and third functions of the at least one conveyor system 112, 114 that are to be controlled using the corresponding foot-operable pedals of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110. Further, each of the foot-operable pedals may be housed in a housing portion and an indication may be formed by a plurality of engraved marking disposed atop each of the housing portions.
[0024] In another example embodiment of the present subject matter, the foot-
operable pedal assembly 110 of the strip winding machine 100 may be supported above the surface of the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100 by at least two pairs of rollers. First pair 210 (Shown in Fig.2) of rollers is configured at the rear end of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110, and second pair 212 (Shown in Fig.2) of rollers is configured at the front end of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110. As shown in FIG. 1, each pair 210, 212 of the rollers support the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 from the first position 126 to the second position and likewise from the second position to the first position 126 over the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100.

[0025] FIG. 2 depicts the movement automation system 108 of the strip winding
machine 100 of a tire-building process, in greater detail, according to an implementation of the present subject matter. The pneumatic cylinder 116 of the movement automation system 108 is a two-stage double-acting cylinder assembly, wherein a first stage comprises a first cylinder 202 and a piston with a head inside the first cylinder 202 and an internal piston rod extending outwardly of the pneumatic cylinder 116. The pneumatic cylinder 116 further comprises a second stage having a second cylinder 204 of a length that is equal to the length of the first cylinder 202. The first cylinder 202 has an internal diameter that is configured to receive the second cylinder 202 in a slidable engagement. The pneumatic cylinder 116 also includes a stopper 206 that is associated with the first cylinder 202 to restrict the range of longitudinal travel of the second cylinder 204 up to a predetermined degree, wherein the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 is disposed on the second stage of the pneumatic cylinder 116.
[0026] In an example embodiment of the present subject matter, a stroke of the
pneumatic cylinder 116, controlling the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110, maybe in a range of 0-700 mm and bore of the pneumatic cylinder 116 may lie in a range of 40-100 mm. Further, the overall stroke used to extend a pneumatic part of the pneumatic cylinder 116 may be divided between the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 and the movement of the pneumatic cylinder 116. Although embodiments comprising a two-stage pneumatic cylinder are explained, however, a person skilled in the art will understand that a pneumatic cylinder with any number of stages may also be used.
[0027] In another example embodiment of the present subject matter, the strip
winding machine 100 may further comprise a 90-degree elbow that can be mounted to the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 for supporting the electrical power supplying wires which serve as an electrical connection between the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 and other components of the strip winding machine 100.

[0028] The foot-operable pedal assembly 110 of the strip winding machine 100
may be provided with a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may be used to confirm the presence of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 at the active position on the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100. In an example implementation, the proximity sensor may be suitably calibrated to stop the further movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 from the predetermined active position on the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100.
[0029] It is to be understood that the proximity sensor may comprise means to
receive power for its operation, for example, the proximity sensor may comprise a
positive pin and a negative pin for receiving power supply; and a ground pin. For the
sake of brevity, such pins of the proximity sensor and other similar components that
will be readily understood by one skilled in the art have not been discussed herein.
[0030] In an example implementation, the movement automation system 108
may be configured with a programable logic control (PLC) (not illustrated), to enable the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 from the first position 126 to the second position 208 and, likewise, from the second position 208 to the first position 126 over the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100.
[0031] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the strip
winding machine 100 may include a control panel (not illustrated), wherein the control panel may be interfaced with the PLC. In an operation, to move the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 from the retracted position to the extended position, i.e., from the first position 126 to the second position 208, the operator 128 needs to select an actuator switch (not shown), provided on the control panel. The operator 128 by using the actuator switch provided on the control panel, brings the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 from the first position 126 up to the second position 208 on the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100. As discussed above, the proximity sensor halts the further movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110

from the predetermined second position 208 on the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100.
[0032] It should be noted that, for the foot-operable pedal assembly 110, the
active position or the predetermined second position 208 may be a position where the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 is brought for controlling the movement of the upper conveyor system 112 and the lower conveyor system 114 of the strip winding machine 100. Further, the inactive position or the first position 126 may be a position where the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 remains non-operational, i.e., when it is not being used to control the movement of the upper conveyor system 112 and the lower conveyor system 114 of the strip winding machine 100.
[0033] Once the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 reaches its predetermined
second position 208 onto the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100, the operator 128 can turn on the at least one conveyor system 112, 114, using the foot-operable pedal assembly, causing the rubberized fabric belt to be released from the at least one conveyor system 112, 114. The operator then can locate the tip of the tire building strip and affix the tire building strip on the carcass 130 at a predetermined position before winding the tire building strip around the carcass 130.
[0034] Similarly, once the rubberized fabric belt conveying process is completed,
the foot-operable pedal assembly 110 can be brought to its inactive position, i.e., at the first position 126 from the second position 208 on the platform 102 of the strip winding machine 100, with the help of the actuator switch, provided on the control panel.
[0035] In an example embodiment, the control panel may have a display screen,
wherein the display screen may be further provided with a control keyboard for providing input to the PLC for controlling the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110. The control panel may further comprise switches to control the movement of other components of the strip winding machine 100. For the sake of

brevity, switches of the control panel, and other similar components that will be
readily understood by one skilled in the art have not been discussed herein.
[0036] In another example embodiment, the foot-operable pedal assembly 110
may be located at various locations of the strip winding machine 100, and due to this feature, the movement automation system, 108 may be configured with a whole range of the tire building machines. For example, the movement automation system 108 may be used from 20-inch tires to 54-inch tires. Alternatively, gearbox motor arrangement along with a pinion rack may also be used in place of the two-stage double-acting cylinder assembly to automatize the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly 110.
[0037] Therefore, the present subject matter provides for an automatic system for
moving an automatic foot-operable pedal assembly from one place to another place.
Automatizing the movement of the automatic foot-operable pedal assembly without
any manual intervention helps in the elimination of non-value-added activities in the
green tire making process. Automatizing the movement of the automatic foot-
operable pedal assembly also helps in the elimination of breakdown related to wire
cut of the foot-operable pedal assembly and further allows for the elimination of
strain on the operator’s shoulder. Also, since no manual effort is required from the
operator in handling the foot-operable pedal assembly, the production time and cost
of the green tire is reduced, thus increasing the efficiency of the operator.
[0038] 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. A strip winding machine (100) of a tire-building process, the strip winding
machine (100) comprising:
a platform (102), the platform (102) being raised with respect to a floor (104) on which the strip winding machine (100) rests, and wherein an opening (106) is provided between the platform (102) and the floor (104); and
a movement automation system (108) for controlling the movement of a foot-operable pedal assembly (110) of the strip winding machine (100), the movement automation system (108) comprising:
a pneumatic cylinder (116) accommodated below the platform (102) of the strip winding machine (100) within the opening (106), wherein the pneumatic cylinder (116) being movable in the available opening (106) and wherein the pneumatic cylinder (116) has a first (118) end and a second end (120), the first end (118) being fixedly mounted on a stationary member (122) of the strip winding machine (100) and the second end (120) being connected to a lower end of the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) through an L-shaped connector (124),
wherein the lower end of the foot-operable pedal assembly (110), through the L-shaped connector (124), is disposed on the pneumatic cylinder (116) such that the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) can be moved, longitudinally, from a predetermined first position (126) to a predetermined second position (208) and vice-versa with respect to the pneumatic cylinder (116).
2. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic
cylinder (116) has a first stage comprising a first cylinder (202) and a piston with a
head inside the first cylinder (202) and internal piston rod extending outwardly of the
pneumatic cylinder (116); a second stage comprising a second cylinder (204) of an

equal length, the first cylinder (202) having an internal diameter configured to receive the second cylinder (204) in a slidable engagement; and a stopper (206) associated with the first cylinder (202) to restrict the range of longitudinal travel of the second cylinder (204) to a predetermined degree, wherein the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) is disposed on the second stage of the pneumatic cylinder (116).
3. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the pneumatic cylinder (116) is in a retracted state, the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) remains at the predetermined first position (126) on the platform (102) of the strip winding machine (100).
4. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening (106) centered below the platform (102) of the strip winding machine (100) is T-shaped.
5. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) comprises three foot-operable pedals operatively engaged with at least one conveyor system (112, 114), wherein a first foot-operable pedal controls a first function of the at least one conveyor system (112, 114), a second foot-operable pedal controls a second function of the at least one conveyor system (112, 114), and a third foot-operable pedal controls a third function of the at least one conveyor system (112, 114) and each of the foot-operable pedals includes an indication for identifying corresponding first, second, and third functions of the at least one conveyor system (112, 114), and wherein each of the foot-operable pedals is housed in a housing portion and an indication is formed by a plurality of engraved marking disposed atop each of the housing portion.

6. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) is supported above the surface of the platform (102) of the strip winding machine (100) by at least two pair of rollers comprising a first pair (210) of rollers at rear end of the foot-operable pedal assembly (110), and a second pair (212) of rollers at the front of the foot-operable pedal assembly (110), wherein each of the pair (210, 212) of the rollers is to support the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) from the first position (126) to the second position (208) and from the second position (208) to the first position (126) on the surface of the platform (102).
7. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein stroke of the pneumatic cylinder (116) is in a range of 0-700 mm and bore of the pneumatic cylinder (116) lie in a range of 40-100 mm.
8. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the overall stroke used to extend a pneumatic part is divided between the movement of the foot-operable pedal assembly (110) and movement of the pneumatic cylinder (116).
9. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control valve is provided which controls the actuation of the pneumatic cylinder (116) in cooperation with a pneumatic system.
10. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a 90-degree elbow mounted to the foot-operable pedal assembly (110), for supporting incoming electrical power supplying wires.

11. The strip winding machine (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the pneumatic cylinder (116) is a double-acting telescopic cylinder.