Abstract:
An apparatus for producing tyres of different types simultaneously includes a central processing unit, work stations, and local processing units. The central processing unit causes sequential execution of a plurality of operating steps at the work stations according to one or more predetermined sequences of types of tyres. Each work station includes at least one operating unit. A local processing unit is associated with each work station. The local processing units associated with the work stations identify types of tyres corresponding to supporting members for the tyres. The local processing units associated with the work stations also select, from a predetermined group of operating procedures for each operating unit, a specific procedure for a type of tyre corresponding to a respective supporting member at a respective operating unit. A related method for producing tyres of different types simultaneously is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A vehicle tire is made by inflating a vulcanized air tube to a slight pressure. Then, at least one thread element is wound around the transverse profile of the air tube to form a first carcass ply consisting of turns disposed consecutively in side-by-side relationship. A pair of annular anchoring elements is applied to the first carcass ply. Then, a second carcass ply is formed by winding at least one thread element so as to form turns disposed consecutively in side-by-side relationship along the circumferential extension of the air tube. Associated with the carcass structure is an annular element made up of a belt structure and a tread band. The carcass structure and annular element can be vulcanized separately from each other to make a tire having a tread band susceptible of replacement together with the belt structure.
Abstract:
A method of moulding and curing tires for vehicle wheels includes disposing a tire being worked on a rigid toroidal support having an outer surface the shape of which substantially matches an inner surface of the tire, closing the tire and rigid toroidal support in a moulding cavity defined by a vulcanization mould, pressing the outer surface of the tire against the moulding cavity walls, and administering heat to the tire in order to cause a molecular cross-linking of the tire. The pressing step takes place by admission of a fluid under pressure to at least one fluid-diffusion interspace between an outer surface of the rigid toroidal support and the inner surfaces of the tire. An apparatus for moulding and curing tires for vehicle wheels is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A process for producing a rubber compound for tires, where the ingredients of the rubber compound include: a polymer base containing an unsaturated chain which can be crosslinked with sulphur-based systems; at least one silica-based reinforcing filler; a silica-binding agent including a silane containing at least one sulphur atom; and a vulcanizing system. The process includes the steps of feeding the polymer base, the silica-based reinforcing filler, and the silica-binding agent ingredients continuously into a path for mixing and advancing an ingredient blend, wherein the mixing and advancing of the blend take place together. The path includes an initial stretch, an intermediate stretch, and a final stretch; each stretch defined between respective inlet and outlet sections. The process also includes controlling a heat profile of the blend in the initial stretch to maintain temperature and viscosity values for the blend in the outlet section of the initial stretch within defined ranges, and feeding the vulcanizing system continuously into the inlet section of the final stretch.
Abstract:
A process for the manufacture of tire for high speed two-wheeled vehicles comprising making a cylindrical sleeve, attaching annular bead wires to the axial ends of said sleeve and shaping the sleeve into a toroidal configuration. A belt structure made of coils of cords is applied to the crown of said toroidal configuration. The belt is reinforced with HE cords which can be deformed to enable the tire carcass to be so largely expanded into the mold to achieve completely molding of a tread band.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for the manufacture of pneumatic tires comprising a carcass formed of reinforcing plies and bead cores are disclosed. The tire carcass is built up around a first drum in cylindrical configuration and bead cores are applied to the carcass. The carcass is transferred telescopically to and around a second expandable drum. The carcass is then torically shaped and the ends of the plies turned-up around the bead cores.
Abstract:
A process is provided for the manufacture of radial tires for vehicle wheels, having an annular reinforcement structure inserted between the tread and the casing. The reinforcement structure has two layers of metal cord and in a radially outer position a third layer of cords arranged in a longitudinal direction. The third layer is made of a textile material which shrinks when heated. The process comprises the steps of first shaping the vulcanized casing to form a toroid, then applying to the shaped casing the two layers of metal cords together with a portion of the layer of textile cords at each side zone of the reinforcement structure. The width of the side zone is between 1/3 and 1/10 of the total width of the structure. The casing is shaped a second time to increase the external equatorial development thereof to a value greater than that reached during the first shaping step. The remaining central portion of the layer of textile cord is then applied on top of the layers of metal cords. A band of elastomeric material, forming the tread of the carcass is disposed on top of the layer of textile cords. The structure is then expanded and vulcanized in a pressurized mold.
Abstract:
A method for discharging a cured tire from a mold in which method the lower sidewall of the tire is disengaged from the lower section of the mold by raising the tire with respect to the position in which it had been cured while maintaining the sections of the mold at its tread and upper sidewall in contact with the tire, then disengaging the section at its tread by moving said section radially outwardly while simultaneously pushing the tire and section at its upper sidewall downward to a level lower than that corresponding to the lower surface of the section of the mold for the tire's tread, displacing the section for the tire tread inwardly until its diameter is less than the outer diameter of the tire and finally raising the tire and the upper section for the upper sidewall until the tire is disengaged from the upper sidewall section. The molding apparatus is constituted by at least one upper and one lower mold section for the sidewall of the tire and an intermediate section for the tread, pistons and ledger for moving the upper and intermediate sections with respect to the lower section, together or independently, lateral guides to displace the intermediate section in a radially inward or outward direction, a membrane for insertion in the tire, a screw with opposing threads having nuts thereon to which are attached the ends of the membrane and permit the membrane to move into and out of contact with the interior of the tire and a conduit in communication with the interior of the tire to permit entry and exit of compressible fluid.
Abstract:
A method of allowing control of a vehicle with at least two-wheels in case of puncture of a tire, each wheel including a rim and a tire associated therewith, includes the steps of: inflating each tire to an operating pressure; admitting a fluid compressed to a first pressure higher than the operating pressure of the tire into at least one tank associated with at least one of the rims; bringing the tire into communication with the tank when the inner pressure of the tire is lower than a predetermined first threshold value; detecting a variation of an inner pressure of the tank; activating a pressure measuring device when the inner pressure variation corresponds to a reduction and is higher than a first predetermined value; measuring the inner pressure of the tank with a predetermined frequency by means of (through) the pressure measuring device; calculating a variation in the inner pressure in a time unit; generating an alarm signal when the calculated inner pressure variation corresponds to a reduction and is higher than a second predetermined value; and transmitting the alarm signal to the driver.