PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR BUILDING TYRES

Abstract

A continuous elongated element of elastomeric material is produced through an extruder at a linear delivery speed and directly fed onto a moving surface of a conveyor without interposition of other devices. The continuous elongated element is advanced on the moving surface along a predetermined direction and at a linear advancing speed different from the linear delivery speed until a proximal end of the conveyor. Subsequently, the continuous elongated element is applied onto a forming support which rotates relative to the proximal end of the conveyor at a peripheral speed different from the linear delivery speed, so as to deform the continuous elongated element and apply it in the form of wound coils onto the forming support in order to form a component of elastomeric material of a tyre.

Claims

1-52. (canceled)

53. An apparatus for building a tyre, comprising: at least one forming support; and at least one forming device to form components of elastomeric material on the forming support, wherein the at least one forming device comprises: at least one extruder to deliver a continuous elongated element of elastomeric material at a linear delivery speed; at least one conveyor for the continuous elongated element having a moving surface along a predetermined direction at a linear advancing speed different from the linear delivery speed and toward a proximal end of the conveyor adjacent the forming support; at least one application device of the continuous elongated element having a desired cross section into coils wound up on the forming device positioned close to the proximal end of the conveyor; and devices for rotating the forming support on an axis thereof relative to the proximal end of the conveyor at a peripheral speed, wherein the extruder feeds the continuous elongated element directly between a moving surface of a conveyor belt and a presser device within the conveyor, without interposition of other devices upstream of the conveyor adapted to receive the continuous elongated element, wherein the conveyor belt is wrapped on a distal roller located at a distal end of the conveyor adjacent the extruder thereby eliminating calendaring; wherein the peripheral speed is different from the linear delivery speed, so as to deform the continuous elongated element; and wherein a ratio between the peripheral speed and linear delivery speed and the ratio between the linear advancing speed and linear delivery speed are varied during the application of the continuous elongated element by modifying during an application cycle the linear advancing speed and subsequently modifying the peripheral speed thereby creating two distinct steps to obtain the desired cross section without calendaring.

54. The apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein the peripheral speed is higher than the linear delivery speed, so as to draw the continuous elongated element.

55. The apparatus as claimed in claim 54, further comprising a control unit operatively connected to the extruder, the conveyor, and the devices for rotating the forming support on an axis thereof and capable of being adapted to control and adjust the linear delivery speed, the linear advancing speed, and the peripheral speed.

56. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the peripheral speed is higher than or as high as about 1.2 times the linear delivery speed.

57. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the peripheral speed is higher than or as high as about 1.3 times the linear delivery speed.

58. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the peripheral speed is lower than or as high as about 1.6 times the linear delivery speed.

59. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the peripheral speed is lower than or as high as about 7 times the linear delivery speed.

60. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the peripheral speed is lower than the linear delivery speed, so as to compress the continuous elongated element.

61. The apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein the peripheral speed is between about 0.5 times and about 0.95 times the linear delivery speed.

62. The apparatus as claimed in claim 61, wherein the peripheral speed is between about 0.65 times and about 0.85 times the linear delivery speed.

63. The apparatus as claimed in claim 62, wherein the linear advancing speed is higher than the linear delivery speed.

64. The apparatus as claimed in claim 62, wherein the linear advancing speed is lower than or as high as about 1.5 times the linear delivery speed.

65. The apparatus as claimed in claim 62, wherein the linear advancing speed is higher than or as high as about 1.005 times the linear delivery speed.

66. The apparatus as claimed in claim 62, wherein the linear advancing speed is lower than the linear delivery speed.

67. The apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein the linear advancing speed is higher than or as high as about 0.75 times the linear delivery speed.

68. The apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein the linear advancing speed is lower than or as high as about 0.995 times the linear delivery speed.

69. The apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the presser device faces the moving surface of the conveyor and having a side surface capable of engaging the continuous elongated element.

70. The apparatus as claimed in claim 69, wherein the presser device comprises a roller carrying the side surface and a presser element operatively acting on the roller to press the side surface against the continuous elongated element.

71. The apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein the presser element is an elastic type.

72. The apparatus as claimed in claim 71, wherein the presser device is positioned at a distal end of the conveyor adjacent to the extruder.

73. The apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein the conveyor comprises a conveyor belt wrapped on rollers and having a going stretch defining the moving surface.

74. The apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein the conveyor belt is wrapped on a proximal roller located at a proximal end of the conveyor.

75. The apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein the conveyor belt is wrapped on a distal roller located at a distal end of the conveyor adjacent the extruder.

76. The apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein the going stretch is rectilinear and the moving surface lies in a single plane.

77. The apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the at least one application device comprises at least one application member operatively supported relative to the conveyor and acting in thrust relationship toward the forming support.

78. The apparatus as claimed in claim 77, wherein the extruder comprises a cylinder having a delivery opening and a rotating screw housed in the cylinder and having an end close to the delivery opening.

79. The apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein the extruder further comprises a gear pump interposed between the rotating screw and the delivery opening.

80. The apparatus as claimed in claim 79, wherein the forming support is a toroidal support.

81. The apparatus as claimed in claim 80, wherein the radially external surface of the toroidal support is shaped according to a radially internal surface of a tyre to be built.

82. The apparatus as claimed in claim 81, wherein the forming support is a cylindrical drum.

Description

[0089] Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a process and an apparatus for building tyres, in accordance with the present invention. This description will be set out hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0090] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a plant for producing tyres comprising a building apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

[0091] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of a detail of the plant seen in FIG. 1;

[0092] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a forming device being part of the apparatus in reference;

[0093] FIG. 4 shows a diametric section of an example of a tyre obtainable in accordance with the present invention.

[0094] With reference to the drawings, a plant for producing tyres comprising a building apparatus 2 in accordance with the present invention has been generally denoted at 1.

[0095] Plant 1 is intended for manufacturing tyres 3 (FIG. 4) essentially comprising at least one carcass ply 4 preferably internally coated with a layer of airtight elastomeric material referred to as liner 5, two so-called beads 6 integrating respective annular anchoring structures 7 possibly associated with elastomeric fillers 7a and in engagement with the circumferential edges of the carcass ply 4, a belt structure 8 applied at a radially external position to the carcass ply 4, a tread band 9 applied at a radially external position to the belt structure 8, in a so-called crown region of tyre 3, and two sidewalls 10 applied at laterally opposite positions to the carcass ply 4, each at a side region of tyre 3, extending from the corresponding bead 6 to the corresponding side edge of the tread band 9.

[0096] In run flat tyres or tyres intended for particular uses, auxiliary support inserts (not shown) can be also provided, of the type usually referred to as sidewall inserts for example, which are applied close to the sidewalls at an axially internal position to the carcass ply 4 or between two paired carcass plies 4, and/or at an axially external position to said at least one carcass ply 4.

[0097] The building apparatus 2 can comprise a plurality of building stations 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 (FIG. 1), each for example designed to form a component of tyre 3 under processing directly on a forming support 16 preferably of toroidal conformation, and more preferably having a radially external forming surface 16a shaped according to the radially internal surface of tyre 3 when building has been completed (FIG. 4).

[0098] Alternatively one or more components of tyre 3 under processing, instead of being directly made on the forming support 16 of toroidal conformation are provided to be obtained as semifinished products from preceding working steps and assembled to other components on said forming support 16. The latter can also have a cylindrical conformation or other shape different from the previously described ones.

[0099] By way of example, shown in FIG. 1 is a first station in which at least one component of elastomeric material, liner 5 for example, is made through winding of a continuous elongated element of elastomeric material into coils disposed mutually close and distributed along the forming surface 16a of the forming support 16 of toroidal conformation. In at least one second building station 12 manufacture of one or more carcass plies 4 can be achieved, which are obtained by laying strip-like elements on the forming support 16, in circumferentially approached relationship, which strip-like elements are formed from a continuous strip of elastomeric material cut to size comprising textile or metallic cords disposed in parallel side-by-side relationship. A third building station 13 can be dedicated to manufacture of the annular anchoring structures 7 and fillers 7a integrated into the tyre beads 6, respectively obtained through laying into radially superposed coils of at least one continuous elongated element comprising at least one rubber-coated metallic cord and through winding of a continuous elongated element of elastomeric material into coils disposed close to each other and distributed along said forming surface 16a. At least one fourth building station 14 can be dedicated to manufacture of the annular anchoring structure 8, obtained for example by laying of strip-like elements in circumferentially approached relationship, which are formed from a continuous strip of elastomeric material comprising preferably metallic cords mutually parallel, and/or through winding into axially approached coils of at least one rubber-coated reinforcing cord, preferably of metal, in the crown portion of tyre 3.

[0100] At least one fifth building station 15 can be designed for manufacture of the tread band 9 and sidewalls 10. Tread band 9 and sidewalls 10 are preferably obtained through winding of at least one continuous elongated element of elastomeric material, into mutually approached coils.

[0101] The building stations 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 can simultaneously operate each on a respective tyre 3 being processed, carried by a respective forming support 16, sequentially transferred from a building station to the subsequent building station, through robotized arms 17 or other suitable devices.

[0102] Tyres 3 built by apparatus 2 are sequentially transferred to at least one vulcanisation unit 18 integrated into plant 1.

[0103] In accordance with the present invention, at least one of the components in elastomeric material of tyre 3, such as liner 5, fillers 7a and/or other parts of elastomeric material of beads 6, sidewalls 10, tread band 9, under-belt layer, under-layer of the tread band, abrasion-proof elements and/or others, is obtained by a forming device generally denoted at 19 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0104] The forming device 19 comprises at least one feeding unit 20 supplying a continuous elongated element 21 of elastomeric material (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0105] The feeding unit 20 comprises an extruder 22 provided with a cylinder 23 into which elastomeric material is introduced. Cylinder 23 heated to a controlled temperature, just as an indication included between about 40 C. and about 120 C., operatively houses a rotating screw 24, by effect of which the elastomeric material is pushed along cylinder 23, towards a delivery opening 25 of extruder 22. If required, the elastomeric material can be conveyed through a gear pump 26 for example, operatively interposed between the rotating screw 24 and the delivery opening 25, to ensure more flow rate uniformity through the latter.

[0106] In more detail, a flange 22a is mounted on extruder 22 and carries a die 22b defining said delivery opening 25. Preferably, the delivery opening 25 is disposed close to the gear pump 26 or, in the absence of the latter, to an end 24a of the rotating screw. In particular, distance 1 existing between said gear pump 26 or the end 24a of the rotating screw 24, and the delivery opening 25, i.e. the length of duct 22c bounded by die 22b, is smaller than about 30 cm, preferably smaller than about 15 cm, so as to limit flowing of the blend on the duct 22c walls and thereby generation of dangerous local cross-linking of the blend. Preferably, also flange 22a and die 22b are thermoregulated, i.e. heated to a controlled temperature. Screw 24 and gear pump 26 too can be heated to a controlled temperature, by way of example included between about 40 C. and about 120 C.

[0107] Therefore the continuous elongated element 21 of raw elastomeric material having a substantially circular cross-section profile is delivered through the delivery opening 25. Alternatively, conformation of the delivery opening 25 and, consequently, of the cross-section profile of the continuous elongated element 21, can be of the ellipsoidal type. In both cases, the area of the cross section of the delivery opening 25 is preferably included between about 3.5 mm.sup.2 and about 100 mm.sup.2.

[0108] Said dimensional features allow the continuous elongated element 21 to be delivered according to a desired linear delivery speed V.sub.1, corresponding to a so-called target value, of the volumetric flow rate, just as an indication included between about 1 cm.sup.3/s and about 70 cm.sup.3/s, without too many deformations being imposed to the mass of elastomeric material at the delivery opening 25. Thus the temperature of the elastomeric material at the delivery opening 25 can be advantageously maintained to relatively low values, just as an indication included between about 70 C. and about 110 C.

[0109] An application device 27 operating downstream of the feeding unit 20 carries out application of the continuous elongated element 21 coming from said feeding unit 20 onto the forming support 16 (FIG. 3).

[0110] During application, the forming support 16 supported in overhanging for example by one of said robotized arms 17, is driven in rotation at a peripheral speed V.sub.3 by suitable devices, and moved in front of the application device 27, for distributing the continuous elongated element 21 into coils disposed in approached and/or superposed relationship and wound around this forming support 16, so as to form a liner 5 for example, or any other component of elastomeric material of the tyre being processed.

[0111] The application device 27 comprises at least one application member 28 acting in thrust relationship towards the forming support 16, by effect of a pneumatic actuator 29 for example, for applying the continuous elongated element 21 onto the forming support 16.

[0112] As shown in the drawings, the application member 28 is a roller mounted, preferably idly, on a rocking arm 27a. The end of the rocking arm 27a opposite to the end carrying roller 28 is connected to the pneumatic actuator 29. A cylindrical side surface 28a of the idler roller 28 rests on and pushes against the continuous elongated element 21 applied to the forming support 16. Said cylindrical side surface 28a is preferably made of a silicone-based anti-sticking material.

[0113] Operatively disposed between the feeding unit 20 and the application device 27 is a conveyor 30 the function of which is to bring the continuous elongated element 21 coming out of the feeding unit 20 onto the forming support 16 and close to the application device 27. The application member 28 is preferably operatively supported with respect to conveyor 30.

[0114] Conveyor 30 has a moving surface 31 which carries out a continuous motion along a predetermined direction X, at a linear advancing speed V.sub.2 and towards a proximal end 32 of the conveyor 30 adjacent to the forming support 16.

[0115] The continuous elongated element 21 is advanced on the moving surface 31 along the predetermined direction X and guided until the proximal end 32, at which the application device 27 is positioned.

[0116] In the preferred embodiment shown, conveyor 30 comprises a conveyor belt 33 wrapped on a proximal roller 34a, located at the proximal end 32 of conveyor 30, and on a distal roller 34b, located at the distal end 35 of conveyor 30 opposite to the proximal end 32 and adjacent to the delivery opening 25 of extruder 22. One or both rollers 34a, 34b are power driven.

[0117] The conveyor belt 33 can be for instance defined by a toothed belt passing over rollers 34a, 34b having a peripheral toothing. The conveyor belt 33, at least in the portion coming into contact with the continuous elongated element 21, is made of a preferably silicone-based anti-sticking material.

[0118] The conveyor belt 33 at the upper part thereof has a rectilinear going stretch 33a supporting the elongated element 21 and therefore defining the moving surface 31 which substantially lies in a single plane.

[0119] The conveyor belt 33 is such driven that it follows the continuous elongated element 21 moving away from extruder 22 until close to the application member 28.

[0120] Conveyor 30 and applicator roller 28 can have a size in width substantially as high as that of the continuous elongated element 21, so that they do not hinder movement of the forming support 16 by the robotized arm during laying of the continuous elongated element 21. In different embodiments, the width of the conveyor belt 33 can vary between about 0.8 and about 3 times the width of the continuous elongated element 21.

[0121] Conveyor 30 further comprises a presser device 36 mounted to the distal end 35 of conveyor 30. In the embodiment shown, the presser device 36 comprises a roller 37 which faces the moving surface 31 of conveyor 30 and has a cylindrical side surface 38 susceptible of engagement with the continuous elongated element 21. Roller 37 is freely rotatable around a rotation axis of its own substantially parallel to the rotation axes of the proximal 34a and distal 34b rollers of conveyor 30 and to that of roller 28 of the application device 27. The cylindrical side surface 38 of roller 37 too is preferably made of silicone-based anti-sticking material.

[0122] Roller 37 is pushed towards the moving surface 31 of conveyor 30 and pressed against the continuous elongated element 21 through a presser element 39, of the elastic type for example, such as a spring, or of a hydraulic or pneumatic type.

[0123] In the embodiment shown, roller 37 is positioned immediately downstream of extruder 22, so as to guide the continuous elongated element 21 on the conveyor belt 33 and keep the continuous elongated element 21 in contact with said conveyor belt 33.

[0124] In this manner, the continuous elongated element 21, at least in the region immediately downstream of the presser device 36, moves together with the moving surface 31 and at the same linear advancing speed V.sub.2 as the latter. The continuous elongated element 21 exiting extruder 22 is directly fed between roller 37 and the moving surface 31 without interposition of other devices adapted to modify the section of same, such as calenders, etc., for example. In fact, as shown in FIG. 3, in the region placed downstream of the delivery opening 25 and upstream of conveyor 30 no devices of the above mentioned type are present.

[0125] The forming device 19 further comprises an electronic control unit 40 operatively connected to extruder 22, the devices determining rotation of support 16 and conveyor 30. The control unit 40 is provided with sensors capable of detecting the operating parameters of the forming devices 19, among which linear delivery speed V.sub.1, linear advancing speed V.sub.2, and peripheral speed V.sub.3 and is able to modify one or more of these speeds before starting application and/or during an application cycle.

[0126] In use, the continuous elongated element 21 delivered from extruder 22 at the linear delivery speed V.sub.1 is directly routed between roller 37 of the presser device 36 and belt 33. Roller 37 presses against the continuous elongated element 21 that in turn presses against belt 33 and gives the continuous elongated element 21 the same linear advancing speed V.sub.2 as that of belt 33, which is different from the linear delivery speed V.sub.1. Preferably, the linear advancing speed V.sub.2 is included between about 0.75 times and about 0.995 times the linear delivery speed V.sub.1.

[0127] In different embodiments, the linear advancing speed V.sub.2 is included between about 1.005 times and about 1.5 times the linear delivery speed V.sub.1.

[0128] If the linear advancing speed V.sub.2 is higher than the linear delivery speed V.sub.1, the continuous elongated element 21 is axially drawn, close to roller 37. The ratio of the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 downstream of roller 37 to the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 upstream of roller 37 that is substantially coincident with that of the delivery opening 25, is preferably included between about 0.7 and about 0.99.

[0129] If the linear advancing speed V.sub.2 is lower than the linear delivery speed V.sub.1, the continuous elongated element 21 is axially compressed, close to roller 37. The ratio between the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 downstream of roller 37 and the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 upstream of roller 37 that is substantially coincident with that of the delivery opening 25, is preferably included between about 1.01 and about 1.3.

[0130] Once the continuous elongated element 21 has reached the proximal end 32, it leaves conveyor 30 and is applied to the forming support 16 passing between the support 16 itself and the application member 28.

[0131] The application member 28 presses against the continuous elongated element 21 that in turn presses against the forming support 16 and gives the continuous elongated element 21 the peripheral speed V.sub.3 of the forming support 16 which is higher than the linear delivery speed V.sub.1.

[0132] Preferably, the peripheral speed V.sub.3 is included between about 1.2 times and about 7 times the linear delivery speed V.sub.1, more preferably is included between about 1.3 times and about 1.6 times the linear delivery speed V.sub.1.

[0133] Preferably, in addition, the peripheral speed V.sub.3 is higher than the linear advancing speed V.sub.2 and the continuous elongated element 21 is therefore preferably drawn in the length included between the presser device 36 and the application member 27.

[0134] In these embodiments, the continuous elongated element 21 through the two quick speed changes is in any case axially drawn as compared with when it exits the extruder 22.

[0135] The ratio between the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 once laid on the forming support 16 and the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 coming out of extruder 22, which is substantially coincident with that of the delivery opening 25, is preferably higher than or as high as about 0.3 and lower than 1. Since the first quick speed change can involve drawing or compression, axial drawing can take place both at the presser device 36 and at the application member 28 or fully at the application member 28.

[0136] Alternatively, in different embodiments the peripheral speed V.sub.3 can be lower than the linear delivery speed V.sub.1, so as to compress the continuous elongated element 21. This solution is adopted with particular elastomeric materials or geometry of a tyre component such as to require winding of coils with a continuous elongated element 21 having greater section than the section of the delivery opening 25.

[0137] In these cases too it is possible to have said speed reduction with consequent compression and increase in the section area in two distinct steps even if V.sub.2 is lower than V.sub.1, or it is possible to have a step of speed reduction and consequent compression preceded by a step of speed increase and consequent drawing (or stretching), when V.sub.2 is higher than V.sub.1.

[0138] Preferably, in the last-mentioned embodiments, the peripheral speed V.sub.3 is included between about 0.5 times and about 0.95 times the linear delivery speed V.sub.1. More preferably, the peripheral speed V.sub.3 is included between about 0.65 times and about 0.85 times the linear delivery speed V.sub.1.

[0139] The ratio between the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 once laid on the forming support 16 and the area of the cross-section of the continuous elongated element 21 coming out of extruder 22, that is substantially coincident with that of the delivery opening 25, is preferably smaller than or as high as about 1.5 and greater than 1.

[0140] The ratio between the linear advancing speed V.sub.2 and the linear delivery speed V.sub.1 and the ratio between the peripheral speed V.sub.3 and the linear delivery speed V.sub.1 can be inputted before starting laying and maintained constant during application or varied, even in a manner independent of each other, during the application itself, to change the features of the continuous elongated element 21, based on the laying regions on the forming support 16. This form of laying is particularly advantageous above all if said forming support 16 is of toroidal conformation due to the particular geometry of the components to be built when building takes place on an already shaped profile.

[0141] At the end of application, the continuous elongated element 21 is cut at a region included between extruder 22 and conveyor 30, preferably this region being close to the delivery opening 25, and the length of continuous elongated element 21 disposed downstream of the cutting point is fully applied to the forming support 16.