TIRE COMPRISING AN IMPROVED BEAD

Abstract

The tire comprises a crown, two sidewalls and two beads, each sidewall connecting each bead to the crown, a carcass reinforcement that is anchored in each bead and extends in each sidewall and radially on the inside of the crown, each bead comprising at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40) comprising N≥2 circumferential turns which are radially superposed on one another. The continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40) comprises a radially outer free end (E1) and a radially inner free end (E2). At least one of the radially outer free end (E1) and the radially inner free end (E2) is threaded between two portions (50, 52) arranged radially on the outside and on the inside of the free end (E1, E2) in question.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. A tire (10) of substantially toric shape about an axis of revolution (A), the tire comprising a crown (12), two sidewalls (30) and two beads (32), each sidewall (30) connecting each bead (32) to the crown (12), the tire (10) comprising at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) comprising N≥2 circumferential turns about the axis of revolution (A) which are radially superposed on one another, the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) comprising a radially outer free end (E1, E3) and a radially inner free end (E2, E4), and the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) extending radially at least in part in one of the two beads (32), wherein at least one of conditions I and II is satisfied: I—the radially outer free end (E1, E3) is, at an azimuth (Az0; Az0′) of the radially outer free end (E1, E3), arranged radially between: at least one first portion (50, 60) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), the at least one first portion (50, 60) being arranged radially on the outside of the radially outer free end (E1, E3), and at least one second portion (52, 62) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), the at least one second portion (52, 62) being arranged radially on the inside of the radially outer free end (E1, E3), and II—the radially inner free end (E2, E4) is, at an azimuth (Az0; Az0″) of the radially inner free end (E2, E4), arranged radially between: at least one first portion (54, 64) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), the first portion (54, 64) being arranged radially on the outside of the radially inner free end (E2, E4), and at least one second portion (56, 66) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), the at least one second portion (56, 66) being arranged radially on the inside of the radially inner free end (E2, E4).

17. The tire (10) according to claim 16, wherein only condition I is satisfied.

18. The tire (10) according to claim 16, wherein the at least one first portion (50, 60) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) arranged radially on the outside of the radially outer free end (E1, E3) and the at least one second portion (52, 62) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) arranged radially on the inside of the radially outer free end (E1, E3) are radially consecutive, and wherein the at least one first portion (54, 64) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) arranged radially on the outside of the radially inner free end (E2, E4) and the at least one second portion (56, 66) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) arranged radially on the inside of the radially inner free end (E2, E4) are radially consecutive.

19. The tire (10) according to claim 16, wherein the at least one first portion (50, 60) of the continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) arranged radially on the outside of the radially outer free end (E1, E3) is, at the azimuth (Az0; Az0′) of the radially outer free end (E1, E3), the radially outermost portion of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), and wherein the at least one second portion (56, 66) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) arranged radially on the inside of the radially inner free end (E2, E4) is, at the azimuth (Az0; Az0″) of the radially inner free end (E2, E4), the radially innermost portion of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40).

20. The tire (10) according to claim 16, wherein the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) extends radially entirely in the bead (32).

21. The tire (10) according to claim 16, further comprising a carcass reinforcement (34) that is anchored in each bead (32) and extends in each sidewall (30) and radially on the inside of the crown (12).

22. The tire (10) according to claim 21, wherein the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) is arranged axially on the outside of the carcass reinforcement (34).

23. The tire (10) according to claim 21, wherein each bead (32) comprises: an axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38) arranged axially on the inside of the carcass reinforcement (34); and an axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40) arranged axially on the outside of the carcass reinforcement (34).

24. The tire (10) according to claim 23, wherein, with the carcass reinforcement (34) comprising at least one carcass layer (36, 37), the or each carcass layer (36, 37) being delimited axially by two axial edges (36A, 36B, 37A, 37B), each axial edge is arranged axially between the radially inner end (38A) of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38) and the radially inner end (40A) of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40).

25. The tire (10) according to claim 23, wherein the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40) comprises Ne≥2 circumferential turns about the axis of revolution (A) which are radially superposed on one another, with the axially outer filamentary reinforcing element (40) comprising a radially outer free end (E1) and a radially inner free end (E2), and wherein at least one of the following conditions I″, II″ is satisfied: I″—the radially outer free end (E1) of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40) is, at the azimuth (Az0; Az0′) of the radially outer free end (E1), arranged radially between: at least one first portion (50) of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40), the at least one first portion (50) being arranged radially on the outside of the radially outer free end (E1), and at least one second portion (52) of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40), the at least one second portion (52) being arranged radially on the inside of the radially outer free end (E1), and II″—the radially inner free end (E2) of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40) is, at the azimuth (Az0; Az0″) of the radially inner free end (E2), arranged radially between: at least one first portion (54) of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40), the at least one first portion (54) being arranged radially on the outside of the radially inner free end (E2), and at least one second portion (56) of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element (40), the at least one second portion (56) being arranged radially on the inside of the radially inner free end (E2).

26. The tire (10) according to claim 21, wherein the carcass reinforcement (34) comprises at least one carcass layer (36, 37), the or each carcass layer (36, 37) comprising carcass filamentary reinforcing elements (360), each carcass filamentary reinforcing element (360) extending substantially along a main direction (D3) that forms an angle (AC), in terms of absolute value, greater than or equal to 60°, with the circumferential direction (X) of the tire (10).

27. The tire (10) according to claim 21, wherein the crown (12) comprises: a tread (14) intended to come into contact with a ground when the tire (10) is running; and a crown reinforcement (16) arranged radially between the tread (14) and the carcass reinforcement (34).

28. The tire (10) according to claim 27, wherein the crown reinforcement (16) comprises a working reinforcement (20) comprising at least one working layer (24, 26), the or each working layer (24, 26) comprising working filamentary reinforcing elements (240, 260), each working filamentary reinforcing element (240, 260) extending along a main direction (D1, D2) that forms an angle (AT1, AT2), in terms of absolute value, strictly greater than 10°, with the circumferential direction (X) of the tire (10).

29. The tire (10) according to claim 27, wherein the crown reinforcement (16) comprises a hoop reinforcement (22) comprising at least one hooping layer (28), the or each hooping layer (28) comprising at least one hooping filamentary reinforcing element (280) wound circumferentially in a helix along a main direction (D0) of the or of each hooping filamentary reinforcing element (280) that forms an angle (AF), in terms of absolute value, less than or equal to 10°, with the circumferential direction (X) of the tire (10).

30. A method for manufacturing the tire according to claim 16, the method comprising: placing a mass of polymer composition on a support substantially exhibiting symmetry of revolution about an axis of revolution (B) of the support, the mass of polymer composition being intended to form at least a part of at least one of the beads (32); then carrying out one or the other of the following steps EI and EII: EI—placing the radially outer free end (E1, E3) directly in contact with the mass of polymer composition and then winding the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) through N≥2 circumferential turns about the axis of revolution (B) of the support, which are superposed on one another, such that the radially outer free end (E1, E3) is, at the azimuth (Az0; Az0′) of the radially outer free end (E1, E3), arranged radially between: at least the first portion (50, 60) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), which is arranged radially on the outside of the radially outer free end (E1, E3), and at least the second portion (52, 62) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), which is arranged radially on the inside of the radially outer free end (E1, E3), and EII—placing the radially inner free end (E2, E4) directly in contact with the mass of polymer composition and then winding the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40) through N≥2 circumferential turns about the axis of revolution (B) of the support, which are superposed on one another, such that the radially inner free end (E2, E4) is, at the azimuth (Az0; Az0″) of the radially inner free end (E2, E4), arranged radially between: at least the first portion (54, 64) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), which is arranged radially on the outside of the radially inner free end (E2, E4), and at least the second portion (56, 66) of the at least one continuous filamentary reinforcing element (38, 39, 40), which is arranged radially on the inside of the radially inner free end (E2, E4).

Description

[0107] FIG. 1 is a view of a tyre according to the prior art on the meridian section plane 1-1′ in FIG. 2;

[0108] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a separated continuous filamentary reinforcing element of the tyre in FIG. 1;

[0109] FIG. 3 is a view similar to the one in FIG. 1 of a tyre according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0110] FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the tyre in FIG. 3, illustrating the arrangement of the filamentary reinforcing elements in and under the crown;

[0111] FIG. 5 is a view similar to the one in FIG. 2 of a separated continuous filamentary reinforcing element of the tyre in FIG. 3;

[0112] FIG. 6 is a detail view of the portion VI of FIG. 5;

[0113] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of the bead of the tyre in FIG. 3 on the meridian section planes 7-7′ and 8-8′, respectively, in FIG. 5;

[0114] FIGS. 9 to 14 illustrate different steps of the method for manufacturing the tyre in FIG. 3;

[0115] FIG. 15 is a view of a bead of a tyre according to a second embodiment;

[0116] FIGS. 16 and 17 are views similar to the ones in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the tyre in FIG. 15;

[0117] FIGS. 18 and 19 are views of a bead of a tyre according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0118] FIG. 20 is a view similar to the ones in FIGS. 5 and 16 of the tyre in FIGS. 18 and 19;

[0119] FIGS. 21 to 25 are views similar to the ones in FIGS. 15 and 19 of tyres according to other embodiments of the invention;

[0120] FIG. 26 is a view similar to the one in FIG. 3 of a tyre according to a fourth embodiment; and

[0121] FIG. 27 is a view similar to the one in FIGS. 15 and 19 of a tyre according to a fifth embodiment.

[0122] A frame of reference X, Y, Z corresponding to the usual axial (Y), radial (Z) and circumferential (X) directions, respectively, of a tyre is shown in the figures relating to the tyre. A frame of reference x, y, z corresponding to the usual axial (y), radial (z) and circumferential (x) directions, respectively, of a manufacturing support of substantially toric shape about the axis y is shown in the figures relating to the method.

[0123] FIG. 3 shows a tyre according to the invention and denoted by the general reference 10. The tyre 10 has a substantially toric shape about an axis of revolution substantially parallel to the axial direction Y. The tyre 10 is in this case intended for a passenger vehicle and has the size 275/35R20.

[0124] The tyre 10 comprises a crown 12 comprising a tread 14 intended to come into contact with the ground when it is running and a crown reinforcement 16 extending in the crown 12 in the circumferential direction X. The tyre 10 also comprises an airtight layer 18 with respect to an inflation gas that is intended to delimit an internal cavity closed with a mounting support for the tyre 10 once the tyre 10 has been mounted on the mounting support, for example a rim. The airtight layer 18 is based on butyl.

[0125] The crown reinforcement 16 comprises a working reinforcement 20 and a hoop reinforcement 22.

[0126] The working reinforcement 16 comprises at least one working layer and in this case comprises two working layers 24, 26. In this particular instance, the working reinforcement 16 is made up of the two working layers 24, 26. The radially inner working reinforcement 24 is arranged radially on the inside of the radially outer working layer 26.

[0127] The hoop reinforcement 22 comprises at least one hooping layer and in this case comprises one hooping layer 28. The hoop reinforcement 22 is in this case made up of the hooping layer 28.

[0128] The crown reinforcement 16 is surmounted radially by the tread 14. In this case, the hoop reinforcement 22, in this case the hooping layer 28, is arranged radially on the outside of the working reinforcement 20 and is therefore radially interposed between the working reinforcement 20 and the tread 14. Preferably, it may be conceivable for the hoop reinforcement 22 to have an axial width at least as large as the axial width of the working reinforcement 20 and, in this particular instance, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the hoop reinforcement 22 has an axial width greater than the axial width of the working reinforcement 20.

[0129] The tyre 10 comprises two sidewalls 30 extending the crown 12 radially inwards. The tyre 10 also has two beads 32 radially on the inside of the sidewalls 30. Each sidewall 30 connects each bead 32 to the crown 12.

[0130] Each sidewall 30 extends radially between a lower radial side R1 and an upper radial side R2. The lower radial side R1 is, in a meridian section plane, an axial straight line corresponding to the radial border with each border 32 which, it will be recalled here, is defined as being the portion of the tyre that is intended to be in contact with a flange of the rim for its attachment, as is defined in particular by the ETRTO—Standards Manual 2019. The upper radial side R2 is, in a meridian section plane, a straight line perpendicular to the carcass layer or, if the tyre comprises several carcass layers, perpendicular to the radially innermost carcass layer, and passing through a point P on the outer surface of the tyre 10 corresponding to the border between the sidewall 30 and the tread 14. To determine the point P, the tangent N to the outer surface of the tyre is drawn, on a meridian section plane of the tyre, in the mounted position inflated to nominal pressure, at any point of said outer surface in the transition zone between the sidewall 30 and the tread 14. The point P is the radially outermost point for which the angle between said tangent N and a direction substantially parallel to the radial direction Z is equal, in terms of absolute value, to 60°.

[0131] Each bead 32 is delimited radially by the upper radial side R1 described above and a lower radial side R0. Each bead 32 has a radially inner end 32A defining the lower radial side R0.

[0132] The tyre 10 comprises a carcass reinforcement 34 anchored in each bead 32. The carcass reinforcement 34 extends in each sidewall 30 and radially on the inside of the crown 12. The crown reinforcement 16 is arranged radially between the tread 20 and the carcass reinforcement 34. The carcass reinforcement 34 comprises at least one carcass layer and in this case comprises a single carcass layer 36. In this particular instance, the carcass reinforcement 34 is made up of the single carcass layer 36.

[0133] Each working layer 24, 26, hooping layer 28 and carcass layer 36 comprises an elastomer matrix in which one or more filamentary reinforcing elements of the corresponding layer are embedded. These layers will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0134] The hoop reinforcement 22, in this case the hooping layer 28, is delimited axially by two axial edges 28A, 28B of the hoop reinforcement 22. The hoop reinforcement 22 comprises one or more hooping filamentary reinforcing elements 280 wound circumferentially in a helix so as to extend axially from the axial edge 28A to the other axial edge 28B of the hooping layer 28 in a main direction DO of each hooping filamentary reinforcing element 280. The main direction DO forms an angle AF, in terms of absolute value, less than or equal to 10°, preferably less than or equal to 7° and more preferably less than or equal to 5° with the circumferential direction X of the tyre 10. In this case, AF=−5°. In the present description, it will be taken as convention that the clockwise direction defines a positive oriented angle.

[0135] The radially inner working layer 24 is delimited axially by two axial edges 24A, 24B. The radially inner working layer 24 comprises working filamentary reinforcing elements 240 extending axially from the axial edge 24A to the other axial edges 24B in a manner substantially parallel to one another along a main direction D1. Similarly, the radially outer working layer 26 is delimited axially by two axial edges 26A, 26B. The radially outer working layer 26 comprises working filamentary reinforcing elements 260 extending axially from the axial edge 26A to the other axial edge 26B in a manner substantially parallel to one another along a main direction D2. The main direction D1 along which each working filamentary reinforcing element 240 of the radially inner working layer 24 extends and the main direction D2 along which each working filamentary reinforcing element 260 of the other of the radially outer working layer 26 form angles AT1 and AT2, respectively, of opposite orientations with the circumferential direction X of the tyre 10. Each main direction D1, D2 forms an angle AT1, AT2, respectively, in terms of absolute value, strictly greater than 10°, preferably ranging from 15° to 50° and more preferably ranging from 25° to 45°, with the circumferential direction X of the tyre 10. In this case, AT1=−33° and AT2=+33°.

[0136] The carcass layer 36 is delimited axially by two axial edges 36A, 36B. The carcass layer 36 comprises carcass filamentary reinforcing elements 360 extending axially from the axial edge 36A to the other axial edge 36B of the carcass layer 36 along a main direction D3 forming an angle AC, in terms of absolute value, greater than or equal to 60°, preferably ranging from 80° to 90° and in this case AC=±90°, with the circumferential direction X of the tyre 10.

[0137] Each hooping filamentary reinforcing element 280 conventionally comprises two multifilament strands, one of the multifilament strands being made up of a spun yarn of monofilaments of aliphatic polyamide, in this case of nylon with a thread count equal to 140 tex, and the other of these strands being made up of a spun yarn of monofilaments of aromatic polyamide, in this case of aramid with a thread count equal to 167 tex, these two multifilament strands being twisted in a helix individually at 290 turns per metre in one direction and then twisted in a helix together at 290 turns per metre in the opposite direction. These two multifilament strands are wound in a helix around one another.

[0138] Each working filamentary reinforcing element 180 is an assembly of an internal layer of two monofilaments of steel wound in a helix with a pitch of 12.5 mm in a first direction, for example the Z direction, and an external layer of four monofilaments of steel wound in a helix around the internal layer at the pitch of 12.5 mm in a second direction opposite to the first direction, for example the S direction, each monofilament of steel having a diameter equal to 0.23 mm.

[0139] Each carcass filamentary reinforcing element 340 conventionally comprises three multifilament strands, each multifilament strand made up of a spun yarn of monofilaments of polyesters, in this case of PET, these three multifilament strands being twisted in a helix individually at 220 turns per metre in one direction and then twisted in a helix together at 220 turns per metre in the opposite direction. Each of these multifilament strands has a thread count equal to 220 tex.

[0140] The tyre 10 comprises at least one circumferential reinforcing element. In this particular instance, the tyre 10 comprises an axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 arranged axially on the inside of the carcass reinforcement 34 and an axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 arranged axially on the outside of the carcass reinforcement 34. FIG. 3 shows the axial straight lines D40A and D4OB that pass respectively through the radially inner end 40A and radially outer end 40B, showing that the radial portion of the carcass reinforcement 34 extending between these two straight lines D40A and D4OB is arranged axially on the inside of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40. Similarly, the axial straight lines D38A and D38B that pass respectively through the radially inner end 38A and radially outer end 38B are shown, showing that the radial portion of the carcass reinforcement 34 extending between these two straight lines D38A and D38B is arranged axially on the outside of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38. Each axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 respectively comprises a radially inner end 38A, 40A and a radially outer end 38B, 40B. Thus, each continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, 40 extends radially between the radially inner radial end 38A, 40A and the radially outer radial end 38B, 40B.

[0141] Each continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, 40 and, in particular, the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, extends radially at least in part in each bead 32 and in this case radially entirely in each bead 32. Thus, each radial end 38A, 38B, 40A, 40B is contained between the radially outer radial side R1 and radially inner radial side R0 radially delimiting the bead 32.

[0142] Each axial edge 36A, 36B of the carcass layer 36 is arranged axially between the radially inner end 38A of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and the radially inner end 40A of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40. In FIG. 3, the axial side of each radially inner end 38A, 40A is depicted using two dashed straight lines 38C and 40C.

[0143] Each axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 comprises an assembly of several metal elementary monofilaments and, in this particular instance, is made up of an assembly of an internal layer of four 0.35 mm carbon steel elementary elements wound in a helix at a pitch of 5 mm and of an external layer of nine 0.35 mm carbon steel elementary monofilaments wound in a helix around the internal layer at a pitch of 10 mm.

[0144] The axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 comprises Ni complete circumferential turns, Ni being less than or equal to 10, preferably less than or equal to 8. In this case, the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 comprises Ni=6 complete circumferential turns Ti1, Ti2, Ti3, Ti4, Ti5 and Ti6 and one incomplete circumferential turn Ti′7 about the axis of revolution A, which are radially superposed on one another. The axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element also comprises a radially outer free end E3 and a radially inner free end E4 (not shown in FIGS. 3 to 14).

[0145] Similarly, and as can be seen in FIGS. 5 to 14, the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 comprises Ne complete circumferential turns, Ne being less than or equal to 10, preferably less than or equal to 8. In this case, the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 comprises Ne=6 complete circumferential turns Te1, Te2, Te3, Te4, Te5 and Te6 and one incomplete circumferential turn Te′7 about the axis of revolution A, which are radially superposed on one another. The axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 comprises a radially outer free end E1 and a radially inner free end E2, the radially outer free end E1 being arranged radially on the outside of the radially inner free end E2.

[0146] With reference to FIG. 6, with k increasing on progressing along the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 from the radially outer free end E1 to the radially inner free end E2, the complete circumferential turn Te1 starts at the radially outer end E1 and defines a reference azimuth Az0. The complete circumferential turn Te1 ends, after a complete circumferential turn about the axis of revolution A, before the azimuth Az0, from which the complete circumferential turn Te2 then starts. The complete circumferential turn Te2 ends, after a complete turn about the axis of revolution A, before the azimuth Az0, from which the complete circumferential turn Te3 then starts, and so on as far as the complete circumferential turn Te6, which ends, after a complete turn about the axis of revolution A, before the azimuth Az0, from which the incomplete circumferential turn Te′7 then starts.

[0147] The axially outer free end E1 of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is, at the azimuth of the radially outer free end E1, in this case the reference azimuth Az0, arranged radially between: [0148] a first portion 50 of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, this first portion 50 being arranged radially on the outside of the radially outer free end E1, and [0149] a second portion 52 of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, this second portion 52 being arranged radially on the inside of the radially outer free end E1.

[0150] In this particular instance, the radially outer free end E1 is arranged radially between the first portion 50 distributed over the complete circumferential turns Te1 and Te2 and the second portion 52 distributed over the complete circumferential turns Te2 and Te3.

[0151] The first portion 50 and the second portion 52 are radially consecutive. The first portion 50 is, at the azimuth Az0 of the radially outer free end E1, the radially outermost portion of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40.

[0152] The tyre 10 according to the first embodiment therefore satisfies only the conditions I and I″ described above.

[0153] In FIG. 3, corresponding to the view in section on the second plane 3-3′ in FIG. 5, the end E1 is depicted in the form of a circle filled with black. In FIG. 3, the end E1 in the plane 3-3′ is arranged radially between the first portion 50 distributed over the complete circumferential turns Te1 and Te2 and the second portion 52 distributed over the complete circumferential turns Te2 and Te3.

[0154] In FIG. 7, corresponding to the view in section on the section plane 7-7′ in FIG. 5, that is to say in the meridian section plane in which there is an axial crossing between two portions of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, the portion of the turn Te1 in this plane 7-7′ is axially aligned substantially with the portion of the complete circumferential turn Te2 in this same plane 7-7′.

[0155] In FIG. 8, corresponding to the view in section on the section plane 8-8′ in FIG. 5, the portion of the turn Te1 in this plane 8-8′ is arranged radially on the outside of the portion of the complete circumferential turn Te2.

[0156] A method for manufacturing the tyre in FIG. 3 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. The method illustrated is of the non-shaping type, meaning that a non-deformable rigid manufacturing support is used. This type of method is described in particular in WO03/101713, EP1094930, EP1463627 or EP0976535.

[0157] During a first step, the airtight layer 18 is formed on a manufacturing support substantially exhibiting symmetry of revolution about an axis of revolution B of the support. Then, a first mass of polymer composition is placed on the airtight layer 18, this first mass being intended to form at least one part of the bead 32. Then, the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 is placed on this first mass of polymer composition. Then, the carcass layer 36 is formed on the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, this carcass layer comprising, axially on the outside of the carcass filamentary reinforcing elements 360, a second mass of polymer composition intended to form at least one part of the bead 32.

[0158] Next, the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is placed on the second mass of polymer composition. To this end, as is shown in FIG. 9, the radially outer free end E1 is placed directly in contact with the third mass of polymer composition. Then, as is illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14, the continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is wound over the six complete circumferential turns Te1, Te2, Te3, Te4, Te5 and Te6 and over the incomplete circumferential turn T′e7 about the axis of revolution B of the support, which are superposed on one another, such that the radially outer free end E1 is, at the azimuth Az0 of the radially outer free end E1, arranged radially between the first portion 50 and the second portion 52.

[0159] The radially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 illustrated in FIG. 5 is obtained. The method according to the first embodiment therefore satisfies only the condition E1 described above.

[0160] The manufacture of the tyre is finished by placing, on the radially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, a third mass of polymer composition intended to form at least one part of the bead 32, this third mass of polymer composition being intended to be in contact with the mounting support of the tyre 10, for example a rim. The crown 12 is formed by successively laying the working reinforcement 20, the hoop reinforcement 22 and the tread 14.

[0161] FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. Elements similar to those illustrated in the previous figures are denoted by identical references.

[0162] In contrast to the first embodiment, the radially inner free end E2 is in this case threaded. Thus, the radially inner free end E2 is, at the azimuth Az0 of the radially inner free end E2, arranged radially between: [0163] a first portion 54 of the continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, this first portion 54 being arranged radially on the outside of the radially inner free end E2, and [0164] a second portion 56 of the continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, this second portion 56 being arranged radially on the inside of the radially inner free end E2.

[0165] In this particular instance, the radially outer free end E2 is arranged radially between the first portion 54 distributed over the complete circumferential turns Te2 and Te3 and the portion 56 distributed over the complete circumferential turns Te1 and Te2.

[0166] The first portion 54 and the second portion 56 are radially consecutive. The second portion 56 is, at the azimuth Az0 of the radially inner free end E2, the radially innermost portion of the continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40.

[0167] The tyre 10 according to the second embodiment therefore satisfied the conditions II and II″ described above.

[0168] In contrast to the method according to the first embodiment, in order to manufacture the tyre according to the second embodiment, the radially inner free end E2 is placed directly in contact with the second mass of polymer composition, then, the continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is wound over the six complete circumferential turns Te1, Te2, Te3, Te4, Te5 and Te6 and over the incomplete circumferential turn T′e7 about the axis of revolution B of the support, which are superposed on one another, such that the radially inner free end E2 is, at the azimuth Az0 of the radially inner free end E2, arranged radially between the first portion 54 and the second portion 56.

[0169] FIGS. 18 to 20 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. Elements similar to those illustrated in the previous figures are denoted by identical references.

[0170] The third embodiment is the combination of the first and second embodiments, in which each radially inner free end E2 and radially outer free end E1 is threaded. In FIG. 20, the reference azimuth Az0′ of the radially outer free end E1 is distinguished from the reference azimuth Az0″ of the radially inner free end E2. FIG. 18 corresponds to the view in section on the section plane 18-18′ in FIG. 20 and FIG. 19 corresponds to the view in section on the section plane 19-19′ in FIG. 20.

[0171] FIGS. 21 to 25 illustrate further embodiments of the invention. Elements similar to those illustrated in the previous figures are denoted by identical references. In the embodiments in these figures, unlike the previous embodiments and in order to simplify the description, the radially outer free end E1, E3 and radially inner free end E2, E4 are at the same azimuth Az0. Nevertheless, without departing from the scope of the invention, the radially outer free end E1, E3 and radially inner free end E2, E4 could be at different or identical azimuths, with the other features of the embodiments described in FIGS. 21 and 25 being reproduced.

[0172] FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment in which only conditions I, I′ and I″ are satisfied, meaning that each radially outer free end E3, E1, respectively, of each axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is threaded. This embodiment is particularly preferred since it makes it possible to eliminate any risk of cracking at the radially outer free ends of each axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40.

[0173] In this particular instance, in addition to the features of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 that are described in the first embodiment, the tyre is such that the radially outer free end E3 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 is, at the azimuth Az0 of the radially outer free end E3, arranged radially between: [0174] a first portion 60 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, this first portion 60 being arranged radially on the outside of the radially outer free end E3, and [0175] a second portion 62 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, this second portion 62 being arranged radially on the inside of the radially outer free end E3.

[0176] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment in which only conditions II, II′ and II″ are satisfied, meaning that each radially inner free end E4, E2, respectively, of each axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is threaded.

[0177] In this particular instance, in addition to the features of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 that are described in the second embodiment, the tyre is such that the radially inner free end E4 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 is, at the azimuth Az0 of the radially inner free end E4, arranged radially between: [0178] a first portion 64 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, this first portion 64 being arranged radially on the outside of the radially inner free end E4, and [0179] a second portion 66 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, this second portion 66 being arranged radially on the inside of the radially inner free end E4.

[0180] FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment in which: [0181] conditions I, II are both satisfied for the tyre, [0182] only condition I′ is satisfied for the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, meaning that the radially outer free end E3 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 is threaded, [0183] only condition II″ is satisfied for the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, meaning that the radially inner free end E2 of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is threaded.

[0184] FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment in which: [0185] conditions I, II are both satisfied for the tyre, [0186] only condition II″ is satisfied for the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, meaning that the radially inner free end E4 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 is threaded, [0187] only condition I″ is satisfied for the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, meaning that the radially outer free end E1 of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is threaded.

[0188] FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment resulting from the combination of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 or from the combination of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, meaning that: [0189] conditions I, II are both satisfied for the tyre, [0190] conditions I′, II′ are both satisfied for the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38, meaning that each radially outer free end E3 and radially inner free end E4 of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 is threaded, [0191] conditions I″, II″ are both satisfied for the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40, meaning that each radially outer free end E1 and radially inner free end E2 of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40 is threaded.

[0192] FIG. 26 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention. Elements similar to those illustrated in the previous figures are denoted by identical references.

[0193] Unlike the first embodiment, the carcass reinforcement 34 comprises two carcass layers. In this case, the carcass reinforcement 34 comprises a radially inner carcass layer 36 and a radially outer carcass layer 37 arranged on the outside of the radially inner carcass layer 36. The radially outer carcass layer 37 is delimited axially by two axial edges 37A, 37B. Similarly to the radially inner carcass layer 36, the radially outer carcass layer 37 comprises carcass filamentary reinforcing elements extending axially from the axial edge 37A to the other axial edge 37B of the radially outer carcass layer 37 along a main direction forming an angle, in terms of absolute value, greater than or equal to 60°, preferably ranging from 80° to 90° and in this case equal to +90°, with the circumferential direction X of the tyre 10.

[0194] In addition to the axially inner reinforcing element 38 and axially outer reinforcing element 40, each bead 32 comprises an axially intermediate continuous filamentary reinforcing element 39 arranged axially between the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40. The axially intermediate continuous filamentary reinforcing element 39 comprises a radially inner end 39A. Similarly to FIG. 3, in FIG. 25, the axial side of each radially inner end 38A, 39A and 40A is depicted using two dashed straight lines 38C, 39C and 40C.

[0195] The axial edge 36A of the radially inner carcass layer 36 is arranged axially between the radially inner end 38A of the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and the radially inner end 39A of the axially intermediate continuous filamentary reinforcing element 39.

[0196] The axial edge 37A of the radially outer carcass layer 37 is arranged axially between the radially inner end 39A of the axially intermediate continuous filamentary reinforcing element 39 and the radially inner end 40A of the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40.

[0197] FIG. 26 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention. Elements similar to those illustrated in the previous figures are denoted by identical references.

[0198] As in the fourth embodiment, the tyre 10 comprises two carcass layers 36, 37. However, the tyre 10 according to the fifth embodiment does not comprise an axially intermediate continuous filamentary reinforcing element 39 arranged axially between the axially inner continuous filamentary reinforcing element 38 and the axially outer continuous filamentary reinforcing element 40.

[0199] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0200] Thus, for example, although not depicted in the above figures, it will optionally be preferred for the azimuth of the radially outer free end and the azimuth of the radially inner free end to be separated from one another by an angular spacing of between 90° and 180°, for example 120°.