KR20080042645A - Method and apparatus for vacuum forming an elastomeric tire - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum forming apparatus and process for its use in forming a transport tire from an elastomeric material that includes a mold having a cavity or annular area wherein a transport tire core of plies, belt and beads is laid-up on a mandrel located within the mold. The mold receives a cover fitted in sealing engagement over the mold top and a cylindrical canister is fitted through the center of which cover and the mold center that is open at a top end to receive a pour of an elastomeric material mixture and includes a needle valve in its lower end that exhausts into one end of the mold annular area. The cylindrical canister includes a port for connection to a deep vacuum source and the cover includes a port that is for connection to a low level vacuum source, with the deep vacuum to remove air from the elastomeric material mixture as it is poured into the canister, and with, after filling, the port is open to atmosphere and the needle valve is opened to exhaust the mixture into the mold annular chamber wherethrough it is pulled by the low level vacuum through the cover port, filling the mold annular cavity and thoroughly impregnating the core maintained therein.

Description

TECHNICAL AND APPARATUS FOR VACUUM FORMING AN ELASTOMERIC TIRE

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for vacuum forming a carrier tire of an elastomer comprising a core of plies, belts and beads.

The present invention relates to a vacuum forming apparatus for use in a method for automatically forming a conveying tire of an elastomeric material, including an optimally positioned ply, belt and a core of beads, to provide a balanced conveying tire.

If the air is initially vented from the cavity of the tire tread mold during the molding process, it is unnecessary to vent the material introduced during the process of forming and forming projections or tites through the separate holes in the mold. The protrusions or tees protrude from the tread surface and are detached when the tire is removed from the mold, cut off and worn out in use of the tire. In order to prevent this unnecessary appearance deformation, it is unnecessary to provide flow passages or vents, while the air is vented from the mold cavity just prior to shaping the tread, while maintaining a smooth, pocketless, unpolluted and finished tread surface. Examples of forming a vacuum into a tire mold prior to molding the tread are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,573,894 and 5,152,951.

The tire mold disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,573,894 has a cavity, and the mold receives the tire and finally molds the tire. According to the patent, a surface is provided which contacts the outer side of the tire during the tire treatment process. To prevent air and other fluids from trapping between the tire and the surface of the highway forming the tire tread, a single vacuum source is connected to the cavity to remove air from within the cavity at the beginning of the tire treatment cycle.

Similar to US Pat. No. 4,573,894, US Pat. No. 5,152,951 removes fluid from the mold cavity at the beginning of the tire treatment cycle. According to the patent, the fluid is removed through the spaces between the surfaces of the mold parts forming the separation area of the mold. According to the patents, a single vacuum source is provided, and the vacuum source is connected to a mold cavity which forms tire sidewalls and tread surfaces. On the other hand, according to the present invention, air is removed from the elastomer mixture before air is provided into the mold cavity. The flow passes through the core of the plies, belts and beads to fill the area between the inner and outer mold walls and to form a finished working tire without voids or pockets.

The core of the plies, belts and beads used in the vacuum forming apparatus of the present invention is currently pending and regarding the "tire core package and tire manufacturing process for manufacturing tires with plies, belts and beads" on May 13, 2002. Published in US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 143,678. According to the patent applications, elastomeric layers having a sandwich structure and pretreated between layers of plies and belts are used, using a spin forming method and on a mandrel assembled inside a mold for molding a tire. The elastomeric layers are formed. One of the inventors of the present invention is the inventor of US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 856,652 filed and assigned on May 28, 2004 for elastomeric tires having arcuate protrusions. The present invention relates to a method for forming a conveying tire from an elastomeric material, which differs from the prior art patent applications relating to the spin forming apparatus and the method used in the spin forming apparatus for molding a transport tire. Patent applications are filed on June 4, 2004 for "Method and Apparatus and Molded Elastomer Tires for Forming Cores of Plies, Belts and Beads and Positioning the Cores in a Mold for Molding Elastomer Tires" Assigned US patent application Ser. No. 10/860997 and "Enhanced Apparatus and Method for Positioning Cores in Molds for Molding Cores of Plies, Belts and Beads and Molding Elastomer Tires" US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 809,807, filed and assigned on Feb. 2. The prior art patents relate to spin forming methods, not to the vacuum forming apparatus and method of the present invention.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for forming a conveying tire comprising a core of an optimally positioned ply, belt and beads to provide a perfectly balanced tire and a method using the apparatus.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum apparatus for molding a tire of elastomer having a core of plies, belts and beads in a single operation, in which the cores of the plies, belts and beads are optimally positioned. In order to form a homogeneous tire, air is removed from the mixture before the elastomeric material mixture passes into the mold, filling all voids formed between the core layers and the elastomeric material under vacuum Pulled through.

Still another object of the present invention includes a canister that is initially arranged in a deep vacuum when the vacuum casting device receives a volume of mixed elastomeric components and vacuums air from the mixture, The canister is then opened to the atmosphere and the deaerated column mixture passes through the canister discharge valve and into the mold cavity in a low vacuum state, and the plies, belts and beads in the cavity formed between the inner and outer mold surfaces. The core of the mold is retained, and the mixture from which the air is removed by the low vacuum can be extracted across the core, filling the mold cavity, and the core can be molded into a homogeneous final state tire.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mold having a cavity as a component of a vacuum forming apparatus having a supply connected to a vacuum source, the supply being opened at the upper end to receive a mixture of elastomeric material components and the mixture vented. It has a high vacuum state to extract air from the mixture to pass through the inside of the mold cavity of the low vacuum state through the valve.

Still another object of the present invention is to connect the supply canister to the mold circular region including the mandrel, and when the mold cavity is in low vacuum, the tire cores of the ply, belt and beads with the separator are arranged on the canister and the tire cord The crown is formed by winding, and the supply canister is formed in a high vacuum state so that the air contained in the elastomer mixture is removed, and when the canister valve is opened, the air-containing elastomer material mixture is introduced into the mold cavity. It moves across the tire core to form a homogeneous tire and completely surrounds the cord.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum forming apparatus in which the core of the ply, belt and beads is molded in an optimum position in the tire in the final state, in order to provide a final tire in a near perfect balance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum forming apparatus for manufacturing an elastomer tire, in which all air is removed from the mixture and retained inside the mold cavity before the elastomeric material mixture passes through the mold during the molding process. The elastomeric material is introduced in a low vacuum state to completely permeate the elastomeric material around the core of the device, the ply, the belt and the beads and to form a tire that can be removed from the mold after the cooling process in a single molding process.

Another object of the present invention is to assemble a vacuum forming apparatus including a canister containing a mixture of elastomeric material components and to connect the cores of the plies, belts and beads to connect to a vacuum source which forms a high vacuum inside the canister. To provide a mandrel, the mold cavity is connected to a low vacuum condition where the air-free mixture moves through the valve into the mold cavity, forms a conveying tire, and introduces the mixture into the tire.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide seals for holding the canister and the mold integrally when the canister and the mold have a high and low vacuum state.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum forming apparatus for shaping a conveying tire comprising a core of plies, belts and beads and producing a perfectly balanced homogeneous tire in a single operation.

According to the vacuum forming apparatus according to the present invention, a mold including an inner mold supporting a mandrel is constructed, and a core of plies, belts and beads and separating elements arranged therebetween are constructed on the mandrel. The mandrel is assembled inside the outer mold, the circular surface of the outer mold has the outer surface shape of the transport tire, and the outer mold is easily opened to remove the molded tire inside the mold. A mold canister is provided to receive a mixture of elastomeric components and connected with a high vacuum to remove air from the mixture. After the air is removed, the mixture moves through the needle valve into a circular region formed between the mandrel and the outer mold with a low vacuum to extract the mixture through the mold. The moving elastomeric material mixture is arranged and surrounded around the tire cord. In order to maintain the high and low vacuum conditions formed by separate vacuum sources, seals are arranged between the cover and the upper side of the outer mold, arranged around the mold body and formed in the canister in the apparatus.

When receiving a set volume of elastomeric material mixture, the canister is sealed and has a high vacuum. A vacuum is formed through the port in the canister, and the vacuum is maintained until all air introduced during the mixing process is removed from the mixture in the canister. Next, when the mold is held in a low vacuum provided through the port of the cover, the canister is opened through the needle valve, opened to the outside air, vented into the circular or hub area of the mold and the air removed The polymer mixture is introduced by low vacuum. The mixture passes around the core and passes through all the cords and threads of the core, through which the air in the mold moves from the front of the mixture flow to the cover port, providing a low vacuum through the cover port. In practice, the needle valve must be closed before the canister is empty and the canister interior has a standby condition. After the cooling process, the mold is separated and opened, and the transport tire, including the core of the fully positioned ply, belt and beads, is removed from the mold.

When carrying out the method for forming a conveying tire in a single operation using the apparatus of the present invention, a volume of mixed elastomeric material components pass through the mold canister and the mold canister must be centered in the mold. It does not have to be, and the mold includes inner and outer mold parts, and is easily opened after the molding operation to remove the final conveying tire. When the inner mold serves as or includes a mandrel portion, the cores of the plies, belts and beads and the separating elements arranged therebetween are arranged on the inner mold and the circular inner surface of the outer mold is embossed tires. It has a tread pattern.

Configurations and components of an entity structure are shown which perform the steps of the present invention shown in the preferred embodiments, described in detail, and shown in the figures and form the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a cylindrical hub manifold assembled by studs inserted into the lower hub plate and forms an inner mold for use in the apparatus of the present invention for carrying out the method of the present invention and viewed from the lower hub plate. Perspective view.

FIG. 2A shows the inner mold of FIG. 1 containing a pair of rigid foam core segments assembled on studs. FIG.

FIG. 2B shows a pair of rigid foam core segments assembled to the lower hub as a mandrel to receive plies, belts and beads for the conveying tire core. FIG.

FIG. 3A shows the finished state of the rigid foam core segment with an upper hub plate assembled over the rigid foam core segment; FIG.

3B shows an upper hub plate bolted to the top of a cylindrical hub manifold.

FIG. 4A shows the rigid core assembly of FIG. 3B mounted on a pivot axis assembled to a pivot arm and shows the state in which the rigid core assembly is rotated 90 degrees, the inflator cone aligned with the sides of the rigid core assembly. And a sleeve assembled at a relatively small end of the inflator cone and woven by a fly cord.

4B shows in cross section a rigid foam core assembly having a large diameter end of the inflator cone showing a ply aligned to be assembled on the small diameter end of the inflator cone and sliding along the inflator cone to the rigid core assembly; Top view along line 4B-4B.

FIG. 4C is a view similar to FIG. 4B except that the fly sleeve end is pulled over the rigid core assembly. FIG.

FIG. 5A shows a rigid plate assembly and a pair of bladder for alignment of the ends of the fly sleeve with the fly cords positioned and the beads centered, similar to FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5B shows the bead centering plate or stiff plate assembly and bladder on the left side passing through the flycode sleeve to a position where the stiff plate is in contact with the side of the rigid core assembly and supported by the stiff plate edge against the left rigid core assembly A similar figure to FIG. 5A showing the beads being made.

FIG. 5C shows a rigid plate assembled within the end of the flycode sleeve and a bladder on the right side, showing beads supported by the rigid plate edge relative to the rigid core assembly on the right side and similar to FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5D shows a plate similar to FIG. 5C showing the pressure plate connected with the bladder on the left side when the bladder is inflated; FIG.

FIG. 5E shows a pressure plate similar to that of FIG. 5D, showing a pressure plate pressed against the expanded bladder when air is removed from the bladder at a controlled rate, causing the bladder to be folded over the beads to the left side of the rigid core assembly.

FIG. 5F illustrates a pressure plate that moves to the limit of motion of the pressure plate relative to the bladder and contracts to extend the bladder around the protruding side of the rigid core assembly to press the fly cords in front of the bladder surface and is similar to FIG. 5E. drawing.

6A shows a first belt sleeve assembled on an inflator cone, and an inflator cone, wherein the inflator cone is assembled on a rigid core assembly assembled with plies and beads and a separator formed of a layer of cotton batting is attached to the inflator cone; This branch shows a second belt sleeve which is shown as a fabric aligned at a relatively small end and formed of intersections of the belt cords, showing a belt sleeve moving in the inflator cone in the direction of arrow A and similar in plan to FIG. 4B. .

FIG. 6B shows a rigid core assembly having ply ends extending to the sides of the rigid core assembly, with spacer elements arranged between the ply and the belt, with the final layer of tire cord wound around the crown; FIG. .

FIG. 7A shows a layer of tableting cotton wound around the core circumference and is similar to FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7B is provided with a spool and the continuous cord is unwound from the spool and wound around a crown warmed by a separating layer of tablets, similar to FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a view similar to FIG. 7B with a wound tire cord covering a crown; FIG.

8A shows a rigid core assembly in which a tire cord is wound, removed from a rotating shaft, and positioned at a mold base.

FIG. 8B shows one of a number of tread segments assembled together to form an outer mold; FIG.

FIG. 8C shows the tread segment of FIG. 8B assembled to the outer wall of the mold. FIG.

FIG. 8D shows a top opening in which a central cylindrical canister constructed in a vacuum forming apparatus according to the present invention is assembled and shown on top of the assembly of FIG. 8C.

FIG. 8E shows a dome-shaped cover with the head end of the central cylindrical canister assembled to the outer mold cover when the central cylindrical canister is assembled to the central opening and extends upwardly from the central opening. Figure 1 shows first and second vacuum ports configured on the side and formed on the dome shaped cover.

FIG. 9A shows the dome cover lowered to the top of the outer mold including the ply, belt and core of the bead arranged in the inner mold mandrel portion by arrow B, through arrow C through the top of the vacuum canister. The injection head is shown moving inside the opening, and a needle valve is shown moving through the lower end throat of the vacuum cylinder canister by arrow D, seen along line 9A-9A in FIG. 8E. Cross-section.

FIG. 9B shows a dome cover which is sealed at the upper side of the outer mold when an injection of elastomeric material passes through the injection head into the vacuum canister in the direction of arrow E, and is shown through arrow can F through the canister port. The high level vacuum that is formed is shown, the air emanating from the injection of elastomeric material by arrow G, and the low level vacuum formed through the cover port by arrow H. And air drawn from the mold cavity and the area under the cover by arrow I is shown and is similar to FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C shows a closed injection head when the elastomeric material is contained within the vacuum canister without air and the canister port is opened to allow the air of arrow K to be allowed into the canister, as illustrated by arrow I And pressurized air prior to the flow of the elastomeric material which is only open and passes through the elastomeric material from the bottom of the canister and is attracted by the low vacuum (H) and similar to FIG. 9B.

9D shows a state in which most elastomeric material has been withdrawn from the vacuum canister by a sealed needle valve, the elastomeric material passing through the separation layers held in the core of the ply, belt and bead and the inner mold mandrel. In one embodiment, the elastomeric material moves to the canister side, passes through the area under the dome cover, passes through a cover port that forms a low vacuum (H) from the outer mold along the air flow (I), A diagram showing completion and similar to FIG. 9C.

10 is a side exploded view of a portion of a tire made by the apparatus and process of the present invention removed from the outer mold of FIG. 9D.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which the tire of FIG. 10 is assembled; FIG.

12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the steps performed to manufacture the tire of FIGS. 10 and 11 using the vacuum forming apparatus of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a conveying tire having the vacuum forming apparatus 90 of the present invention, wherein the cores of the belt, ply and bead are optimally positioned and the conveying tire of FIG. It is shaped like the tire 130. Like the apparatus and method of the inventors described above in the prior art portion of the present application, a spin casting process and a vacuum forming apparatus similar to the apparatus 90 may be used to produce plies, belts and beads in a single process. It is provided to produce a substantially perfectly balanced conveying tire for receiving, after which the tire is removed from the mold.

As described in the prior art portion of the present application, the vacuum forming apparatus of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 8E and 9A-9D, similar to a substantial manufacturing method and rotational casting apparatus, has a mandrel inside the cavity portion of the mold. A mold containing a mandrel is received, and a core of plies, belts and beads is formed, and includes a separator fitted therebetween. In this device consisting of a mandrel, the outer surface of the inner mold is the core of the plies, belts and beads shown in Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A-4C, 5A-5F, 6A, 6B and 7A-7C. Is formed on this. The final core is formed on the mandrel of the inner mold shown in FIG. 8A, the outer mold receiving the inner mold shown in FIGS. 8B-8D shown in an assembled state. However, the mandrel portion and the outer mold within the scope of the present invention to operate the vacuum forming apparatus 90 shown in FIGS. 8E and 9A-9D to produce a carrier tire such as the tire 130 shown in FIG. The inner mold containing the device can be changed and other mold devices can be replaced.

In order to form the inner mold 30 of FIG. 3B, a mandrel formed by assembling tread segments 45a, 45b into a cylinder, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and forms a conveying tire inner surface. In order to use the inner mold hub base 31a of the inner mold shown in FIG. 1 is used. The base 31a of the inner mold is shown to have a center dish 32 comprising a center opening 33, which centers the spaced elliptical portions 34. It is formed in the shape of a staircase facing upwards so as to extend vertically into a continuous shelf 35 which includes a post 36. The posts 36 are positioned spaced apart from each other, and each post includes a threaded nut 37 fixed to each post end 36a.

From the post 36 outwards, the hub base 31a is formed in a stepped shape with a lip 38 towards the top, the hub base extending outwards from the lip 38 to the edge of the plate. The portion 39 is formed in a stepped shape toward the bottom. The cylindrical hub has a central opening 42 and has a lower end that is aligned to fit into a central dish-shaped region 32, wherein the elliptical portion 41 is spaced apart from the spaced oval portion 34 of the hub base. Arranged to be aligned. Cylindrical hub 40 fits rod 43 through side longitudinal hole 44 and is in place by turning rod threaded end 43a into threaded hole 44a formed laterally of hub base 31a. Is maintained on.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the hub 40 is fitted into the hub base 31a of the inner mold, and as shown in FIG. 1, the threaded end 43a of the rod 43 replaces the threaded hole ( By turning to 44a). 2A shows the mounting holes of the hard foam core top section (bottom section, 45a, 45b) respectively forming a mandrel, with each hard foam core section fitted into the post 36. do. In FIG. 2B, the pair of hard foam core upper and lower sections 45a, 45b are fitted with posts 36, and the nut 37 is shown turned to post threaded end 36a.

FIG. 3A shows the top of the hub 40 and the hard foam core upper and lower sections 45a and 45b mounted to the hub 40, forming a mandrel aligned with the hub top 31b. It will be appreciated that the base 31a and the hub top 31b are mirror-shaped to each other. 3B shows a hub top 31b fitted to the top of the hub 40, wherein the spaced oval portions 41 are formed to penetrate the hub top 31b, the hub top 31b being the hub base. An elliptical portion 34 at 31a and an elliptical portion 47 that is aligned with the elliptical portion 41 at the hub 40, a flow path through the assembly is provided, which penetrates through the hub top 31b Bolts 47 are shown, each arranged to turn to nut 37. Each nut 37 is shown turned to the threaded end 36a of each post 36, completing the assembly of the inner mold 30, and the assembled hard foam core section is shown in FIG. 75) to act as a mandrel to form.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in order to prepare for molding the tire core 75, at the hub base 31 a and the hub top 31 b, the inner mold 30 is mounted through an aligned central opening 33. (axle, 48), the inner mold 30 is pivotally rotated by 90 degrees from the horizontal state using a stand, wherein the shaft 48 is directed outward from the pivot post (49) Extends 90 °. Preferably the pivot post 49 comprises a pivoting joint 50, which causes the inner mold 30 to pivotally rotate in a horizontal position, due to the base 51 arranged therein. It can be rotated 360 °.

As shown in FIG. 10, in order to mold the core of the ply, belt and beads 75, the vacuum forming apparatus of the present invention is disposed as shown in FIG. 4A and a layer of spacing material 52 is shown. A layer is wrapped around the inner mold 30, which is preferably formed from a layer of at least two plies or tablet cotton. The expanded cone cone 53, which is shown as a truncated cone having a relatively large diameter front end 53a and a relatively small diameter rear end 53b, is fitted to slide along the axis of rotation 48. In order to practice the invention, the expander cone 53 receives a sleeve 54 which is a sleeve 54 woven from a ply cord, preferably the ply cord is a rayon cord or cotton It is a cord and is configured to receive a flow of elastomeric material substantially into the interior of the cord surface and provides a weld of the cord with the elastomer that is resistant to separation. It may comprise a strand of elastic material, which may expand when the sleeve fits into the relatively small diameter rear end 53b of the expander cone and is molded accordingly.

4B shows an expander cone 53, with the expander cone 53 having a front end 53a, the front end being approximately the center of the inner mold 30 over the edge of the layer of spacer material 52. Is moved to. In order to allow this movement, the expander cone includes a front inner wall 55a and a rear inner wall 55b spaced in parallel, the inner walls being center holes 56a aligned to receive the axis of rotation 48. 56b) each. The rotating shaft 48 guides and supports the expander cone 53 when the rotating shaft slides back and forth.

4C shows the component of FIG. 4B. The front portion of the ply sleeve 54 remains pulled on the mandrel die of the entire inner mold 30 and the rear portion is still supported by the expander cone 53.

5A shows the view of FIG. 4C. Only one pair of bladder and hard plate 60 is aligned with the ends of the fly sleeve 54. Each bladder and rigid plate 60 comprises a flexible bladder 62 and a rigid plate 61, the rigid plate being formed of hard metal or plastic and concentrating the beads to the sides of the core in the core forming process. Let's do it. Rigid plate 61 is mounted to the side of balloon-shaped bladder 62, which is filled with air through valve stem 63 under pressure. The beads 59 are shown with a separator layer 52 wrapped around the inner mold 30 and shown to slide along the sleeve 54 as a position for receiving the end 61 of the fitted rigid plate. . The sleeve 54 thus arranged is shown moving over the bead.

FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5A except that the left bladder and rigid plate 61 are shown moved to the end of the fly sleeve 54, with the edge 61a of the rigid plate 61 being the sleeve 54. It is connected with the bead 59 through. The passage of the bladder and rigid plate 60 is formed by appropriately filling or emptying the preferred air pressure in the bladder 62 through the valve stem 63 to have a diameter that can be fitted through the sleeve 54. Can be.

FIG. 5C is a view similar to FIG. 5B, except that both bladder and rigid plate 60 are shown moved to the end of the fly sleeve, with beads 59 supporting against the sides of the inner mold 30. The fly sleeve 54 begins to fold around the beads 59.

FIG. 5D is a view similar to that of FIG. 5C, except that the ends of the ply sleeves are shown cut to a relatively small length relative to the ends 54a, 54b and the bladder 62 of the left bladder and the rigid plate 60. Is shown to be inflated with air passed through the stem 63 as indicated by the arrow pointing inwards under pressure. Due to this expansion, the end 54a of the fly sleeve is raised to align with the side of the inner mold 30 and the pressure plate 64 is pressed against the inflated bladder 62 and in contact with it. Is shown. The pressure plate comprises a flat piston end 65, the front surface of the piston end being in contact with the expanded bladder 62, and the end 66 of the push rod extending vertically from the rear surface of the piston end. do. Of course, the fly sleeve 54 may be formed in a relatively short length to prevent the sleeve end from being cut, and within the scope of the present application the ends 54a, 54b of the fly sleeve are folded relative to the crown of the inner mold. It can be formed in a long state.

5E shows the pressure plate 64 moved to bladder 63, where air is expelled from the bladder and folded around the shoulder of the inner mold 30, as shown by the outward arrow. Bladder is shown. The folded bladder causes the cord of the end 54a of the ply sleeve to be spaced apart from the beads 59, the ends of the cord being folded to the sides of the ply and stretched across the inner mold 30. This process involves coating the fly cord over the beads using an adhesive such as a precure elastomer before the end of the fly cord is moved by deflation of the bladder 62. .

FIG. 5F is a view similar to FIG. 5E, but shows bladder 62 in a further retracted state as air is exhausted through stem 63. The placed bladder moves in this flow as it flows around the shoulder of the inner mold 30, and the bladder surface causes the end 53a of the fly cord to be spaced apart from the beads 59, and the end of the fly cord over the bead. A sealed connection is made with the fly cord. Due to this operating condition, trapped air is discharged from the bonding material between the fly cord and the end of the fly cord. The operating state of the left bladder and the rigid plate 60 is shown, while the operating state of the right bladder and the rigid plate 60 is shown to be the same, and the bladder and the rigid plate 60 operate simultaneously, and the bladder The core of the ply and bead receives the belt or belts provided around the crown of the inner mold when the further and rigid plates are removed.

The above description of FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5F consists in providing a core of plies and beads formed in a layer in the mandrel portion of the inner mold 30. In Figures 5A-5F, the cord of the ply is shown folded and cut over the beads, without extending beyond the shoulder of the inner mold. It should be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention even though the ends of the plies can be folded across the crown of the mandrel so that they cross each other depending on the length of the ends of the cord plies.

As shown in Fig. 6A, the core of the plies and belts of Figs. 5A-5F receive a separator layer or layer 67, which layer is mounted around a mandrel crown of the inner mold 30. It is preferred to be formed into sections of batting. A substantially similar function, the similar belt expander 68 may be identical to the truncated conical fly expander 53, with the relatively large diameter end of the belt expander fitted with the sides of the inner mold, the inner On the side of the mold a ply is formed with a separator layer adjacent or extending to the center of the crown of the inner mold. 6A shows that the first belt 69 is disposed, and if required, the second belt 69a moves in the direction of arrow A with respect to the relatively small diameter end of the belt expander 68 and thus Slip As shown in FIG. 6B, following the separator layer 70, the first belt 69 is fitted across the crown of the inner mold 30, followed by the second belt 69a. The belt expander 68 is then removed and an upper separator or spacer layer 71 is provided on the upper surface of the second belt 69a as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7A. Preferred spacing materials are tablet batts that are approximately 8 inches wide and consist of four layered portions wound around the crown to hold the ply in place. The side of the spacer layer 71 of the final separator is connected with the ply 54 and drawn down in turn around the shoulder of the inner mold 30 as shown in FIG. 7B. As a result, the tire cord 72 shown in FIG. 7B and released from the spool showing the continuous cord is provided by winding the strand of tire cord around the belt periphery, the winding being shown in FIG. 7C. Likewise starting from one side of the crown and proceeding to the side of the other crown, the assembly of the core of the ply, belt and beads 75 of the present invention shown in FIG. 10 is completed.

6A and 6B, in order to form and use the belt, the sleeves of the belts 69 and 69a are preferably formed by a weaving method, respectively, and the belt cord is centered around the belt. The first belt 69 is fitted with an inner mold, formed of approximately four layers and preferably composed of a gauze material which is preferably tablet cotton after weaving each other to cross with a cord angle of 25 °. The layer of separator 70 is wound around the periphery of the first belt 69. Thereafter, the second belt 69a is attached to the separator 70. If additional belts are required, each belt is separated from the upper and lower belts by a separator, preferably consisting of sections of tablets. The final separator layer 71 is provided on top of the upper belt. As shown in FIG. 7B and described above, a tire wrap, preferably consisting of a kevlar cord, a winding of the tire cord, is finished around the crown and as it is released from the spool 73. Provided above layer 71, the winding is moved from one side of the crown for the other windings. This winding may be implemented by forming the core 75 on the mandrel of the inner mold 30, surrounding the Kevlar cord across the periphery of the inner mold, and rotating the inner mold.

The core 75 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C and 10 is moved and rotated to the outer mold base 85 shown in FIG. 8C, the outer mold base 85 being circumferential to the crown of the inner surface, not shown. Receive a ring or tread segment 86 having a tread formed therein. As shown in FIG. 8C, the tread segments form a cylinder, enclose an outer mold base, and are fitted together in order around the outer mold base 85 to be numbered, respectively. In order to practice the present invention, the tread segment 86 includes an outer mold base 85 shown in FIG. 8D and a tread segment 86 between and adjacent the top 88 of the outer mold and the tread segment 86. 9A to 9D, fitted between them, a cross sectional view of the outer mold base 85 and top 88 of the outer mold shown in FIGS. 9A-9D. do. The seal 86a of the tread segment is provided to prevent the flow of elastomeric material from the cavity between the inner mold and the outer mold under vacuum during the vacuum forming described below. As shown in FIG. 8D, the upper portion 88 of the outer mold fits into the cylinder of the tread segment 86 forming the outer mold. The upper part 88 of the outer mold comprises a top cover 89 of a vacuum forming apparatus that includes a central opening 89a and fits into the top plate 91 of the device that fits into the upper bead alignment plate 92a. The space 91a and space 94 are respectively formed as outlets between the lower surface of the upper bead alignment plate 92a and the upper surface 91 of the device. The seal 96 is fitted between the surface 95a of the cylindrical canister 95 and the edge of the central hole 88a formed through the upper portion 88 of the outer mold to prevent air from flowing therethrough. The seal 86a is provided between the upper portion 88 of the outer mold and the base 85 of the outer mold and the tread segment 86, thereby providing an annular cavity of the mold where the core 75 is located. Is sealed.

The device bottom plate 87 of the outer mold base 85 supports the combination bead alignment and needle valve positioning plate 92b and the edge 93a of the outer groove structure of the upper bead alignment plate supporting the beads 59. It has an outer grooved edge (93b) of the outer groove structure, and further includes a central opening (96a), through which the middle portion of the neck of the needle valve 100 when the vacuum forming apparatus 90 of the present invention is operated (neck mid-portion, 101) is moved up and down. From the upper end 105 to supplement the various diameters of the outer surface 95a of the cylindrical canister 95 from the region 106 to the lower portion, which narrows from the region 106 to the section 108 of the nozzle end, such as the funnel region 107. In order to compensate, the plug 110 is provided to fit through the opening 33 in the lower central dish-shaped portion 32. The plug 110 is sealed and fitted with respect to the outer surface of the funnel region 107 of the cylindrical canister 95 and has a longitudinal central opening 111, through which the cylindrical canister 95 is located. Nozzle end 108 is fitted. The seal 112 is provided between the nozzle end 108 and the plug hole 111 to prevent the flow of elastomeric material over the cylindrical canister 95 during the vacuum forming process.

The nozzle end 108 of the cylindrical canister 95 includes a seal 112 and functions as a seat to the head end 103 of the needle valve 100, shown conically, and the flow is sealed. The cone's cone point moves to the cylindrical canister 95 until the inclined surface of the head end 103 is in contact with the edge of the nozzle end 108. When the body 101 of the needle valve is raised and lowered by raising or lowering the end 102 of the valve body, a travel of the head end 103 is provided. A servo motor that substantially acts on a piston connected to the lower end 102 of the valve body, for example, is provided for the operation of the needle valve, thereby providing a cylindrical canister for the flow of elastomeric material formed from the nozzle end 108. Is opened and sealed.

In order to accommodate the mixture of elastomeric components in the cylindrical canister 95, the mixture of elastomeric components is mixed outside of the vacuum forming apparatus and then cylindrical through the pouring head 116 shown in FIG. 9B. Flow into canister 95. The injection head 116 has a funnel shaped injection end which is an inwardly inclined conical section connected to the cylindrical nozzle end 117. The upper end 95b of the cylindrical housing shown in FIG. 9A has a port for opening through a pouring seat 118, which is directed towards the interior of the injection head 116 in the seal 120. It has an inwardly inclined conical section 119 which is sealed against and accommodated against the wall of the inclined conical section.

In order to prepare the vacuum forming apparatus 90 for manufacturing the conveying tire, the cover 90 is lowered to the upper plate 91 of the vacuum forming apparatus as shown by arrow B, thereby sealing in the sealing body 121. And a seal 127 is provided at the edge and surface 95a of the central hole 89a of the cover 89 to move along the side of the surface 95a of the cylindrical canister 95 and to accommodate the area under the cover. Is interposed between the surfaces 95a of the cylindrical canister 95. To prepare for casting, the cover 89 is held in place, the injection head 116 is lowered to the injection seat 118 as shown by arrow C, and the needle valve is lowered to the nozzle end as shown by arrow D. It is moved upwards adjacent to 108. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the measured amount of elastomer mixture 126 is poured into the cylindrical canister 95 through the injection sheet 118, and the operator is mounted to the surface 95a of the cylindrical canister. It can be observed that the canister is filled through the sight glass 122. Prior to injection, a deep vacuum source is connected to the port 125 of the cylindrical canister fitted to the adjacent upper end, side of the cylindrical canister, and the low level vacuum source is fitted through the cover 89. Connected to the port 97, the preparation of the vacuum forming apparatus 90 to receive the flow of elastomeric material into the cylindrical canister 95 is completed, as shown in FIG. 9B. The elastomeric material is a mixture of constituents, the mixture being bonded to the outside of the mold for injection into the cylindrical canister 95. Preferred constituents are liquid isocyanates and liquid polys, each of which is selected to form when the components are bonded and cured, and the elastomer has a preferred hardness or deometer for automotive or transport tires.

FIG. 9B is a view similar to that of FIG. 9A but additionally shows the injection head 116 located on the injection sheet 118, with the urethane injection amount 126 being injected through the open end of the injection head as shown by arrow E. FIG. It flows into the interior of the cylindrical canister to fill the canister from the nozzle end 108 to the top. While the canister is filled, the high vacuum state shown by arrow F is formed through the port 125 of the cylindrical canister 95, as shown by arrow G moved through the port 125 of the cylindrical canister. Air formed while the constituents of the elastomeric material are mixed is discharged from the mixture of elastomeric material. While the canister is filled, the operator sees the filled state through the sight glass 122. In addition, in order to prepare for vacuum forming of the transport tire in the vacuum forming apparatus 90, a low level vacuum state is formed through the cover port 97, as shown by arrow H, and air is produced in the lower region of the cover 89. Ejected from the mold cavity as shown by arrow I.

FIG. 9C is a view similar to FIG. 9B, but additionally shows the preferred volume of elastomeric material mixture injected into cylindrical canister 95. The high level vacuum is then opened to the atmosphere and removed from the port 125 of the canister, shown by arrow J, whereby inlet air flows in the direction of arrow K through the port 125 of the canister. The port 125 may be opened, the needle valve may be opened to allow a mixture of elastomeric material to flow, and substantially all air is removed to flow through the modified conical end 103 of the needle valve 100. As shown in FIG. 9D, the flow of elastomeric material mixture 126 flows over the surface of the top of the lower bead alignment plate 92b and of the plug 110 to flow through the core 75 of the ply, belt and bead. Passed at the bottom and proceeds out from the nozzle end 108.

FIG. 9D is a view similar to that of FIG. 9C, but additionally a pour of elastomeric material passing through the needle valve 100 is shown, which forms the carrier tire 130 as shown in FIG. 11. Is distributed through a mold cavity, which is an annular area between the outer mold and the inner mold that receives the core 75 of the ply, belt and bead, and the needle valve 100 allows air inside the canister 95 to It is closed before exiting the nozzle end 108 across the surface of the head danb 103. The elastomeric material is shown filled in a cavity, the space of the outer surface 95a of the cylindrical canister and the walls of the central openings 91a, 94 of the upper plate 91 of the vacuum forming apparatus and the upper bead alignment plate ( Are moved upwards along 92a). The movement of the elastomeric material is formed in response to the low level vacuum condition shown by arrow H and is discharged through the cover vacuum port 97, prior to the flow of the elastomeric material shown by arrow I, the air is covered by the cover port 97. Pulled toward and discharged through the cover vacuum port 97. The port of the cylindrical canister 95 remains open as shown by arrow J in order to circulate air while the elastomeric material flows through the cavity between the inner mold and the outer mold, and the air holds the port 97. It is discharged from the bottom of the cover 89 through. The cover 89 is then pulled up from the top 88 of the outer mold, and the outer mold is disassembled to remove the finished tire. The finished tire is similar to the tire 130 shown in FIG. 11, which includes the core 75 of FIG. 10.

12 is a flow chart showing the steps performed to produce an elastomer tire using a vacuum forming apparatus 90 as described above. Blocks 201 and 202 illustrate fitting the outer mold, forming the mold and shaping plies, belts and beads on the mandrel parts of the inner mold, the core being the inner mold and the outer mold. It is located in the annular area between. In the fitting step, the seal is positioned between the inner mold segment and the outer mold segment to provide an air tight pathway through the annular area where the core 75 of the carrier tire is maintained. do. As described above and shown in block 202, for the vacuum forming apparatus 90, the domed cover is fitted onto the upper surface of the outer mold, between which a seal is connected, and the cylindrical canister is connected to the cover. It fits into the central opening through the connected inner and outer molds to seal the edge of the cover hole at the top of the outer mold, and annular to receive the core from the needle valve of the canister for discharge to the lower area of the cover next to the canister. A flow path to the area is provided. The injection head is fitted into the canister upper end as shown in block 203 and the preferred head end of the needle valve as shown in block 204 is hermetically connected to the end of the discharge tube of the canister sealing the flow. Is moved as possible. As shown in block 205, a high vacuum of at least 96% is drawn through the port of the canister, and air is expelled from the canister, less than 95% and at least 85% as shown in block 206. The low level of vacuum is drawn through the cover and the port, and air is exhausted from the bottom of the cover and the mold. As shown in block 207, the newly blended elastomeric material from the constituents is injected through the top of the canister, and a high level vacuum condition removes air from the mixture of elastomeric material. As shown in block 208, when a preferred volume and weight of elastomeric material is injected into the canister, a high level of vacuum is formed and the canister is opened to the atmosphere. As shown in block 209, the canister is open to the atmosphere and at the same time the needle valve is opened, the elastomeric material is moved to the annular region of the mold, moved through the core, and air from the canister along the elastomeric material. The needle valve is closed before it is passed. As shown in block 210, the operator observes the elastomeric material ejected from the upper plate of the mold closing the needle valve, and if not already closed to prevent air flow as shown in block 211, The vacuum is drawn through the cover port. The newly manufactured transport tire as shown in block 212 is cooled and cured inside the mold, and the mold is then disassembled as shown in block 213 to remove the transport tire.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a vacuum forming apparatus for producing a tire in a single process is shown and described herein, the method used for producing the tire without departing from the scope of the claims according to the invention. And the device can be modified.

Claims (16)

A vacuum forming apparatus for producing a conveying tire for receiving a core of plies, belts and beads from an elastomeric material, the apparatus comprising: A carrying tire cord of plies, belts and beads is disposed on the mandrel, the core being between the inner mold and the outer mold arranged to mount with the inner mold; Disposed in the annular region of the mold; Means for sealing said annular region from an air flow on the outside of said mold; Fit into the canister to open a flow of elastomeric material through the top of the canister and provide a controlled flow of the elastomeric material to the annular region where the core of the ply, belt and bead is located A canister having a valve means adapted; A passage means formed from the valve means into the annular region between the inner mold and the outer mold; A first port means mounted inside said canister for connecting to a high level vacuum source for drawing air; A cover arranged for mounting with said outer mold having an open inner region connected to receive flow from said annular region; A second port means mounted to said cover for connection to a low level vacuum source. 2. The canister of claim 1 wherein the canister is a cylinder fitted through the center of the bonded inner mold and the inner mold, the cylinder being opened at the upper end to receive the fitted injection head and a flow of the mixture of elastomeric components passed therethrough. Vacuum-opening device, which is neck-down from the lower end to the tube and the open end of the cylinder is a seat for the needle valve tapered head of the needle valve as valve means. . 3. The needle valve of claim 2, wherein the needle valve comprises a tapered head, the stem having the flat end facing the tapered head contacted by the piston means to move the flat end, the stem and the tapered head of the lower bead of the core. A vacuum forming apparatus, characterized in that it is moved up and down along a hole formed through a lower bead alignment plate mounted across the bottom of the inner mold with a side portion for placement therein. 4. The vacuum forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an upper bead alignment plate mounted over the upper bead of the core and mounted across the top of the inner mold. The seal of claim 2, wherein the cover is formed to have a dome shape with an open inner area, fit across the top surface of the outer mold, and a seal arranged between the top surface of the outer mold and the edge of the cover. And a cylindrical canister fitted through a central hole of the cover, the cylindrical canister including a seal arranged between the outer surface of the cylindrical canister and the edge of the central hole of the cover. 5. The passage means according to claim 4, wherein the passage means extends from the needle valve between the lower bead alignment plates around the mandrel of the inner mold, and the core is upper for evacuation along the outer surface of the cylindrical canister to the open area under the dome shaped cover. A vacuum forming apparatus, characterized in that it is disposed across the bead alignment plate. 2. The vacuum forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canister includes a sight glass fitted to the side and the first port means is an open tube extending from the upper end of the canister. 2. Vacuum forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second port means is an open tube extending outwardly from the cover. A method for producing an elastomeric conveying tire having a vacuum forming apparatus using a mold having a core having plies, belts and beads disposed on a mandrel and having an annular area, the method comprising Assembling a mold having a core of plies, belts and beads disposed in an annular region that is open at the opposite end, wherein the mold prevents spillage other than the opposite end of the annular region. A sheet for; -Fitting the cover in a sealed connection over the top of the mold including a mounted open port; An open valve mounting at the lower end and including a vent port extending from the upper region for passing a flow of elastomeric material through the valve seat to one of the opposite ends of the annular region; Disposing a canister having an end, the valve means comprising a movable member for adjoining and fitting over the valve seat, the valve means being adapted to the annular region of the mold to pass liquid flow therethrough. Arranged to open to one end, A high vacuum is provided through a vent port of the canister to draw air from the cylinder; Moving the measured flow of blended elastomeric material through the open top to the canister, wherein the high vacuum discharges air from the mixture of elastomeric material, A low level vacuum is provided through a port fitted through the cover, wherein the annular region of the mold is vented to the port, and the preferred amount of elastomeric material is Injected into the canister, the high vacuum is removed, the port is opened to the atmosphere, and the valve means moves the elastomeric material drawn by the low level vacuum into the annular region of the mold. Open; Closing the valve means before all elastomeric material flows into the annular region of the mold; And Stopping the low level vacuum, wherein after cooling the mold, the elastomeric material is cured, the mold is dismantled and the newly manufactured transport tire is removed. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cover has a dome shape and the port is fitted into the cavity between the top of the mold and the cover through the top surface of the cover. 10. The canister of claim 9, wherein the canister is formed in a cylindrical shape, fitted through a central opening through the mold hub and the cover, and the valve means being mounted to the bottom of the canister for evacuation to the lower end of the annular region of the mold. How to feature. 12. A valve according to claim 11, wherein the valve means is a needle valve, the needle valve including a lower end for mounting to a means for moving the lower end of the needle valve up and down, and up and down in a passage formed through the lower plate of the mold. A straight stem fitted to slide and comprising an upper end in the form of a cone for placement at the end of the canister. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a sight glass mounted to the cylindrical canister over the bonded cover, through which the operator observes the filling of the cylindrical canister with a mixture of elastomeric material. The method of claim 11, wherein the mixture of elastomeric material is fitted through the upper end of the cylinder in a sealed connection and injected through the injection head. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the high vacuum is at least 96%. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the low level vacuum is at least 85% and at most 95%.

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