RU2461461C1 - Complex repair of tire section - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: process engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to method and device for repair of tire damaged sections. Proposed method comprises removal of, at least part of damaged section to make through opening in tire. One or several recesses are made nearby said opening to extend therefrom. At least, one repair reinforcing element is fitted into said recesses. Patch is placed on tire to cover said opening and every repair reinforcing element. Filling material is applied on remaining part of the opening.

EFFECT: higher reliability.

15 cl, 21 dwg

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for repairing damaged sections of tires.

State of the art

It is well known that tires can be damaged. Damage may be due to collisions with road obstacles and debris, or may result from mounting or dismounting of a tire or accident. In some cases, damage may include abrasion, tears or punctures.

One method for repairing damaged layers of a tire carcass according to the prior art involves removing the damaged material, applying a patch containing wire or tire cord to the area along the inner surface of the tire, and filling the damaged area with rubber. With this method, the repair reinforcing elements are displaced relative to the original reinforcing elements by a distance separating the reinforcing element of the tire from the reinforcing element located inside the patch. Therefore, the reinforcing patch elements are distant from the inner surface of the tire, which may result in a distance of at least 5-6 mm or more from the reinforcing patch elements to the reinforcing tire elements. When there are increased distances between the reinforcing elements of the patch and the reinforcing elements of the tire, the amplitudes of the shear stresses acting between the reinforcing elements of the patch and the reinforcing elements of the tire increase, which can lead to delamination of the patch and failure of the tire. This limits the scope and reliability of repair work.

Another repair method involves removing a large trapezoidal section from a tire side wall with a predetermined size and shape of a correspondingly replacing patch section, wherein the reinforcing patch elements are substantially aligned within the same plane as the reinforcing tire elements. The method is complex and time-consuming to perform, as it requires the exact preparation of a trapezoidal hole in the tire to match the size of the patch, which is mainly produced from the inside of the tire. It is also inflexible, as the tire is prepared in accordance with the given size and form of the patch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention include tire repair methods. Such repair of tire sections is performed after tire damage that is caused, for example, by interaction with a road obstacle. Specific embodiments of the methods of the present invention, which are methods for repairing tire sections, include the steps of removing at least a portion of the damaged portion of the tire to form a through hole in the tire; form one or more recesses in the tire adjacent to the hole and passing from it; at least one repair reinforcing element is placed inside each of one or more recesses; place a patch on the tire to cover the hole and each repair reinforcing element; and applying material to fill the rest of the hole.

Other options for repairing damaged sections of a tire include the steps of identifying a tire having a plurality of reinforcing elements extending through the tire, the tire having a damaged portion in at least one portion of a side wall, tread, or rim; at least a portion of the damaged portion of the tire is removed to form a cavity; form one or more recesses in the tire adjacent to the cavity and passing from it; at least one repair reinforcing element is placed inside each of one or more recesses; and place the patch on the tire to close the cavity and each repair reinforcing element.

Other repair options for damaged sections of the tire include the steps of removing at least a portion of the damaged section of the tire to form an opening or opening through the tire or cavities in the tire; form one or more recesses in the inner surface of the tire adjacent to the hole or cavity and passing from them; applying an adhesive to one or more recesses; at least one repair layer is placed inside each of one or more recesses, the repair layer including rubber with one or more reinforcing elements inserted therein; place the patch on the inner surface of the tire to cover the hole and each repair layer; and applying material to fill the rest of the hole or cavity.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tire with a damaged portion in need of repair;

FIG. 2a is a side view of the outside of the tire shown in FIG. 1, which shows a tire with a damaged portion removed;

FIG. 2b is a side view of the outside of a tire having multiple layers of reinforcing elements, also showing a tire with a damaged portion removed;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the interior of the tire shown in FIG. 2a illustrating recesses formed in a tire and in a ground or cleaned area surrounding an opening;

FIG. 4a is an inverted perspective view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the inside of the tire, showing damage that has occurred in the tire tread region and a cavity formed in the tire after removal of the damaged portion;

FIG. 5a is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3 and 4;

FIG. 5b is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5a showing adhesive means and a repair layer placed in a recess;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the tire of FIG. 3 and 4, illustrating reinforcing elements placed inside recesses;

FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a portion of the tire shown in FIG. 6 illustrating a patch applied to close an opening;

FIG. 7b is a perspective view of a portion of the tire shown in FIG. 6 illustrating a reinforced patch applied to close an opening;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the outside of the tire of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of the tire of FIG. 8, showing aggregate material placed inside the opening;

FIG. 10a is a cross-sectional view of a repair layer having a single reinforcing element passing through it;

FIG. 10b is a cross-sectional view of a repair layer having numerous reinforcing elements passing through it;

FIG. 10c is a cross section of a repair layer having numerous reinforcing elements passing through it that are offset from the center of reinforcement;

FIG. 10d is a cross-section of a repair layer having five reinforcing elements coated with a thin layer of rubber;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an opening with recesses extending in a radial direction;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating an opening with reinforcing elements contained in a repair layer having numerous reinforcing elements laid therein;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an opening with recesses running parallel to each other; and

FIG. 14 - coil with a repair reinforcing element wound on a coil.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention provide methods for repairing damaged sections of a tire.

Specific embodiments of the present invention include one or more repair steps for a tire 10 having a damaged side wall 12, a tread 14 or a flange 16. The steps may include operations that identify a tire 10 having multiple reinforcing elements 22 extending through the tire 10, the tire 10 has a damaged portion 18 in at least one place from the side wall 12, the tread 14 or the flange 16. The reinforcing elements 22 of the tire may include one or more layers of metal cables, including steel cables; textile cord, including nylon cord, aramid cord or any other textile cord known in the technology; or any other reinforcing element known in the technology, and any combinations thereof. If the tire 10 includes two or more layers of reinforcing elements 22, then the layers can be located either with a diagonal or with a radial orientation. In addition, the layers can be stacked in the form of a stack, as illustrated in FIG. 2b, or could be placed in an alternating or shifted order.

The steps may further include an operation in which at least a portion of the damaged portion or portion 18 of the tire 10 is removed or cut. In general, the amount of damaged material removed does not exceed the amount required to repair the damage, or slightly exceeds it. In one particular embodiment, the step may include an operation in which at least part of the damaged portion or part 18 of the tire 10 is removed or cut to form an opening or opening 20 through the tire 10. In another embodiment, the step may include an operation in which at least part of the damaged portion or part 18 of the tire 10 is removed or cut out to form a cavity 21 rather than a hole 20 in the tire 10.

In one particular embodiment, the material is cut from the tire 10 around the damaged portion 18 in sufficient quantities so that the remaining material on the tire 10 around the hole 20 is intact. In other words, the damaged area is removed at least to the point where the reinforcing elements 22 are tightly covered with intact rubber. In yet another particular embodiment, the cord or cable 22 is removed at least two millimeters away from the clearly visible damage to the cord or cable. However, if the damaged portion is located on the inside 14 of the tire 10, for example, under the tread 14, as illustrated in FIG. 4b, the method may include an operation in which at least a portion of the damaged portion of the tire is removed to form a cavity 21 rather than an opening 20 through the tire 10 in the tire.

Damaged section 18 may be cut, sanded, burned out or otherwise removed from the outer surface of the tire 10, or, if desired, may be removed from the inner surface of the tire 10. In one particular embodiment, removing the damaged section involves not only removing part of the rubber from the tire, but also cutting and removing also parts of one or more damaged reinforcing elements 22 in the tire. In the removal process, standard tools and proven methods, such as grinding machines, grinding tools or rasps, can be used.

In a particular embodiment, after removing any damaged portion 18, the tire 10 includes an opening or hole 20 that extends through the tire 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 2a, an opening 20 extends through a side wall 12 of the tire. As mentioned previously, it is believed that during the removal of the damaged portion 18, parts of the damaged reinforcing elements 22 can be removed, and therefore, the ends of the remaining reinforcing elements 22 may be visible around the perimeter of the hole 20. In one particular embodiment, the size of the opening 20 is not adjusted to match specific patch sizes. Rather, the dimensions of the opening 20 are mainly correlated with the dimensions of the damaged portion 18; however, the larger the size of the damaged section 18, the larger the dimensions of the opening 20. Similarly, it is assumed that a hole 20 with any shape can be formed, since the shape of the hole 20 is also not necessarily consistent with a particular patch shape.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2-4b, the hole 20 has a substantially constant width from top to bottom so that the same number of cords or cables 22 are opened in the upper part of the opening 20 as in the lower part of the opening 20. If the tire 10 is a radial tire 10, and damage is located in the side wall 12 or in the rim 16 of the tire, the hole 20 can be mainly trapezoidal, with the shorter side of the trapezoid closer to the rim of the tire, since the radially extending reinforcing elements 22 are spaced farther apart from each other as the reinforcing elements 22 radial but out.

The methods may further include the step of forming one or more recesses or grooves 24 in the tire 10 adjacent to and extending from the opening 20 or cavity 21. In a particular embodiment, recesses 24 are formed by removing material from the tire adjacent to the hole 20 or cavity 21. Typically, recesses 24 are formed along the inside or the inner surface of the tire 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and 4. However, recesses 24 may also be formed on the outer surface of the tire 10.

The recesses 24 can be held in any direction relative to the tire 10 and the hole 20. For example, in FIG. 3 and 13, the recesses are laid parallel to each other. FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment in which the recesses extend radially relative to the tire 10 and therefore have an angle α formed between them. In one particular embodiment, at least some of the recesses 24 extend in a direction substantially parallel to adjacent tire reinforcing elements 22. The recesses 24 may also be formed by any of a variety of known methods. In one particular embodiment, a tool for hotly engraving the tread is used to form the recesses 24, although other tools such as ultrasonic cutters and grinding machines are also contemplated.

The width of the recesses 24 can be brought into line with the preferences of the user and with the needs for specific conditions. For example, in one embodiment, the recesses 24 are sized to fit a single repair reinforcing element 32 or to a repair layer 30a having a single reinforcing element 32. In other embodiments, the recesses 24 are sized to fit multiple reinforcing elements 32 or one or more repair layers, such as 30b and 30d having multiple reinforcing elements 32. In addition, in one particular embodiment, rather than a plurality of recesses 24 and reinforcing elements 32 or repair layers 30, rather t a single recess 24, which is adapted for a single repair layer 30E having multiple reinforcing elements 32 passing through it.

As for the depth of the recesses 24, a specific depth is not provided. However, in one embodiment, the depth of the recess is substantially equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the repair reinforcing element 30 or 32, as described in more detail below. In general, the bottom of the recess 24 is as close to the reinforcing elements 22 as reasonably practicable. FIG. 5a illustrates a cross-sectional view of the opening 20 along line AA of FIG. 4a. The cross section of the portion of the tire 10 has a thickness at which the reinforcing elements 22 are located at a depth D _R measured in this example from the inner surface of the tire 10. The recesses 24 also have a depth, D _G , also measured from the inner surface of the tire 10 to the bottom of the recess 24. In one particular embodiment, the difference Δ, measured as D _R minus D _G , is less than five millimeters. In yet another embodiment, the difference Δ, measured as D _R minus D _G , is from about half a millimeter to two millimeters. Thus, it can be understood that the plane of the repair reinforcing elements 32 and the plane of the reinforcing elements 22 in the tire will be in close proximity, which minimizes the effects of shear load amplitude, including the resulting buckling of the side wall when the tire 10 is inflated.

It is contemplated that the recesses 24 may be of any length. In one particular embodiment, each recess 24 is made to extend outward from the opening 20 by a length L of at least fifty millimeters. In yet another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3-4, at least two of the recesses have different lengths. In yet another additional embodiment, the recesses 24 have the same lengths, but at least two of the recesses 24 are offset or placed in steps relative to each other. Finally, it is contemplated that the recesses 24 may have the same length with ends that are not offset or stepwise arranged relative to each other.

The method may further include a step in which at least one repair reinforcing element is placed inside each of the one or more recesses 24. Repair reinforcing elements 32 may include any reinforcing element discussed and discussed above with reference to tire reinforcing elements 22. Alternatively, one or more repair reinforcing elements 32 may be coated with polymer 34, such as rubber, or embedded within it to form a repair layer 30. In one particular embodiment, the repair layer includes a rubber sheet having a plurality of reinforcing elements inserted therein. FIG. 10a-10d illustrate exemplary embodiments of repair layers 30a-30d. Therefore, the term “repair reinforcing element” is intended to include both reinforcing elements 32 and repair layers 30.

Repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32 pass with the intersection or overlap of the opening 20, being placed in the recess 24. FIG. 6 illustrates such an arrangement of repair layers 30 in recesses 24. In one particular embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5b, an adhesive means 38, such as a rubber solution, is first placed in the recess 24, as required to at least partially fix the repair reinforcing element 30 or 32 relative to the recess 24.

As mentioned above, in one particular embodiment, the depth D _{G of the} recess 24 is substantially equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the repair reinforcing elements 30, 32. For example, in FIG. 5b shows the repair layer 30c in the recess 24. As illustrated, the repair layer 30c extends slightly outwardly from the recess 24. However, it is also assumed that the depth D _{G of the} recess 24 is greater than the thickness of the repair reinforcing element. In such an embodiment, a filler material, such as rubber or rubber solution, may be placed under or above the repair reinforcing element 30 or 32 so that the thickness of the inserted repair reinforcing element 30 or 32 is substantially equal to or greater than the surrounding material.

Specific embodiments of the present methods include any of many different types of repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32. In one particular embodiment, the repair reinforcing element is a repair layer 30, such as repair layers 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d, having one or more contained in reinforcing elements 32 thereof. However, it is also contemplated that the repair reinforcing element may be one or more reinforcing elements 32. In addition, repair reinforcing elements 30, 32 are not required It should be about the same as the reinforcing elements in the tire 22, both the number and composition. For example, if parts of five damaged metal cables are removed from the opening 20, then any number of repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32 can be used for repairs, and repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32 can include both cables and cord threads. In addition, a size such as the circumference of the repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32 may differ from the reinforcing elements 22 of the tire.

The repair layer 30a includes a single reinforcing element 32 contained within the polymer, such as a thin layer of rubber 34. The repair layers 30b, 30c and 30d include a plurality of reinforcing elements 32 contained within the rubber 34, the reinforcing elements 32 being generally evenly distributed across the width of the corresponding reinforcing element 30b, 30c or 30d. Additionally, the reinforcing elements 32 can be placed essentially equidistant between the upper and lower parts of the reinforcing element, as in the reinforcing elements 30 and 30b. However, as illustrated in FIG. 10c, the reinforcing elements 32 can be placed closer to the upper or lower part of the reinforcing element 30c. In one particular embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10c, the repair layer 30c includes two rubber layers 34,36 which are interconnected, for example, using unvulcanized rubber or rubber glue. Alternatively, the repair layer may include a single piece of rubber 34 with cables or cords 32 inserted into it near the top or bottom of the rubber 34.

The method may further include the step of placing a patch 28 on the tire to cover each repair reinforcing element 30 or 32. Typically, if an opening 20 is formed during the repair process, then patch 28 is applied to close the opening 20, as well as each reinforcing element 30 or 32. If necessary, adhesive means may be applied to the patch and / or tire to ensure reliable fastening.

In one specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7a, the patch 28 is an unreinforced patch that includes a first rubber layer that is compatible with repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32 and the surface 26 of the tire 10 with which it is in contact with a second rubber layer that has low breathability. Such patch 28 is designed solely for adherence and air retention and does not have to satisfy additional conditions with respect to the structural support material. In yet another embodiment, patch 128 includes a plurality of reinforcing elements 29 inserted inside patch 128.

Before applying the patch 28, the area 26 near the hole 20 may be sanded and / or cleaned with a solvent or vacuum treated to remove any debris or grease to be removed from the mold on the surface to which the patch 28 is glued. FIG. 6-8 illustrate an embodiment in which recesses 24 are formed in the inner surface of the tire 10. More specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates the inner surface of a tire 10 with a ground and / or cleaned region 26, and FIG. 7a-7b illustrate perspective views of the inner surface of the tire 10 after applying a patch 28 or 128. Finally, FIG. 8 illustrates an external view of a tire 10 after applying a patch 28.

The method may further include applying a material 40 to fill the rest of the hole 20 or cavity 21. In general, the material is applied to fill the remaining part of the hole 20 on the side of the tire opposite the repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32 and the patch 28. As mentioned previously, recesses 24, repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32, and a patch 28 are typically placed on the inner surface of the tire 10, and therefore, the step of applying the material 40 will typically be carried out from the outside of the tire 10. FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the outside of the tire 10 after application of the aggregate material 40. The aggregate material may include unvulcanized rubber or any other suitable rubber.

If the cavity 21 rather than the opening 20 is formed by removal of the damaged area, then, as mentioned earlier, the method may include filling the rest of the cavity 21 with aggregate material 40. It is contemplated that this step may be performed before applying a patch 28 or 128 on top of the repair reinforcing elements 30 or 32 and the rest of the cavity 21 so that air is not trapped under the patch 28.

In one particular embodiment, the aggregate material 40 is a rubber material 40, and the rubber material 40 is applied to the level of the surrounding area of the tire. After applying the aggregate material, it is molded to interface with the outer structural elements of the tire. In yet a further specific embodiment, one or more of the materials used in the presented repair of the site is unvulcanized rubber. In such an embodiment, at least a portion of the tire that includes unvulcanized rubber is then vulcanized in a standard manner in a chamber, in an autoclave, or in a spotter.

The method may further include a step in which before positioning the repair reinforcing element in the recess, the repair reinforcing element is cut from a coil to a length (L) for laying inside the recess. When cutting one or more repair reinforcing elements from the coil, there is no need to form recesses of a specific length. Moreover, the ability to cut repair reinforcing elements 30 of a given length allows the user to be able to repair damaged areas of various sizes without increased costs or the need to keep repair reinforcing elements 30 of different lengths in stock.

While the present invention has been described in specific embodiments, it should be understood that such a description is provided by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is determined only by the attached claims.

Claims (15)

1. A method of repairing a damaged portion of a tire, wherein:
at least part of the damaged portion of the tire is removed to form an opening through the tire;
forming a plurality of recesses on the open surface of the tire, wherein a plurality of recesses extend from the hole;
at least one repair reinforcing element is placed inside each of the plurality of recesses, each repair reinforcing element extending over the entire opening;
a patch is placed on the tire to cover the hole and each of the at least one repair reinforcing element, the patch being separate from each of the at least one repair reinforcing element, wherein the step of placing at least one repair reinforcing element carry out to the stage of placing the patch on the tire; and
apply material to fill the rest of the hole. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the open surface on which the plurality of recesses are formed is the inner surface of the tire, the patch being placed on the inner surface of the tire. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recesses extends substantially parallel to at least one adjacent tire reinforcing element. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recesses extends radially relative to the tire. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses extend substantially parallel to each other. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one repair layer is at least one repair layer having a rubber sheet including a plurality of reinforcing elements inserted therein. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein before positioning at least one repair reinforcing element into a plurality of recesses, each of one or more repair reinforcing element is further cut to a length corresponding to a length inside each of the plurality of recesses. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the patch includes a plurality of reinforcing elements inserted therein. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recesses has a width that is less than the width of the hole. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ends of at least two of the plurality of recesses are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of said at least two recesses. 11. The method according to claim 1, in which the recesses are spaced from each other and run parallel to each other. 12. A repaired tire having:
a repaired damaged portion having a filled hole extending between the outer and inner surfaces of the tire, the filled hole comprising vulcanized material located between the outer surface of the tire and one or more repair reinforcing elements extending throughout the filled hole and inside the inner or outer surface of the tire, wherein each of one or more repair reinforcing elements extends inside one of the plurality of filled recesses;
a patch located on the tire to close the filled hole and one or more of the repair reinforcing elements. 13. The tire of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of recesses has a width that is less than the width of the hole. 14. The tire of claim 12, wherein the recesses are spaced apart and run parallel to each other. 15. The tire according to claim 12, in which the ends of at least two of the plurality of recesses are offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of said at least two recesses.

Images