TH33239B - The tire's expanding cylinder has alternating fixed and expanding segments and an external layout for the inner sidewall. - Google Patents

Abstract

DC60 (19/09/45) An expanding tire cylinder has fixed segments (226, 326, 426) and expanding segments (228, 328, 428) alternating (24 segments each, etc.) in the center segment (220, 320, 420) of the cylinder. The expanding segments extend axially and are spaced apart along the perimeter and are externally contoured (with grooves and ridges) to accommodate various tire components, such as the sidewall inner tube. Two different mechanisms for causing the center segment to expand are described here. The first mechanism has two sets of wedge elements (358) that can be moved apart axially to expand the center segment. Thus, an inclined element (348) used in conjunction with the expanding segment (328) can be moved outward radially. The rubber strip (358) provides a restoring force to compress the center segment. A second mechanism is incorporated with two guide rings (458) which can move inward along the axis to expand the center segment and outward to compress the center segment. Overlapping links (462, 464) are provided between the guide rings and the supporting element (448) which supports the expanding segment (428). The expanding tire cylinder has alternating fixed segments (226,326,426) and expanding segments (228,328,428) (24 segments each, etc.) in the center segment (220,320,420) of the cylinder. The expanding segments extend axially and are spaced apart along the perimeter and are externally contoured (with grooves and ridges) to accommodate the various tire components, such as the sidewall inner tube. Two different mechanisms for causing the center segment to expand are described here. The first mechanism has a wedge-shaped element. (358) Two sets of supports, which can be moved apart axially to extend the center span, are thus able to be moved radially outward by the inclined element (348) used in conjunction with the expanding segment (328). The rubber band (358) provides a restoring force to cause the center span to collapse. A second mechanism is incorporated with two guide rings (458) which can be moved together axially to extend the center span and apart to collapse the center span. Overlapping links (462,464) are provided between the guide rings and the support element (448) that supports the expanding segment (428).

Claims (9)

1. A tire manufacturing cylinder with an axis and a central plane intersecting the axis consists of several expanding segments spaced apart along the perimeter that extend axially. Each expanding segment can expand from a first radius in the collapsed state to a second radius in the expanded state. A pair of axially centered wings are positioned at a fixed distance apart. Several supporting elements, each supporting the expanding segments arranged between the wings, are radially movable between the wings. Specifically, a pair of guide rings are arranged such that the axis between the pair of wings is aligned, allowing axial movement between these areas. A superimposed linkage mechanism is provided between the guide rings and the supporting elements. Furthermore, several grooves in each wing are positioned on their inner surfaces, extending radially from the axis to guide the supporting elements radially. 2. The tire-forming cylinder, as per claim 1, where the expanding segments, supporting elements, wings, and guide rings are all positioned within the center of the cylinder. 3. The tire forming cylinder, as per claim 1, where the two guide rings exert force on each supporting element. 4. The tire-forming cylinder under claim 3 is such that the force released by each of the two guide rings is symmetrical along the central plane. 5. A tire forming cylinder pursuant to claim 1, where the ends of the expanding segments are fitted into an outer structure with chambers to receive the various components of the tire carcass placed onto the cylinder. 6. The tire manufacturing cylinder pursuant to claim 1, where the supporting element is constructed as a single unit in conformity with the expanding segment. 7. The tire-making cylinder pursuant to claim 1, where the mechanism of the stacked linkages consists of one longitudinal linkage with one end attached to a guide ring in a manner that rotates around an axis and its opposite end attached to an adjacent end of a supporting element, and a second longitudinal linkage with one end attached to a guide ring in a manner that rotates around an axis and its opposite end attached to an adjacent end of the said supporting element. 8. The tire-forming cylinder pursuant to claim 7, whereby the first and second extended linkages are each able to slide between positions which are extended relative to the axis and radially in an orderly manner, halfway between positions parallel to and perpendicular to the axis, so that such extended segments can selectively expand and contract between the expanded and contracted positions. 9. The tire forming cylinder according to claim 1, where, as one guide ring moves closer to another, these guide rings push the supporting element radially outward from the axis.