WO2005039865A1 - Method of retreading tires - Google Patents

Method of retreading tires Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005039865A1
WO2005039865A1 PCT/US2003/031245 US0331245W WO2005039865A1 WO 2005039865 A1 WO2005039865 A1 WO 2005039865A1 US 0331245 W US0331245 W US 0331245W WO 2005039865 A1 WO2005039865 A1 WO 2005039865A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rubber
ultrasonic welding
tread
tire
retreading
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/031245
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ralph Edward Wimmer
Original Assignee
Societe De Technologie Michelin
Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societe De Technologie Michelin, Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A. filed Critical Societe De Technologie Michelin
Priority to PCT/US2003/031245 priority Critical patent/WO2005039865A1/en
Priority to AU2003277233A priority patent/AU2003277233A1/en
Publication of WO2005039865A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005039865A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00—Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/06—Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
    • B29D30/52—Unvulcanised treads, e.g. on used tyres; Retreading
    • B29D30/54—Retreading
    • B29D30/56—Retreading with prevulcanised tread
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations

Definitions

  • the present invention is in the field of re-treaded tires.
  • This layer of extruded uncured rubber may be stitched or adhesively bonded to the carcass.
  • a tread layer is applied atop the layer of cushion gum.
  • the tread is cured rubber, and has a tread pattern already impressed in its outer surface.
  • the tire is then placed in an autoclave, and heated under pressure for an appropriate time to induce curing of the gum layer, and binding of the gum layer to the tread and the carcass.
  • the tire typically is enclosed in an envelope, and the atmosphere evacuated from the envelope to create pressure forcing the tread layer onto the tire.
  • the tread is uncured rubber, and has no tread pattern.
  • the tire is then placed in a tire mold and heated under pressure for an appropriate time to cure the gum layer and the tread, and to cause the gum layer to bind with the tread and the carcass.
  • cure refers to the formation of cross-links between the elastomer molecules in the rubber compound.
  • the present invention is a method of retreading comprising the steps of joining one or more elastomer layers of the tire using ultrasonic welding.
  • at least one of the layers is rubber.
  • at least one of the layers is cured rubber, and at least one adjacent layer is uncured rubber.
  • the present invention is also a method of retreading comprising enhancing the bonding of cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding.
  • the present invention is a method of retreading comprising the steps of joining one or more elastomer layers of the tire using ultrasonic welding.
  • at least one of the layers is rubber.
  • at least one of the layers is cured rubber, and at least one adjacent layer is uncured rubber.
  • the present invention is also a method of retreading comprising enhancing the bonding of cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding.
  • a necessary component of the retreading process is the introduction of the tire into the envelope, and the removal of the tire from the envelope. The introduction of the tire is hard, physical labor, and the removal of the tire is hard, hot work.
  • envelopes stretch and wear over time, creating uneven pressures on the tire. Their thermal mass also increases the time needed to heat the tire in the autoclave. In addition, the stress created by the envelope sometimes raises the edges of the recently applied tread.
  • uncured cushion gum would be applied separately to the underside of the tread, then to the buffed surface of the tire carcass.
  • An ultrasonic welding horn perhaps with a rolling head, would be used to bond the uncured cushion gum to the cured surfaces of the tread underside and the carcass surface, respectfully.
  • the tread would be applied to the carcass, and the assemblage inserted into an autoclave for further curing.
  • the ultrasonic welding horn would be used to bond the tread to the carcass, via a layer of uncured cushion gum between the carcass and the tread.
  • the ultrasonic welding horn would be used to enhance the strength of the bond of the tread to the cushion gum to the carcass in the vicinity of the joint between the ends of the tread strip.
  • the ultrasonic welder might be used to enhance the strength of the bond between the tread strip and the carcass, via the cushion gum, within about 30 centimeters of the joint.
  • Ultrasonic welding is used for the assembly of thermoplastic material or the assembly of nonthermoplastic material to thermoplastic material by means of insertion or staking. The process is much faster and safer alternative to using solvents or heat as a bonding method. It is used by automotive, medical, toy and other product manufacturers. Ultrasonic welding is the conversion of high-frequency electrical energy to high-frequency mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is a vertical motion in excess of 15,000 cycles per second. When this vertical, vibrating motion is transferred to a thermoplastic material under pressure, frictional heat is generated at the interface, or joints, of two pieces of thermoplastic material. This conversion process is done through an ultrasonic welder including a horn and fixture.
  • a welder's power supply converts standard 50 or 60 hertz alternating current to frequencies of 15,000 hz, 20,000 hz, or 40,000 hz (even up to 70 khz).
  • This alternating current enters the converter where it is converted to vertical, mechanical motion equal to the alternating current, at 15,000, 20,000 or even 40,000 vertical cycles per second.
  • This vertical motion comes out the other end of the converter, passes through a booster which can increase the amplitude of the vibrating motion, and is then passed to the horn which transfers the mechanical energy to the parts that are being welded.
  • the parts that are being welded are secured in a fixture which holds the parts in place and square to the horn.
  • Benefits of the process include: energy efficiency, high productivity with low costs, ease of automated assembly line production and fast joining times.
  • the main limitation to the process is that the maximum component length which can be welded by a single horn is typically approximately 250 mm. This is due to limitations in the power output capability of a single transducer, the inability of the horns to transmit very high power, and amplitude control difficulties due to the fact that joints of this length are comparable to the wavelength of the ultrasound in the horn.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is a method of retreading comprising the use of rubber components where one or more elastomer layers have been joined using ultrasonic welding. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the layers is rubber. In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the layers is cured rubber, and at least one adjacent layer is uncured rubber. The present invention is also a method of bonding cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding. The present invention is also a method of enhancing the bonding of cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding.

Description

Method of Retreading Tires
Field of the Invention The present invention is in the field of re-treaded tires.
Background of the Invention The market for retreaded pneumatic tires is almost entirely a trucking market.
In the trucking market, the carcass of a tire is expected to last several hundred thousand miles, and be amenable to having a new tread adhered to it several times. New truck tires are quite expensive, and are therefore bought with the expectation that their high initial costs are offset by the long service life of the carcass, and the low comparative cost of retreading. A variety of procedures and different types of equipment are available for use in recapping or retreading pneumatic tires. One of the first steps in retreading a worn tire is to remove existing tread material from the tire carcass by a sanding procedure known as buffing. Next a layer of what is known as "cushion gum" is applied to the carcass. This layer of extruded uncured rubber may be stitched or adhesively bonded to the carcass. Next, a tread layer is applied atop the layer of cushion gum. In the cold recapping process, the tread is cured rubber, and has a tread pattern already impressed in its outer surface. The tire is then placed in an autoclave, and heated under pressure for an appropriate time to induce curing of the gum layer, and binding of the gum layer to the tread and the carcass. The tire typically is enclosed in an envelope, and the atmosphere evacuated from the envelope to create pressure forcing the tread layer onto the tire. In the hot recapping process, the tread is uncured rubber, and has no tread pattern. The tire is then placed in a tire mold and heated under pressure for an appropriate time to cure the gum layer and the tread, and to cause the gum layer to bind with the tread and the carcass. [The term "cure" refers to the formation of cross-links between the elastomer molecules in the rubber compound]. However, it would be desirable to improve this method.
Brief Summary of the Invention The present invention is a method of retreading comprising the steps of joining one or more elastomer layers of the tire using ultrasonic welding. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the layers is rubber. In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the layers is cured rubber, and at least one adjacent layer is uncured rubber. The present invention is also a method of retreading comprising enhancing the bonding of cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding.
Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention is a method of retreading comprising the steps of joining one or more elastomer layers of the tire using ultrasonic welding. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the layers is rubber. In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the layers is cured rubber, and at least one adjacent layer is uncured rubber. The present invention is also a method of retreading comprising enhancing the bonding of cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding. A necessary component of the retreading process is the introduction of the tire into the envelope, and the removal of the tire from the envelope. The introduction of the tire is hard, physical labor, and the removal of the tire is hard, hot work.
Elimination of the envelope steps from the retreading process would not only save labor costs, but could increase the quality of the process and its speed. Envelopes stretch and wear over time, creating uneven pressures on the tire. Their thermal mass also increases the time needed to heat the tire in the autoclave. In addition, the stress created by the envelope sometimes raises the edges of the recently applied tread. In one embodiment of the present invention, uncured cushion gum would be applied separately to the underside of the tread, then to the buffed surface of the tire carcass. An ultrasonic welding horn, perhaps with a rolling head, would be used to bond the uncured cushion gum to the cured surfaces of the tread underside and the carcass surface, respectfully. Then the tread would be applied to the carcass, and the assemblage inserted into an autoclave for further curing. In one embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic welding horn would be used to bond the tread to the carcass, via a layer of uncured cushion gum between the carcass and the tread. In another embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic welding horn would be used to enhance the strength of the bond of the tread to the cushion gum to the carcass in the vicinity of the joint between the ends of the tread strip. For example, the ultrasonic welder might be used to enhance the strength of the bond between the tread strip and the carcass, via the cushion gum, within about 30 centimeters of the joint. Ultrasonic welding Ultrasonic welding is used for the assembly of thermoplastic material or the assembly of nonthermoplastic material to thermoplastic material by means of insertion or staking. The process is much faster and safer alternative to using solvents or heat as a bonding method. It is used by automotive, medical, toy and other product manufacturers. Ultrasonic welding is the conversion of high-frequency electrical energy to high-frequency mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is a vertical motion in excess of 15,000 cycles per second. When this vertical, vibrating motion is transferred to a thermoplastic material under pressure, frictional heat is generated at the interface, or joints, of two pieces of thermoplastic material. This conversion process is done through an ultrasonic welder including a horn and fixture. Typically, a welder's power supply converts standard 50 or 60 hertz alternating current to frequencies of 15,000 hz, 20,000 hz, or 40,000 hz (even up to 70 khz). This alternating current enters the converter where it is converted to vertical, mechanical motion equal to the alternating current, at 15,000, 20,000 or even 40,000 vertical cycles per second. This vertical motion comes out the other end of the converter, passes through a booster which can increase the amplitude of the vibrating motion, and is then passed to the horn which transfers the mechanical energy to the parts that are being welded. The parts that are being welded are secured in a fixture which holds the parts in place and square to the horn. Benefits of the process include: energy efficiency, high productivity with low costs, ease of automated assembly line production and fast joining times. Often the main limitation to the process is that the maximum component length which can be welded by a single horn is typically approximately 250 mm. This is due to limitations in the power output capability of a single transducer, the inability of the horns to transmit very high power, and amplitude control difficulties due to the fact that joints of this length are comparable to the wavelength of the ultrasound in the horn.

Claims

I Claim:
1. A method of retreading a tire comprising the step of joining one or more elastomer layers using ultrasonic welding.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elastomer layers is rubber.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elastomer layers is cured rubber, and at least one adjacent layer is uncured rubber.
4. A method of bonding cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding.
5. A method of enhancing the bonding of cured rubber to uncured rubber comprising the use of ultrasonic welding.
6. A method of retreading comprising using ultrasonic welding to enhance the bond between the carcass, cushion gum, and tread strip in the vicinity of the two ends of the tread strip.
PCT/US2003/031245 2003-09-30 2003-09-30 Method of retreading tires WO2005039865A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2003/031245 WO2005039865A1 (en) 2003-09-30 2003-09-30 Method of retreading tires
AU2003277233A AU2003277233A1 (en) 2003-09-30 2003-09-30 Method of retreading tires

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2003/031245 WO2005039865A1 (en) 2003-09-30 2003-09-30 Method of retreading tires

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005039865A1 true WO2005039865A1 (en) 2005-05-06

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2003/031245 WO2005039865A1 (en) 2003-09-30 2003-09-30 Method of retreading tires

Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AU2003277233A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005039865A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017116556A1 (en) * 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 Compagnie Generale Des Establissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire using intermediate section
WO2017116557A1 (en) * 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire using support structure deformation
US11077633B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2021-08-03 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire including pressure application between an intermediate section and an outer shear band ring

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3904457A (en) * 1972-06-07 1975-09-09 Firestone Tire & Rubber Co Method of ultrasonic butt splicing reinforced tire fabric
JPS6356438A (en) * 1986-08-28 1988-03-11 Bridgestone Corp Preparation of retreaded tire
EP0309673A2 (en) * 1987-09-28 1989-04-05 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Method of ultrasonic splicing tire tread strip edges
US5443667A (en) * 1992-03-11 1995-08-22 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Device and method for splicing tire tread strip edges using traversing ultrasonic transducers
JPH11333935A (en) * 1998-05-22 1999-12-07 Bridgestone Corp Method for joining unvulcanized rubber member
JP2001191422A (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-17 Bridgestone Corp Method for joining cylindrical tire-constituent member in tire producing process

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3904457A (en) * 1972-06-07 1975-09-09 Firestone Tire & Rubber Co Method of ultrasonic butt splicing reinforced tire fabric
JPS6356438A (en) * 1986-08-28 1988-03-11 Bridgestone Corp Preparation of retreaded tire
EP0309673A2 (en) * 1987-09-28 1989-04-05 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Method of ultrasonic splicing tire tread strip edges
US5443667A (en) * 1992-03-11 1995-08-22 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. Device and method for splicing tire tread strip edges using traversing ultrasonic transducers
JPH11333935A (en) * 1998-05-22 1999-12-07 Bridgestone Corp Method for joining unvulcanized rubber member
JP2001191422A (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-17 Bridgestone Corp Method for joining cylindrical tire-constituent member in tire producing process

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 0122, no. 74 (M - 725) 29 July 1988 (1988-07-29) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 03 30 March 2000 (2000-03-30) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2000, no. 24 11 May 2001 (2001-05-11) *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2017116556A1 (en) * 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 Compagnie Generale Des Establissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire using intermediate section
WO2017116557A1 (en) * 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire using support structure deformation
WO2017116386A1 (en) * 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire using intermediate section
WO2017116384A1 (en) * 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 Campagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire using support structure deformation
CN108602292A (en) * 2015-12-28 2018-09-28 米其林集团总公司 The method for forming non-inflatable tyre using centre portion
US10946601B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2021-03-16 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire using support structure deformation
US11077633B2 (en) 2015-12-28 2021-08-03 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method of forming non-pneumatic tire including pressure application between an intermediate section and an outer shear band ring
CN108602292B (en) * 2015-12-28 2021-10-01 米其林集团总公司 Method of forming a non-pneumatic tire using an intermediate section

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