WO2013130047A2 - Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism - Google Patents

Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013130047A2
WO2013130047A2 PCT/US2012/026944 US2012026944W WO2013130047A2 WO 2013130047 A2 WO2013130047 A2 WO 2013130047A2 US 2012026944 W US2012026944 W US 2012026944W WO 2013130047 A2 WO2013130047 A2 WO 2013130047A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mold
platen
slide
press
attached
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2012/026944
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2013130047A3 (en
Inventor
Scott Powell ANDERSON
Brian D. Wilson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Michelin Recherche et Technique SA Switzerland
Societe de Technologie Michelin SAS
Original Assignee
Michelin Recherche et Technique SA Switzerland
Societe de Technologie Michelin SAS
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
Priority to KR1020177008750A priority Critical patent/KR20170039761A/ko
Priority to KR1020147026572A priority patent/KR20140130503A/ko
Priority to BR112014021434A priority patent/BR112014021434A2/pt
Priority to EP12870298.2A priority patent/EP2819836B1/en
Priority to MX2014010320A priority patent/MX2014010320A/es
Priority to IN7245DEN2014 priority patent/IN2014DN07245A/en
Priority to US14/380,119 priority patent/US9278494B2/en
Priority to RU2014139001A priority patent/RU2014139001A/ru
Priority to PCT/US2012/026944 priority patent/WO2013130047A2/en
Application filed by Michelin Recherche et Technique SA Switzerland, Societe de Technologie Michelin SAS filed Critical Michelin Recherche et Technique SA Switzerland
Priority to CA2865913A priority patent/CA2865913A1/en
Priority to CN201280070297.8A priority patent/CN104136204B/zh
Priority to JP2014558723A priority patent/JP2015512806A/ja
Publication of WO2013130047A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013130047A2/en
Publication of WO2013130047A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013130047A3/en
Priority to ZA2014/06111A priority patent/ZA201406111B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29DPRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/02Solid tyres ; Moulds therefor
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C41/00Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C41/02Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
    • B29C41/04Rotational or centrifugal casting, i.e. coating the inside of a mould by rotating the mould
    • B29C41/042Rotational or centrifugal casting, i.e. coating the inside of a mould by rotating the mould by rotating a mould around its axis of symmetry
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C41/00Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C41/34Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C41/38Moulds, cores or other substrates
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29DPRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29DPRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/06Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
    • B29D30/0601Vulcanising tyres; Vulcanising presses for tyres
    • B29D30/0605Vulcanising presses characterised by moulds integral with the presses having radially movable sectors
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C33/00Moulds or cores; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C33/30Mounting, exchanging or centering
    • B29C33/303Mounting, exchanging or centering centering mould parts or halves, e.g. during mounting
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29DPRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D30/00Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof
    • B29D30/06Pneumatic tyres or parts thereof (e.g. produced by casting, moulding, compression moulding, injection moulding, centrifugal casting)
    • B29D30/0601Vulcanising tyres; Vulcanising presses for tyres

Definitions

  • This- invention relates generally to. an apparatus for rotationally casting a portion of a tire,- -and, mote specifically, to an apparatus that has a floating alignment mechanism that, allows a portion of a mold to move in the radial direction of the tire, which it at. least partially forms, allowing the molding apparatus to omit the use of tie bars,
  • the non-pneumatic tire includes an outer annular shear hand and a plurality of web spokes that extend transversely across and radially inward from the annular shear band and are anchored in a wheel or hub.
  • the annular shear band may further comprise a shear layer, at least a first membrane adhered to the- radially inward extent of the- shear layer and at least a second membrane adhered to the radially outward extent of the shear layer.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 7,2 1. 194 also provides advantages that include a more uniform ground contact pressure- throughou t the length of the contact area. Hence, this tire- mimics the. performance of a pneumatic tire.
  • FIG, 1 shows such a tire that defines a radial direction .
  • all the reference- numerals in the 10 . 0'e used herein refer to the- tire features while all reference numerals in the 200's .used herein refer to a molding apparatus for making such a tire and reference numerals
  • 300's used herein refer to a features of a floating moid alignment mechanism accordin to an. embodiment of the present invention.
  • the tire 100 -comprises a tread 102 that is attached to the outward extent 104 of the spokes J 06, which in turn, are connected to a hub or wheel 108 at their inward extent 110 by means known in the art such as by molding spokes between the hub 108 and the tread.
  • An outer annular band 105 is located between the outward extent of the spokes and the tread and an inne annular band 107 is .found at the .inward extent of the spokes, connecting them together.
  • This inner annular band 107 can be used to attach the tire to a hub or wheel.
  • the annular bauds 105, 107 and spoke 106 are formed by pouring a polyurethane liquid into a rotational moid where the liquid is spread via centrifugation and then cured or hardened. It can .also be seen that the spokes 106 are grouped in pair and that the individual spokes 106', 106" within each pah* are consistently spaced from each other and that each pair is spaced consistently from the adjacent pai around the circumference of the the. The spacing within each pair and the spacing between each adjacent pair do not need to be the same. As described by the Abstract and co!. % lines 28 - 41 of the ; 194 patent, the spokes 106 support the.
  • the inside surface of the tread is substantially cylindrical, requiring that the inside surface- of the outer annular band also be cylindrical to maintain the thickness of the ⁇ annular band and to avoid aesthetic inconsistencies on the outer annular band from one side of the tire to the other..
  • the depth of the moid cores is equal to or greater than I SO mm, which is a deeper draw than is typical This added to. the fact there are surfaces lacking draft means thai the spokes are proned to slick often when de oiding. This cap.
  • tie bars This: wide range of movement hi addition to the desire to have free access to -the interior of the mold for accessing its components as we! I. as a tire being made therein make the use of such tie bars impractical.
  • the lack of tie bars means that mold platens and mold halves may be misaligned, which during dernoiding, can cause distortion of the spokes of the tire.
  • an apparatus for molding tire having .a radial direction that includes a molding press -and -a mold.
  • the molding press may have first and second platens that, are operativeiy associated with the press for changing their position relative to each other for opening and closing a mold that is attached to- the platens.
  • the mold may have first and second portions ' that are attached to the first and second platens, of the molding press respectively.
  • the apparatus- may further include a floating mold alignment mechanism that is- operativeiy associated with the first portion of the mold, the first platen and.
  • the molding press including at least one sliding, member that allows the first portion of the moid to freely move i said radial direction, a predetermined amount
  • the motor may drive the second portion of the mold and the cap and oute r ring of the first, portion of the mold may be cowpled to the -second portion of the mold when tile mold is closed, causing the first portion of the mold to rotate.
  • the first mold portion Is a mold half.
  • the first portion of the moid is fixedly attached to the first platen and said press has a frame and said mold alignment mechanism is slidabiy attached -to the frame and is also s.Hdafaly attached to the first: platen.
  • the moid alignment mechanism comprises a firs slide and a second slide that are operativel . y associated with the first platen, first mold -portion- and molding press, said slides being arranged, for orthogonal movement relative to eac other,
  • the mold alignment mechanism further comprises a set of needle hearings that guide the movement of one slide and another set of needle bearings that guide the movement of the other slide.
  • the first and second slides may be similarly configured with v-shaped protrusions on two lateral sides.
  • the moid alignment mechanism may further comprise four v-shaped races with sets of needle bearings found on opposing sides of the races that mate with the v-shaped protrusions of the slide, two of said v-shaped races mating with, each of the slides, providing four sets of needle- bearings for guiding each slide,
  • the apparatus may further comprise two gibs for each, slide for guiding the movement of each slide wherein the gibs have v-shaped grooves for retaining the v-shaped protrusions of the slides.
  • the predetermined amount of radial movement may foe at least .5 mm. and could range from 1 to 2,5 mm.
  • the molding press may be a vertical moldin press and the first platen may be an uppe platen and the second platen is a lower platen.
  • the upper platen may include an opening that serves as a pouring slot when the mold is closed.
  • the upper platen may be pivotally connected to the moldin press and the lower platen may be tmrtsiatably connected to the moldin press in a vertical direction.
  • the apparatus may further include a freeplay adjusting mechanism- that limits the movement of the floating mold alignment mechanism in at least one direction
  • This freeplay adjusting mechanism may comprise an attachment member having an aperture and. a stud.
  • the stud may have threaded, ends and a flange, one of the threaded end may be configured to mate with a threaded hole found on the slide.
  • the stud may be further configured so thai the flange is found adjacent the slide and the attachment • member, which is to say between them, after the stud has been, secured to the slide and passed through the aperture of the attachment member.
  • This mechanism may further -comprise a nut that is attached to the free threaded end of the stud that, extends past . the attachment member.
  • FIG, I is a perspective view of .a non-pneumatic tire that has spokes thai, can be molded using an apparatus -according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a moid half -and associated cores that form the spokes of the tire of " FIG. ⁇ ;
  • FIG, 3 is a top view of a molding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG, 3A is sectional view of the molding apparatus of FIG, 3 taken along lines 3A-3A thereof;
  • FIG. 3.B is an enlarged view of the mold and top portion of the molding apparatus of FIG. 3A;
  • FIG. 3C is an enlarged view taken from FIG, 3B to more clearly show the gap found between the upper platen of the molding press and outer ring assembly .of the top portion. of the mold;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a floating moid alignment mechanism- attached to a top: platen and arm of a molding- press according to an embodiment of the present invention with a portion of the top mold half removed for enhanced clarity;
  • FIG. 4A Is a sectional view of the mold alignment mechanism of FIG. 4 taken along line 4A-4A ihereof with only the top assembly shown for enhanced clarity with the races being exposed to see how they are trapped between the gibs and slide;
  • FIG. 48 is an enlarged sectional view of the moid alignment mechanism of FIG. A with the bottom assembly of the- mold alignment mechanism shown and a freeplay adjuster assembly shown in cross section, depicting how the adjuster assembly works using an attachment member, double ended threaded stud with flange, and a nut; and
  • FIG. S has a perspective view of the race and needle roller bearings seated in the depressions thereof on opposing faces of the race,
  • this apparatus 200 includes a vertical molding press 202 comprising a lower platen 204, upper platen 206, hydraulic cylinder 208, arm 210,, a gear 212 and ' frame 214.
  • the frame 214 Is fixed and the lower platen 204 is tmnsfatably fixed in a horizontal plane but is free to translate vertically While the upper platen 206 is pivoiaily connected to. the frame 21 via pin 211.
  • the upper platen 206 Is .moved by the hydraulic cylinder 208 in and qui of a parallel alignment with the lower platen 204, Both platens can also rotate about a horizontal axis as- previously described,
  • the gear 212 mates with a. drive pinion (not shown) powered by a motor (not shown) that can engage arid disengage the gear 21 when- it is -appropriate to rotate the lower platen 204 and moid 216, which is affixed thereto, to form the spokes 106 as will be explained late!'.
  • the upper platen 206 could be Jranslatably connected to the frame 214 and could be moved by -means other -than hydraulic, such as pneumatic, mechanical or other means com.moh.iy ktiown in the art.
  • the rotation of the lower platen 204 could be achieved by way of other means known in the art such as by an electric motor that is directly coupled to- the shaft 218 to which the lower platen 204 Is attached.
  • the translation .of the lower platen can be achieved -using -the same -methods, mentioned . reviously for moving the upper platen 206.
  • Roller bearings 220 are also provided to guide the rotation of the lower platen 204 and to minimize: the friction associated with its rotation,
  • a floating, mold alignment .(not shown in FIGS, 3 thru 3C) mechanism attaches the top platen to the arm of the mold frame but -it is contemplated, that this alignment mechanism could be interposed, between the upper moid half 236 and the upper mold platen 206. Details of this alignment mechanism are further described later.
  • the top view provided by FIG, 3 depicts how the upper platen 206 is attached to the frame 214 using the arm 2 ⁇ 0 in an effecti ve manner requiring as little material as possible.
  • the upper platen 206 has a generally thin cylindrical shape that i-s split into a central portion 222 and an outer annular portion 224,
  • the arm 210 of the molding press 202 extends horizontally from the frame 214 and down a small distance vertically to connect to the central portion 222 of the top platen 206.
  • the inner and outer portions 222, 224 of the top platen 206 are configured •concentrically with five openings 228 found between them and the connecting members, one of which is above the pouring slot 230.
  • top platen and its attachment to the frame of the. molding press could be achieved in other ways.
  • separate arms could be used to connect the inner and outer portions of the top platen to the frame of the molding press.
  • the openings found on top surface of the upper platen could be replaced by a single aperture that extends through the side surface of the mold, platen or through a side surface of the mold far enough to reach the pouring slot,
  • the moid 216 includes a lower portion 234 and an upper portion 236 that each have- cores 238 that interariiculate to define the cavities that form the spokes 106 as the cores extend from one side of the mold to the other in an alternating fashion around the circumference of the mold.
  • Diametrically opposing cores- are sho n with core 238 ⁇ * on the left side of the figure extending from the top portion 236 of the moid.
  • the cores 238 shut off on slightly contoured - surfaces 240, but it is contemplated that they could extend into the opposing mold half -in a telescoping manner, Other common mold features such as vents here as they are not important to the present invention, but are often used,
  • the cores are shown as: solid extensions of the moid halves, but they could be separate inserts for ease of re-placement, should one of them be damaged * Mold alignment features in the form of taper pins 239 are shown -in FIG. 2.
  • the tread 102 of the tire 100 is placed in an annular groove 242 found along the circumferential surface of the mold 216 after the mold Is -opened by pivoting the upper platen 206 up and away ' front the lower platen 204 and the iowcr platen is translated downward to a middle position.
  • a slight interference ⁇ wot clearly shown) is provided near the bottom of th annular groove 242 between the- tread 102 and cores 238 so that as a robotic arm places a tread into the mold, it can press the tread onto the core causing a small press fit locally, winch tends to keep the tread 102 seated during the molding process,
  • a clearance groove 244 Is also provided along the outside surfaces of the cores 238 in order to allow the flow of pOlyurefhane along the inside surface of the tread 102, facilitating , the bonding of the spokes 106 to the tread.
  • the hub. 108 is .situated in a ' pocket 246 found in the center of the mold 216 by a robotic arm or other means commonly known in the art and is .guided into ' place by a sleeve 248 having a lead-in surface 250,
  • the upper mold portion 236 comprises a rotating cap assembly 252 that .is rotata ly attached, to the mold press 202 and is guided by roller bearings 2S4.
  • the roller bearings 254 used in this, case are model numbers 42687/42620 sold by SIMPLY BEARINGS LTD. (SKF), Of course, other rotatabfe attachments are feasible such as a journal bearing or magnetic bearing dependin on the application provided they allow this assembly t rotate freely.
  • a gap 251 is provided between the press 202 and this assembly 252 to limit the amount of friction created as the assembly rotates.
  • This rotating ca assembly 252 includes a shaft 256 that is guided by the bearings and that has a flange 258 attached to • its bottom end. A.
  • cap 260 is connected below the flange 258 by at least one, and sometimes, four, bolt and compression spring subassemblies 262.
  • the cap 260 has a chamfer 264 located on its bottom edge for properly aligning the cap 260 to the hub 108 as the upper platen of the- molding press pivots downward into a parallel alignment with the lower platen and the lower platen translates upward to its top position where the mold is closed. Now, the chamfered portion of the cap 260 extends down past the topmost part of the hub 108 and in o its interior as shown by FIG, 3B,
  • the upper portion 236 of the mold 216 Includes an outer ring assembly 232 that is rotatably attached. to the upper platen 206 of the. molding press 202 using , a large diameter slewing hearing 266 that is found outside of the pouring slot 230- in a radial direction R of the mold (consistent with the coordinate axes of a tire that is contained within the mold).
  • Other ro ' tatable attachments can be used in lieu of the slewing bearing such -as a journal bearing or magnetic bearing depending on the application provided- that they reduce the amount of resistance to rotation, i.e. friction, suitable amount.
  • ' materials such as bronze or plastic may be used to create a rotatin attachment where these materials that .have a low coefficient of friction slide against one another.
  • a slewing bearing sold by SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GmbH & Co, KG - (I A) under model no. V8U 200544 is- sed.
  • compression springs 268 o alternatively disk springs are provided between the bead of the bolt and the bottom surface of the counterbore in which the head of the bolt is found, allowing, the spring to absorb the effects of thermal expansion and to prevent snapping of the bolt.
  • a similar technique is used to attach the lower portion 234 of the mold 216 to the lower platen 204 for the same, reason,
  • a nozzle (not shown) can be positioned above the opening 228 of the top platen 206 and pouring slot 230 of the mold 216 for introducing a liquid such as polyurethane into the mold 2-16.
  • a nozzle (not shown) can be positioned above the opening 228 of the top platen 206 and pouring slot 230 of the mold 216 for introducing a liquid such as polyurethane into the mold 2-16.
  • the mold 2i6 s the lower platen. 04 may be translated downward to a bottom position where pins, (not shown), which are attached to the floor below the lower platen of the press, may pass through holes in the lower platen and in the lower portion 234 of the mold 216 and push on the bottom of the tread 1 2, causing the tire to rise and demold from the cores that extend from the bottom portion of the mold.
  • an ejection system conk! be actuated that pushes the tire out of the moid without moving the lower platen past its middle vertical position mentioned earlier where the tread is placed into the mold.
  • the upper platen 206 is rotated out of the way, creating enough space for the robotic arm io pick, up the tire.
  • the process for adding the spokes to another tire can now begin if desired *
  • a perspective view of a floating mold alignment mechanism 300 according io one embodiment of the present invention can be clearly seen that can be used with molding apparatus just described. It comprises two sliding assemblies 302 ⁇ , 302" that are connected to each other and that are able to slide in directions thai are orthogonal to one another.
  • the bottom assembly 302' is slidably attached to the upper platen 206 and is able to slide in a direction that Is perpendicular to the direction that the arm 210 of the frame of the mold press extends, Proximate to the top of the bottom assembly 302' is.
  • the top assembly 302" thai is slidably attached to the arm 2:10 and is able to slide in a direction that is parallel to the direction that the arm extends. Since these assemblies are able to slide in different ortl.ogo.nal directions, the whole upper platen 206 and ttpper mold half 236 can move in both .directions simultaneously, allowing the upper mold half to float in the radial direction of the tire, effectively compensating for any m id misalignment by allowing natural free movement in any radial direction that is needed,
  • Both assemblie are similarly constructed and comprise a slide .304 with two protruding v-sbaped portions 306, two v-shaped guides or gibs 308, v-shaped races 310 and needle roller ' bearings 312.
  • the v-shaped portions 306 of the slide 304 are comp!imentarily configured So mate with the grooves found on the gibs 308 and the v-shaped races 310 fit snugly between the v-shaped portions of the slide and the grooves -of the gibs.
  • Trapped between the races and she slides are a plurality of needle -roller bearings 312 that are seated within depressions 314 found on.
  • a cap plate 316 Attached to the top of the slide .304* of the bottom assembly is a cap plate 316 that i attached thereto using bolts and dowel pins, or by other means commonl known in the art.
  • Another slide 304*' which is part of .the -top assembly, is bolted and .dowel pinned to the cap. plate- 316 and it is arranged perpendicularly to the slide of the bottom assembly- in order to provide orthogonal movement thereto as previously described.
  • the slide of the top assembly is in turn slidably attached to the arm 210 of the molding press via gibs 308 w that are attached to the arm using bolts and dowel pins in like manner as has been described, It is possible that the slide of- the bottom .assembly, the cap plate and the slide of the top assembly can be bolted, and doweled together using -a .single Set of bolts and dowel pins.
  • this assembly Includes an attachment member 320 with an aperture 322. such as a slot for easing, assembly, which can be bolted to the upper platen 206 for use with the bottom assembly.
  • a .stud 324 with threads on each end and a flange 326 can be screwed into the side of the slide 304 s with the flange being positioned between the slide and the attachment member.
  • the free end of the stud that extends through the. slot and past the attachment member can have a nut . 328 tightened thereon and all these parts can be configured and positioned .so that gaps 330 are located between the flange and attachment member on one side and between the nut and attachment. -member on the oilier side.
  • the slide is free to move toward the attachment member until the flange hits the member, stoppin any further movement in this direction.
  • the slide is also free to move away from the attachment member until the nut hits the member, stopping any further movement in that direction.
  • This travel to and fro can be adjusted by decreasing the thickness of the flange or nut or by addin -washers into the gap.
  • the gap range from 1.0 to 1.5 mm, meaning that the relative movement in any one direction ranges approximately the. same.
  • a similarly configured system is used in conjunction with the top assembly where the attachment member is bolted to the top of the slide of the upper assembly and She stud is attached, to the arm of the mold frame., it provides similar movement for the top assembl as is provided for the bottom assembly.
  • the amount ' of movement allowed, b the floating alignment mechanism be at least .5 mm in any radial direction in order to compensate for typical mold misalignment but this could be varied depending on the nature and design of the equipment such as the moid and. moldin press as wel l as the depth, of draw .necessary to manufacture the desired tire. Furthermore, the inventors have found experimentally that it.
  • a sliding member in the form of a round plate that is free to glide on ball bearings and that is seated in a circula pocket that is oversized a sufficient amount to allow the desired radial movement, could be used. Similar sliding members may float using magnets or by providing a thin fluid, that is pressurized to reduce friction and allow free movement in the radial direction. Additionally, the translating member could be seated in flexible material such as rubber, gel
  • the mechanism needs to be able to float freel even under a heavy load such as hundreds of pounds,
  • moid alignment mechanism has been shown .and described for use with a complete mold, but is contemplated that multiple mechanisms, that are operatively associated with each core that could become stuck to ' portions of the tire could be. employed. In other words, multiple mold alignment mechanisms could be used For multiple mold portions. It is further contemplated that a floating mold alignment mechanism could be accomplished b separating the orthogonal translation of the sliding, members such that one sliding member would be operatively associated with a first half of the mold and the -other sliding member would be operatively associated with the second ha If of the moid.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
PCT/US2012/026944 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism Ceased WO2013130047A2 (en)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2012/026944 WO2013130047A2 (en) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism
BR112014021434A BR112014021434A2 (pt) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 aparelho para a fundição de um pneu não pneumático tendo um mecanismo de alinhamento de molde flutuante
EP12870298.2A EP2819836B1 (en) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism
MX2014010320A MX2014010320A (es) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 Aparato para moldear una llanta no neumatica que tiene mecanismo de alineacion flotante del molde.
IN7245DEN2014 IN2014DN07245A (enExample) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28
US14/380,119 US9278494B2 (en) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism
RU2014139001A RU2014139001A (ru) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 Устройство для литья непневматической шины, содержащее плавающий выравнивающий механизм литейной формы
KR1020177008750A KR20170039761A (ko) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 부유 주형 정렬 기구를 갖는 비-공압식 타이어를 주조하는 장치
CA2865913A CA2865913A1 (en) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism
KR1020147026572A KR20140130503A (ko) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 부유 주형 정렬 메커니즘을 갖는 비-공압식 타이어를 주조하는 장치
CN201280070297.8A CN104136204B (zh) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 具有浮动模具对准机构的用于铸造非充气轮胎的装置
JP2014558723A JP2015512806A (ja) 2012-02-28 2012-02-28 フローティングモールド配列機構を有する非空気式タイヤを成型するための装置
ZA2014/06111A ZA201406111B (en) 2012-02-28 2014-08-20 Apparatus for casting a non-pneumatic tire having a floating mold alignment mechanism

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EP3144160A4 (en) * 2014-05-14 2017-11-15 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Airless tire and method of manufacturing same
US10259265B2 (en) 2014-05-14 2019-04-16 Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. Airless tire and method of manufacturing same
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WO2016100005A1 (en) * 2014-12-17 2016-06-23 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels
US10421319B2 (en) 2014-12-17 2019-09-24 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Non-pneumatic tire with integrated polymeric flexible wheel center mount
US10538045B2 (en) 2014-12-17 2020-01-21 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels
US10919244B2 (en) 2014-12-17 2021-02-16 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels
US11104089B2 (en) 2014-12-17 2021-08-31 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Method and apparatus for molding non-pneumatic wheels
WO2023084172A1 (fr) * 2021-11-15 2023-05-19 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Dispositif pour assembler les rayons d'un bandage pour roue au moyen de poussoirs qui sont actionnes et suspendus elastiquement par des leviers
FR3129104A1 (fr) * 2021-11-15 2023-05-19 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Dispositif pour assembler les rayons d’un bandage pour roue au moyen de poussoirs qui sont actionnés et suspendus élastiquement par des leviers
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CN104136204A (zh) 2014-11-05
IN2014DN07245A (enExample) 2015-04-24
EP2819836A4 (en) 2015-10-28
RU2014139001A (ru) 2016-04-20
US9278494B2 (en) 2016-03-08
EP2819836A2 (en) 2015-01-07
MX2014010320A (es) 2014-09-22
KR20140130503A (ko) 2014-11-10
CA2865913A1 (en) 2013-09-06
EP2819836B1 (en) 2018-06-27
KR20170039761A (ko) 2017-04-11
ZA201406111B (en) 2016-08-31
CN104136204B (zh) 2016-12-14
JP2015512806A (ja) 2015-04-30
US20150017277A1 (en) 2015-01-15
BR112014021434A2 (pt) 2019-09-24
WO2013130047A3 (en) 2014-04-17

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