WO2022123588A1

WO2022123588A1 - Application of sealant inside a tire

Info

Publication number: WO2022123588A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Divyansh Shukla; Binu Pallikkara Kesavan; Benny Joseph
Original assignee: Ceat Limited
Priority date: 2020-12-11
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2022-06-16

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards application of a sealant in an inner surface of a tire in an automated manner. According to the present subject matter, a system (100) for injecting a sealant (130) in an inner surface of a tire (122). The system (100) comprises a hose pipe (102) carrying the sealant (130). The hose pipe (102) has a nozzle (104) attached at one end of the hose pipe (102) for dispensing the sealant (130) at the inner surface of the tire (122). The system (100) also comprises a robotic arm (106) connected to the nozzle (104). The nozzle (104) moves along with a movement of the robotic arm (106) in order to inject the sealant in the inner surface of the tire. Thus, the present invention provides for an automated and efficient technique for the development of a puncture safe tire.

Description

APPLICATION OF SEALANT INSIDE A TIRE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to a puncture safe tire of a vehicle and, particularly but not exclusively, to an improved technique of applying sealant in a puncture safe tire.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A tire incorporated in a vehicle may be punctured by any penetrating object in an area where immediate repair is difficult. Such situations encouraged the development of a puncture safe tire.

[0003] In a puncture safe tire, a compounded rubber or a sealant is filled inside the tire in a tread area of the tire. In the event of a puncture by a penetrating object, the sealant filled inside the tire fills a gap created by the penetrating object and prevents leak of air obviating the need of immediate repair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0005] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a system for injecting sealant in an inner surface of a tire, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0006] Figure 2 a schematic of the system for injecting the sealant in the inner surface of the tire installed at a manufacturing site, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The present subject matter relates to aspects relating to providing an improved puncture safe tire through an automated and efficient technique of producing the same. [0008] As described above, in a puncture safe tire, sealant filled inside the tire in a tread area extrudes out and seals an area of the tire damaged through a sharp object. The sealant filled inside the tire needs to be strongly adhered to an inside surface of the tire in the tread area. Otherwise, non-uniform application of the sealant may lead to unbalancing of the tire movement of tires resulting in inefficient performance of the vehicle.

[0009] In conventional techniques of the development of a puncture safe tire, sealant is applied manually inside the tire in a region immediately under the tread area of the tire. Generally, the sealant is a compounded rubber applied manually in a sheet form in the tread area of the tire. However, the application of rubber in the sheet form does not result in a good adhesion of sealant with the tire. Further, manual application of the sealant involves wastage of material and less accuracy in the adhesion of sealant to the tire.

[0010] Such manual application of the sealant takes significant production time resulting in less productivity. Also, the manual application of the sealant is not only expensive due to the manual intervention involved, it is also a cumbersome since the compounded rubber is very viscous in nature, making its application on to the inside of the tire difficult.

[0011] In light of the foregoing discussions, there exists a need to overcome various problems associated with the conventional techniques of the production of the puncture safe tire. Specifically, there exists a need to overcome the various abovediscussed technical shortcoming associated with the conventional techniques of manual application of the sealant inside the tire in a region immediately under the tread area of the tire. To this end, the present subject matter provides an automated and efficient technique for the development of a puncture safe tire.

[0012] A system for injecting a sealant in an inner surface of a tire is described in the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the system overcomes the above- described problems associated with the conventional techniques available for producing a puncture safe tire.

[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, the system for injecting a sealant in an inner surface of a tire comprises a hose pipe carrying the sealant. The hose pipe has a nozzle attached at one end of the hose pipe for dispensing the sealant at the inner surface of a tire. The system also comprises a robotic arm connected to the nozzle. The nozzle moves along with a movement of the robotic arm in order to inject the sealant in the inner surface of the tire.

[0014] With the implementation of the present subject matter, the sealant is injected in the inner surface of the tire through a robotic arm. Thus, manual intervention and involving multiple steps for the application of sealant inside the tire is obviated resulting in higher productivity. Further, since robotic arm moves to inject the sealant in the inner surface of the tire through nozzle, uniform application of the sealant in the inner surface of the tire takes place. Uniform application of the sealant inside the tire results in enhancement of quality of the tire produced as well as ensures stability in performance by the tire. Such automated application of the sealant also reduces the wastage of the sealant that generally occurs in the conventional manual processes.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, the system comprises a heating arrangement to heat the sealant. The sealant is filled inside a drum and the heating arrangement causes the sealant to be maintained in a molten state. As will be understood, the sealant, which is generally made up of compounded rubber is in a solid state when the sealant is in the cold condition. Heating the sealant material, ensures that the sealant is no longer solid and is in a liquid-like, viscous state. In said heated state, the sealant is capable of flowing through a hose, for example, when pressure is applied. Application of the sealant in hot condition also ensures better adhesion of the sealant with inner surface of the tire. [0016] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will be better explained with regard to the following description and accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter along with examples described herein and, should not be construed as a limitation to the present subject matter. It is thus understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Further, for the sake of simplicity, and without limitation, the same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 for injecting a sealant 130 in an inner surface of a tire 122 (not shown in Figure), in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter.

[0018] In an implementation of the present subject matter, the system 100 comprises a hose pipe 102 that carries the sealant for application of the sealant 130 inside the tire 122. In an example, the sealant 130 may be a sticky compounded rubber that may include but not limited to butyl rubber sealant, liquid sealant, Bitumin, Polyurethane and the like. A nozzle 104 is provided at one end of the hose pipe 102 for dispensing the sealant 130 at the inner surface of the tire 122. As mentioned previously, the inner surface of the tire 122 corresponds to a region immediately under the tread area of the tire 122. The system 100 also comprises a robotic arm 106 connected to the nozzle 104. In order to inject the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire 122, the nozzle 104 moves in accordance with movement of the robotic arm 106. In other words, the robotic arm 106 coupled to the nozzle 104 imparts movement to the nozzle 104 such that the nozzle 104 moves along the circumference of the tire 122 to inject the sealant on the inner surface of the tire 122 below the tread area. [0019] The robotic arm 106 may be understood as electromechanical components connected by joints allowing either rotational motion or translational displacement. Such arrangement is configured to impart a precise motion, i.e., to move in a lateral direction along the inner surface of the tire 122 covering the tread area. The sealant material 122 may be applied on any variant of pneumatic tire. However, the movement can be made specific to different types of tires, for example, motor-cycle tire, scooter tire, car tire or truck tire.

[0020] The sealant 130 applied below the tread area of the tire 122 by the nozzle 104 adheres to the inner surface of the tire 122. In the event of a puncture, for example, through a sharp object, during the movement of the tire on a road surface, the sealant 130 injects out through the gap created on the surface of the tire 122 by the sharp object to fill the gap. Thus, an efficient and highly productive automated process for the application of the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire 122 is provided for the development of puncture safe tire.

[0021] In an example implementation, the system 100 also comprises a heating arrangement 108 to heat the sealant 130 to aid its application onto the inner surface of the tire 122. The sealant 130 may be filled in a container, such as a drum 112 and the drum 112 may be placed in the heating arrangement 108. The heating arrangement 108 heats the drum 112 to a desired temperature so as to melt the sealant 130 filled inside the drum 112. Thus, the heating arrangement 108 causes the sealant 130 to be maintained in a molten state during the process of application of the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire 122. Sealant 130 applied in the molten state in the inner surface of the tire 122 adheres with the tire 122 in an efficient manner.

[0022] In an example implementation, the system 100 also comprises a pumping system 110 to transmit the molten sealant 130 from the drum 112 to the nozzle 104 through the hose pipe 102. As explained previously, the sealant 130, even in the molten state is viscous and is not very fluid or free-flowing. Thus, application of pressure by means of the pumping system 110 aids to route the molten sealant 130 from the drum 112 to the nozzle 104 and inject it inside the tire 122.

[0023] The hose pipe 102 is fluidly connected to the pumping system 110. For instance, one end of the hose pipe 102 is connected to the pumping system 110 such that this end of the hose pipe 102 receives molten sealant 130 filled inside the drum 112 through the pumping system 110. The nozzle 104 is connected to the other end of the hose pipe 102 and ejects the molten sealant received at the first end of the hose pipe 102.

[0024] The nozzle 104 is also coupled to the robotic arm 106 and moves along with the movement of the robotic arm 106. The robotic arm 106, as discussed previously, is configured to move along the inner surface of the tire 122 covering the tread area of the tire 122. A controller such as the robotic controller 118 (explained later) may allow the movement of the robotic arm 106. The nozzle 104 injects the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire 122 as the robotic arm 106 moves the nozzle 104 along the surface of the tire 122.

[0025] As the robotic arm 106 moves the nozzle 104 along the surface of the tire 122, the tire 122 needs to be secured in place so that the tire 122 does not shake, tremble or move due to its interaction with the nozzle 104 which is being moved by the robotic arm 106. Such a movement can result in ununiform application of the sealant 130. Accordingly, the system 100 is also provided with a tire holder 114 to hold the tire 122 so as to allow the nozzle 104 to interface with the tire 122.

[0026] The tire holder 114 may be mounted on a fixing arrangement 126, such a fixture is unmovable and fixed to the ground. The tire holder 114 holds the tire 122 during the dispensing of the sealant 130 by the moving nozzle 104 securely such that the tire 122 does not undergo any movements due to its interaction with the moving nozzle 104.

[0027] The tire holder 114 may not only securely hold the tire 122 but may also facilitate application of the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire 122. As will be understood, a pair of lower sidewall portion extending from both sides of the tread area comprises a bead portion located at a distal end of a respective lower sidewall portion. This bead area of the tire 122 makes the application of the sealant 130 inside the tire 122 in the tread area.

[0028] Accordingly, in an example, the system also comprises a tire spreader 124 spreads bead area of the tire 122 from inside so as to allow a complete coverage of the tread area of the tire 122 by the nozzle 104 applying the sealant 130. For example, the tire holders 114 may clutch the bead portions on either side so that nozzle 104 may get area to enter inside the tire 122 to inject the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire. The tire holder 114 may also be mounted on the fixing arrangement 126.

[0029] In an example, the tire holder 114 is further configured to rotate the tire 122, such that the nozzle 104 applies the sealant 130 to a portion of the width of the tire 122 as the tire 122 is rotated. In an example, number of rotations of the tire 122 depends on a ratio of the width of the tire 122 and an opening size of the nozzle 104. For example, if width of the tire 122 is large such as the case of a truck tire and opening of the nozzle 104 is also small, then a high number of rotations of the tire 122 may be required to cover the entire width of the inner surface of the tire 122 by the nozzle 104. As opposed to this, if the width of the tire 122 is small such as the case of a scooter tire, then fewer number of rotations of the tire 122 may be sufficient in order to cover the required portion of the width of the inner surface of the tire 122 by the sealant 130 using the nozzle 104 with the same size of opening.

[0030] The configuration of the nozzle 104 may be varied in accordance with the requirements specific to a given type of tire 122. For instance, parameters, such as the shape and size of aperture opening of the nozzle 104 may be varied. In a situation where the process of application of the sealant 130 is to be carried out in a timeefficient manner, the aperture opening of the nozzle 104 may be made wide. On the other hand, if the requirements specific to a given tire dictate high performance, for example, in terms of the stability of the tire 122, the aperture opening of the nozzle 104 may be made narrow.

[0031] In an example, the robotic arm 106 is configured to move in a lateral direction during the rotation of the tire 122 to inject the sealant in the inner surface of the tire 122 covering a tread area of the tire 122. That is the robotic arm 106 moves along a width of the tire 122 covering the tread area of the tire 122 during the rotation of the tire 122. This allows the nozzle 104 to inject the sealant 130 covering the whole tread area of the tire 122 from inside resulting in a uniform application of the sealant 130.

[0032] In an example, the system 100 also comprises a control system 116. The control system 116 may further comprise a robot controller 118 and an electrical control system 120. The robot controller 118 and the electrical control system 120 may be implemented as microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. The robot controller 118 is to control the movement of the robotic arm 106. For example, the robot controller 118 may be programmed to move the robot arm 106 in the lateral direction during the rotation of the tire 122 so as to allow the nozzle 104 to inject the sealant in the inner surface of the tire 122 covering the tread area of the tire. The electrical control system 120 is to control the heating arrangement 108 and the pumping system 110. For example, the electrical control system 120 may be programmed to control the heating arrangement 108 in order to allow the heating arrangement 108 to heat the drum 112 filled with the sealant 130 placed therein to a desired temperature. This causes the sealant 130 to be melted. Sealant 130 in the molten form can be better adhered to the inner surface of the tire 122 as compared to the sealant 130 in the sheet form. In another example, the electrical control system 120 may be programmed to cause the pumping system 110 to transmit through the hose pipe 102, the molten sealant 130 from the drum 112 to the nozzle 104 which interfaces with the tire 122. Thus, the control system 116 provides for automation of the process of application of the sealant 130 inside the tire 122.

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of the system 100 for injecting the sealant 130 in an inner surface of the tire 122 installed at a manufacturing site, in accordance with an implementation of the present subject matter. The configuration and function of the constructional features depicted in Figure 2 have already been described in reference with Figure 1. In an example, at the installation site, a top cover (not shown in Figure) covers the fixture arrangement having the tire holder 114 mounted thereon and the robotic arm 106 connected to the nozzle 104. The top cover may be made of acrylic. In an example, the top cover may be an Aluminum cage. The installation of the system 100 is further supplemented with an air conditioner (not shown in Figure) and a human machine interface panel (not shown in Figure) for operating the air conditioner installed thereon. An electrical control panel (not shown in Figure) is also installed at the manufacturing site for providing and controlling electric power supply to the system 100. An area scanner or safety guard (not shown in FIG. 1) is mounted at the top of the top cover to prevent any moving object (operator, insects etc.) to interfere while system is in running condition. As described above, the system 100 also comprises the control system 116 (not shown in Figure 2) which further comprises the robot controller 118 and the electrical control system 120. The robot controller 118 is configured to control the movement of the robotic arm 106, while the electrical control system 120 is configured to control the heating arrangement 108 and pumping system 110.

[0034] Thus, in accordance with the implementation of the present subject matter, the sealant 130 is injected in the inner surface of the tire 122 through the robotic arm 106. This eliminates the need for manual intervention in application of sealant 130 inside the tire 122 and results in higher productivity. Further, the application of the sealant 130 in the inner surface by the robotic arm 106 is uniform. Uniform application of the sealant 130, as mentioned previously, ensures stability in performance by the tire 122.

[0035] Although implementations for a system 100 for injecting a sealant in an inner surface of a tire, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features of the systems described herein. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as implementations for the system 100 for injecting the sealant in the inner surface of the tire.

Claims

I/We claim:

1. A system 100 for injecting a sealant 130 in an inner surface of a tire 122, the system 100 comprising: a hose pipe 102 carrying the sealant 130, the hose pipe 102 having a nozzle 104 attached at one end of the hose pipe 102 for dispensing the sealant 130 at the inner surface of a tire 122; and a robotic arm 106 connected to the nozzle 104, wherein the nozzle 104 moves along with a movement of the robotic arm 106 in order to inject the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire 122.

2. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system 100 comprises a heating arrangement 108 to heat the sealant, wherein the sealant 130 is filled inside a drum 112 and wherein the heating arrangement 108 causes the sealant 130 to be maintained in a molten state.

3. The system 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the system 100 comprises a pumping system 110 to transmit the molten sealant 130 from the drum 112 to the nozzle 104 through the hose pipe 102, the hose pipe 102 being fluidly connected to the pumping system 110.

4. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system 100 comprises a tire holder 114 to hold the tire 122 so as to allow the nozzle 104 to interface with the tire 122.

5. The system 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tire holder 114 spreads bead area of the tire 122 from inside.

6. The system 100 as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tire holder 114 is configured to rotate the tire 122, such that the nozzle 104 applies the sealant 130 to a portion of the width of the tire 122 as the tire 122 is rotated.

7. The system 100 as claimed in claim 6, wherein number of rotations of the tire 122 depends on a ratio of the width of the tire 122 and an opening size of the nozzle

104.

8. The system 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein the robotic arm 106 is configured to move in a lateral direction during the rotation of the tire 122 to inject the sealant 130 in the inner surface of the tire 122 covering a tread area of the tire 122. 9. The system 100 as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the system 100 comprises a control system 116, the control system 116 comprising: a robot controller 118, the robot controller 112 is to control the movement of the robotic arm 106; an electrical control system 120, the electrical control system 120 is to control the heating arrangement 108 and the pumping system 100.