EP4662055A1 - Système et procédé de fabrication d'un pneu sans air - Google Patents

Système et procédé de fabrication d'un pneu sans air

Info

Publication number
EP4662055A1
EP4662055A1 EP24753741.8A EP24753741A EP4662055A1 EP 4662055 A1 EP4662055 A1 EP 4662055A1 EP 24753741 A EP24753741 A EP 24753741A EP 4662055 A1 EP4662055 A1 EP 4662055A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
head
adjustment mechanism
sealing ring
main body
connector member
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP24753741.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Wade L. TERRILL
Merle R. SCHLAPKOHL
Alexander G. Tomtschik
Chad M. Zeck
Terry A. Westaway
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.)
Bridgestone Bandag LLC
Original Assignee
Bridgestone Bandag LLC
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 Bridgestone Bandag LLC filed Critical Bridgestone Bandag LLC
Publication of EP4662055A1 publication Critical patent/EP4662055A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B29D30/02—Solid tyres ; Moulds therefor
    • 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)
    • B29D30/08—Building tyres
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C7/00—Non-inflatable or solid tyres
    • B60C7/10—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for increasing resiliency
    • B60C7/14—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for increasing resiliency using springs
    • B60C7/146—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for increasing resiliency using springs extending substantially radially, e.g. like spokes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C7/00—Non-inflatable or solid tyres
    • B60C7/24—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for securing tyres on rim or wheel body
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C7/00—Non-inflatable or solid tyres
    • B60C7/10—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for increasing resiliency
    • B60C7/14—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for increasing resiliency using springs
    • B60C7/16—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for increasing resiliency using springs of helical or flat coil form
    • B60C7/18—Non-inflatable or solid tyres characterised by means for increasing resiliency using springs of helical or flat coil form disposed radially relative to wheel axis

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for making a non-pneumatic tire. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a system and method of applying a tread to a non-pneumatic tire structure.
  • Non-pneumatic tires do not require inflation, while “run flat tires” may continue to operate after receiving a puncture and a complete or partial loss of pressurized air, for extended periods of time and at relatively high speeds.
  • Non-pneumatic tires may include a plurality of spokes, a webbing, or other support structure that connects a lower ring to an upper ring. It is known to adhere a pre-cured tread to an upper ring of a non-pneumatic tire with adhesive or cement.
  • a method of making a non-pneumatic tire includes providing a tire structure.
  • the tire structure includes a lower ring having a first diameter, an upper ring having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the upper ring being substantially coaxial with the lower ring, and a support structure extending between the lower ring and the upper ring.
  • the method further includes providing an elastomeric tread circumferentially about a top of the upper ring.
  • the tire structure and the elastomeric tread are received in a curing envelope.
  • a tensioning system is arranged about the curing envelope.
  • the tensioning system includes a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring, and a plurality of tensioners connecting the first and second sealing rings to one another.
  • a system for assembling a non-pneumatic tire structure includes a curing envelope dimensioned and configured to receive an upper ring and a circumferential tread of the non-pneumatic tire structure.
  • the system further includes a tensioning system that has a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring, and a plurality of tensioners. The plurality of tensioners connect the first and second sealing rings to one another.
  • Each one of the plurality of tensioners includes a first anchor, the first anchor including a first adjustment mechanism that attaches a first head to a first main body, a second anchor, the second anchor including a second adjustment mechanism that attaches a second head to a second main body, and a connector member that connects the first and second anchors to one another.
  • the first and second adjustment mechanisms are each configured to allow for adjustment of a distance between the first head and the second head. Using the first and second adjustment mechanisms to reduce the distance between the first head and the second head causes the tensioning system to press the curing envelope against the non-pneumatic tire structure to create a substantially airtight seal therebetween.
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the non-pneumatic tire of Figure 1
  • Figure 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a cross-section of another alternative embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire
  • Figure 6 is a schematic drawing illustrating a perspective view of one embodiment of a curing envelope for a non-pneumatic tire
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a sealing system for manufacturing a non-pneumatic tire
  • Figure 8 is a sectional view along part of Figure 7,
  • Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of manufacturing a non-pneumatic tire
  • Figure 11 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a tensioner that can be used with the sealing system of Figure 7.
  • Circumferential and “circumferentially” refer to a direction extending along the perimeter of the surface of the tread perpendicular to the axial direction.
  • Tread refers to that portion of the tire that comes into contact with the road or ground under normal inflation and normal load.
  • inward and outwardly refer to a general direction towards the equatorial plane of the tire
  • outward and outwardly refer to a general direction away from the equatorial plane of the tire and towards the sidewall of the tire.
  • relative directional terms such as “inner” and “outer” are used in connection with an element, the “inner” element is spaced closer to the equatorial plane of the tire than the “outer” element.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a non-pneumatic tire 100.
  • the non-pneumatic tire 100 includes a lower ring 110 having a first diameter, and an upper ring 120 having a second diameter greater than the first diameter.
  • the upper ring 120 is substantially coaxial with the lower ring 110.
  • a plurality of spokes 130 extend between the lower ring 110 and the upper ring 120.
  • a webbing or other support structure may be employed instead of spokes. It should be understood that the term “support structure” may refer to either webbing or spokes.
  • one or more of the lower ring 110, upper ring 120, and spokes 130 are constructed of different materials.
  • the upper ring 120 may be a steel band while the lower ring 120 and spokes 130 are constructed of other metal, carbon fiber, resin, or a polymeric material such as polyurethane, polyester, nylon, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride
  • the circumferential tread 150 is affixed to a top of the upper ring 120, with no pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed between the upper ring 120 and the circumferential tread 150.
  • the circumferential tread is 150 bonded directly to the top of the upper ring 120.
  • a strip of cured rubber (not shown) or a temperaturesensitive adhesive is disposed between the circumferential tread 150 and the upper ring 120.
  • the upper ring 120 in this embodiment has a greater width than the spokes 130, such that the upper ring 120 extends outward from spokes 130, thereby defining a ledge 170.
  • the ledge 170 may also be referred to as a ceiling.
  • the ledge 170 has a width between 0.375 inches (0.95 cm) and 1 inch (2.54 cm).
  • the ledge may have a width between 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) and 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
  • the adjustment mechanism 685 can be used to decrease the distance Dt, thus effectively moving the first and second sealing rings 605, 610 toward one another to press the curing envelope 505 into engagement with the upper ring of the nonpneumatic tire and create the aforementioned substantially airtight seal.
  • Figure 10 shows an exemplary method 800 of using the sealing system 500 of Figures 6-9 to manufacture a non-pneumatic tire.
  • a tire structure is provided.
  • the tire structure has a lower ring, an upper ring, and support structure, such as any of the tire structures described above with respect to Figures 1-5.
  • an elastomeric tread is provided circumferentially about a top of the upper ring.
  • the elastomeric tread may be a pre-cured or a partially cured tread, having any desired tread elements pre-formed before the tread is provided about the upper ring.
  • a strip of green rubber (z.e., cushion rubber) or a temperature sensitive adhesive is first applied to either the elastomeric tread or the upper ring.
  • the elastomeric tread is directly placed on the upper ring.
  • wick material may be placed between the tread and the curing envelope.
  • a wick material is a loose weave nylon fabric.
  • the wick material may be wrapped about the entire tread, or it may be placed at locations where the tensioners are located.
  • the wick material prevents the tensioning system from sealing the curing envelope against the tread, thus creating isolated pockets. Therefore, the wick material helps evacuate air from the curing envelope.
  • heat and pressure are introduced into the curing envelope.
  • heat is introduced at a temperature between 200° F and 300° F (90° C to 150° C), and pressure is applied at 40-100 psi (276-689 kPa).
  • the elastomeric tread is pre-cured, the tread is only heated to a temperature that is sufficient to bond the tread to the upper ring.
  • the curing system may cure the elastomeric tread such that it bonds to the upper ring.
  • a layer of green cushion stock (not shown) or temperature-sensitive adhesive is placed between the tread and the upper ring.
  • the cushion stock or temperature-sensitive adhesive bonds the elastomeric tread to the upper ring.
  • the cushion stock or the temperature sensitive adhesive will bond to both the upper ring and the tread during the curing process.
  • FIG 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a tensioner 915.
  • This tensioner embodiment may be used with the sealing system described above with reference to Figures 6-9.
  • the tensioner 915 includes a main body 920, a first head 925, and a second head 930.
  • a first connector member 935 connects the first head 925 to a first end 940 of the main body 920.
  • a second connector member 945 connects the second head 930 to a second end 950 of the main body 920.
  • the first and second connector members 935, 945 are each a flexible member in the form of a cable.
  • the connector members may be any desired flexible member such as, for example, a chain or a rope.
  • the connector member may be a rigid member, such as a rod.
  • the first head 925 and the second head 930 each extend between a first end 955 and a second end 960.
  • the first end 955 of the head 925 is connected to a respective one of the first and second connector members 935, 945.
  • a fastening portion 965 is provided toward the second end 960 of the head 925, 930.
  • the fastening portion 965 is a reduced diameter portion formed into the head 925, 930.
  • other fastening portions may be employed, such as those described above with respect to the heads 660 of the tensioner 615.
  • the fastening portion 965 of the head 925, 930 and the slots on the sealing rings that are to be used with the tensioners are dimensioned and configured to allow the slots to receive the reduced diameter portion, thereby attaching the first and second head to the first and second sealing ring, respectively.
  • the main body 920 includes a first part 970 and a second part 975.
  • An adjustment mechanism 980 connects the first and second parts 970, 975 to one another.
  • the adjustment mechanism allows for the adjustment of a distance Dt between the fastening portion 965 of the first head 925 and the fastening portion 965 of the second head 930.
  • the distance Dt is adjustable between a range of 0.5-4 inches (1-10 centimeters).
  • the tensioners may allow for adjustability over a range of any desired distance.
  • the adjustment mechanism 980 includes a threaded passage 985 on the first part 970 of the main body 920 that receives a threaded rod 990 that extends from the second part 975 of the main body 920.
  • the adjustment mechanism may include any desired arrangement that allows for adjustment of the distance Dt.
  • the location of the threaded passage and the threaded rod may be reversed so that first part of the main body includes the threaded rod and the second part of the main body includes the threaded passage.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
  • Tyre Moulding (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système conçu pour une structure de pneu sans air et comprenant une enveloppe de durcissement dimensionnée et conçue pour recevoir une bague supérieure et une bande de roulement circonférentielle de la structure de pneu sans air. Le système comprend en outre un système de tension ayant une première bague d'étanchéité, une seconde bague d'étanchéité et des tendeurs. Les tendeurs raccordent les première et seconde bagues d'étanchéité l'une à l'autre. Chaque tendeur comprend une première tête et une seconde tête qui sont conçues pour être fixées à la première bague d'étanchéité et à la seconde bague d'étanchéité, respectivement. Un élément raccord raccorde les première et seconde têtes l'une à l'autre. Les tendeurs comprennent en outre un mécanisme de réglage. Le mécanisme de réglage permet le réglage d'une distance entre la première tête et la seconde tête. L'utilisation du réglage amène le système de tension à presser l'enveloppe de durcissement contre la structure de pneu sans air pour créer un joint sensiblement étanche à l'air entre celles-ci.
EP24753741.8A 2023-02-07 2024-01-03 Système et procédé de fabrication d'un pneu sans air Pending EP4662055A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202363443795P 2023-02-07 2023-02-07
PCT/US2024/010128 WO2024167597A1 (fr) 2023-02-07 2024-01-03 Système et procédé de fabrication d'un pneu sans air

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4662055A1 true EP4662055A1 (fr) 2025-12-17

Family

ID=92263220

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24753741.8A Pending EP4662055A1 (fr) 2023-02-07 2024-01-03 Système et procédé de fabrication d'un pneu sans air

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4662055A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2026506371A (fr)
CN (1) CN120693248A (fr)
WO (1) WO2024167597A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4299647A (en) * 1980-03-26 1981-11-10 Harrelson Rubber Company Tire retreading apparatus
US4624732A (en) * 1985-03-25 1986-11-25 501 Oliver Rubber Company Tire envelope sealing apparatus for recapping tires
US4808256A (en) * 1988-03-03 1989-02-28 Oliver Rubber Company Tire recapping apparatus
WO2017116385A1 (fr) * 2015-12-28 2017-07-06 Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin Procédé de formage de pneu non pneumatique comprenant l'application d'une pression entre une section intermédiaire et une bague externe de bande de cisaillement
EP3713753B1 (fr) * 2017-11-21 2023-08-02 Compagnie Générale des Etablissements Michelin Procédé et appareil de formation d'une carcasse de bandage non pneumatique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN120693248A (zh) 2025-09-23
JP2026506371A (ja) 2026-02-24
WO2024167597A1 (fr) 2024-08-15

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