阅读说明：本技术 具有胶囊或型套的轮胎成型鼓 (Tyre building drum with bladder or sleeve ) 是由 M·德格拉夫 D·佩珀特 T·雷格特肖特 于 2019-09-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种具有胶囊或型套的轮胎成型鼓,其中轮胎成型鼓包括第一释放构件和第一致动器,用于在所述第一释放构件和鼓体之间产生相对移动,以使第一释放构件相对于鼓体沿第一释放方向从第一固定位置移动到第一释放位置,在该第一固定位置上第一释放构件将第一胶囊或型套的第一圆周边缘固定至鼓体,而在该第一释放位置上第一释放构件从鼓体释放第一圆周边缘。本发明还涉及一种用于操作上述轮胎成型鼓的方法。(The invention relates to a tyre building drum with a bladder or a sleeve, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a first release member and a first actuator for generating a relative movement between said first release member and the drum body for moving the first release member in a first release direction relative to the drum body from a first fixing position, in which the first release member fixes a first circumferential edge of the first bladder or sleeve to the drum body, to a first release position, in which the first release member releases the first circumferential edge from the drum body. The invention also relates to a method for operating a tyre building drum as described above.)

1. A tyre building drum having a first bladder or sleeve, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a drum body, which is rotatable about an axially extending central axis, wherein the first capsule or jacket has a first circumferential edge and a second circumferential edge axially opposite the first circumferential edge, wherein the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge extend around the drum body in a circumferential direction around the central axis, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a first release member and a first actuator for producing a relative movement between said first release member and the drum body, so that the first releasing member is moved in a first releasing direction from the first fixing position to the first releasing position with respect to the drum body, the first releasing member fixes the first circumferential edge to the drum body at the first fixing position, and the first releasing member releases the first circumferential edge from the drum body at the first releasing position.

2. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the first release member is a first remote-controlled release member, wherein the first actuator is arranged for moving the first remote-controlled release member from the first fixing position to the first release position.

3. Tyre building drum according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first release member is arranged to be remotely controlled from a position spaced at least 20 cm from the first fixed position.

4. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the first release direction is parallel to the centre axis.

5. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator is a linear actuator acting in the first release direction.

6. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the tyre building drum is arranged to be connected to one or more drive elements, wherein the first actuator is arranged to be driven by one of the one or more drive elements.

7. Tyre building drum according to claim 6, wherein the tyre building drum is arranged to be mounted concentrically with a drum shaft at the centre axis, wherein the one or more drive elements extend inside the drum shaft, at the drum shaft or beside the drum shaft.

8. Tyre building drum according to claim 7, wherein the drum shaft accommodates the one or more drive elements, wherein the first actuator is arranged to be driven by the one drive element within the drum shaft.

9. Tyre building drum according to claim 5, wherein the first actuator is arranged to be mechanically connected to the one drive element.

10. Tyre building drum according to claim 9, wherein the one drive element is a spindle or a push-pull rod, wherein the first actuator is a coupling member arranged to be mechanically coupled to the spindle or the push-pull rod.

11. Tyre building drum according to claim 6, wherein the one drive element is a pneumatic or hydraulic conduit connected to an external source of pneumatic pressure, partial vacuum or hydraulic pressure, wherein the first actuator is a chamber or cylinder arranged in fluid communication connection with the one drive element.

12. Tyre building drum according to claim 6, wherein the one drive element is an electrical conductor, wherein the first actuator is an electromechanical actuator arranged to be conductively coupled to the one drive element.

13. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the first release member is arranged to release the entire first circumferential edge from the drum body in the release position.

14. Tyre building drum according to claim 13, wherein the first release member is an annular member extending in a circumferential direction around the centre axis for fixing and releasing the entire first circumferential edge in the first fixing position and the first release position, respectively.

15. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a biasing member to bias the first release member from the first release position to the first fixing position in a biasing direction opposite to the first release direction.

16. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator is arranged to drive at least one other component of the tyre building drum during a tyre building operation.

17. Tyre building drum according to claim 16, wherein the first actuator is arranged to travel back and forth within a tyre building stroke during a tyre building operation to drive the at least one further component, wherein the first release member is arranged to remain in a first fixed position during a tyre building stroke, wherein the first actuator is arranged to travel further in a first release direction beyond a tyre building stroke to move the first release member from the first fixed position to the first release position.

18. Tyre building drum according to claim 17, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a plurality of arms distributed circumferentially around the drum and pivotable between a rest position at the drum and a pressing position at least partly away from the drum, wherein the at least one further component comprises the plurality of arms.

19. Tyre building drum according to claim 18, wherein the plurality of arms are hingeably coupled to the first release member to pivot relative to the first release member between the rest position and the pressed position, wherein the first actuator is connected to each arm via a respective link to convert a tyre building stroke of the first actuator in a first release direction into a pivoting movement of the arm relative to the first release member, wherein the tyre building drum is provided with a rest surface supporting the plurality of arms in the rest position relative to the drum body, wherein the link in the rest position is arranged to transfer further movement of the first actuator in the first release direction via the plurality of arms onto the first release member.

20. Tyre building drum according to claim 19, wherein the first actuator is arranged to apply a return force onto the plurality of arms via the respective link, wherein at least one component of the return force is directed in the first release direction, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a biasing member biasing the first release member from the first release position to the first fixing position with a biasing force in a biasing direction opposite to the first release direction, wherein the biasing force exceeds the return force during a tyre building stroke.

21. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a second release member which is movable in a second release direction relative to the drum body from a second fixing position, in which the second release member fixes the second circumferential edge to the drum body, to a second release position, in which the second release member releases the second circumferential edge from the drum body.

22. Tyre building drum according to claim 21, wherein the second release member is a second remote-controlled release member.

23. Tyre building drum according to claim 21, wherein the first release direction and the second release direction are the same.

24. Tyre building drum according to claim 21, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a second actuator for moving the second release member in the second release direction.

25. Tyre building drum according to claim 21, wherein the first release member and the second release member are connected to move together from the first fixing position and the second fixing position to the first release position and the second release position, respectively.

26. Tyre building drum according to claim 25, wherein the drum body comprises a bead locking section which is expandable in a radial direction perpendicular to the centre axis, wherein the first release member and the second release member are arranged on opposite sides of the bead locking section in the axial direction, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a bridge member for connecting the first release member to the second release member, wherein the bead locking section comprises an opening allowing the bridge member to pass through the bead locking section in the axial direction.

27. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a second bladder or jacket having a third circumferential edge extending in a circumferential direction around the central axis around the drum body, wherein the tyre building drum further comprises a third releasable member movable in a third release direction relative to the drum body from a third fixing position, in which the third release member fixes the third circumferential edge to the drum body, to a third release position, in which the third release member releases the third circumferential edge from the drum body.

28. Tyre building drum according to claim 27, wherein the third release member is a third remote-controlled release member.

29. Tyre building drum according to claim 27, wherein the third release direction is opposite to the first release direction.

30. Tyre building drum according to claim 27, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a third actuator for moving the third release member in the third release direction.

31. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a central portion for shaping a carcass and a turn-up portion for turning up one or more tyre components against the shaped carcass at the central portion, wherein the first bladder or jacket is a turn-up bladder arranged to expand at the turn-up portion.

32. Tyre building drum according to claim 31, wherein the turning bladder comprises an inflatable bladder body extending between the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge, wherein the bladder body when uninflated is folded onto itself around a fold line of the first circumferential edge on a side axially opposite the second circumferential edge, wherein the first release member is axially between the second circumferential edge and the fold line of the uninflated bladder body and is covered by the uninflated bladder body in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis.

33. Tyre building drum according to claim 32, wherein the first release member is arranged to be remotely controlled from a position axially outside the uninflated capsule.

34. Tyre building drum according to claim 33, wherein the first release member is arranged to be remotely controlled from a position beyond the fold line of the uninflated capsule body in the first release direction.

35. Tyre building drum according to claim 31, wherein the second bladder or jacket is a central jacket arranged to expand at the central portion.

36. Tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator is removable from the tyre building drum.

37. A tyre building machine comprising a tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the tyre building machine further comprises one or more drive elements, wherein the first actuator is arranged to be driven by one of the one or more drive elements.

38. Tyre building machine according to claim 37, wherein the tyre building machine further comprises a control unit arranged for controlling the one drive element such that the first release member is moved from the first fixing position to the first release position.

39. Method for operating a tyre building drum according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the steps of: the first actuator is controlled to produce relative movement between the first releasing member and the drum body to move the first releasing member in the first releasing direction relative to the drum body from the first fixing position to the first releasing position to release the first circumferential edge from the drum body.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein said first releasing member releases the entire first circumferential edge from the drum body at the releasing position.

41. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a second release member movable in a second release direction relative to the drum body from a second fixing position, in which the second release member fixes the second circumferential edge to the drum body, to a second release position, in which the second release member releases the second circumferential edge from the drum body, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: relative movement is generated between the second releasing member and the drum body to move the second releasing member from the second fixed position to the second releasing position relative to the drum body in the second releasing direction to release the second circumferential edge from the drum body.

42. Method according to claim 41, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a second actuator for moving the second release member in the second release direction.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the first and second release members are connected to move together from the first and second securing positions to the first and second release positions, respectively.

44. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the tire building drum comprises a second bladder or jacket having a third circumferential edge extending circumferentially around the drum body in a circumferential direction about the central axis, wherein the tire building drum further comprises a third release member movable relative to the drum body in a third release direction from a third fixing position in which the third release member fixes the third circumferential edge to the drum body to a third release position in which the third release member releases the third circumferential edge from the drum body, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: relative movement is generated between the third releasing member and the drum body to move the third releasing member from the third fixed position to the third releasing position in the third releasing direction with respect to the drum body to release the third circumferential edge from the drum body.

45. Method according to claim 41, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a third actuator for moving the third release member in the third release direction.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tyre building drum with bladders or sleeves and a method for operating the same.

Background

US 3,476,633a discloses a tyre building drum with a rubber jacket. The rubber-type sleeve has a circular rim portion which is clamped to the shoulder of the drum by means of a plurality of removable caps. Each removable cover is secured to the drum with a plurality of grub screws.

US 3,160,546a discloses a tyre building drum having a core and a plurality of locking mechanisms movable to open and closed positions to engage and disengage the ends of the core. Each locking mechanism includes a linkage that is biased to a closed position and can flip to an open position.

Disclosure of Invention

A disadvantage of the known tyre building drums is that their respective sleeves can only be released manually, i.e. by manually unscrewing each removable cap or by manually turning each link. This is a time consuming task. Moreover, the rim portions of the jacket and the capsule are not always easily accessible. Typically, the portions must be spaced apart or removed completely to gain access for manual removal. In some cases, in particular for turning over the capsule, the capsule is at least partially folded down onto itself, thereby preventing access to its edge portion.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tyre building drum with bladders or sleeves and a method for operating said tyre building drum, wherein the bladders or sleeves can be removed more easily.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a tyre building drum having a first bladder or sleeve, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a drum body, which is rotatable about an axially extending central axis, wherein the first capsule or jacket has a first circumferential edge and a second circumferential edge axially opposite the first circumferential edge, wherein the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge extend around the drum body in a circumferential direction around the central axis, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a first release member and a first actuator for producing a relative movement between said first release member and the drum body, so that the first releasing member is moved from the first fixing position to the first releasing position in the first releasing direction with respect to the drum body, the first releasing member fixes the first circumferential edge to the drum body at the first fixing position, and releases the first circumferential edge from the drum body at the first releasing position.

By remotely actuating the first release member, the first circumferential edge of the first capsule or jacket can be removed from the drum. No manual action is required at the first release member to release the first circumferential edge. Thus, even a jacket or capsule having a circumferential edge that is difficult to access can be removed relatively easily.

In a preferred embodiment, the first release member is a first remote-controlled release member, wherein the first actuator is arranged for moving said first remote-controlled release member from the first fixation position to the first release position. Thus, the first release member can be remotely controlled with respect to the drum body by the first actuator.

In a preferred embodiment, the first release member is arranged to be remotely controlled from a position spaced at least 20 cm, preferably at least 30 cm, most preferably at least 40 cm from the first fixed position. The spacing between the first release member and its controller may facilitate remote control of the first release member without having to reach the first release member itself all the way.

In another embodiment, the first release direction is parallel or substantially parallel to the central axis. Thus, the first release member may be moved in the same direction as the majority of the axially controlled components of the tyre building drum.

In another embodiment, the first actuator is a linear actuator acting in a first release direction. The linear actuator may provide a linear stroke similar to other controlled strokes in a tire building drum.

In another embodiment, the tyre building drum is arranged to be connected to one or more drive elements, wherein the first actuator is arranged to be driven by one of the one or more drive elements. Thus, the first actuator may be driven by a drive element which is not part of the tyre building drum itself.

In one embodiment thereof, the tire building drum is arranged to be mounted concentrically with the drum shaft at the centre axis, wherein the one or more drive elements extend inside, at or beside the drum shaft. By connecting the first actuator to a drive element near or in the drum shaft, the outer circumferential surface of the tyre building drum can be kept free from the control of said drive element.

In one embodiment thereof, the drum shaft accommodates one or more drive elements, wherein the first actuator is arranged to be driven by said one drive element within the drum shaft. This is particularly useful when the first release member is not accessible from the outside of the tyre building drum.

In a further embodiment thereof, the first actuator is arranged to be mechanically connected to said one drive element. Preferably, the one drive element is a main shaft or a push-pull rod, wherein the first actuator is a coupling member arranged to be mechanically coupled to the main shaft or the push-pull rod. The mechanical connection may provide precise control of the first actuator.

In an alternative embodiment, the one drive element is a pneumatic or hydraulic conduit connected to an external source of pneumatic, partial vacuum or hydraulic pressure, wherein the first actuator is a chamber or cylinder arranged to be connected in fluid communication with the one drive element. The tire building drum may accommodate a number of relatively small conduits to control various functions of the tire building drum. One of these conduits may be effectively used to control the alternative first actuator.

In another alternative embodiment, the one drive element is an electrical conductor, wherein the first actuator is an electromechanical actuator arranged to be conductively coupled with the one drive element. The tire building drum may already be providing electrical power for various purposes. Thus, the electrical power may also be effectively used to power the actuator.

In another embodiment, the first releasing member is arranged to release the entire first circumferential edge from the drum body at the releasing position. In particular, the first release member is an annular member extending in a circumferential direction around the central axis to fix and release the entire first circumferential edge in the first fixing position and the first release position, respectively. Thus, the first circumferential edge may be released instantaneously without the need for repeated time consuming manual operations of the prior art to gradually release said first circumferential edge.

In another embodiment, the tyre building drum comprises a biasing member to bias the first release member from the first release position to the first fixing position in a biasing direction opposite to the first release direction. The first release member may be automatically returned to the first fixed position by biasing the first release member.

In another embodiment, the first actuator is arranged to drive at least one other component of the tire building drum during a tire building operation. Thus, the first actuator may serve multiple purposes.

In one embodiment thereof, the first actuator is arranged to travel back and forth within the tire building stroke during the tire building operation to drive the at least one other component, wherein the first release member is arranged to remain in the first fixed position during the tire building stroke, wherein the first actuator is arranged to travel further in the first release direction beyond the tire building stroke to move the first release member from the first fixed position to the first release position. The travel of the first actuator outside the tire building stroke generally does not interfere with the operation of the tire building drum within the tire building drum. Thus, the first bladder or jacket may be prevented from being accidentally released during the tire building operation.

In one embodiment thereof, the tire building drum comprises a plurality of arms distributed circumferentially around the drum and pivotable between a rest position of the drum and a pressing position at least partially away from the drum, wherein the at least one further component comprises a plurality of arms. Thus, the first actuator can drive the pivoting movement of the arms and the release of the first circumferential edge of the first capsule or sleeve from the drum.

In one embodiment thereof, the plurality of arms is hingeably coupled to the first release member to pivot relative to the first release member between an abutment position and a pressed position, wherein a first actuator is connected to each arm via a respective link to convert a tire building stroke of the first actuator in a first release direction into a pivoting movement of the arm relative to the first release member, wherein the tire building drum is provided with an abutment surface supporting the plurality of arms in the abutment position relative to the drum body, wherein the link in the abutment position is arranged to transfer further movement of the first actuator in the first release direction to the first release member via the plurality of arms. Thus, the resting position of the arm at the end of the tyre building stroke effectively transforms said arm into a rigid connection between the first actuator and the first release member.

In one embodiment thereof, the first actuator is arranged to apply a return force to the plurality of arms via the respective links, wherein at least one component of the return force is directed in a first release direction, wherein the tire building drum comprises a biasing member to bias the first release member with the biasing force from a first release position to a first fixing position in a biasing direction opposite to the first release direction, wherein the biasing force exceeds the return force during the tire building stroke. Thus, the biasing force may prevent the first release member from moving toward the first release position before reaching the end of the tire building stroke.

In another embodiment, the tire building drum comprises a second releasing member movable in a second releasing direction relative to the drum body from a second fixing position, in which the second releasing member fixes the second circumferential edge to the drum body, to a second releasing position, in which the second releasing member releases the second circumferential edge from the drum body. Thus, the circumferential edges of the first capsule or jacket can both be released and secured in substantially the same manner. Preferably, the second release member is a second remote release member.

In one embodiment thereof, the first release direction and the second release direction are the same.

In a further embodiment thereof, the tyre building drum comprises a second actuator for moving said second release member in a second release direction. The first actuator and the second actuator may be controlled individually, i.e. when only one circumferential edge is released or when circumferential edges are to be released in a specific order.

Alternatively, the first and second release members are connected to move together from the first and second securing positions to the first and second release positions, respectively. Thus, both release members may be remotely controlled by the same actuator.

Preferably, the base comprises a bead locking section which is expandable in a radial direction perpendicular to said central axis, wherein the first release member and the second release member are axially arranged on opposite sides of the bead locking section, wherein the tyre building drum comprises a bridge member for connecting the first release member to the second release member, wherein the bead locking section comprises an opening which allows the bridge member to pass axially through the bead locking section. Thus, despite the presence of the bead lock segment, both release members can be remotely controlled by the same actuator.

In another embodiment the tyre building drum comprises a second bladder or core having a third circumferential edge extending around the drum body in a circumferential direction around the central axis, wherein the tyre building drum further comprises a third release member movable in a third release direction relative to the drum body from a third fixing position in which the third release member fixes the third circumferential edge to the drum body, to a third release position in which the third release member releases the third circumferential edge from the drum body. Thus, not only the first and/or second circumferential edges of the first capsule or form, but also the third circumferential edge of the second capsule or form may be released in substantially the same manner. Preferably, the third release member is a remote release member.

In one embodiment thereof, the third release direction is opposite to the first release direction.

In a further embodiment thereof, the tyre building drum comprises a third actuator for moving said third release member in a third release direction. The first actuator, the second actuator and/or the third actuator may be controlled individually, i.e. when only one circumferential edge is to be released or when circumferential edges are to be released in a specific order.

In another embodiment, the tyre building drum comprises a central portion for shaping the carcass and a turn-up portion for turning up one or more tyre components against the shaped carcass at the central portion, wherein the first bladder or jacket is a turn-up bladder arranged to expand at the turn-up portion.

In one embodiment thereof, the turning over capsule comprises an inflatable capsule body extending between a first circumferential edge and a second circumferential edge, wherein the capsule body when uninflated is folded onto itself about a fold line on the side of the first circumferential edge opposite the second circumferential edge in the axial direction, wherein the first release member is axially located between the second circumferential edge and the fold line of the uninflated capsule body and is covered by the uninflated capsule body in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis. The covered first release member is inaccessible from radially outward of the tire building drum and therefore may be conveniently remotely controlled by the first actuator.

In one embodiment thereof, the first release member is arranged to be remotely controlled in an axial direction from a position outside the uninflated capsule body. Preferably, the first release member is arranged to be remotely controlled from a position other than the fold line of the uninflated capsule body in the first release direction. Thus, the position of the first release member may be controlled, i.e. may be biased by the actuator and/or one or more drive elements to a position outside the drum region, which is inaccessible due to the presence of uninflated capsules.

In a further embodiment thereof, the second capsule or jacket is a central jacket arranged to expand at the central portion.

In another embodiment, the first actuator is removable from the tire building drum. For example, the actuator may be coupled to the first release member only when the first release member is to be moved.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a tyre building machine comprising a tyre building drum according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tyre building machine further comprises one or more drive elements, wherein the first actuator is arranged to be driven by one of the one or more drive elements. Preferably, the tyre building machine further comprises a control unit arranged for controlling one of the drive elements such that the first release member is moved from the first fixing position to the first release position. The control unit may include computer readable instructions to automatically release the first capsule or sleeve.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating a tyre building drum according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the method comprises the steps of: the first actuator is controlled to produce relative movement between the first releasing member and the drum body to move the first releasing member in a first releasing direction relative to the drum body from the first fixing position to the first releasing position to release the first circumferential edge from the drum body.

This method involves the actual operation of the tyre building drum described above and therefore has the same technical advantages, which are not repeated hereafter.

In one embodiment thereof, the first releasing member releases the entire first circumferential edge from the drum body at the releasing position.

In a further embodiment thereof, the tyre building drum comprises a second release member which is movable in a second release direction relative to the drum body from a second fixing position, in which the second release member fixes the second circumferential edge to the drum body, to a second release position, in which the second release member releases the second circumferential edge from the drum body, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: relative movement is generated between the second releasing member and the drum body to move the second releasing member from the second fixing position to the second releasing position in a second releasing direction relative to the drum body to release the second circumferential edge from the drum body.

In one embodiment thereof, the tyre building drum comprises a second actuator for moving said second release member in a second release direction.

In an alternative embodiment thereof, the first and second release members are connected to move together from the first and second securing positions to the first and second release positions, respectively.

In one embodiment thereof, the tyre building drum comprises a second bladder or jacket having a third circumferential edge extending around the drum body in a circumferential direction around the central axis, wherein the tyre building drum further comprises a third release member movable in a third release direction relative to the drum body from a third fixing position, in which the third release member fixes the third circumferential edge to the drum body, to a third release position, in which the third release member releases the third circumferential edge from the drum body, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: relative movement is generated between the third releasing member and the drum body to move the third releasing member from the third fixing position to the third releasing position in a third releasing direction with respect to the drum body to release the third circumferential edge from the drum body. Preferably, the tyre building drum comprises a third actuator for moving said third release member in a third release direction.

The various aspects and features described and illustrated in the specification may be applied separately wherever possible. These various aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims, may be the subject of divisional patent applications.

Drawings

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the appended schematic drawings, in which:

figures 1 and 2 show a cross-section of a tyre building drum having a turning-up bladder and a release member for releasing the turning-up bladder according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

figures 3 and 4 show a cross-section of an alternative tyre building drum having a turning-up bladder and a release member for releasing the turning-up bladder, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

figures 5 and 6 show a cross-section of a further alternative tyre building drum having a turnup bladder and a release member for releasing the turnup bladder, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

figures 7 and 8 show a cross-section of a further alternative tyre building drum having a turnup bladder and a release member for releasing the turnup bladder, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

figures 9 and 10 show a cross-section of a further alternative tyre building drum having a turning-up bladder, a central core and a release member releasing the turning-up bladder and the central core according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 11 shows a further alternative tyre building drum with a manually controlled actuator for remotely controlling the release member according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a tire building machine for building a green tire or an unvulcanized tire according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The tire building machine includes a tire building drum 1 and a drum shaft 2 for rotatably supporting the tire building drum 1 about a center axis S. The tyre building drum 1 comprises a central portion C for shaping a carcass (not shown) and a turn-up portion T for turning up tyre components around beads B (not shown) against the shaped carcass at the central portion C. The turnup portion T is located near or outside the center portion C in the axial direction a parallel to the center axis S. The tyre building machine comprises turn-up-like portions on opposite sides of the central portion C in the axial direction a to form two half-drums. The tyre building drum 1 extends in a circumferential direction around a central axis S. Fig. 1 and 2 are simplified to show the rolled-up portion T on only one side of the central axis S.

The tire building drum 1 comprises a drum body 10, the drum body 10 having a base 11 concentrically mounted to a drum shaft 2. The base 11 is slidable on the drum shaft 2 toward and away from the central portion C in an axial direction a parallel to the central axis S in response to the forming operation at the central portion C. The drum body 10 further comprises a plurality of bead locking segments 12, which bead locking segments 12 are distributed circumferentially around a central axis S and are expandable in a radial direction R perpendicular to said central axis S in a per se known manner with respect to the base 11 for locking or retaining the beads B to the tyre building drum 1. The drum 10 also comprises one or more mechanical or pneumatic elements, known per se, to expand the carcass in the central portion in the radial direction R.

In the context of the present invention, the drum body 10 is considered to be an assembly of components forming the tire building drum 1, in addition to the bladder or sleeve discussed below. The capsule or sleeve is arranged around and/or expandable with respect to the drum 10.

In this exemplary embodiment, the tire building drum 1 is provided with a turn-up bladder 9 for turning up one or more tire components (i.e., body plies and/or sidewalls) around the beads B against the shaped carcass at the central portion C. The turning-up capsule 9 comprises a first circumferential edge 91, a second circumferential edge 92 opposite the first circumferential edge 91 in the axial direction a, and a capsule body 90 extending between the first circumferential edge 91 and the second circumferential edge 92. The first and second circumferential edges 91, 92 extend circumferentially around the drum body 10 about the center axis S. At least the first circumferential edge 91 is arranged to be mounted to the drum body 10 in a position on the outside of the bead lock segments 12 with respect to the central portion C. The first and second circumferential edges 91, 92 are provided with flanges or ribs 94, 95 arranged to be received on the drum body 10 and locked in position on said drum body 10 in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter.

The tyre building drum 1 according to the present invention is provided with a releasing member 61 which releasing member 61 is movable to a fixed position with respect to the drum 10 or with respect to the drum 10 (as shown in fig. 1) for fixing the first circumferential edge 91 with respect to the drum 10. The releasing member 61 is movable in a releasing direction V1 relative to the drum body 10 from a fixed position (shown in fig. 1) to a releasing position (shown in fig. 2) to release the first circumferential edge 91 from the drum body 10. The operator can then perform maintenance on the turning-up capsule 9 or replace the turning-up capsule 9 as a whole. The first circumferential edge 91 can be fixed to the drum body 10 again by moving the releasing member 61 from the releasing position (shown in fig. 2) back to the fixing position (shown in fig. 1) in the fixing direction W1 opposite to the releasing direction V1. In the exemplary embodiment, release direction V1 and securing direction W1 are parallel or substantially parallel to axial direction a.

The releasing member 61 is arranged to release the entire first circumferential edge 91 from the drum body 10 at the releasing position. In particular, the releasing member 61 is formed as or comprises an annular body 70, the annular body 70 extending in a circumferential direction around the central axis S to fix and release the entire first circumferential edge 91 in the fixing position and the releasing position, respectively. The annular body 70 is provided with an annular flange or rib 71 which faces and engages a flange or rib 94 of the first circumferential edge 91 to lock said first circumferential edge 91 in position on the drum body 11.

The capsule body 90 is inflatable such that it expands outwardly in a radial direction R relative to the central axis S. The turn-up bladder 9 is arranged to be mounted onto the tyre building drum 1 such that it expands with respect to the central portion C on the outside of the bead locking segments 12. Any tyre components supported on the turn-up bladders 9 on the outer side of the beads B are thus turned up around the beads B against the shaped carcass at the central portion C. The capsule body 90, when not inflated as shown in figures 1 and 2, is folded on itself about a fold line 93, which fold line 93 is located on the opposite side of the first circumferential edge 91 in the axial direction a from the second circumferential edge 92. When uninflated, release member 61 is located in axial direction a between first circumferential edge 91 and fold line 93 of capsule body 90. Thus, the release member 61 is covered by the uninflated capsule 90 in the radial direction R and is inaccessible from the outside of the tyre building drum 1.

In this exemplary embodiment, the tire building drum 1 is further provided with a plurality of arms 3 distributed around the drum body 10 in the circumferential direction. Each arm 3 comprises a hinge end 31, a distal end 32 opposite the hinge end 31, and an arm body 30 extending between the hinge end 31 and the distal end 32. The arm 3 is pivotable about the hinge end 31 between a rest position on the drum body 10 (as shown in fig. 1 and 2) and a pressing position at least partially away from the drum body 10 in the pivoting direction P. The arm 3 is arranged to be located between the drum 10 and the uninflated capsule 90 in the rest position. Preferably, the arm 30 extends parallel or substantially parallel to the axial direction a in said rest position. The hinge end 31 is positioned relatively close to the first circumferential edge 91 on the turning bladder 9 so that the arms 3 can be pivoted outwards to press against the turning bladder 9 in the pivoting direction P, forcing the turning bladder 9 against the shaped carcass at the central portion C. In this particular example, the hinge end 31 of the arm 3 is hinged on the release member 61.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the tire building drum 1 further includes an arm support 33, the arm support 33 forming an abutment surface 34 to support the plurality of arms 3 in the radial direction R at the abutment position. In particular, the abutment surface 34 prevents the arm 3 from moving further radially inwards with respect to the central axis S beyond the abutment position. The arm support 33 is slidable on the drum body 10 in the axial direction a. The arm support 33 is arranged to slide back and forth along or within the tire building run X. Arm support 33 is connected to each arm 3 via a respective link 35 to convert the tire building stroke X of arm support 33 into a pivoting movement P of arm 3 about a respective hinge end 31 at release member 61.

The tyre building machine comprises one or more drive elements 4 to control the operation of the tyre building drum 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the one or more drive elements 4 comprise: a first driving element 41 for driving the movement of the base 11 of the drum 10 in the axial direction a; and a second drive element 42 for driving the pivoting movement of the arm 3 in the pivoting direction P. One or more drive elements 4 may extend on the drum shaft 2, along the drum shaft 2 or inside the drum shaft 2. In this particular example, the drum shaft 2 comprises a tubular wall 20, the tubular wall 20 defining a hollow interior 21 to house one or more drive elements 4. The tubular wall 20 and/or the base 11 are provided with one or more slots 22, 13 to facilitate connection or coupling between the one or more drive elements 4 inside the drum shaft 2 and the tyre building drum 1 outside the drum shaft 2. Preferably, the first drive element 41 and the second drive element 42 are push-pull rods, which are individually movable in the axial direction a. More preferably, the push-pull rod is accommodated within the drum shaft 2.

The one or more drive elements 4 are coupled to a control unit 40 outside or external to the tyre building drum 1. Thus, the operation of the tyre building drum 1 is remotely controlled by the control unit 40 via one or more drive elements 4.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the tyre building drum 1 comprises a base actuator 50 and an arm actuator 51 to actuate the movement of the base 11 in the axial direction a and the pivoting movement of the arm 3 in the pivoting direction P, respectively. The base actuator 50 and the arm actuator 51 are coupled to the first drive element 41 and the second drive element 42, respectively, and driven by the first drive element 41 and the second drive element 42. In this way they are remote-controlled or remotely-controllable actuators 51, 52 of the tyre building drum 1, since their respective movements are controlled by the control unit 40 located outside or outside the tyre building drum 1. In the exemplary embodiment, base actuator 50 and arm actuator 51 are coupling members that mechanically couple base 11 and arm support 33 to first drive element 41 and second drive element 42, respectively. Preferably, the coupling member is shaped as a pin to mechanically engage the push- pull rod 41, 42. The base actuator 50 and the arm actuator 51 are linearly driven in the axial direction a, and thus may be regarded as a linear actuator.

The arm actuator 51 is coupled to the arm support 33. The arm actuator 51 is arranged to move in the axial direction a together with the second drive element 42 to cause a movement of the arm support 33 within the tyre building stroke X, which movement is converted by the link 35 between the arm support 33 and the arm 3 into a pivoting movement of the arm 3 in the pivoting direction P. As shown in fig. 2, the arm actuator 51 is arranged to travel further in the release direction V1 beyond the tire building stroke X to move the release member 61 from the secured position (shown in fig. 1) to the release position (shown in fig. 2). The arm 3 rests on the resting surface 34 of the arm support 33 when moved in the release direction V1 beyond the tire building stroke X. Likewise, link 35 no longer pivots arm 3, but rather is in a rigid relationship with hinge end 31 and release member 61 coupled thereto via arm 3. Accordingly, movement of the arm actuator 51 beyond the tire building stroke X in the release direction V1 is transferred by the linkage to the release member 61, and then the release member 61 moves from the fixed position (shown in fig. 1) to the release position (shown in fig. 2).

As shown in fig. 1, the tyre building drum 1 further comprises a biasing member 8, which biasing member 8 is arranged to bias the release member 61 with a biasing force in a biasing direction opposite to the release direction V1. In the exemplary embodiment, the biasing member 8 acts in the securing direction W1 to force the release member 61 from the release position into the securing position. During the tire building stroke X, the arm actuators 51 apply a return force to the plurality of arms 3 via the respective links 35, wherein at least a component of the return force is directed in the first release direction V1. The biasing force of the biasing member 8 is selected such that it exceeds the return force during the tire building stroke X. Thus, the release member 61 may remain in a fixed position at least during the tire building stroke X. In this way, the releasing function of the releasing member 61 is prevented from interfering with the tire building process. In the exemplary embodiment, a biasing member 8 is disposed between release member 61 and base 11 to bias release member 61 relative to base 11.

As the arm actuator 51 moves in the release direction V1 beyond the tire travel stroke X, the return force on the release member 61 increases and eventually exceeds the biasing force, allowing the release member 61 to move from the secured position to the released position. Thus, the arm actuator 51 can be used in two ways: 1) the pivoting of the drive arm 3 during the tyre building stroke X; and 2) driving the release member 61 in the release direction V1 outside of the tire building stroke X.

Thus, the release member 61 of the present invention can be controlled ("remotely") from a location spaced from the release member 61 itself. In particular, the release member 61 is arranged to be remotely controlled from a position at least 20 centimeters, preferably at least 30 centimeters, most preferably at least 40 centimeters away from the bead lock segment 12 in the first release direction V1. In this particular example, release member 61 is remotely controlled from a position beyond fold line 93 of uninflated capsule body 90 in first release direction V1. Thus, the release member 61, which is not itself accessible due to the presence of the turning bladder 9 around the drum 10, can be remotely controlled from a more accessible position, i.e. by (manual) actuation of the control unit 40 or actuator 51 outside the tyre building drum 1 from a position beyond the fold line 93 of the uninflated bladder 90. Thus, there is no need for an operator to manually reach the tire building drum 1 or to partially dismantle the tire building drum 1 to reach the release member 61.

Alternatively, the arm actuator 51 may hold the arm support 33 and thus the release member 61 connected thereto in the rest position while the base actuator 50 moves the drum body 10. It will be appreciated that this produces relative movement between the releasing member 61 and the drum body 10, which still results in the same net movement of the releasing member 61 relative to the drum body 10 in the first releasing direction V1.

A method for operating the above-described tyre building drum 1 will be described below with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

The method comprises the following steps: the arm actuator 51 is controlled to move the remote release member 61 in the first release direction V1 from the fixed position (shown in fig. 1) to the release position (shown in fig. 2) to release the first circumferential edge 91 from the drum body 10. The position of the arm actuator 51 is remotely controlled by the control unit 40 outside the tyre building drum 1. In particular, the control unit 40 is arranged for controlling the drive elements 41, 42 to drive the axial position of the base 11 and the arm actuator 51. The arm actuator 51 moves during the tire building process in a tire building stroke X. When the turning bladder 9 needs to be serviced, or when the turning bladder 9 is to be replaced as a whole, the control unit 40 controls the second drive element 42 to move the arm actuator 51 beyond the tire building stroke X in the release direction V1 to move the arm actuator 51 to the release position. Preferably, the remote release member 61 releases the entire first circumferential edge 91 from the drum body 10 at the release position. Thus, the first circumferential edge 91 is instantaneously released along the entire circumferential length thereof.

Fig. 3 and 4 show an alternative tyre building drum 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The alternative tyre building drum 101 differs from the previously discussed tyre building drum 1 in that it comprises, in addition to the above-mentioned release member (the latter being referred to from now on as first release member 161), a second release member 162. The second release member 162 is movable relative to the drum body 110 in the second release direction V2 from the second fixed position (shown in fig. 3) to the second release position (shown in fig. 4) and relatively in the second fixed direction W2. In the second fixing position, the second release member 162 fixes the second circumferential edge 92 of the rolled capsule 9 to the drum 110 and in the second release position the second release member 162 releases the second circumferential edge 92 from the drum 110. The second release member 162 is arranged to fix the second circumferential edge 92 to the drum body 110 at the central portion C.

The second release member 162 operates at the central region C at the rolled portion T in substantially the same manner as the first release member 161. In practice, the second releasing direction V2 and the second fixing direction W2 are the same as the first releasing direction V1 and the first fixing direction W1, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment, first and second release members 161, 162 are coupled to move together from first and second fixed positions (shown in FIG. 3) to first and second release positions (shown in FIG. 4), respectively. In particular, first release member 161 and second release member 162 are connected by a bridge member 172. The alternative tire building drum 101 further comprises an alternative bead locking segment 112 having a cavity, channel or opening H that allows the bridge member 172 to pass through the bead locking segment 112 in the axial direction a.

Fig. 5 and 6 show a further alternative tyre building drum 201 according to a third embodiment of the invention. This alternative tire building drum 201 differs from the previously discussed alternative tire building drum 101 in that there are no arms. Instead, the drum 210 has an alternative base 211, which forms a circumferential surface 214 for supporting the rolled-up capsule 9. The turning bladder 9 is inflated with respect to said circumferential surface 214 and is pressed against the carcass at the central portion C only by the air pressure in the turning bladder 9. Thus, the actuator 51 connected to the second drive element 42 is only arranged for driving the first and/or second release member 261, 262. Therefore, there is also no tire building stroke associated with the actuator 5. Without an arm, the first release member 261 may be directly connected to the actuator 51.

Fig. 7 and 8 show a further alternative tyre building drum 301 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This further alternative tyre building drum 301 differs from the previously discussed further alternative tyre building drum 201 in that it comprises an alternative actuator 351 in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic chamber or cylinder. This further alternative tyre building drum 301 is further provided with an alternative set of one or more drive elements 304, in particular comprising a pneumatic or hydraulic conduit 343, which is connected to an external source of pneumatic, partial vacuum or hydraulic pressure (not shown). An alternative actuator 351 is connected in fluid communication with the conduit 343 for remote control by the control unit 40. The first release member 361 and/or the second release member 362 may alternatively be designed to connect to or incorporate a chamber or cylinder in place of the actuator 351. Preferably, the further alternative tire building drum 301 comprises an alternative biasing member 308 for biasing the first release member 361 in the first securing direction W1 from the first release position (shown in fig. 8)) back to the first securing position (shown in fig. 7).

Fig. 9 and 10 show a yet further alternative tyre building drum 401 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This yet further alternative tire building drum 401 differs from the previously discussed yet further alternative tire building drum 301 in that it comprises a central core 409 at the central portion C in addition to the turn-up bladder 9 at the turn-up portion T. The jacket 409 has a third circumferential edge 491, which extends circumferentially around the drum 410 around the central axis S and is arranged to be mounted to said drum 410 on the side of the bead locking segment 112 directly opposite the turn-up portion T in the axial direction a. The body of the central core 409 extends over the central portion C across the middle plane M of yet another alternative tyre building drum 401 up to a fourth circumferential edge (not shown) arranged to be mounted to the drum body 410 close to the turn-up portion of the drum body 410. The central sleeve 409 is arranged to be inflated or by mechanical means to shape the carcass (not shown) at the central portion C.

Yet another alternative tire building drum 401 further comprises a third release member 463, the third release member 463 being movable in a third release direction V3 from a third fixed position (as shown in fig. 9) to a third release position (as shown in fig. 10). In the third fixing position, the third releasing member 463 fixes the third circumferential edge 491 to the drum body 410, and in the third releasing position, the third releasing member 463 releases the third circumferential edge 491 from the drum body 410. In the exemplary embodiment, the third release direction V3 is opposite the first release direction V1.

Yet another alternative tyre building drum 401 comprises an additional actuator 453 for moving said third release member 463 in a third release direction V3. Preferably, the additional actuator 453 takes the shape of a hydraulic or pneumatic chamber or cylinder, as the alternative actuator 351 of the previous embodiment. Yet another alternative tyre building drum 401 is provided with an alternative set of one or more drive elements 404, in particular comprising a first pneumatic or hydraulic conduit 443 and a second pneumatic or hydraulic conduit 444 connected to an external source of pneumatic, partial vacuum or hydraulic pressure (not shown). The alternative actuator 351 and the additional actuator 453 are connected to the first pipe 443 and the second pipe 444, respectively, so as to be remotely controlled by the control unit 40. Preferably, yet another alternative tire building drum 401 comprises an additional biasing member 408 to bias the third release member 463 from the third release position (as shown in fig. 10) back to the third fixing position (as shown in fig. 9) in a third fixing direction W3.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art that are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

In particular, it is apparent from the embodiment shown that the number of release members, the number of actuators may vary. More specifically, each release member may be individually remotely controlled by its own actuator. Also, actuators may be from the group including, but not limited to: any suitable actuator from the group of linear actuators, non-linear actuators, mechanical actuators, electromechanical actuators, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, or combinations thereof. The one or more drive elements may be selected accordingly, including but not limited to: a set of mechanical drive elements, hydraulic conduits, pneumatic conduits, electrical conductors, or combinations thereof.

The actuator may also be manually operated, as long as the manual interaction with the actuator takes place at a position spaced from the inaccessible position of the release member, i.e. outside the uninflated capsule body 90 in the axial direction a. In particular, fig. 11 shows another alternative exemplary embodiment of a tyre building drum 501 with a manually operated actuator 551, i.e. a rod with a wheel at the end, which extends from a position outside the base parallel to the axial direction a up to a first release member 561 and/or a second release member 562. The manually operated actuator 551 may be coupled to the first release member 561 via a threaded coupling that converts rotation of the rod into linear translation of the first release member 561 in the first release direction V1. Alternatively, the manually operated actuator 551 may simply be arranged to pull or push the first release member 561 in the axial direction a. Optionally, the first release member 561 may be biased by the biasing member 508 to move to the first fixed position in a similar manner to the previously discussed embodiments.

Further, as previously described, the one or more actuators 51, 351, 453, 551 may hold the one or more release members 61, 161, 162, 261, 262, 361, 362, 463, 561, 562 stationary while the drum 10, 110, 210 is moving. It will be appreciated that this produces relative movement between the one or more release members and the drum 10, 110, 210, which still results in a net movement of the one or more release members 61, 161, 162, 261, 262, 361, 362, 463, 561, 562 relative to the drum 10, 110, 210.

Furthermore, the actuator may be removable from the tyre building drum. For example, the actuator may be coupled to the release member only when the release member is to be moved. In this way, the release member is arranged to be coupled to and remotely controlled by the actuator. It is clear that an actuator intended to be used in combination with a tyre building drum therefore also falls within the scope of the present invention.

List of reference numerals

1 tyre building drum

10 drum body

11 base

12 bead locking segment

13 slot

2 Drum shaft

20 tubular wall

21 hollow interior

22 slot

3 arm

30 arm body

31 hinge end

32 distal end

33 arm support

34 against the surface

35 connecting rod

4 one or more drive elements

40 control unit

41 first drive element

42 second drive element

50 base actuator

51 arm actuator

61 first release member

70 annular body

71 flanges or ribs

8 biasing member

9-rolling capsule

90 inflation capsule body

91 first circumferential edge

92 second circumferential edge

93 fold line

94 flanges or ribs

95 flanges or ribs

101 replacement tire building drum

110 drum body

112 substitute bead locking segment

161 first release member

162 second release member

172 bridging member

201 alternative tire building drum

210 drum body

211 substitute base

214 fixed circumferential surface

261 first release member

262 second release member

301 yet another alternative tire building drum

304 alternate set of one or more drive elements

308 substitute biasing member

343 pipeline

351 actuator

361 substitute for the first release member

362 substitute for the second release member

401 yet another alternative tire building drum

404 substitute set of one or more drive elements

443 first pipeline

444 second conduit

453 third actuator

463 third release member

408 additional biasing member

409 center type sleeve

491 third peripheral edge

501 alternative tire building drum

508 biasing member

551 hand control actuator

561 first release member

562 second release member

Axial direction A

B bead

C center part

H opening

M middle plane

P direction of pivoting

R radial direction

S central axis

T-turn part

V1 first Release Direction

Second release direction of V2

V3 third Release Direction

W1 first fixed direction

W2 second fixed direction

W3 third fixed direction

X tire building run