阅读说明：本技术 轮胎制造系统和方法 (Tire manufacturing system and method ) 是由 A·斯洛茨 E·多潘伯格 于 2018-06-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种轮胎制造系统,它包括第一鼓、第二鼓和第一站,其中,轮胎制造系统还包括：第一支承件；第一载体,该第一载体相对于第一支承件承载第一鼓；第二支承件；以及第二载体,该第二载体相对于第二支承件承载第二鼓；其中,第一载体可在第一定位平面中沿第一支承件运动,第二载体可在第一定位平面中沿第二支承件运动,第一支承件布置成用于从第一定位平面的下方来支承第一载体,且第二支承件布置成用于从第一定位平面的上方来悬挂第二载体。本发明还涉及一种利用前述系统来相对于第一站定位第一鼓和第二鼓的方法。(The present invention relates to a tire manufacturing system comprising a first drum, a second drum and a first station, wherein the tire manufacturing system further comprises: a first support; a first carrier carrying the first drum relative to the first support; a second support member; and a second carrier carrying the second drum relative to the second support; wherein the first carrier is movable in a first positioning plane along a first support, the second carrier is movable in the first positioning plane along a second support, the first support being arranged for supporting the first carrier from below the first positioning plane, and the second support being arranged for suspending the second carrier from above the first positioning plane. The invention also relates to a method for positioning a first drum and a second drum with respect to a first station using the aforementioned system.)

1. A tire manufacturing system comprising a first drum, a second drum, and a plurality of first stations for performing tire manufacturing operations on the first and second drums, wherein the tire manufacturing system further comprises: a first support; a first carrier carrying a first drum relative to a first support; a second support member; and a second carrier carrying the second drum relative to the second support; wherein the first carrier is movable in a first positioning plane along a first support for positioning the first drum relative to the plurality of first stations, and the second carrier is movable in the same first positioning plane along a second support for positioning the second drum relative to the plurality of first stations, the first support being arranged for supporting the first carrier from below the first positioning plane, the second support being arranged for suspending the second carrier from above the first positioning plane.

2. The tire manufacturing system of claim 1, wherein: the first carrier and the first drum are arranged for traversing below the second support in a first positioning plane.

3. The tire manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the second carrier and the second drum are arranged for traversing over the first support in a first positioning plane.

4. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first carrier is movable in a first direction parallel to the first positioning plane and the second carrier is movable in the same first direction.

5. The tire manufacturing system of claim 4, wherein: the first carrier is movable in a second direction parallel to the first positioning plane and transverse or perpendicular to the first direction, and the second carrier is movable in the same second direction.

6. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first carrier is movable along the first support to any of the plurality of first stations not occupied by the second drum, and the second carrier is movable along the second support to any of the plurality of first stations not occupied by the first drum.

7. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the tyre manufacturing system comprises a positioning unit for controlling the positioning of the first and second drums, wherein the positioning unit is programmed so as to prevent collision between the first and second drums.

8. The tire manufacturing system of claim 7, wherein: the positioning unit is arranged to be programmed with a first safety zone occupied by the first drum and a second safety zone occupied by the second drum, wherein the positioning unit is arranged for controlling the positioning of the first and second drums such that the first and second safety zones do not overlap.

9. The tire manufacturing system of claim 7, wherein: at least one of the first and second drums is provided with one or more sensors for detecting the approach of the other of the first and second drums, wherein the positioning unit is operatively connected with the one or more sensors and arranged to control the positioning of the first and second drums in dependence of signals received from the one or more sensors.

10. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the tyre manufacturing system comprises a first control line and a second control line for controlling the first drum and the second drum, respectively, mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically and/or electronically, wherein the first control line is directed to the first drum from below the first location plane and the second control line is directed to the second drum from above the first location plane.

11. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first support is arranged for supporting the first carrier from below the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane, and the second support is arranged for suspending the second carrier from above the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane.

12. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first and second supports are located outside of the first location plane.

13. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first location plane is horizontal or substantially horizontal.

14. The tire manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first drum, the second drum, and the plurality of first stations are located in a first tire manufacturing area, wherein the tire manufacturing system includes a second tire manufacturing area having a third drum, a fourth drum, and a plurality of second stations for performing tire manufacturing operations on the third drum and the fourth drum, the tire manufacturing system further including one or more transfer components for transferring tire components between the first tire manufacturing area and the second tire manufacturing area.

15. The tire manufacturing system of claim 14, wherein: the tire manufacturing system includes: a third support member; a third carrier carrying a third drum relative to a third support; a fourth support member; and a fourth carrier carrying a fourth drum relative to the fourth support, wherein the third carrier is movable along the third support in a second positioning plane for positioning the third drum relative to the plurality of second stations, and the fourth carrier is movable along the fourth support in the same second positioning plane for positioning the fourth drum relative to the plurality of second stations, wherein the third support is arranged for supporting the third carrier from below the second positioning plane, and the fourth support is arranged for suspending the fourth carrier from above the second positioning plane.

16. The tire manufacturing system of claim 15, wherein: the second location plane is parallel or coplanar with the first location plane.

17. A method for positioning a first drum and a second drum with respect to a plurality of first stations, using a tyre manufacturing system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said method comprises the steps of: moving a first carrier along a first support in a first positioning plane to position the first drum relative to the plurality of first stations; and moving the second carrier along the second support in the same first positioning plane so as to position the second drum with respect to the plurality of first stations; wherein the first support supports the first carrier from below the first positioning plane and the second support suspends the second carrier from above the first positioning plane.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: the first carrier and the first drum traverse below the second support in a first positioning plane.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein: the second carrier and the second drum traverse in a first positioning plane over the first support.

20. The method of any of claims 17 to 19, wherein: the method comprises the following steps: moving the first carrier in a first direction parallel to the first positioning plane; and moving the second carrier in the same first direction.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: the method further comprises the steps of: moving the first carrier in a second direction parallel to the first positioning plane and transverse or perpendicular to the first direction; and moving the second carrier in the same second direction.

22. The method of any of claims 17 to 21, wherein: the method further comprises the steps of: determining a first safety zone occupied by the first drum and a second safety zone occupied by the second drum; and positioning the first and second drums such that the first and second safety zones do not overlap.

23. The method of any of claims 17 to 22, wherein: the first support supports the first carrier from below the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane, and the second support suspends the second carrier from above the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane.

24. The method of any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein: the first and second supports are located outside of the first location plane.

25. The method of any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein: the first location plane is horizontal or substantially horizontal.

26. The method of any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein: the first drum, the second drum, and the plurality of first stations are located in a first tire manufacturing area, wherein the tire manufacturing system includes a second tire manufacturing area having a third drum, a fourth drum, and a plurality of second stations for performing tire manufacturing operations on the third drum and the fourth drum, wherein the method includes the step of transferring tire components between the first tire manufacturing area and the second tire manufacturing area.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein: the tire manufacturing system includes: a third support member; a third carrier carrying a third drum relative to a third support; a fourth support member; and a fourth carrier carrying a fourth drum relative to a fourth support, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: moving a third carrier along a third support in a second positioning plane for positioning the third drum relative to the plurality of second stations, moving a fourth carrier along a fourth support in the same second positioning plane for positioning the fourth drum relative to the plurality of second stations, the third support supporting the third carrier from below the second positioning plane, the fourth support suspending the fourth carrier from above the second positioning plane.

28. The method of any one of claims 17-27, wherein: the method comprises the following steps: moving one of the first and second drums into a parking zone, wherein the location of the parking zone is selected such that the other of the first and second drums can be moved to all of the first stations without being obstructed by the drums in the parking zone.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a tire manufacturing system and method for positioning a drum relative to a plurality of stations.

Background

EP2746035a1 discloses a tire manufacturing system comprising two running rail rings and a plurality of carriage housings movably mounted on each running rail. The carriage housing includes a full-scale tire building drum, a circuit breaker, and a tread drum. The tire manufacturing system also includes a plurality of stationary component application stations associated with each of the rings. The system is designed such that the carriage housing, which travels along the ring, engages the fixed component application stations sequentially and receives the components at each fixed component application station.

EP2687358B1 discloses a method for manufacturing tyres for vehicles, wherein a plurality of belt drums are moved sequentially from a starting position through a plurality of other positions along a rectangular or circular trajectory. At each location, a station is provided for performing a tire manufacturing operation, such as winding a ply of material or forming a tread.

An inherent disadvantage of the known tire manufacturing system and the known method is that some tire manufacturing operations may take longer than others. Thus, one station may have completed while another station is still completing its tire manufacturing operation. The drum cannot be advanced further until the slowest tire building operation has been completed. Therefore, the efficiency of the entire tire manufacturing system depends on its slowest station.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tire manufacturing system and method for positioning a plurality of movable drums relative to a plurality of stations, wherein the efficiency of tire manufacturing can be improved.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a tyre manufacturing system comprising a first drum, a second drum and a plurality of first stations for performing tyre manufacturing operations on said first and second drums, wherein the tyre manufacturing system further comprises: a first support; a first carrier carrying the first drum relative to the first support; a second support member; and a second carrier carrying the second drum relative to the second support; wherein the first carrier is movable in a first positioning plane along a first support for positioning the first drum relative to the plurality of first stations, the second carrier is movable in the same first positioning plane along a second support for positioning the second drum relative to the plurality of first stations, the first support is arranged for supporting the first carrier from below the first positioning plane, and the second support is arranged for suspending the second carrier from above the first positioning plane.

Throughout this application, "from below" and "from above" with respect to a first positioning plane will be interpreted as directions transverse or perpendicular to said first positioning plane.

By supporting the first drum and suspending the second drum from different heights (e.g. from below the first positioning plane and from above the first positioning plane), the first and second drums can more easily pass each other. Thus, the first and second drums can be moved in the same positioning plane and any station not occupied by the further drum can be accessed without hindering and/or interfering with the operation of the further drum. Thus, the first and second drums do not have to wait for each other for the completion of the tyre manufacturing operation, but can be moved independently of each other to any one of the stations, so as to use said stations more efficiently according to the recipe (recipe) of the tyre components to be manufactured on said respective drums.

The problem addressed by the present invention is how to improve the efficiency of tire manufacturing in a tire manufacturing system for positioning a plurality of drums relative to a plurality of stations. EP2746035a1 discloses a plurality of movable drums, all suspended from above. EP2687358B1 discloses a plurality of movable drums all supported from below. WO2016/005852a1 discloses a single movable drum supported from above by an XYZ manipulator. However, the purpose of WO2016/005852A1 is only to enable the positioning of the single movable drum relative to a plurality of servers. WO2016/005852a1 does not suggest or suggest providing a solution for increasing the efficiency of a tire manufacturing system for positioning a plurality of movable drums relative to a plurality of stations. The XYZ manipulator is obviously not compatible with the rail systems disclosed in EP2746035a1 and EP2687358B 1. The teaching of the present invention is that a movable drum in a tire manufacturing system can be individually supported/suspended in different ways while still being able to move in the same area and/or to any or all of the same first stations, which can significantly improve efficiency.

In a preferred embodiment, the first carrier and the first drum are arranged for traversing below the second support in the first positioning plane. Thus, the second support does not hinder said movement of the first carrier and the first drum. Thus, the first drum can be moved from one side of the second support to the opposite side of the second support while remaining in the first positioning plane.

In another preferred embodiment, the second carrier and the second drum are arranged for traversing over the first support in the first positioning plane. Thus, the first support does not hinder said movement of the second carrier and the second drum. Thus, the second drum can move from one side of the first support to the opposite side of the first support while remaining in the first location plane.

In a further embodiment, the first carrier is movable in a first direction parallel to the first positioning plane, and the second carrier is movable in the same first direction. More preferably, the first carrier is movable in a second direction parallel to the first positioning plane and transverse or perpendicular to the first direction, and the second carrier is movable in the same second direction. Thus, the first and second carriers are able to move in the same direction without interfering with each other.

In another embodiment, the first carrier is movable along the first support to any of the plurality of first stations not occupied by the second drum, and the second carrier is movable along the second support to any of the plurality of first stations not occupied by the first drum. Thus, the second drum can access any or all of the first stations accessible by the first drum, and the first drum can access any or all of the first stations accessible by the second drum. The only limitation is that one drum cannot access a first workstation that is currently being occupied by another drum.

In a further embodiment, the tire manufacturing system comprises a positioning unit for controlling the positioning of the first and second drums, wherein the positioning unit is programmed to prevent a collision between the first and second drums. For example, the positioning unit may be arranged for calculating the trajectory followed by the first and second drum such that the first and second drum do not collide. Alternatively, the first and second drums may be manually controlled by an operator via the positioning unit, in which case the positioning unit may not accept instructions from the operator that may result in a collision between the first and second drums.

In an embodiment of the invention, the positioning unit is programmed with a first safety zone occupied by the first drum and a second safety zone occupied by the second drum, wherein the positioning unit is arranged for controlling the positioning of the first and second drum such that the first and second safety zones do not overlap. Each safety zone may include a boundary around the contour of the first or second drum that will remain clear of the safety zone of the other drum to prevent not only collisions, but also relatively close proximity of the drums to one another.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second drums is provided with one or more sensors for detecting the approach of the other of the first and second drums, wherein the positioning unit is operatively connected with the one or more sensors and arranged to control the positioning of the first and second drums in dependence of signals received from the one or more sensors. By providing one or more sensors, the position control can operate automatically and/or autonomously.

In another embodiment, the tire manufacturing system comprises a first control line and a second control line for controlling the first drum and the second drum, respectively, mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically and/or electronically, wherein the first control line is directed from above the first location plane to the first drum and the second control line is directed from below the first location plane to the second drum. By having the control lines lead to the drums from different sides of the first location plane, respectively, the control lines can be prevented from interfering with the operation and/or movement of the drums relative to each other.

When it is desired to clarify "from below and above the first positioning plane", it is noted that in a preferred embodiment the first support is arranged for supporting the first carrier from below the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane and the second support is arranged for suspending the second carrier from above the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane.

In another embodiment, the first support and the second support are located outside of the first location plane. Thus, the first drum can be supported from different heights, and the second drum can be suspended from different heights, which are not at the height of the first seating plane.

Preferably, the first location plane is horizontal or substantially horizontal. The first and second carriers are thus horizontally movable, with their respective drums operating in the same first positioning plane, while being supported from below and suspended from above the horizontal first positioning plane, respectively, independently of each other.

In a further embodiment, the first drum, the second drum, and the plurality of first stations are located in a first tire manufacturing area, wherein the tire manufacturing system includes a second tire manufacturing area having a third drum, a fourth drum, and a plurality of second stations for performing tire manufacturing operations on the third drum and the fourth drum, the tire manufacturing system further including one or more transfer components for transferring tire components between the first tire manufacturing area and the second tire manufacturing area. The tire building zones may have the same or different functions. For example, a first tire manufacturing area may be dedicated to manufacturing belt and tread packages, while another tire manufacturing area may be arranged for manufacturing the carcass simultaneously.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a tire manufacturing system includes: a third support member; a third carrier carrying a third drum relative to a third support; a fourth support member; and a fourth carrier carrying a fourth drum relative to a fourth support, wherein the third carrier is movable along the third support in a second positioning plane for positioning the third drum relative to the plurality of second stations, and the fourth carrier is movable along the fourth support in the same second positioning plane for positioning the fourth drum relative to the plurality of second stations, wherein the third support is arranged for supporting the third carrier from below the second positioning plane, and the fourth support is arranged for suspending the fourth carrier from above the second positioning plane. Thus, the third and fourth drums can be moved independently of each other to any one of the second stations in the same way as the first and second drums can be moved independently of each other to any or all of the first stations. There are also the same technical advantages as described above in relation to the first and second drum.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second location plane is parallel or coplanar with the first location plane. Thus, the first, second, third and fourth drums are movable in coplanar positioning planes, facilitating transfer at one or more transfer members.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for positioning a first drum and a second drum with respect to a plurality of first stations, using a tyre manufacturing system as described above, wherein the method comprises the steps of: moving a first carrier along a first support in a first positioning plane to position the first drum relative to the plurality of first stations; and moving the second carrier along the second support in the same first positioning plane so as to position the second drum with respect to the plurality of first stations; wherein the first support supports the first carrier from below the first positioning plane and the second support suspends the second carrier from above the first positioning plane.

The method involves the use of the aforementioned tire manufacturing system and embodiments thereof. Thus, the method and its corresponding embodiments have the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated in the following.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the first carrier and the first drum traverse below the second support in a first positioning plane.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the second carrier and the second drum traverse in the first positioning plane above the first support.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: moving the first carrier in a first direction parallel to the first positioning plane; and moving the second carrier in the same first direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the steps of: moving the first carrier in a second direction parallel to the first positioning plane and transverse or perpendicular to the first direction; and moving the second carrier in the same second direction.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: determining a first safety zone occupied by the first drum and a second safety zone occupied by the second drum; and positioning the first and second drums such that the first and second safety zones do not overlap.

When it is desired to clarify "from below and above the first positioning plane", it should be noted that in a preferred embodiment the first support supports the first carrier from below the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane and the second support suspends the second carrier from above the first positioning plane in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane.

In another embodiment, the first support and the second support are located outside of the first location plane.

Preferably, the first location plane is horizontal or substantially horizontal.

In yet another method embodiment, the first drum, the second drum, and the plurality of first stations are located in a first tire manufacturing area, wherein the tire manufacturing system includes a second tire manufacturing area having a third drum, a fourth drum, and a plurality of second stations for performing tire manufacturing operations on the third drum and the fourth drum, wherein the method includes the step of transferring tire components between the first tire manufacturing area and the second tire manufacturing area.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a tire manufacturing system includes: a third support member; a third carrier carrying a third drum relative to a third support; a fourth support member; and a fourth carrier carrying the fourth drum relative to the fourth support, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: moving a third carrier along a third support in a second positioning plane for positioning the third drum relative to the plurality of second stations, moving a fourth carrier along a fourth support in the same second positioning plane for positioning the fourth drum relative to the plurality of second stations, the third support supporting the third carrier from below the second positioning plane, the fourth support suspending the fourth carrier from above the second positioning plane.

In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: moving one of the first and second drums into a parking zone, wherein the location of the parking zone is selected such that the other of the first and second drums can be moved to all of the first stations without being obstructed by the drums in the parking zone.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the description can be applied in any possible position individually. These individual aspects (in particular aspects and features as 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 drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a first tire manufacturing area of a tire manufacturing system having a first drum, a second drum, and a plurality of first stations for performing tire manufacturing operations on the first drum and the second drum;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the tire manufacturing system of FIG. 1 including a second tire manufacturing area having a third drum, a fourth drum, and a plurality of second stations for performing tire manufacturing operations on the third drum and the fourth drum; and

figure 3 shows a top view of the first and second drum during the control of the positioning of the first and second drum.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a tire manufacturing system 1 according to an example embodiment of the invention.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the tyre manufacturing system 1 comprises a first tyre manufacturing area a1, the first tyre manufacturing area a1 having a first drum 21, a second drum 22 and a plurality of first stations S1 for performing tyre manufacturing operations on said first drum 21 and said second drum 22. As shown in fig. 2, the tire manufacturing system 1 may optionally include a second tire manufacturing area a2 having a third drum 23, a fourth drum 24, and a plurality of second stations S2 in a second tire manufacturing area a 2. At each station, the tire manufacturing system 1 is provided with an applicator for applying one or more tire components to one of the drums 21-24. The applicator may be one of the group comprising a server, a part maker, a strip winding unit or a delivery device. The number of first stations S1 and/or second stations S2 may be conveniently chosen differently to suit different tire manufacturing needs. The stations S1, S2 can have different functions, or the same function but with different parameters.

As best shown in fig. 1, the tire manufacturing system 1 includes a first support 31 for supporting the first drum 21 relative to the ground or floor F. In essence, the first drum 21 can be considered as a drum "standing" on the floor F. In this example embodiment, the first support 31 is formed by two guide rails extending in parallel with each other in the first direction X on the floor F. These rails may be fixedly mounted or connected to the floor F. The tyre manufacturing system 1 further comprises a first casing, carriage or carrier 41, which first casing, carriage or carrier 41 carries the first drum 21 with respect to the first support 31. The first carrier 41 is movable in a first positioning plane P1 above the first support 31, along the first support 31 or with respect to the first support 31, in order to position the first drum 21 with respect to any one of the first stations S1. The first support 31 is located outside the first positioning plane P1. In other words, the first support 31 does not intersect or intersect the first positioning plane P1. More particularly, the first support 31 is located below and spaced from the first positioning plane P1 in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane P.

The tyre manufacturing system 1 further comprises a second support 32 for supporting or suspending the second drum 22 from the ceiling C or a structure spaced from the floor F in a similar manner to the ceiling. In the exemplary embodiment, the second support 32 is formed by two guide rails which extend parallel to one another in the first direction X along the ceiling C and/or spaced apart from the floor F. The tyre manufacturing system 1 comprises a second casing, carriage or carrier 42, which second casing, carriage or carrier 42 carries the second drum 22 with respect to the second support 32. In particular, the second carrier 42 is movable along the second supports 32 in the same first positioning plane P1 as the first drum 21, so as to position the second drum 22 with respect to any one of the plurality of first stations S1. In essence, the second drum 22 can be considered a drum "hanging" from the ceiling C. The second support 32 is located outside the first positioning plane P1. In other words, the second support 32 does not intersect or intersect the first positioning plane P1. More particularly, the second support 32 is located above and spaced from the first positioning plane P1 in a direction transverse or perpendicular to the first positioning plane P.

Both the first carrier 41 and the second carrier 42 are independently movable in a first direction X parallel to the first positioning plane P1. In addition, the first and second carriers 41 and 42 are independently movable in a second direction Y parallel to the first positioning plane P1 and transverse or perpendicular to the first direction X. The first location plane P1 is preferably horizontal or substantially horizontal. Therefore, the first direction X and the second direction Y are horizontal directions. In particular, the first direction X and the second direction Y are parallel to two horizontally extending, mutually orthogonal axes of an XYZ coordinate system. The direction across or perpendicular to the first positioning plane P1 is the vertical direction V. Preferably, the first and second carriers 41, 42 are each movably connected to the first and second supports 31, 32, respectively, by respective XY drives 51, 52.

As schematically shown in fig. 2, the first carrier 41 and the first drum 21 carried by said first carrier 41 are movable to any position within the first positioning plane P not occupied by the second drum 22. Similarly, the second carrier 42 and the second drum 22 carried by said second carrier 42 can be moved to any position within the first positioning plane P not occupied by the first drum 21.

Fig. 2 shows a possible first trajectory T1 to be followed by the first carrier 41 and a second trajectory T2 to be followed by the second carrier 42. It should be appreciated that these trajectories can be randomly selected. The first drum 21 and the second drum 22 may be moved along the different first stations S1 in any order or sequence, depending on their own recipe and/or independently of the other drums 21, 22. When the first drum 21 and the second drum 22 have to pass each other in the first direction X, the operator can simply position the first drum 21 and the second drum 22 so that they are spaced apart in the second direction Y. The spaced apart first and second drums 21, 22 can then pass each other. In so passing, the first carrier 41 and the first drum 21 are arranged for traversing below the second support 32 in a first positioning plane P1. Meanwhile, the second carrier 42 and the second drum 22 are arranged to cross over the first support 31 in the first positioning plane P1.

In summary, the first support 31 is arranged for supporting the first carrier 41 from below the first positioning plane P1, and the second support 32 is arranged for supporting or suspending the second carrier 42 from above the first positioning plane P1. Throughout this application, "from below" and "from above" with respect to the first positioning plane P1 will be interpreted as a direction transverse or perpendicular to said first positioning plane P1, for example a vertical direction V, as shown in fig. 1. This provides the technical advantage that the first carrier 41 can move independently of the second support 32 below said second support 32 and the second carrier 42 can move independently of the first support 31 above said first support 31. More particularly, when the first drum 21 and the second drum 22 are supported individually by the first carrier 41 and the second carrier 42, respectively, they are able to pass each other in the first positioning plane P1 independently of the support members 31, 32 extending below and above said first positioning plane P1.

As schematically shown in fig. 1, the tyre manufacturing system 1 comprises a first control line 61 and a second control line 62 for mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically and/or electronically controlling the first drum 21 and the second drum 22, respectively. The first control line 61 is directed from above the first positioning plane P1 to the first drum 21 and the second control line 62 is directed from below the first positioning plane P1 to the second drum 22. Thus, the first control line 61 connected to the first drum 21 can be completely disconnected from the second control line 62 connected to the second drum 22.

As schematically shown in fig. 1 and 2, the tyre manufacturing system 1 is provided with a positioning unit 5, which positioning unit 5 is operatively connected to the first drum 21, the second drum 22 and their respective XY-drives 51, 52 in order to control the positioning of the first drum 21 and the second drum 22. The positioning unit 5 is programmed to prevent collisions between the first drum 21 and the second drum 22. As shown in fig. 3, positioning unit 5 may, for example, be programmed with a first safety range Z1 occupied by first drum 21 and a second safety range Z2 occupied by second drum 22. Then, the positioning unit 5 is arranged to control the positioning of the first drum 21 and the second drum 22 so that the first relief zone Z1 and the second relief zone Z2 do not overlap. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the first drum 21 and the second drum 22 may be provided with one or more sensors 9 for detecting the approach of the other of the first drum 21 and the second drum 22. In the latter case, the positioning unit 5 is operatively connected to the one or more sensors 9 and arranged for controlling the positioning of the first and second drums 21, 22 in dependence on signals received from said one or more sensors 9.

Alternatively, each tyre manufacturing station a1, a2 may be provided with a parking zone (not shown) for parking one of the drums 21, 22, while the other drum 21, 22 remains active. The position of the parking zone is chosen such that the movable drums 21, 22 can move to all the stations S1, S2 in said tyre manufacturing zone a1, a2 without being hindered by the inactive drums 21, 22 in the parking zone. The parking zone is accessible by an operator for maintenance on the inactive drums 21, 22 without the risk of the active drums 21, 22 entering the parking zone. Therefore, the tire manufacturing system 1 can be kept in operation at least partially even during maintenance.

As shown in fig. 2, the third drum 23 and the fourth drum 24 are movable independently of each other in the same manner as the first drum 21 and the second drum 22 are moved independently of each other. In particular, the tyre manufacturing system 1 comprises: a third support member 33; a third casing, carriage or carrier 43, which third casing, carriage or carrier 43 carries the third drum 23 with respect to the third support 33; a fourth support 34; and a fourth housing, carriage or carrier 44, which fourth housing, carriage or carrier 44 carries the fourth drum 24 relative to the fourth support 34. The third support 43 is movable along the third support 33 in a second positioning plane P2 to position the third drum 23 with respect to the plurality of second stations S2. Preferably, the second positioning plane P2 is parallel to or coplanar with the first positioning plane P1. The fourth carrier 44 is movable along the fourth support 34 in the same second positioning plane P2 for positioning the fourth drum 24 relative to the plurality of second stations S2. Both the third carrier 43 and the fourth carrier 44 are movable in the first direction X. In addition, the third and fourth carriers 43 and 44 are movable in the second direction Y. Preferably, the third and fourth carriers 43, 44 are each movably connected to the third and fourth supports 33, 34 by respective XY drives 53, 54, respectively.

Similar to the first and second supports 31, 32, the third support 33 is arranged for supporting the third carrier 43 from below the second positioning plane P2, and the fourth support 34 is arranged for supporting or suspending the fourth carrier 44 from above the second positioning plane P2.

Fig. 2 shows a possible third trajectory T3 to be followed by the third carrier 43 and a fourth trajectory T4 to be followed by the fourth carrier 44. Again, these trajectories can be chosen randomly. The third drum 23 and the fourth drum 24 may be moved along the different second stations S2 in any order or sequence, depending on their own recipe and/or independently of the other drums 23, 24. The third carrier 43 and the third drum 23 are arranged for traversing under the fourth support 34 in a second positioning plane P2. At the same time, fourth carrier 44 and fourth drum 24 are arranged for traversing above third support 33 in a second positioning plane P2.

Tire manufacturing system 1 also includes one or more transfer members 71, 72 for transferring tire components between first tire manufacturing zone a1 and second tire manufacturing zone a 2. The transfer members 71, 72 are preferably formed by one or more transfer rings. In addition, the tyre manufacturing system 1 may comprise tyre extraction means 8 for receiving and discharging finished or semi-finished tyres from the first tyre manufacturing area a1 or the second tyre manufacturing area a 2.

Due to the increased flexibility of the tire manufacturing system 1 according to the present invention, the tire manufacturing system 1 can be used for single and multi-stage tire manufacturing, for carcass manufacturing, for manufacturing belt and tread packages, for shaping, and/or almost any other drum-related tire manufacturing operation. Different tires can be manufactured simultaneously or sequentially without changing the settings at the drums 21-24 or stations S1, S2.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention. From the above description, one skilled in the art can ascertain many variations that are still within the scope of the invention.