阅读说明：本技术 生产挤出的硫可交联橡胶混合物的方法、进行该方法的装置及其用途 (Method for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, device for carrying out the method and use thereof ) 是由 穆尼尔·谢里菲 于 2020-03-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于生产挤出的硫可交联橡胶混合物的方法,该方法包括以下方法步骤：A)通过混合器生产硫可交联橡胶混合物、或提供硫可交联橡胶混合物,其中该硫可交联橡胶混合物的温度低于35℃,B)在温度调节单元中将步骤A)中生产或提供的该硫可交联橡胶混合物的温度非接触地调节到至少40℃,C)测量该温度调节单元中该橡胶混合物的温度,并且D)将已在步骤C)中测量的该硫可交联橡胶混合物在35℃或更高的温度下进料至挤出单元,并且在该挤出单元中挤出所进料的橡胶混合物。本发明进一步涉及一种用于进行该方法的装置以及该装置的用途。(The invention relates to a method for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, comprising the following method steps: A) producing a sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture by means of a mixer, or providing a sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, wherein the temperature of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture is below 35 ℃, B) adjusting the temperature of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture produced or provided in step a) in a temperature adjusting unit without contact to at least 40 ℃, C) measuring the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature adjusting unit, and D) feeding the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, which has been measured in step C), to an extrusion unit at a temperature of 35 ℃ or more, and extruding the fed rubber mixture in the extrusion unit. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method and to the use of the device.)

1. A process for producing an extruded sulfur crosslinkable rubber compound, comprising the process steps of:

A) producing a sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture by means of a mixer, or providing a sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, wherein the temperature of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture is below 35 ℃,

B) the temperature of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture produced or provided in step A) is adjusted contactlessly in a temperature-regulating unit to at least 40 ℃,

C) optionally measuring the temperature of the rubber mixture, the temperature of which has been adjusted in step B),

and is

D) Feeding the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture whose temperature has been adjusted in step B) and measured in step C) to an extrusion unit at a temperature of 35 ℃ or more, and extruding the fed rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E):

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture by a closed-loop control unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And/or

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And/or

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And/or

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

3. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature regulating unit and/or the extrusion unit comprises measuring sensors, wherein one or more of the measuring sensors determines the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit in step C) and/or determines the temperature and pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit in a further method step.

4. The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises, before step a), the following step a 0):

A0) the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture is produced by means of a mixer for producing the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, which is connected upstream of the temperature regulating unit.

5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein step D) of the method is as follows:

D) feeding the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, which has been measured in step C), to an extrusion unit by means of a feeding unit at a temperature of 35 ℃ or more, and extruding the rubber mixture fed to the extrusion unit in the extrusion unit, wherein the feeding unit comprises a roller system or an extruder, wherein the feeding unit is preferably connected downstream of the temperature regulating unit.

6. The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture whose temperature has been adjusted in step B) in the temperature adjustment unit at least partially has a temperature in the range from 40 ℃ to 150 ℃, preferably in the range from 50 ℃ to 110 ℃.

7. The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the extrusion unit the sulfur cross-linkable rubber mixture fed in step D) at least partially has a temperature in the range of from 20 to 150 ℃, preferably in the range of from 40 to 80 ℃.

8. The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the extrusion unit the sulfur cross-linkable rubber mixture fed in step D) has a pressure in the range of from 5 to 150 bar, preferably in the range of from 70 to 110 bar, more preferably in the range of from 90 to 105 bar, most preferably in the range of from 93 to 100 bar.

9. An apparatus for performing the method of any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising

At least one temperature-regulating unit for the contactless regulation of the temperature of the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, and

-at least one extrusion unit connected downstream of the temperature regulation unit.

10. Use of the apparatus according to claim 9 for reducing the weight change per meter of extruded sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture. The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method and to the use of the device.

Background

As the rubber industry, especially the tire manufacturing, is developed towards full automation of the production process at present, the quality requirement of the corresponding rubber products is continuously improved. Of particular importance is the weight and geometry of the extruded rubber compound, which is usually in the form of a continuous strip, known as a rubber profile. In extrusion, the blended rubber mixture is extruded, for example, by screws in a twin screw extruder, and then formed into a rubber profile by a forming unit, for example, a preliminary and final die plate.

The difference in geometry from the rubber profiles or excessive weight change often results in the need to discard most rubber profiles and thus in unnecessary environmental pollution or elongation of the production process.

Disclosure of Invention

The main problem addressed by the present invention is therefore to provide a process for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture which does not have the above-mentioned known disadvantages and which enables the rubber mixture to be extruded automatically into rubber profiles.

The particular problem addressed is that of extruding the rubber mixture such that its predetermined weight or predetermined dimensions can be set more accurately.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a process for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, comprising the following process steps:

A) a mixer is used to produce or provide a sulfur crosslinkable rubber compound,

B) the temperature of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture produced or provided in step A) is adjusted contactlessly in a temperature-regulating unit to at least 40 ℃,

C) optionally measuring the temperature of the rubber mixture, the temperature of which has been adjusted in step B), preferably in the temperature adjustment unit,

and is

D) Feeding the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture whose temperature has been adjusted in step B) and measured in step C) to an extrusion unit at a temperature of 35 ℃ or more, and extruding the fed rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

The great achievement of the present invention is that it has been found that an increase in the temperature of the rubber mixture before extrusion in the extrusion unit can in particular reduce the weight change per meter of the rubber profile produced by the extrusion unit. By means of heating to at least 40 ℃ upstream of the extrusion unit in step B) of the process according to the invention, the difference from the envisaged target value of the weight per meter can be halved here. This halving of the difference from the target value of the weight per meter leads to an increase of the productivity of at least 5% compared to processes not according to the invention without temperature regulation as in step B), and thus to a considerable reduction of the burden on the environment. A temperature conditioning unit designed for heating the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture present in the temperature conditioning unit to at least 60 ℃ or even above 80 ℃ reduces the difference even further.

Furthermore, in the process of the invention as described above or as preferred above, owing to the temperature regulation in step B), it is not only possible to reduce the difference from the target weight per meter, but also to reduce, surprisingly, the pressure and the pressure variation of the rubber mixture present in the extrusion unit or the drive power of the extruder screw of the extrusion unit for extruding the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit. The reduction in pressure results in energy savings and small temperature variations and thus more uniform geometry.

Furthermore, differences in cross-sectional geometry from the envisaged rubber profile can be reduced. To establish a specific geometry, extrusion units customary in the rubber industry comprise a shaping member, for example a final die plate, which shapes the extruded rubber mixture into the desired geometry with the appropriate geometry. The resulting extruded and shaped rubber mixture is a rubber profile. In the context of the present invention, therefore, the extrusion unit comprises the abovementioned shaped parts as a standard, and the process of the invention is therefore in particular a process for producing shaped rubber profiles.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixtures" includes in particular the ready-to-use sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixtures.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "non-contact regulation of the temperature of the mixture" means heating the mixture by thermal radiation, for example in an oven. Another mode of heating by thermal conduction or convection is also possible, but in the context of the present invention, the expression "regulating the temperature contactlessly" includes at least one regulation operation by thermal radiation.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "unit B connected downstream of unit a" means that the rubber mixture used for producing the rubber profile passes first through unit a and then through unit B. In the apparatus of the invention described below, it is particularly preferred when the extrusion unit is directly adjacent to the temperature-regulating unit so that the temperature of the rubber mixture does not fall between the temperature-regulating unit and the extrusion unit, in particular not by 5 ℃.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "adjusting the temperature of the rubber mixture" means any action leading to a significant difference in the natural cooling properties of the rubber mixture at a given ambient temperature of 25 ℃, including for example both heating by means of a heating element and cooling of the rubber mixture which has been slowed down compared to the natural cooling properties, but heating is preferred. The natural cooling properties of the rubber mixture in this context are, in particular due to thermodynamic equilibrium, the temperature of the heated rubber mixture matching the ambient temperature. In the context of the present invention, the expression "regulating the temperature of the rubber mixture" therefore encompasses not only heating a rubber mixture having a temperature below ambient temperature to ambient temperature.

In the context of the present invention, the expression "production of a sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture" preferably includes in particular the production of a sulfur-crosslinkable ready-to-use rubber mixture.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E), and wherein step E) is preferably carried out by the following closed-loop control unit for the device of the invention:

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature conditioning unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And/or

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And/or

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And/or

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that such closed loop control provides a consistently high quality extruded rubber profile downstream of the extrusion unit. This is described in more detail below.

The measurement of the temperature in step C) ensures that the rubber mixture has been heated sufficiently to reach a predetermined temperature of at least 40 ℃. Therefore, the temperature measurement is preferably performed in the temperature adjustment unit.

Since the closed-loop control is based on the above-mentioned parameters, only the surface area of the rubber mixture needs to be determined, which constitutes a considerable process technical advantage in terms of automation and achieving the desired weight and shape changes. The use of temperature measurements as control variables for reducing the weight change per meter of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit is therefore a great achievement of the present invention.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E), and wherein step E) is preferably carried out by the following closed-loop control unit for the device of the invention:

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature conditioning unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

Or

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

Or

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

Or

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the closed loop control unit can continuously and fully automatically ensure that the rubber compound or its surface is at a temperature of 40 ℃ or a higher temperature value desired when entering the extrusion unit during extrusion to reduce said drive output, the pressure of the rubber compound in the extrusion unit, the pressure variation of the rubber compound in the extrusion unit or the weight per meter variation of the extruded rubber compound. The corresponding closed-loop control unit has the components of a standard closed-loop control unit as known in the prior art and thus enables a complete automation of the inventive process with improved quality of the weight and geometry of the resulting rubber profile as described above.

In the context of the present invention, the rubber mixture whose temperature is measured and controlled in step C) as described above and below is preferably the rubber mixture in the temperature regulation unit or immediately downstream of the feeding to the extrusion unit or downstream of the feeding unit described below.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E), and wherein step E) is preferably carried out by the following closed-loop control unit for the device of the invention:

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature conditioning unit according to:

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-a pressure change of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E), and wherein step E) is preferably carried out by the following closed-loop control unit for the device of the invention:

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature conditioning unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-a pressure change of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the above-mentioned control of the closed-loop control unit comprises all closed-loop control parameters for avoiding excessive temperatures in the extrusion unit. Due to the temperature regulation in step B), a local temperature increase in the extrusion unit of more than 120 ℃ is avoided. This greatly reduces the difference in weight per meter or the difference in shape of the rubber profile.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E), and wherein step E) is preferably carried out by the following closed-loop control unit for the device of the invention:

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature conditioning unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the above control of the closed-loop control unit comprises all closed-loop control parameters for reducing the difference from the target weight per meter of extruded rubber profile.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E), and wherein step E) is preferably carried out by the following closed-loop control unit for the device of the invention:

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature conditioning unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

Particular preference is given to the process of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein in the temperature-regulating unit the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture whose temperature has been regulated in step B) at least partially has a temperature in the range from 40 ℃ to 150 ℃, preferably in the range from 50 ℃ to 110 ℃.

One advantage of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention is that particularly small differences from the target weight per meter as described above occur, in particular at these temperatures.

Also given is the particular preference for the process according to the invention as described above or as preferred as described above or as particularly preferred as described above, wherein in the extrusion unit the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture fed in step D) at least partially has a temperature in the range from 20 ℃ to 150 ℃, preferably in the range from 30 ℃ to 110 ℃, more preferably in the range from 40 ℃ to 80 ℃ and/or has a pressure in the range from 5 to 150 bar, preferably in the range from 70 to 110 bar, more preferably in the range from 90 to 105 bar, most preferably in the range from 93 to 100 bar.

One advantage of the above-mentioned aspects of the invention is that particularly small differences from the target weight per meter as described above occur, in particular at these temperatures and pressures.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein

-the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture measured in step C) has a mooney viscosity [ ML1+4 at 100 ℃ in the range of from 40MU to 150 MU.

An advantage of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention is that, by means of the temperature regulating unit, it is also possible to extrude the rubber mixture as described above, in order to produce a rubber profile having high quality and dimensional stability as described above.

Preference is given to the process of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the temperature-regulating unit and/or the extrusion unit comprise measuring sensors, wherein one or more of the measuring sensors determine the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature-regulating unit in step C) and/or determine the temperature and pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit in a further process step.

An advantage of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention is described in the following in terms of the device according to the invention.

Administration is preferably a method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the method comprises the following step a0) performed before step a):

A0) the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture is produced by means of a mixer for producing the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, which is connected upstream of the temperature regulating unit.

An advantage of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention is described in the following in terms of the device according to the invention.

Preference is given to the method of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein step D) of the method is as follows:

D) feeding the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, which has been measured in step C), to an extrusion unit by means of a feeding unit at a temperature of 35 ℃ or more, and extruding the rubber mixture fed to the extrusion unit in the extrusion unit, wherein the feeding unit comprises a roller system or an extruder, wherein the feeding unit is preferably connected downstream of the temperature regulating unit.

An advantage of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention is described in the following in terms of the device according to the invention.

The above-mentioned advantageous aspects of the process according to the invention for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture also apply to all aspects of the apparatus described below for carrying out the process as described above or as preferred as described above or as described below as one aspect, and the advantageous aspects of the apparatus according to the invention discussed below for carrying out the process as described above or as preferred as described above or as one aspect described below apply correspondingly to all aspects of the process according to the invention.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out a method as described above or as preferred above or as described as one aspect below, the apparatus comprising:

at least one temperature-regulating unit for the contactless regulation of the temperature of the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture,

and

-at least one extrusion unit connected downstream of the temperature regulation unit,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the temperature regulating unit is designed for heating the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture present in the temperature regulating unit to at least 40 ℃.

Preference is given to a device according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the device comprises measurement sensors, wherein one or more of the measurement sensors are designed and arranged in order to determine the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit and/or the temperature and/or the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

Preference is also given to the device of the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the device comprises a measurement sensor, wherein one or more of the measurement sensors are designed and arranged in order to determine the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit and, in addition, preferably, the temperature or pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

One advantage of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention is that the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit can thus be continuously monitored by personnel in order to ensure the above-mentioned advantages of the resulting rubber profile of the invention.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus comprises measurement sensors, wherein one or more of the measurement sensors are designed and arranged in order to determine the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit and the temperature and pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the monitoring of the temperature or pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit may additionally ensure that the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit does not experience excessively high temperatures and therefore does not already scorch or pre-vulcanize. The scorched or pre-vulcanized rubber mixture must also be discarded and therefore reduces the efficiency of the device of the invention.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a closed-loop control unit which is designed for controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

Or

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

Or

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

Or

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the closed loop control unit can continuously and fully automatically ensure that the rubber mixture is at 40 ℃ or a desired higher temperature value upon entering the extrusion unit during extrusion to reduce the drive output, the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit, the pressure change of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit or the weight change per meter of the extruded rubber mixture. The respective closed-loop control unit has the components of a standard closed-loop control unit as known in the prior art and thus enables a fully automatic realization with improved quality of the weight and geometry of the resulting rubber profile as described above.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the temperature-regulating unit and/or the extrusion unit comprise measuring sensors, wherein one or more of these measuring sensors can determine the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature-regulating unit in step C) and/or can determine the temperature and the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit in a further method step.

An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the closed-loop control parameter of the closed-loop control unit can be detected.

Administration is preferably a device according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the device comprises the following step a0) performed before step a):

A0) the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture is produced by means of a mixer for producing the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, which is connected upstream of the temperature regulating unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is described below in terms of a mixer.

Administration is preferably a device according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein step D) of the method is as follows:

D) feeding the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, which has been measured in step C), to an extrusion unit by means of a feeding unit at a temperature of 35 ℃ or more, and extruding the rubber mixture fed to the extrusion unit in the extrusion unit, wherein the feeding unit comprises a roller system or an extruder, wherein the feeding unit is preferably connected downstream of the temperature regulating unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is described hereinafter in terms of a feed unit.

Preference is also given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a closed-loop control unit which is designed for controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit according to:

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-a pressure change of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

Preference is also given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a closed-loop control unit which is designed for controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-a pressure change of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the above-mentioned control of the closed-loop control unit comprises all closed-loop control parameters for avoiding excessive temperatures in the extrusion unit.

Preference is also given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a closed-loop control unit which is designed for controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the above control of the closed-loop control unit comprises all closed-loop control parameters for reducing the difference from the target weight per meter of extruded rubber profile.

Preference is also given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises a closed-loop control unit which is designed for controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus comprises a mixer for producing the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, which mixer is connected upstream of the temperature-regulating unit, wherein a storage unit is arranged spatially between the mixer and the temperature-regulating unit, wherein the storage unit is set up to cool the rubber mixture produced in the mixer to below 40 ℃ or even below 30 ℃. For example, such a storage unit may be a single euro pallet (one-euro pallet).

An advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that previously stored rubber mixtures, in particular rubber mixtures at temperatures below 40 ℃ or even below 30 ℃, have particularly high differences from the target weight per meter after extrusion as known in the art. The use of the device according to the invention is therefore particularly advantageous in the case of such rubber mixtures.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus, but not the at least one temperature-regulating unit for the contactless temperature regulation of the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, has a temperature-regulating unit without mixing means, for example

-a gear for extruding the rubber mixture,

-roller system

Or

-a screw of an extruder,

wherein, in addition to the above-described or below-described temperature regulating unit for the contactless regulation of the temperature of the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, there is preferably also a temperature regulating unit without mixing tools.

An advantage of the above-mentioned aspect of the invention is that the rubber mixture is heated more quickly and less expensively before being extruded in the temperature conditioning unit of the inventive device, compared to the inventive device in which the above-mentioned temperature conditioning unit comprises the mixing means. More specifically, the above-mentioned temperature-regulating units without said mixing means have the advantage that they do not shorten the rubber molecular chains, which improves the chemical and physical characteristics of the finally produced tyre to a greater extent than proportional (positive-through-proportional). Without wishing to be bound by any scientific theory, the technical effect herein may be attributed to the novel combination of non-contact temperature regulation and subsequent closed-loop control with its temperature-regulated rubber mixture temperature or its surface temperature measurement.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, which is set up for extruding a rubber mixture intended for the production of tyres.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus, instead of the at least one temperature-regulating unit for contactlessly regulating the temperature of the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, comprises at least one oven or at least one heating unit for heating by microwaves and is preferably designed to heat the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture present in the feed unit to at least 70 ℃. The temperature adjustment unit may also include only or additionally an IR source.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus comprises, in addition to the temperature-regulating unit for contactless temperature regulation, at least one oven or at least one heating unit for heating by microwaves and is preferably designed to heat the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture present in the feed unit to at least 70 ℃.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that by heating the extrusion unit upstream of the inventive device to at least 50 ℃, the difference from the envisaged target value of the weight per meter is reduced to a third. This reduction of the difference from the target value of the weight per meter to one third compared to the apparatus not according to the invention leads to an increase of the productivity of at least 7% and thus to a considerable reduction of the burden on the environment. At the same time, in the apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, not only the difference from the target value of the weight per meter is reduced, but also the pressure and the pressure variation of the rubber mixture present in the extrusion unit or the driving power of the extruder screw of the extrusion unit for extruding the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit is reduced.

Preference is given to an apparatus according to the invention as described above or as preferred above, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises at least one feed unit for feeding the rubber mixture to a downstream extrusion unit, wherein the feed unit comprises a roller system, or an extruder with one or two extruder screws, or another apparatus known to the person skilled in the art for extruding rubber mixtures, wherein the feed unit is preferably connected downstream of the temperature regulation unit.

One advantage of the above aspect of the invention is that the use of the above-mentioned additional feed unit allows to further reduce the difference from the target weight per meter of the extruded rubber profile.

It is particularly highly preferred to give the inventive device as described above, which device comprises:

at least one temperature-regulating unit for the contactless regulation of the temperature of the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture,

and

-at least one extrusion unit connected downstream of the temperature regulation unit,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the device additionally comprises a plurality of measuring sensors, and

the temperature conditioning unit is designed to heat the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture present in the temperature conditioning unit to at least 50 ℃,

wherein

Designing and arranging a plurality of measuring sensors in order to determine the temperature and pressure of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit and the temperature and pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit,

the device further comprises a closed-loop control unit designed to control the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit as a function of the weight per meter of the extruded rubber mixture downstream of the extrusion unit,

the device has a mixer for producing a sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture, which mixer is connected upstream of the temperature-regulating unit,

the temperature regulation unit does not have any mixing tools, such as gears, roller systems or extruder screws for extruding the rubber mixture,

the temperature regulation unit comprises at least one IR source or at least one oven or at least one heating unit for heating by microwaves,

and is

The feeding unit comprises a roller system or an extruder, which feeding unit is connected downstream of the temperature regulating unit.

The above-mentioned advantageous aspects of the inventive apparatus for carrying out the process as described above or as preferred as described above or as described below as one aspect and the above-mentioned advantageous aspects of the inventive process for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture also apply to all aspects of the use as described below, and the advantageous aspects of the inventive use as discussed below apply correspondingly to all aspects of the inventive apparatus for carrying out the process as described above or as preferred as described above or as described below as one aspect and to all aspects of the process for producing an extruded sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture.

The invention also relates to the use of an apparatus as described above or as preferred above for reducing the weight change per meter of the extruded sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture.

Detailed Description

The invention is described below in further embodiments in the form of the following aspects:

1. an apparatus for extruding a sulfur crosslinkable rubber compound, the apparatus comprising

At least one temperature-regulating unit for the contactless regulation of the temperature of the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture,

and

-at least one extrusion unit connected downstream of the temperature regulation unit,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the temperature regulating unit is designed for heating the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture present in the temperature regulating unit to at least 40 ℃.

2. The device according to aspect 1, wherein the device comprises measuring sensors, wherein one or more of the measuring sensors are designed and arranged in order to determine the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit and the temperature and pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

3. The device according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the device additionally comprises a closed-loop control unit designed for controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature regulating unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And/or

-the pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And/or

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And/or

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the apparatus has a mixer for producing the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, which mixer is connected upstream of the temperature regulating unit.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the apparatus additionally comprises at least one feeding unit for feeding the rubber mixture to the downstream extrusion unit, wherein the feeding unit comprises a roller system or an extruder, wherein the feeding unit is preferably connected downstream of the temperature regulating unit.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the apparatus, instead of the at least one temperature conditioning unit for non-contact temperature conditioning of the sulfur cross-linkable rubber mixture,

a temperature regulation unit without mixing tools, such as gears, roller systems or extruder screws for extruding the rubber mixture,

and/or

The device comprises at least one oven or at least one heating unit for heating by microwaves and is preferably designed to heat the sulfur-crosslinkable rubber mixture present in the feed unit to at least 70 ℃.

7. Use of the apparatus according to any one of the preceding aspects for reducing the weight change per meter of extruded sulfur cross-linkable rubber mixture.

8. A process for producing an extruded sulfur crosslinkable rubber compound, comprising the process steps of:

A) producing a sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture by means of a mixer, or providing a sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, wherein the temperature of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture is below 35 ℃,

B) adjusting the temperature of the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture produced or provided in step A) to at least 40 ℃ in a temperature adjusting unit,

C) measuring the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature-regulating unit

And is

D) Feeding the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, which has been measured in step C), to an extrusion unit at a temperature of 35 ℃ or more, and extruding the fed rubber mixture in the extrusion unit.

9. The method according to any one of aspects 8 to 10, wherein the method additionally comprises the following step E):

E) controlling the temperature of the rubber mixture in the temperature conditioning unit according to:

driving power for rotating the screw of the extrusion unit

And/or

-pressure of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit and/or

-pressure variation of the rubber mixture in the extrusion unit

And/or

-the weight per meter of the rubber mixture extruded downstream of the extrusion unit.

10. The process according to any of aspects 8 to 10, wherein the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture, the temperature of which has been adjusted in step B), in the temperature adjustment unit at least partially has a temperature in the range from 40 ℃ to 150 ℃, preferably in the range from 50 ℃ to 110 ℃.

11. The process according to any of aspects 8 to 10, wherein, in the extrusion unit, the sulfur crosslinkable rubber mixture fed in step D) at least partially has a temperature in the range of from 20 to 150 ℃, preferably in the range of from 40 to 80 ℃, and/or has a pressure in the range of from 5 to 150 bar, preferably in the range of from 70 to 110 bar, more preferably in the range of from 90 to 105 bar, most preferably in the range of from 93 to 100 bar.