Curing tire support cooling fixture

Abstract

A device is provided having a frame (12) and a first cup-shaped segment (14), wherein a first contact surface (16) of the first cup-shaped segment (14) is both curved and inclined relative to the vertical. The first cup-shaped segment is movable relative to the frame. The first contact surface (16) is configured to engage a warm, cured tire for retention. The tire has a sidewall (28) and a tread (22), the tread (22) having a tread edge and a tread contact surface. For retention, the first contact surface (16) is configured to engage the tread (22) and is configured not to engage the sidewall (28).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a fixture for holding a cured tire while the tire is cooling. More specifically, the present application relates to a cured tire fixture that supports the cured tire for cooling by engaging only the tread of the cured tire to prevent deformation of the cured tire during the cooling process. Background Art

[0002] The manufacture of tires involves laying several layers of different materials, most of which consist of uncured rubber, on top of each other to assemble a green tire. This green tire is then placed in a mold, where heat and pressure are applied to the tire for a sufficient period of time to cure the green tire. The cured tire is then removed from the mold and subjected to subsequent processing steps. However, after being removed from the mold, the cured tire will be hot, and it may be necessary to cool the cured tire before these subsequent processing steps. The tire can be laid on its side to cool, but this placement can cause the sidewalls and beads to deform during the cooling process. This deformation can occur because a warm tire will collapse under its own weight. To prevent tire deformation, it is known to mount the warm cured tire on a fixture and inflate the tire to maintain its shape during the cooling process. This cooling process involves the use of equipment and additional steps, which increases the cost and complexity of the tire production process. Therefore, there is still room for change and improvement in this area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, is more particularly set forth for one of ordinary skill in the art in the remainder of this specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0004] Figure 1 A perspective view of a tire on a rim.

[0005] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0006] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Front perspective view of the device.

[0007] Figure 4 A side view of the first cup-shaped section.

[0008] Figure 5 To follow Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along line 5-5.

[0009] Figure 6 is a top view of a device according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 7is a side view of a device for holding a tire according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0011] Figure 8 is a side view of the device with the cup segments detached from the tire and the tire on the frame rollers according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an apparatus tilted into alignment with an outlet conveyor according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Figure 10 is a top view of a tire held by a device having a single cup-shaped segment according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to one or more examples shown in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of illustration of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. For example, features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment may be used in conjunction with another embodiment to produce a third embodiment. The present invention is intended to encompass these and other modifications and variations.

[0016] The present invention provides an apparatus 10 for receiving a cured tire 20 after it has been formed. The cured tire 20 is warm and placed within the apparatus 10 for cooling. The apparatus 10 features one or more cup-shaped segments 14 having contact surfaces 16 configured so that only the tread 22 of the cured tire 20 engages the cup-shaped segments 14. The cured tire 20 is then held by the cup-shaped segments 14 until the warm, cured tire 20 is sufficiently cooled. While being held and cooled, the sidewalls 28 of the cured tire 20 do not engage the cup-shaped segments 14. This arrangement prevents deformation of the sidewalls 28 and beads, which would occur if the tire 20 were cooled while lying on its side. The apparatus 10 allows the cured tire 20 to be cooled without inflating the tire 20 during the cooling process, while preventing deformation of the tire 20 that would occur if forces were applied to the sidewalls 28 of the tire 20 while it is cooling.

[0017] Figure 1A tire 20 is shown mounted on a metal rim 60 for placement on a vehicle. The tire 20 is a cured tire 20 that has been formed by applying sufficient heat, pressure, and time to transition from a green tire to a cured tire 20. The tire 12 includes a carcass having sidewalls 28, with a tread 22 disposed on the sidewalls 28. The tread 22 can have various shapes and can include a series of grooves, blocks, sipes, and other structural features. The tread 22 is disposed on a crown portion of the carcass and adjacent to the sidewalls 28 of the tire 20. The tire 20 has an axis 64 disposed through its center, extending in an axial direction 62. A circumferential direction 68 extends about the axis 64 and is the direction of travel of the tire 20 as it rotates about the axis 64 when the vehicle is driven. The tread 22 extends completely 360 degrees in the circumferential direction 68 about the axis 64. The circumferential direction 68 can be referred to as the longitudinal direction 68. The radial direction 66 may be referred to as a thickness direction and is perpendicular to and extends from the axis 64 such that the tread 22 is farther from the axis 64 in the radial direction 66 than the sidewall 28 , which is closer to the axis 64 in the radial direction 66 .

[0018] The tread 22 has a tread contact surface 26, which is the portion of the tread 22 that engages the ground when the tire 20 is driven. The tread contact surface 26 enters the so-called contact patch of the tire 20, which is the surface of the tread 22 that directly contacts the ground when the tire 20 is driven. Figure 1 In FIG. 6 , tread contact surface 26 is designated as a line extending in an axial direction 62. However, it should be understood that tread contact surface 26 is not a single line but rather the entire surface of tread 22 extending completely around tire 20 in a circumferential direction 68. Tread 22 has tread edges 24, and tread contact surface 26 extends in axial direction 62 between tread edges 24. Tread 22 also has portions outboard of tread contact surface 26; these portions of tread 22 are adjacent to sidewall 28. During operation of tire 20, portions of tread 22 outboard of tread edges 24 may not engage the ground, and sidewall 28 may not engage the ground during operation of tire 20. Tread edge 24 need not be a single line, as the geometry of tread 22 can provide a smooth transition from tread contact surface 26 to sidewall 28. Thus, tread edge 24 may be a surface of some magnitude having components in circumferential direction 68, radial direction 66, and axial direction 62.

[0019] The green tire is placed in the mold, and the mold applies heat and pressure to the green tire for a certain period of time to cure the green tire into a cured tire 20. Once the tire 20 is cured, the press is opened and the warm cured tire 20 is transported to the device 10 for cooling. Figure 160 is shown in FIG. It should be understood that the tire 20 is not seated on the rim 60 until the tire 20 has been fully constructed and is ready for use by a consumer on his or her vehicle. Thus, a tire 20 used with the apparatus 10 would not include the rim 60, but in some embodiments, the rim 60 could theoretically be present while the tire 20 is being cooled by the apparatus 10.

[0020] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 10 for cooling a warm, cured tire 20 after it has left a mold after curing is shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The tires 20 are not shown in the drawings. The illustrated apparatus 10 is capable of holding a pair of tires 20, but it is to be understood that the apparatus 10 can be variously configured so that in other embodiments it can hold 1, 3, 4, or any number of cured tires 20. The apparatus 10 has four sections 14, 30, 34, 38 that engage the cured tires 20 and hold the cured tires 20 for a desired period of time so that the cured tires 20 can cool a desired amount. The sections 14, 30, 34, 38 are mounted on a frame 12 and are movable relative to the frame 12. The frame 12 can be variously configured and can include various types of materials. The frame 12 itself can be fixed relative to the ground or can be movable relative to the ground. One set of sections 14, 30, 34, 38 is shown in an extended position 46 in which they are capable of receiving and holding a tire 20. The sections 14, 30, 34, 38 can be moved to a retracted position 48 in which they are not capable of receiving or holding a tire 20. In the drawings, the apparatus 10 is shown in various configurations and can hold a pair of tires 20, but it is understood that the apparatus 10 can be variously configured so that in other embodiments it can hold 1, 3, 4, or any number of cured tires 20. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, one set of segments 14, 30, 34, 38 is shown in an extended position 46, while another set of segments 14, 30, 34, 38, which are used to hold a second tire 20, is shown in a retracted position 48. Frame 12 carries a series of frame rollers 44 that form a surface on which tire 20 can be placed. Segments 14, 30, 34, 38 can be moved between an extended position 46 and a retracted position 48 in a vertical direction 18 through openings in frame rollers 44. Frame rollers 44 can support cured tire 20 thereon and facilitate movement of cured tire 20 from frame 12 to rollers of an exit conveyor 54. Frame 12 can be moved relative to the ground or vertical direction 18, such that frame 12 can pivot between a horizontal position 50 and an inclined position 52. As shown, frame 12 is in horizontal position 50, such that frame rollers 44 are not aligned with the rollers of exit conveyor 54.

[0021] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5An exemplary embodiment of the first cup-shaped segment 14 is shown. Here, the first cup-shaped segment 14 has a base portion extending in a vertical direction 18 and an inclined portion that is inclined relative to the base portion and also inclined relative to the vertical direction 18. A first contact surface 16 is present at the inclined portion and is the surface of the first cup-shaped segment 14 that actually engages the cured tire 20. The first contact surface 16 does not extend entirely in the vertical direction 18, but is inclined so that it extends at an angle to the vertical direction 18. The first contact surface 16 can be oriented at a 45° angle to the vertical direction 18. In other embodiments, the first contact surface 16 is oriented at an angle of 10°-20°, 20°-30°, 30°-40°, 40°-50°, 50°-60°, or up to 75° to the vertical direction 18. Furthermore, the first contact surface 16 is not a flat surface, but rather has a concave shape. Figure 5 A cross section of the inclined portion is shown, which reveals the curved shape of the first contact surface 16. The curved shape allows the first contact surface 16 to better engage the cured tire 20 because the cured tire 20 itself has a rounded convex surface that will complement the concave first contact surface 16. The concave shape of the first contact surface 16 can extend along the entire inclined portion of the first cup-shaped segment 14, or in other embodiments can extend along only a portion of the length of the inclined section of the first cup-shaped segment 14. In this regard, the length is the amount from the base of the inclined section to its top. The inclined portion of each cup-shaped segment presents a surface that increases and decreases in diameter in the vertical direction 18, so that the device 10 can be used with tires 20 of different sizes.

[0022] The second, third, and fourth cup-shaped segments 30, 34, 38 can be configured in the same manner as previously discussed with respect to the first cup-shaped segment 14, and this information need not be repeated. Similarly, the second, third, and fourth contact surfaces 32, 36, 40 can be configured in the same manner as previously discussed with respect to the first contact surface 16, and this information need not be repeated. Another embodiment of the device 10 is described with reference to FIG. Figure 61 , wherein each of the four cup-shaped segments 14, 30, 34, 38 has the four contact surfaces 16, 32, 36, 40 described. The cup-shaped segments 14, 30, 34, 38 are configured identically and are spaced apart from each other to prevent contact. The four contact surfaces 16, 32, 36, 40 are arranged relative to one another so as to lie along the circumference of a circle 42. The contact surfaces 16, 32, 36, 40 are configured to lie on portions of a cone, which, if placed between the cup-shaped segments 14, 30, 34, 38, would engage the contact surfaces 16, 32, 36, 40. The contact surfaces 16, 32, 36, 40 are spaced apart from one another and do not contact. The cup-shaped segments 14, 30, 34, 38 are mounted on a series of rods, which are in turn supported and acted upon by two cup-shaped segment actuating cylinders 58. The cup-shaped segment actuating cylinders 58 are in turn supported by the frame 12. When actuated, the cup-segment actuating cylinder 58 can push the rod, and therefore the mounted cup-segment 14, 30, 34, 38, upward in the vertical direction 18, and then downward in the vertical direction 18 when needed. Although two cup-segment actuating cylinders 58 are shown, any other number, such as 1, 3, or 4, can be used in other embodiments. In some examples, the cup-segments 14, 30, 34, 38 can each have their own independent cup-segment actuating cylinder 58, or they can be connected so that one or more cup-segment actuating cylinders 58 actuate at least two cup-segments 14, 20, 34, or 38 simultaneously. Although described as being actuated using the actuating cylinder 58, the cup-segments 14, 20, 34, 38 can be driven and moved by any means in other embodiments, such as gears, slides, linkages, or other linear actuators.

[0023] When the cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 are in the extended position 46, a cured tire 20 from the mold can be placed thereon for cooling. Any mechanism for moving the cured tire 20 from the mold to the apparatus 10 can be used. Further, the mold can be above the apparatus 10 so that when opened, the tire 20 falls onto the apparatus 10 without any other transfer mechanism. Figure 7In another embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown, there are only two cup segments 14, 30, rather than four, each cup segment 14, 30 having its own associated cup segment actuating cylinder 58 for moving the cup segment 14, 30 in the vertical direction 18. The cured tire 20 is placed on the cup segments 14, 30 so that its axis 64 extends in the vertical direction 18 and the axial direction 62 extends in the vertical direction 18. The apparatus 10 is designed so that the first and second contact surfaces 16, 32 engage only the tread 22 and not the sidewall 28. The inclined and curved nature of the contact surfaces 16, 32 allows engagement with the tire 20 so as to contact only the tread 22. In particular, the engagement refers to engagement of one of the tread edges 24 with the contact surface 16, 32. The other tread edge 24 at the top of the tire 20 is not engaged at all by the contact surface 16, 32. Tread contact surface 26 may not engage contact surfaces 16, 32, but in other embodiments, tread contact surface 26 may actually engage contact surfaces 16, 32 while tire 20 is held to cool. Neither sidewall 28 is engaged by contact surfaces 16, 32 or any other portion of apparatus 10. In the illustrated position, tire 20 may be held by cup segments 14, 30 until it has cooled the desired amount. The positioning of tire 20 on apparatus 10 and engagement only with tread 22 prevents deformation of tire 20 and eliminates the need to inflate or otherwise pressurize tire 20 during the cooling process. Instead, tire 20 remains unpressurized while resting on cup segments 14, 30 during the cooling process. During tire manufacturing, tread 22 is placed on the tire 20 carcass, which includes a belt and structure distinct from tread 22. It is this tread 22, and not any other portion of tire 20, that engages contact surfaces 16, 32. This engagement is not necessarily linear, but can be surface engagement between a portion of the tread 22 and the contact surfaces 16, 32. While held by the apparatus 10, the tire 20 is engaged only at the tread 22 by the contact surfaces 16, 32, 36, 40. Aside from the contact surfaces, the tire 20 is not engaged by any other portion of the apparatus 10, and every other portion of the tire other than the tread 22 is not engaged by any portion. The tire 20 is held by the cup segments 14, 30 for a desired time, thereby allowing the tire 20 to cool a desired amount. The tire 20 is engaged only at the tread 22, preventing deformation of the sidewall 28 or other portions of the tire during the cooling process. Thus, the apparatus 10 allows the tire 20 to cool without requiring the tire 20 to be kept inflated during the cooling process, and maintains the final desired shape of the tire 20 after cooling.

[0024] Figure 8Another exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 10 is shown in which two cup segments 14, 30 are again present, but in which the configuration of the frame 12 and the cup segment actuating cylinder 58 differs from those previously discussed. When sufficient cooling has occurred, the cup segment actuating cylinder 58 is actuated so that it moves downwardly in the vertical direction 18 to the retracted position shown. As the cup segments 14, 30 move through the openings in the frame rollers 44, the tire 20 is lowered until it rests on the surface formed by the frame rollers 44. At this point, the sidewall 28 engages the frame rollers 44 and the tread 22, including the tread edges 24, does not engage the frame rollers 44. The cup segment actuating cylinder 58 is carried by the frame 12, and the portion of the frame 12 that includes the frame rollers 44 and holds the cup segment actuating cylinder 58 pivots on a post. As shown, the frame actuating cylinder 56 is mounted to this portion of the frame 12 and to the post and, when actuated, causes this portion of the frame 12 to pivot about the post. Figure 8 , the frame 12 is shown in a horizontal position 50, with actuation of a frame actuating cylinder 56 causing the frame 12 to pivot to an inclined position 52. Although only a single frame actuating cylinder 56 is shown, in other embodiments any number of frame actuating cylinders 56 may be used, and in further embodiments, the frame 12 may be pivoted using other mechanisms, such as gears, sliders, or linkages.

[0025] Another exemplary embodiment is as Figure 9 , an apparatus 10 is shown having two frames 12 with corresponding cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38, allowing two tires 20 to be held and cooled simultaneously. An exit conveyor 54 with rollers is positioned adjacent to the frames 12. One of the frames 12 is moved to an inclined position 52 by a frame actuating cylinder 56, in which the frame rollers 44 are aligned with the rollers of the exit conveyor 54. With this alignment, the cooled tire 20 on the frame rollers 44 can be easily removed from the aligned rollers of the exit conveyor 54 and moved downward to a desired position. It will be appreciated that pivoting the frame 12 from the horizontal position 50 to the inclined position 52 causes the cup segment actuating cylinders 58 to also pivot along with the cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 and frame rollers 44. The other frame 12 is in the horizontal position 50, with the cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 in the extended position 46, and can hold the tire 20 for cooling. In the horizontal position 50 , the frame rollers 44 are not aligned with the rollers of the outlet conveyor 54 .

[0026] Although described as pivoting between a horizontal position 50 and an inclined position 52, in other embodiments, the device need not do so and can be in a single position. Further, although the previous embodiments describe the cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 as moving between an extended position 46 and a retracted position 48, in other embodiments, the cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 can remain stationary. In these cases, a robot or a person can move the cooling, cured tire 20 away from the stationary segments 14, 30, 34, 38, and for placement, the robot can position the warm, cured tire 20, or it can be dropped directly from the mold onto the segments 14, 30, 34, 38 via a press that places the cured tire 20 after curing. As described above, in other embodiments, any number of cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 can be present in the device 10. Figure 10 Another exemplary embodiment is shown in which there is only a single first cup-shaped segment 14. The single first cup-shaped segment 14 extends approximately 270° around the axis 64, with a single opening separating the two ends of the single first cup-shaped segment 14. In other arrangements, the single first cup-shaped segment 14 extends a full 360° around the axis 64 without a gap. It should be understood that preferred embodiments of the design include gaps at multiple portions around the circumference and include multiple cup-shaped segments. The cured tire 20 rests on the first contact surface 16 so that only the tread edge 24 engages the first contact surface 16, while other portions of the cured tire 20 do not touch the first contact surface 16.

[0027] Although described as moving the cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 below the surface of the frame roller 44 in the vertical direction 18, other embodiments are possible. For example, the cup segments 14, 30, 34, 38 may instead be moved radially outward in a horizontal direction or otherwise, rather than in the vertical direction 18, so that the tire 20 can be lowered onto the frame roller 44 for movement to a subsequent processing station. Applicants have discovered that cooling a tire 20 using the present apparatus 10 surprisingly results in improved tire handling properties.

[0028] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the subject matter encompassed by the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. On the contrary, the subject matter of the present invention is intended to include all substitutions, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device comprising: frame; Warm, cured tires; a plurality of cup segments, the plurality of cup segments including a first cup segment having a first contact surface that is both curved and inclined relative to vertical, wherein all cup segments of the apparatus are simultaneously movable relative to the frame from a retracted position to an extended position in which a warm, cured tire is retained by all cup segments of the apparatus; wherein the first contact surface engages a warm, cured tire when the first cup segment is in the extended position, wherein the tire has a tread, the tread having a tread edge and a tread contact surface, the tire having a sidewall, and wherein the first contact surface engages the tread and does not engage the sidewall, The apparatus further includes a plurality of frame rollers carried by the frame, wherein the first cup-shaped segment is movable relative to the frame rollers through openings in the frame rollers, and wherein, in the retracted position, the first contact surface does not engage the warm, cured tire and the frame rollers engage the warm, cured tire, The frame is pivotable between a horizontal position and an inclined position, thereby enabling the frame rollers to pivot between a horizontal position and an inclined position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein The first contact surface engages the tread edge.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein For retention, the first contact surface is configured to not engage the tread contact surface.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of cup-shaped segments include a second cup-shaped segment, the second cup-shaped segment having a second contact surface, the second contact surface being both curved and inclined relative to a vertical direction; Wherein the second contact surface engages the warm, cured tire for retention, and wherein, for retention, the second contact surface engages the tread and is configured not to engage the sidewall.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein The plurality of cup-shaped segments include a third cup-shaped segment, the third cup-shaped segment having a third contact surface, the third contact surface being both curved and inclined relative to a vertical direction; wherein the third contact surface engages the warm, cured tire for retention, and wherein, for retention, the third contact surface engages the tread and is configured not to engage the sidewall; The plurality of cup-shaped segments include a fourth cup-shaped segment, the fourth cup-shaped segment includes a fourth contact surface, and the fourth contact surface is both curved and inclined relative to the vertical direction; Wherein the fourth contact surface engages the warm, cured tire for retention, and wherein, for retention, the fourth contact surface engages the tread and is configured not to engage the sidewall.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein The first, second, third, and fourth contact surfaces are all located on a circumference of a circle, and wherein the first, second, third, and fourth contact surfaces engage a tread edge for retention.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein For retention, the first contact surface, the second contact surface, the third contact surface, and the fourth contact surface are configured to not engage a tread contact surface.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein The pivoting of the frame between the horizontal position and the inclined position enables the first cup-shaped section to pivot between the horizontal position and the inclined position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an exit conveyor having a plurality of rollers, wherein the exit conveyor is inclined relative to vertical such that when the frame is in the inclined position, the plurality of rollers of the exit conveyor are aligned with the frame rollers, the exit conveyor being configured to receive the cured tire after it exits the frame rollers.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frame actuating cylinder engaging the frame and moving the frame between a horizontal position and an inclined position.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cup section actuating cylinder engaging the frame and moving the first cup section between an extended position and a retracted position.

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