Tire building assembly for transferring one or more tire components

Abstract

The utility model relates to a tire forming assembly which comprises one or more transfer rings used for transferring one or more tire parts, and each transfer ring comprises a frame extending around the central axis and a plurality of transfer components. The plurality of transfer members are distributed in the circumferential direction around the central axis along the frame and can move in the radial direction perpendicular to the central axis relative to the frame, the one or more transfer rings comprise two tire bead setting rings and a central ring, and the central ring is located between the two tire bead setting rings in the axial direction parallel to the central axis. The tire building assembly further comprises an axial drive mechanism for driving movement of the two bead setting rings in the axial direction relative to the central ring, the axial drive mechanism comprising a first motor fixed in the axial direction relative to the central ring and at least one first linear drive member, at least one first linear drive member interconnects the first motor and the two bead setting rings to drive movement of the two bead setting rings in the axial direction.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application filed on March 13, 2024, with application number 202420493220.1 and entitled "Transfer ring and tire forming assembly for transferring one or more tire components". Technical Field

[0002] This utility model relates to a tire forming assembly, which includes one or more transfer rings for transferring one or more tire components using the tire forming assembly. Background Technology

[0003] A known tire forming assembly includes a carcass drum for receiving a plurality of tire components to form a tire body and a plurality of transfer rings for transferring one or more tire components to or from the carcass drum. Specifically, the plurality of transfer rings in the known tire forming assembly include: two bead setting rings for applying bead triangle strips around the tire body on the carcass drum; a center ring for lifting a central portion of the tire body from the carcass drum; and two fork rings for lifting axial ends of the tire body from the carcass drum for subsequently transferring the tire body to a forming drum. The bead setting rings are located on either side of the center ring and between the respective fork rings in the axial direction of the carcass drum.

[0004] Each transfer ring includes multiple transfer members distributed circumferentially. These multiple transfer members are synchronously driven to expand or contract radially. In known tire forming assemblies, the transfer member of the center ring is a carcass retaining section used to magnetically hold a metal reinforcing cable within the tire carcass. The transfer member of the bead ring is a bead retaining member used to mechanically retain the bead. The transfer member of the fork ring is a spoon-shaped or fork-shaped element that can be inserted into the space between the axial ends of the tire carcass and the carcass drum. Utility Model Content

[0005] A known drawback of tire forming assemblies is that, for example, due to factors such as hysteresis, backlash, or tolerances, not all transfer members in the corresponding transfer rings of multiple transfer rings are in the same starting position at the start of the transfer. Therefore, subsequent synchronous radial movement of the transfer members may cause one transfer member to leave its position relative to the others, potentially leading to tire component deformation or damage during pickup or transfer, and / or damage to components of the carcass drum or forming drum, or even failure to engage or retain any tire components at all.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tire forming assembly including one or more of the transfer rings for transferring one or more tire components using the tire forming assembly, wherein the transfer operation of the one or more transfer rings can be improved.

[0007] This invention provides a tire forming assembly, including one or more transfer rings for transferring one or more tire components. Each transfer ring includes a frame extending about a central axis and a plurality of transfer members distributed circumferentially along the frame about the central axis. The transfer members are movable relative to the frame in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis. Each transfer ring includes two bead setting rings and a central ring located between the two bead setting rings in an axial direction parallel to the central axis. The two bead setting rings are movable relative to the central ring in the axial direction. The tire forming assembly further includes an axial drive mechanism for driving the movement of the two bead setting rings relative to the central ring in the axial direction. The axial drive mechanism includes a first motor fixed relative to the central ring in the axial direction and at least one first linear drive member connecting the first motor to the two bead setting rings to drive the movement of the two bead setting rings in the axial direction. Having a first motor fixed relative to the central ring allows for precise control of the axial position of the two bead rings relative to the central ring.

[0008] Preferably, the first motor is located on or at the center ring. By positioning the first motor at the center ring, at least one linear drive member extending from the first motor to both sides of the center ring on the two bead rings can be symmetrically designed. Therefore, when the two bead rings are positioned closest to the center ring, any portion of the at least one first drive member protruding beyond the two bead rings can be of equal length and / or not significantly different in any direction, thus preventing any dangerous protrusions and reducing the overall footprint of the tire forming assembly. Furthermore, since it is built only relative to the center ring, rather than accumulated over all rings, tolerances can be significantly reduced.

[0009] In one particular embodiment, at least one first linear drive member includes a first spindle with opposing threaded sections for synchronously driving the two bead rings in opposite drive directions parallel to the axial direction. Therefore, displacement of the two bead rings can be conveniently achieved by a single first linear drive member rotating in a single rotational direction.

[0010] In another embodiment, one or more transfer rings further include two fork rings, wherein two bead setting rings are located axially between the two fork rings, wherein the two fork rings are movable axially relative to a central ring, and wherein the axial drive mechanism includes a second motor fixed axially relative to the central ring and at least one second linear drive member, the at least one second linear drive member connecting the second motor to the two fork rings to drive the movement of the two fork rings in the axial direction. By having a second motor fixed relative to the central ring, the axial position of the two fork rings relative to the central ring can be precisely controlled.

[0011] Preferably, the second motor is located at or near the center ring. Therefore, when the two fork rings are positioned closest to the center ring, at least one second drive member protruding beyond any portion of the two fork rings can be of equal length, thereby preventing any undesirable protrusions and reducing the overall footprint of the tire forming assembly.

[0012] In one particular embodiment, at least one second linear drive member includes a second spindle with opposing threaded sections for synchronously driving the two fork rings in opposite drive directions. Therefore, displacement of the two fork rings can be conveniently achieved using a single second linear drive member rotating in a single rotational direction.

[0013] In another embodiment, the tire forming assembly further includes a base, wherein the center ring is movable relative to the base in an axial direction, and wherein the tire forming assembly further includes a center drive, preferably a timing belt, for driving the movement of the center ring relative to the base in the axial direction. By moving the center ring, the other rings also move.

[0014] The various aspects and features described and illustrated in this application can be applied individually in any possible circumstances. These individual aspects may serve as the subject matter of a divisional utility model application. Attached Figure Description

[0015] This utility model will be described based on the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 An isometric view of a tire forming assembly with multiple transfer rings according to the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A front view of a transfer ring is shown during a step of a method for transferring one or more tire components, schematically illustrating the process according to... Figure 1 Any one of the multiple transfer rings of the tire forming assembly; and

[0018] Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the tire forming components. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figure 1 A tire forming assembly 200 is shown, comprising a carcass drum D1, a forming drum D2, and a plurality of transfer rings 1-5 for transferring one or more tire components (not shown) from the carcass drum D1 to the forming drum D2. In particular, the one or more tire components include a pre-assembly or carcass assembly, including but not limited to one or more of the following: liner, body layer, buffer layer, sidewall, and bead.

[0020] Multiple transfer rings 1-5, the carcass drum D1, and the forming drum D2 are aligned in the axial direction A along the central axis S. More specifically, the transfer rings 1-5, the carcass drum D1, and the forming drum D2 are all concentrically positioned relative to the central axis S.

[0021] In this example, the multiple transfer rings 1-5 include: two fork rings 10, 50 for lifting and / or retaining the tire carcass assembly as the tire carcass drum D1 contracts; two bead setting rings 20, 40 for placing bead on the tire carcass assembly; and a center ring 30 for retaining the central portion of the tire carcass assembly as the tire carcass drum D1 contracts. The center ring 30 is located between the two bead setting rings 20, 40 in the axial direction A. In other words, the two bead setting rings 20, 40 are located on either side of the center ring 30. The two bead setting rings 20, 40 are located between the two fork rings 10, 50 in the axial direction A. In other words, the two fork rings 10, 50 are located on either side of the grouped two bead setting rings 20, 40 and the center ring 30.

[0022] exist Figure 2A and 2B The diagram shows one of the transfer rings 1-5 in more detail, specifically one of the fork rings 1 and 5 in this example. However, for the purposes of this invention, all transfer rings 1-5 are considered functionally equivalent, i.e., they transfer one or more tire components to or from one of the drums D1 and D2 in some manner. Therefore, the following description focuses on... Figure 2A and Figure 2B The working principle explained by the transfer ring 1 shown can also be applied to any of the transfer rings 2-5 with appropriate modifications. This is why the reference numeral for the transfer ring 1 shown is marked in parentheses next to it.

[0023] like Figure 2A As shown, the transfer ring 1 includes a frame 101 extending about a central axis S. In this example, the frame 101 is substantially annular or ring-shaped. However, other suitable shapes can be used, as long as they allow the transfer ring 1 to surround... Figure 1Drums D1 and D2 are sufficient. The transfer ring 1 also includes multiple transfer members 102, which are distributed along the frame 10 in the circumferential direction C around the central axis S. In this case, as... Figure 2A The transfer ring 1 shown is one of the fork rings 10 and 50. Therefore, the transfer member 102 is a spoon-shaped, finger-shaped, or fork-shaped member that can be inserted into the tire carcass drum D1 as it contracts. Figure 1 Between the fetal body group and the fetal body drum D1.

[0024] Alternatively, as mentioned above, Figure 2A The transfer ring 1 shown can be any of the other transfer rings 2-5, such as bead setting rings 2 and 4. In this case, the transfer member 102 will be a bead holding member, or a center ring 3. In this case, the transfer member 102 will be a carcass holding member, particularly a magnetic carcass holding member.

[0025] In comparison Figure 2A and 2B Therefore, it will be understood that the transfer member 102 can move relative to the frame 101 in a radial direction R perpendicular to the central axis S. Figure 2A The location shown is to Figure 2B At the position shown, the transfer member 102 moves in the radially inward direction R1. Alternatively, the transfer member 102 can retract in the radially outward direction R2.

[0026] like Figure 2A and 2B The transfer ring 1 shown also includes a radial drive mechanism 103 for synchronously driving the plurality of transfer members 102 to perform the aforementioned radial movements relative to each other and / or relative to the frame 101 in the radial direction R. At each of the plurality of transfer members 102, the radial drive mechanism 103 further includes a disengagement device 104 for disengaging and / or detaching the corresponding transfer member 102 from the synchronous movement, and / or for restricting the movement of the transfer member 102 to a certain position. In other words, when the disengagement device 104 disengages the corresponding transfer member 102 from the synchronous movement of the plurality of transfer members 102, this means that the corresponding transfer member 102 can move freely and / or independently relative to the remaining transfer members 102 that are not disengaged from the synchronous movement.

[0027] In this example, the disengagement device 104 is a torque limiter, overload clutch, or slip clutch that allows one rotating member to rotate away from another rotating member when the manually applied force or the driving force between them exceeds a certain threshold.

[0028] In this particular embodiment, the disconnector 104 is configured to disengage the corresponding transfer member 102 from synchronous movement when the corresponding transfer member 102 moves in the radially inward direction R1.

[0029] like Figure 2A As shown, the radial drive mechanism 103 includes a sun gear 131 extending along the frame 101. At each of the plurality of transfer members 102, a planetary gear 132 engages with and is driven by the sun gear 131, and an actuator 135, specifically a single-piston or double-piston actuator, for rotating the sun gear 131. Alternatively, a linear drive, a spindle, or a combination thereof may be used to drive the rotation of the sun gear 131. The radial drive mechanism 103, at each of the plurality of transfer members 102, also includes a rack 133 connected to the respective transfer member 102 and a pinion 134 engaging the rack 133. The pinion 134 is rotatably coupled to the planetary gear 132 at the respective transfer member 102 via a disengagement device 104 at the respective transfer member 102.

[0030] Figure 3 This illustrates another aspect of the present invention, which can also be applied independently of the aforementioned features related to transfer rings 1-5.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, the tire forming assembly 200 includes an axial drive mechanism 203 for driving the movement of two bead setting rings 20, 40 relative to a central ring 30 in the axial direction A. Specifically, the axial drive mechanism 203 includes a first motor 231 fixed relative to the central ring 30 in the axial direction A. In this example, the first motor 231 is mounted to, fixed to, attached to, or located on or at the central ring 3. The axial drive mechanism 203 also includes at least one first linear drive member 204, in this example a first spindle 240, which connects the first motor 231 and the two bead rings 20, 40 to drive the movement of the two bead setting rings 20, 40 in the axial direction A. Specifically, the first spindle 241 has opposing threaded sections 242, 243 for synchronously driving the two bead rings 20, 40 in opposite drive directions A1, A2 parallel to the axial direction A.

[0032] The axial drive mechanism 203 also includes a second motor 232, which is fixed relative to the central ring 30 along the axial direction A for driving the two fork rings 10, 50 to move along the axial direction A. In this example, the second motor 232 is also mounted to, fixed to, attached to, or located on or at the central ring 3. The axial drive mechanism 203 also includes at least one second linear drive member 205, which in this example is a second spindle 250, connecting the second motor 232 and the two fork rings 10, 50 to drive the two fork rings 10, 50 to move in the axial direction A. Specifically, the second spindle 251 has opposing threaded sections 252, 253 for synchronously driving the two fork rings 10, 50 in opposite drive directions A1, A2.

[0033] The tire forming assembly 200 also includes a base 201, wherein the center ring 3 is movable relative to the base 201 in the axial direction A. The tire forming assembly 200 also includes a center drive 202 for driving the movement of the center ring 3 relative to the base 201 in the axial direction A. In this example, the center drive 202 includes a timing belt 221.

[0034] Now refer to Figure 1 -3 Briefly describe a method for transferring one or more tire components using the aforementioned tire forming assembly 200.

[0035] like Figure 2A As shown, the method includes the step of positioning at least one of one or more transfer rings 1-5 around a calibration member D extending at a central axis S. In this example, the calibration member D is a tire drum D1.

[0036] The method further includes the step of moving at least one transfer ring 1-5 and a plurality of transfer members 102 toward the calibration member D in a radially inward direction R1, such as Figure 2B As shown. In this example, the transfer member 102 can be moved manually, i.e., by pushing each transfer member 102 inward while the radial drive mechanism 103 remains stationary or substantially stationary. In other words, the corresponding disengager 104 can allow the transfer member 102 to be manually pushed against the calibration member D, in which case the disengager 104 disengages the corresponding transfer member 102 from the radial drive mechanism 103 during the manual drive movement.

[0037] Alternatively, the radially inward movement can be a controlled driven movement generated by the radial drive mechanism 103, in which case the transfer member 102 remains engaged with the radial drive mechanism 103 until one or more transfer members 102 move and / or come into contact with the calibration member D. Then, the one or more transfer members 102 are disengaged from the synchronized movement by using a corresponding disengagement device 104. Meanwhile, the radial drive mechanism 103 can continue to drive at least one other transfer member 102 of the plurality of transfer members 102 in the radially inward direction R1 until they also move to contact the calibration member D.

[0038] Subsequently, one or more locking members, such as pins (not shown), are used to lock or block the release device 104 to prevent further disengagement. The transfer member 102 has now been calibrated, and the corresponding transfer rings 1-5 are prepared for operation during the transfer operation.

[0039] Optionally or alternatively, as part of the initial setup, the first motor 231 is used, in accordance with the previously mentioned... Figure 3 The method described above adjusts the distance in the axial direction A between the two bead setting rings 20, 40 and the center ring 3. Similarly, a second motor 232 can also be used, as previously mentioned... Figure 3 The method described above adjusts the distance between the two fork rings 10, 50 and the bead setting rings 20, 40 and / or the center ring 3.

[0040] It should be understood that the above description is for illustrating the operation of the preferred embodiments and does not imply limitation of the scope of this utility model. From the above discussion, those skilled in the art will clearly see that the scope of this utility model also includes many variations.

[0041] List of reference numerals

[0042] 1 First transfer ring

[0043] 10 Fork Ring

[0044] 2 Second Transfer Ring

[0045] 20 Bead Setting Ring

[0046] 3 Third transfer ring

[0047] 30 Central ring

[0048] 4. Fourth transfer ring

[0049] 40 Bead Setting Ring

[0050] 5. Fifth Transfer Ring

[0051] 50 Fork Ring

[0052] 101 Framework

[0053] 102 Transfer Components

[0054] 103 Radial drive mechanism

[0055] 131 Sun Gear

[0056] 132 Planetary Gears

[0057] 133 rack

[0058] 134 small gears

[0059] 104 Disconnector

[0060] 200 Tire Molding Components

[0061] 201 Base

[0062] 202 Center Drive Unit

[0063] 221 timing belt

[0064] 203 Axial drive component

[0065] 231 First Motor

[0066] 232 Second Motor

[0067] 204 First linear drive component

[0068] 241 First spindle

[0069] 242 First threaded section

[0070] 243 Second thread section

[0071] 205 Second linear drive component

[0072] 251 Second spindle

[0073] 252 First threaded section

[0074] 253 Second thread section

[0075] Axial direction

[0076] A1 First Drive Direction

[0077] A2 Second Drive Direction

[0078] C. Circumferential direction

[0079] D Calibration Component

[0080] D1 Tire Body Drum

[0081] D2 Forming Drum

[0082] R radial direction

[0083] R1 Radial inward direction

[0084] R2 Radial outward direction

[0085] S-center axis

[0086] T torque

Claims

1. A tire forming assembly, the tire forming assembly including one or more transfer rings for transferring one or more tire components, wherein, Each transfer ring includes a frame extending about a central axis and a plurality of transfer members distributed circumferentially along the frame about the central axis, and the plurality of transfer members being movable relative to the frame in a radial direction perpendicular to the central axis. The one or more transfer rings include two bead setting rings and a central ring, the central ring being located between the two bead setting rings in an axial direction parallel to the central axis. The tire forming assembly further includes an axial drive mechanism for driving movement of the two bead setting rings relative to the central ring in the axial direction. The axial drive mechanism includes a first motor fixed relative to the central ring in the axial direction and at least one first linear drive member, the at least one first linear drive member connecting the first motor to the two bead setting rings to drive movement of the two bead setting rings in the axial direction.

2. The tire forming assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first motor is located on or at the central ring.

3. The tire forming assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one first linear drive component includes a first spindle with a reverse threaded section for synchronously driving the two bead setting rings in opposite drive directions parallel to the axial direction.

4. The tire forming assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one or more transfer rings further include two fork rings, wherein the two bead setting rings are located between the two fork rings in the axial direction, wherein the two fork rings are movable relative to the center ring in the axial direction, wherein the axial drive mechanism includes a second motor fixed relative to the center ring in the axial direction and at least one second linear drive member, wherein the at least one second linear drive member connects the second motor to the two fork rings to drive the movement of the two fork rings in the axial direction.

5. The tire forming assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second motor is located on or at the central ring.

6. The tire forming assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one second linear drive member includes a second spindle with reverse threaded sections for synchronously driving the two fork rings in opposite drive directions.

7. The tire forming assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tire forming assembly further includes a base, wherein the center ring is movable relative to the base in the axial direction, and wherein the tire forming assembly further includes a center drive for driving the center ring to move relative to the base in the axial direction.

8. The tire forming assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The central drive unit includes a timing belt.

Images