Vehicle tires, belt station and method for assembling a belt-tread package

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle tire with a tread (1), a belt assembly (2) with an electrically non-conductive belt rubber, and a belt bandage (3) with an electrically non-conductive bandage rubber, wherein the tread (1) is penetrated by at least one electrically conductive element (7) and at least one electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage is provided, wherein the electrically conductive element (7) is connected to the electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage by an electrically conductive belt passage with at least one vulcanized, electrically conductive thread (8, 81). The electrically conductive thread (8, 81) has a radially inner thread section (8a) and a radially outer thread section (8b) adjoining it and contacting the electrically conductive element (7), wherein the electrically conductive thread (8) is an electrically conductive carrier thread (9) with an electrically conductive outer coating (10) surrounding it or wherein the electrically conductive filament (81) has at least one electrically conductive carrier filament (9) with an electrically conductive outer coating (10) surrounding it.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle tire with a tread made of electrically non-conductive rubber material, a carcass ply, a belt assembly with a radially innermost and a radially outermost belt layer with an electrically non-conductive belt rubber coating and a belt bandage with an electrically non-conductive bandage rubber coating, wherein the tread is penetrated in the radial direction by at least one electrically conductive element and at least one electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage is provided, which is in electrically conductive connection with the rim when the vehicle tire is mounted on a rim, wherein the electrically conductive element is connected to the electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage by an electrically conductive belt passage with at least one vulcanized, electrically conductive thread, wherein an electrically conductive rubber material, an electrically conductive rubber coating, an electrically conductive element,an electrically conductive passage is one which has a resistance of ≤ 10, 8 Ohm·cm.

[0002] The invention further relates to a belt station for building a belt-tread package and a method for building a belt-tread package.

[0003] A vehicle tire of the type mentioned above is known, for example, from DE 10 2017 211 762 A1. According to one exemplary embodiment, the vehicle tire has a tread made of an electrically non-conductive rubber material, a belt assembly with two belt layers with an electrically non-conductive belt rubber coating, and a belt bandage. The belt bandage has at least one bandage strip with an electrically non-conductive belt rubber coating, projects beyond the belt edges of the radially outer belt layer with edge sections, is designed as a coil band, and has at least one gap. The tread is penetrated by a carbon center beam, which also occupies the gap of the coil bandage and thus contacts the upper side of the radially outer belt layer. Electrically conductive threads are applied to the outer side of the radially outer belt layer and to the underside of the belt bandage.On the underside of the belt bandage there is at least one further electrically conductive thread which extends to an edge section of the belt bandage that projects beyond the radially outer belt layer. The electrically conductive threads on the upper side of the radially outer belt layers are in contact with the threads on the underside of the belt bandage and thus form an electrically conductive grid. The electrically conductive grid contacts an electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage which is formed by the electrically conductive carcass rubber or, in the case of electrically non-conductive carcass rubber, by electrically conductive threads on the outside of the carcass ply. The electrically conductive threads consist of an electrically non-conductive carrier thread, for example made of polyester, polyamide, cotton or hybrids of the aforementioned materials, and an electrically conductive coating.The electrically conductive coating may contain or consist of electrically conductive particles, such as soot particles, graphite particles, or carbon nanotubes. The electrically conductive coating may also be an adhesion promoter, preferably an RFL dip (resorcinol-formaldehyde latex dip), which contains electrically conductive particles, preferably carbon black, such as type N339 carbon black. By adding electrically conductive particles to the adhesion promoter, electrical conductivity and, in addition, good adhesion of the threads in the tire are ensured.

[0004] DE 10 2011 001 899 A1 discloses a reinforcement for a pneumatic vehicle tire, wherein the reinforcement has an adhesively designed first surface region and an electrically conductive second surface region, wherein the first and second surface regions are arranged continuously along the longitudinal axis of the reinforcement. The adhesion dip used is not explained in detail.

[0005] EP 2 380 756 A1 discloses a tire having a carcass ply with a carcass cord made of a first yarn and a second, electrically conductive yarn wound around the first yarn.

[0006] Legal requirements make it necessary to find further measures to further reduce the rolling resistance of pneumatic vehicle tires.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of further improving a pneumatic vehicle tire of the type mentioned at the outset while maintaining the required deflection path with regard to rolling resistance.

[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention by that the electrically conductive thread has a radially inner thread section running between the carcass ply and the radially innermost belt ply and a radially outer thread section adjoining this, contacting the electrically conductive element, running between the tread and the radially outermost belt ply and, together with the belt bandage, over the belt edges located in at least one tire shoulder, wherein the electrically conductive thread is an electrically conductive carrier thread with an electrically conductive outer coating surrounding it or wherein the electrically conductive thread comprises at least one electrically conductive carrier thread with an electrically conductive outer coating surrounding it, wherein an electrically conductive coating is one which has a resistance of ≤ 10 8 Ohm·cm and wherein an electrically conductive carrier thread is one which has a resistance of ≤ 10 6 ohms per 30 cm.

[0009] According to the invention, the thread is therefore inserted into the area between the carcass ply and the radially innermost belt ply. The thread has no measurable impact on the tire's weight, thus further improving the tire's rolling resistance. The special thread routing ensures particularly reliable contact with the electrically conductive sidewall / tread pattern.

[0010] The invention further relates to a belt station for building a belt-tread package, which is formed from a tread assembly and a belt assembly, for producing a green tire, comprising: i) A belt-type drum with a drum axle, ii) a transfer ring for jointly holding and transporting the belt assembly and the tread assembly applied thereto, iii) a pressing device for pressing a strip-shaped or thread-shaped, electrically conductive element, which is inserted between the raw belt bandage and the green tread and hangs from the belt bandage, onto the side of the raw, radially innermost belt ply which forms the radial inside in the finished tyre.

[0011] Such a belt station allows, through the use of a pressing device, a structurally simple and particularly reliable attachment of the electrically conductive element to the side of the raw, radially innermost belt layer that forms the radial inside in the finished tire.

[0012] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for building a belt-tread package at a belt station with a belt building drum and for producing a green tire with the following sequential steps: a) Construction of a belt assembly by a1) Forming raw belt layers on a belt building drum, a2) Forming a raw belt bandage on the belt layers, a3) placing at least one electrically conductive, thread- or strip-shaped element on the raw belt bandage, wherein the element has an element section resting on the raw belt bandage and an element section extending beyond the raw belt bandage and the raw belt layers, b) forming an unfinished belt-tread package by applying a tread assembly to the belt assembly, wherein the tread assembly consists of a cut-to-size raw tread with at least one electrically conductive element passing through it or a rubber compound strip passing through it to form such an element, c) Picking up the unfinished belt-tread package using a transfer ring, d) Moving the belt building drum together and releasing the unfinished belt-tread package in such a way that the outgoing element section hangs downwards following the force of gravity and e) Folding the downwardly hanging element section around the belt assembly and pressing the folded element section against the underside of the corresponding raw belt ply, thereby forming the finished belt-tread package.

[0013] This method allows a simple and reliable attachment of the electrically conductive element to the side of the raw, radially innermost belt ply, which forms the radial inside in the finished tire.

[0014] Preferred designs of vehicle tires are discussed in more detail below.

[0015] According to a first preferred embodiment, the radially inner thread section, viewed in the axially oriented cross-section, contacts a section of the radially inner belt ply that has a width determined in the axial direction of 25% to 50%, in particular of 30% to 45%, and particularly preferably of up to 35%, of the width determined in the axial direction of the radially innermost belt ply. This contributes to low rolling resistance.

[0016] A further preferred embodiment provides that the radially outer thread section, viewed in the tire cross-section, projects beyond the electrically conductive element with an end section, wherein the end section has a projection relative to its free end, determined in the axial direction relative to the electrically conductive element, of in particular 1.0 mm to 10.0 mm, preferably of up to 7.0 mm, particularly preferably of up to 5.0 mm. This contributes to a particularly reliable and durable maintenance of the discharge path, wherein the rolling resistance is advantageously not affected or not noticeably affected by this measure.

[0017] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the carrier thread has a diameter of 0.05 mm to 2.50 mm, in particular of 0.10 mm to 1.50 mm, preferably of 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm. This embodiment is also favorable with regard to rolling resistance.

[0018] For the durability of the discharge path, it is advantageous if the electrically conductive thread is an electrically conductive carrier thread with an electrically conductive outer coating surrounding it and has a maximum diameter which is 0.10 mm to 5.00 mm, in particular up to 2.50 mm, preferably up to 1.00 mm, particularly preferably 0.20 mm to 0.50 mm, larger than the diameter of the carrier thread.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive thread is formed from several, in particular two, electrically conductive carrier threads twisted together and an outer electrically conductive coating surrounding the carrier threads, which is also located in particular in the space between the carrier threads. This is also advantageous for the durability of the discharge path.

[0020] In the last-mentioned preferred embodiment, according to a further development, it is provided that the electrically conductive thread has a maximum width which is 0.10 mm to 5.00 mm, in particular up to 2.50 mm, preferably up to 1.50 mm, particularly preferably 0.30 mm to 0.75 mm, greater than twice the diameter of the carrier threads, wherein the carrier threads coincide.

[0021] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the electrically conductive outer coating of the electrically conductive thread comprises or consists of an electrically conductive rubber material, wherein the electrically conductive rubber material corresponds to the carcass rubber lining, so that the carcass insert co-forms the electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage. This embodiment ensures particularly good adhesion of the thread to the carcass rubber lining due to the processes occurring during vulcanization.

[0022] In the following, two preferred versions of the belt station that can be combined with each other are discussed.

[0023] The first preferred embodiment of the belt station is characterized in that the pressing device comprises a linearly displaceable, freely rotatably mounted pressing element, which can be rolled onto the side of the raw, radially innermost belt ply that forms the radial inside in the finished tire. The pressing element is preferably a pressing roller or a pressing ball. This allows for an additional improvement in the application of the electrically conductive element.

[0024] According to the second preferred embodiment of the belt station, it is provided that the pressing element is displaceable parallel to the drum axis.

[0025] Preferred process designs are discussed in more detail below.

[0026] According to a first preferred embodiment of the method, step e) is carried out by means of a pressing device with a linearly displaceable, freely rotatably mounted pressing element, in particular a pressing roller or a pressing ball, wherein the tread assembly and the belt assembly are still received by the transfer ring, and wherein the pressing element is unrolled on the underside of the raw belt ply. This contributes to a particularly good connection of the electrically conductive, thread- or strip-shaped element to the belt ply.

[0027] An alternative, second preferred embodiment is characterized in that - before step e) a carcass assembly is attached to a crowning machine and - that between step d) and step e) the unfinished belt-tread package is moved over the carcass assembly with the transfer ring on the crowning machine and step e) is carried out in this way.

[0028] This simplifies the process both structurally and in its entirety. In particular, production time can be shortened. In summary, this design contributes to process optimization.

[0029] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that - that the electrically conductive thread- or strip-shaped element used is at least one electrically conductive carrier thread with an electrically conductive outer coating surrounding it, - that the electrically conductive, thread-like or strip-like element used has at least one electrically conductive carrier thread with an electrically conductive outer coating surrounding it, or - that the electrically conductive thread-like or strip-like element used is a rubber compound strip for forming an electrically conductive rubber strip.

[0030] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, which schematically shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 schematically shows a partial cross-section through a pneumatic vehicle tire with an embodiment variant of the invention, Fig. 2a a cross-section through a coated reinforcement member, Fig. 2b a cross-section through another coated reinforcement, Fig. 3a shows a schematic partial cross-section in the area of ​​a belt station for building up a belt-tread package during assembly, wherein the section plane contains the drum axis and is perpendicular to the drum plane, Fig. 3b one with Fig. 3a corresponding schematic side view of the belt station, Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b analogous representations to Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b, Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b analogous representations to Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b, Fig. 6a a schematic representation during the construction of a green tire, Fig. 7a a schematic representation during the construction of a green tire according to a further embodiment variant and Fig. 8a a further schematic representation during the construction of a green tire according to the further embodiment variant.

[0031] The invention relates to a vehicle tire, a belt station for constructing a belt-tread package for producing a green tire (unvulcanized raw tire) and a method for constructing a belt-tread package for producing a green tire.

[0032] The vehicle tire will be discussed in more detail below. Vehicle tires designed according to the invention are tires for passenger cars (PCs), vans (transporters), or SUVs, and preferably pneumatic vehicle tires, particularly preferably pneumatic vehicle tires of radial design for rims with an integer rim diameter of 13 inches to 24 inches, in particular 16 inches to 23 inches.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a partial cross-section of a pneumatic vehicle tire, which is a passenger car tire. The radial direction is indicated by a double arrow R, the axial direction by a double arrow A, and the tire equatorial plane by a line AA. The "axial direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the tire equatorial plane. The "radial direction" refers to the direction parallel to the tire equatorial plane in the axially oriented cross-section.

[0034] The pneumatic vehicle tire has a profiled tread 1, a two-ply belt assembly 2, a belt bandage 3, sidewalls 4, a carcass insert 5, and an inner layer 6. The bead regions (not shown) each have a bead core, a bead filler, and a horn profile made of electrically conductive rubber material and can be designed in a conventional manner.

[0035] The tread 1 has an outer surface 1a located at the tread periphery and a ground contact patch with a width B determined in the axial direction, wherein the ground contact patch corresponds, as is known, to the statically determined footprint (determined with a tire mounted on a standard rim, loaded at 70% of the maximum load capacity, internal pressure 85% of the standard pressure, according to ETRTO standards). In the exemplary embodiment, the tread 1 is designed as a one-piece tread (mono-tread) and consists of an electrically non-conductive rubber material. Integrated into the tread 1 in the area of ​​the ground contact patch is at least one electrically conductive element 7 that penetrates the tread 1 in the radial direction and extends to the outer surface 1a. In particular, a single element 7 is provided in the form of a so-called carbon center beam, which is an electrically conductive rubber strip running circumferentially.If there are several electrically conductive elements 7, these are preferably distributed over the circumference of the tire in such a way that at least one of the elements 7 is located in the ground contact area when the tire rolls.

[0036] The carcass ply 5 runs between the belt assembly 2 and the inner layer 6 as well as between the side walls 4 and the inner layer 6, is folded over around the bead cores (not shown) to form carcass turn-ups 5a and consists of reinforcements embedded in an electrically conductive carcass rubber coating, so that the carcass ply 5 is electrically conductive.

[0037] The side walls 4 are made of an electrically non-conductive rubber material.

[0038] The belt assembly 2 consists of a radially inner belt layer 2a and a radially outer belt layer 2b, wherein the belt layers 2a, 2b each have belt edges 21 and consist of reinforcements, for example made of steel or textile cords of known construction, embedded in an electrically non-conductive belt rubber coating and running parallel to one another in each belt layer 2a, 2b, wherein the reinforcements of the radially inner belt layer 2a cross those of the radially outer belt layer 2b in a particularly known manner. The belt layers 2a, 2b are thus electrically non-conductive. The radially inner belt layer 2a has, viewed in the axially oriented cross-section, a width b determined in the axial direction. GL wherein the radially inner belt layer 2a projects beyond the belt edges 21 of the radially outer belt layer 2b on both sides.

[0039] The belt bandage 3 covers the belt layers 2a, 2b radially outward, extends over the belt edges 21 of the two belt layers 2a, 2b, is designed as a single-layer wound bandage, and consists of reinforcements, generally textile, preferably made of nylon, embedded in an electrically non-conductive bandage rubber coating. The belt bandage 3 is therefore electrically non-conductive.

[0040] The electrically conductive element(s) 7 is / are connected to the electrically conductive carcass ply 5 by one or each of the electrically conductive belt passages, which is formed exclusively by at least one, in particular exactly one, vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8 with a radially inner thread section 8a and a radially outer thread section 8b adjoining the latter. The radially inner thread section 8a runs between the carcass ply 5 and the radially inner belt ply 2a, extends to one belt edge 21 of the radially inner belt ply 2a and, viewed in the cross-section oriented in the axial direction, contacts a section 2a1 of the radially inner belt ply 2a. The section 2a1 has a width b determined in the axial direction. a from 25% to 50%, in particular from 30% to 45%, particularly preferably up to 35%, of the width b GLthe radially inner belt ply 2a. The radially outer thread section 8b contacts the respective electrically conductive element 7, runs between the belt bandage 3 and the tread 1 and together with the belt bandage 3 over the belt edges 21 of the belt plies 2a, 2b, wherein the radially outer thread section 8b - due to its position - does not contact the belt edges 21 and, viewed in the tire cross-section, projects beyond the respective electrically conductive element 7 with an end section 8b1. The end section 8b1 has - based on its free end and determined relative to the respective electrically conductive element 7 - a projection u determined in the axial direction of 1.0 mm to 10.0 mm, in particular up to 7.0 mm, preferably up to 5.0 mm.

[0041] The electrostatic charges occurring during driving are conducted from the vehicle, in particular from the body, to the respective ground (“grounding”) via a discharge path which is formed by the rim, the flange profile, the carcass insert 5, the thread 8(s) 8 and the electrically conductive element(s) 7.

[0042] Fig. 2a shows a cross-section through the thread 8. The thread 8 consists of an electrically conductive carrier thread 9 and an outer electrically conductive coating 10 surrounding it. The carrier thread 9 has a diameter d F from 0.05 mm to 2.50 mm, in particular from 0.10 mm to 1.50 mm, preferably from 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm and consists for example of carbon, a metal or a steel

[0043] The carrier thread 9 consists of a material with a breaking force of 5 N to 50 N, in particular up to 20 N, preferably between 10 N and 15 N. The carrier thread 9 further has a breaking elongation of 8% to 35%, in particular at least 15%, preferably at least 20%.

[0044] The breaking force and elongation at break are determined according to specific standards, depending on the material of the carrier thread (9). These standards include DIN EN ISO 2062 (April 2010), which deals with the determination of the maximum tensile force and maximum tensile elongation of yarn sections from packaging units. This standard is applicable to all types of yarn, with the exception of glass, elastomer, aramid, high-molecular-weight polyethylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, ceramic, and carbon yarns, as well as polyolefin tape. If the carrier thread (9) is made of aramid, DIN EN 12562 (October 1999), which specifies test methods for such yarns, is used. If the carrier thread (9) is made of carbon fibers, ISO 11566 (August 1996) is used.

[0045] The thread 8, i.e. the carrier thread 9 together with the coating 10, has a maximum diameter d E(diameter at the widest point) which is 0.10 mm to 5.00 mm, in particular up to 2.50 mm, preferably up to 1.00 mm, particularly preferably 0.20 mm to 0.50 mm, larger than the diameter d F of the carrier thread 9.

[0046] The electrically conductive coating 10 is based, for example, on a suspension containing latex or an elastomer, which contains electrically conductive particles, such as soot particles or graphite powder, thereby ensuring the electrical conductivity of the coating. To produce this coating, for example, a conventional adhesion promoter containing soot particles can be used, which is sufficiently liquid that the carrier thread 9 can be coated by means of a dipping process. For example, an RFL dip (resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex dip) can be used, into which soot particles, in particular N 339 particles or N 121 particles, are mixed. The proportion of electrically conductive particles in the suspension is, for example, 10 wt.% to 70 wt.%, in particular 30 wt.% to 50 wt.%.The electrically conductive coating 10 of the carrier thread 9 can also consist exclusively of electrically conductive particles, for example, soot particles, graphite powder, or carbon nanotubes. Preferably, the electrically conductive coating 10 consists of or comprises a rubber material that matches the electrically conductive carcass rubber.

[0047] Fig. Figure 2b shows a cross-section through a thread 81, which is an alternative to the thread 8. The thread 81 consists of two twisted, electrically conductive carrier threads 9 and an outer electrically conductive coating 10 surrounding the carrier threads 9, which is also located in the space between the carrier threads 9. Each carrier thread 9 is identical to the carrier thread 9 according to the embodiment of Fig. 2a, wherein the two carrier threads 9 can be identical carrier threads 9 or different carrier threads 9. The thread 81, i.e. the two carrier threads 9 together with the coating 10, have a maximum width b E (Width at the widest point) which is 0.10 mm to 5.00 mm, in particular up to 2.50 mm, preferably up to 1.50 mm, particularly preferably 0.30 mm to 0.75 mm, larger than twice the diameter d F To produce the thread 81, either two individual, coated carrier threads 9 are twisted together or two uncoated carrier threads 9 are twisted together and then coated together. The electrically conductive coating 10 is applied analogously to the embodiment of the Fig. 2a applied.

[0048] Fig. 3a to Fig. 8a each show a schematic partial cross-section of a belt station for building up a belt-tread package GL during the construction, where Fig. 3a to Fig. 6a to a first embodiment and Fig. 7a and Fig. 8a belong to a second embodiment. Fig. 3b to Fig. 5b show with Fig. 3a to Fig. 5a corresponding schematic side views.

[0049] How Fig. As shown in Figure 3a, the belt-tread package GL consists of a tread assembly L and a belt assembly G. The tread assembly L is made of the unvulcanized, extruded, cut-to-size raw tread 1' ( Fig. 3a) and the non-vulcanized, electrically conductive element(s) 7', which is, for example, a rubber compound strip or which are, for example, each a rubber compound strip. The belt assembly G comprises an unvulcanized, raw belt assembly 2' ( Fig. 3a) from a raw, radially inner belt layer 2a' ( Fig. 3a) and a raw, radially outer belt layer 2b' ( Fig. 3a) and also a raw belt bandage 3' ( Fig. 3a) and at least one non-vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8', 81', preferably several non-vulcanized, electrically conductive threads 8', 81' ( Fig. 3b).

[0050] The belt station for assembling the GL belt-tread package is explained in more detail below.

[0051] The belt station is part of a tire building machine and includes - as Fig. 4 shows - a belt building drum 11, a transfer ring 12 and a pressing device 13.

[0052] The belt construction drum 11 is designed in a manner known per se, has a drum axis a1 ( Fig. 3b, appears as a dot), relative to which it is rotationally symmetrical and on which it is rotatably mounted. The belt assembly drum 11 further comprises drum segments 11a ( Fig. 3b), wherein the expanded drum segments 11a have an outer support surface 11b ( Fig. 3a) form.

[0053] By means of the transfer ring 12, the belt-tread package GL can be removed from the belt building drum 11 and subsequently transported.

[0054] According to Fig. 5a, the pressing device 13 comprises a freely rotatable, parallel to the drum axis a1 ( Fig. 3a) Linearly displaceable, preferably extendable and retractable pressure roller 13a, which can be moved in and out, in particular, by means of a pneumatic cylinder, a rotatably mounted threaded spindle, or an electric motor, preferably a linear motor. Alternatively, the entire pressure device 13 can be mounted for linear displacement, so that the pressure roller 13a is moved by displacing the entire pressure device 13.

[0055] The procedure for assembling a belt-tread package GL at the belt station is then further explained.

[0056] As in Fig. 3a, to form the belt assembly G, a cut-to-length reinforcement web consisting of an extruded rubber compound web with embedded reinforcements is wound and spliced ​​onto the outer support surface 11b of the belt building drum 11, thereby forming the raw, radially inner belt layer 2a'. Subsequently, another cut-to-length reinforcement web is wound and spliced ​​onto the raw, radially inner belt layer 2a', thereby forming the raw, radially outer belt layer 2b'. One or more cut-to-length reinforcement strips made of, or each made of, several reinforcements embedded in a rubber compound, or one or more individual, rubberized reinforcements are wound onto the raw, radially outer belt layer 2b', thereby forming the raw belt bandage 3'.The belt bandage 3' is preferably wound up end to end so that it completely covers the raw belt layers 2a', 2b' radially on the outside. At least one electrically conductive thread running in the axial direction or essentially in the axial direction, which is thus a non-vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8', 81', is placed on the raw belt bandage 3' on the side facing away from the raw belt layers 2a', 2b', wherein the thread 8', 81' runs axially on the outside beyond the raw belt layers 2a', 2b' and the raw belt bandage 3' with an end thread section 8a' resting on the outer support surface 11b of the belt building drum 11 and has an end thread section 8b' resting on the raw belt bandage 3'. Fig. 3b, preferably several, in particular up to five, threads 8', 81' are applied at locations distributed over the circumference in the manner described, wherein adjacent threads 8', 81' have a distance a2 from each other, determined as the smallest distance on the circumference, of 30.0 mm to 50.0 mm. The raw belt layers 2a', 2b', together with the raw belt bandage 3' and the unvulcanized thread 8', 81' or the unvulcanized threads 8', 81', form the aforementioned belt assembly G.

[0057] Subsequently, the previously mentioned tread assembly L is applied to the belt assembly G and the ends of the cut raw tread 1' are joined together.

[0058] As in Fig. As indicated in Figure 4a, the aforementioned transfer ring 12 is positioned above the belt building drum 11, i.e. above the green tread 1', and the tread assembly L is picked up with it together with the belt assembly G. Subsequently, the belt building drum 11 is moved together, i.e. the drum segments 11a are moved together so that the outer diameter of the belt building drum 11 is reduced and the tread assembly L and the belt assembly G are released, whereby the end thread section 8a' of the or each non-vulcanized thread 8', 81' hangs freely downwards following the force of gravity (cf. Fig. 4b).

[0059] While the transfer ring 12 holds the tread assembly L and the belt assembly G, Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b by actuating the pressing device 13 by means of the pressing roller 13a, the end thread section(s) 8a' are folded around the belt assembly G, wherein the or each thread section 8a' is or are pressed by means of the pressing roller 13a along the underside of the raw, radially inner belt ply 2a', which later forms the radial inside, wherein the or each thread section 8a' adheres to the underside of the raw, radially inner belt ply 2a' due to the coating 10, whereby the belt-tread package GL is completed.

[0060] The following briefly explains the further steps in the construction of the green tire.

[0061] While a belt-tread package GL is built up at the belt station in the manner described, a carcass assembly K ( Fig. 6a, merely indicated). The carcass assembly K comprises at least a raw (unvulcanized) inner layer, bead cores, raw (unvulcanized) core profiles, a raw (unvulcanized) carcass ply folded over the bead cores, and applied raw (unvulcanized) sidewalls. Furthermore, the carcass assembly K may, for example, comprise further raw reinforcement plies.

[0062] The carcass assembly K is attached to a cambering station designed in a particularly known manner, and then the belt-tread package GL is moved over the carcass assembly K using the transfer ring 12. The carcass assembly K is connected to the belt-tread package GL in a known manner, thus completing the green tire. The green tire is vulcanized in a reliably known manner, and a vehicle tire is thus manufactured. During vulcanization, among other things, an electrically conductive element 7 is formed from the or each non-vulcanized, electrically conductive element 7', and a vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8, 81 is formed from the or each non-vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8', 81'. The radially inner thread section 8a and the radially outer thread section 8b are formed accordingly from the end thread sections 8a', 8b'.

[0063] Fig. 7a schematically shows a step according to an alternative variant of the method in which the pressing device 13 is omitted.

[0064] The carcass assembly K is attached to a crowning station. After the transfer ring 12 has picked up the tread assembly L and the belt assembly G together, the drum segments 11a have been moved together, and the end thread section 8a' of the or each non-vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8', 81' hangs freely downwards following the force of gravity, the unfinished belt-tread package GL is moved with the transfer ring 12 on the crowning machine over the carcass assembly K, whereby the or each end thread section 8a' of the carcass assembly K is folded over accordingly and pressed against the underside of the raw, radially inner belt ply 2a', which will later form the radially inner side ( Fig.8a). The GL belt-tread assembly is therefore first completed on the crowning machine. The green tire is then manufactured in the manner already explained.

[0065] In the context of the present invention, an electrically conductive coating, an electrically conductive rubber material, an electrically conductive rubber coating, an electrically conductive element, an electrically conductive side wall / horn profile passage or an electrically conductive belt passage is understood to mean one which has a resistance of ≤ 10 8 ohm · cm. The material underlying the respective component, i.e. the rubber material, the rubber lining, the coating, the element or the passage, therefore has a resistance of ≤ 10 8 ohm ·cm. An electrically conductive carrier thread is one which has a resistance of ≤ 10 6 Ohm per 30 cm (=10 MOhm per 30 cm) length.

[0066] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0067] The tread assembly L can additionally include wings, each of which is axially connected to the tread at the side. Such wings are preferably coextruded with the tread or are attached to the tread before it is applied to the belt building drum. The wings are made of electrically non-conductive rubber material. The tread can be multi-layered in the radial direction and / or multi-part in the axial direction.

[0068] The belt layer can have more than two belt layers.

[0069] The belt bandage can be multi-layered, particularly double-layered. Furthermore, the belt bandage can also be multi-layered only in certain sections, as viewed in the tire's cross-section.

[0070] In the described embodiment of the vehicle tire, the electrically conductive carcass insert 5 together with the respective horn profile in the area of ​​the sidewall 4 forms an electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage, which, when the vehicle tire is mounted on the rim, is in electrically conductive connection with the rim and contacts the electrically conductive belt passage, more precisely the radially inner thread section(s) 8a.

[0071] The electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage can also be realized without an electrically conductive carcass ply 6 and / or without an electrically conductive horn profile, for example by further electrically conductive threads applied to the carcass ply and / or to the inside of the sidewall and the horn profile, as is known, for example, from DE 10 2010 017 444 A1 or WO 2017 / 088994 A1. The electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage can also be formed by an electrically conductive suspension applied during tire production, as is known, for example, from EP 3 103 661 B1. Instead of an electrically conductive horn profile, it is possible, for example, to provide electrically conductive material on the outside of an electrically non-conductive horn profile, as is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 255 150 A1.The electrically conductive material is in particular a rubber strip, a fabric, a thread, an applied electrically conductive paste or a conductive suspension or an applied electrically conductive powder or granulate.

[0072] It is therefore possible to make the tread rubber, the tire rubber, the belt rubber, the carcass rubber, the sidewall rubber, and the flange rubber electrically non-conductive. The rubber compounds underlying these rubber materials can therefore advantageously contain a high proportion of silica and / or a low proportion of carbon black as filler, which significantly reduces the tire's rolling resistance.

[0073] In the described process, instead of a thread-like, electrically conductive element, a strip-like, electrically conductive element can be used, particularly in the form of an extruded rubber compound strip made from a suitably formulated rubber compound. An electrically conductive rubber strip is formed from the rubber compound strip during vulcanization.

[0074] The tread may be designed such that it overlaps the radially outer end portions of the sidewalls. List of reference symbols 1 tread 1' raw tread strip 1a exterior surface 2 belt bandage 2' raw belt bandage 21 Belt edge 2a radial inner belt layer 2a' raw, radial inner belt layer Section 2a1 2b radial outer belt layer 2b' raw, radial outer belt layer 3 belt bandage 3' raw belt bandage 4 side wall 5 Carcass insert 5a Carcass roll-up 6 inner layer 7 electrically conductive element 7' non-vulcanized, electrically conductive element 8, 81 vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8', 81' non-vulcanized, electrically conductive thread 8a radial inner thread section 8a' end thread section 8b radial outer thread section 8b' end thread section 8b1 final section 9 carrier thread 10 Coating 11 Belt building drum 11a Drum segment 11b outer support surface 12 Transfer ring 13 Pressing device 13a Pressure roller A Double arrow (axial direction) AA line (tyre equatorial plane) a1 drum axis a2 distance B, ba , b GL Width b E maximum width d E maximum diameter d F diameter G Belt assembly GL Belt Tread Package K Carcass assembly L Tread assembly R Double arrow (radial direction) u Overhang QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2017 211 762 A1

[0003] DE 10 2011 001 899 A1

[0004] EP 2 380 756 A1

[0005] DE 10 2010 017 444 A1

[0071] WO 2017 / 088994 A1

[0071] EP 3 103 661 B1

[0071] DE 10 2015 255 150 A1

[0071] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] DIN EN ISO 2062 (April 2010

[0044]

Claims

[1] Vehicle tire with a tread (1) made of electrically non-conductive rubber material, a carcass ply (5), a belt assembly (2) with a radially innermost and a radially outermost belt layer (2a, 2b) with an electrically non-conductive belt rubber coating, and a belt bandage (3) with an electrically non-conductive bandage rubber coating, wherein the tread (1) is penetrated in the radial direction by at least one electrically conductive element (7) and at least one electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage is provided, which, when the vehicle tire is mounted on a rim, is in electrically conductive connection with the rim, wherein the electrically conductive element (7) is connected to the electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage by an electrically conductive belt passage with at least one vulcanized, electrically conductive thread (8, 81), wherein an electrically conductive rubber material, an electrically conductive rubber coating, an electrically conductive element (7), an electrically conductive passage is one which has a resistance of ≤ 10 8 ohm · cm, characterized by , that the electrically conductive thread (8, 81) has a radially inner thread section (8a) running between the carcass insert (5) and the radially innermost belt ply (2a) and a radially outer thread section (8b) adjoining the latter, contacting the electrically conductive element (7), running between the tread (1) and the radially outermost belt ply (2b) and, together with the belt bandage (3), over the belt edges (2) located in at least one tire shoulder, wherein the electrically conductive thread (8) is an electrically conductive carrier thread (9) with an electrically conductive outer coating (10) surrounding it or wherein the electrically conductive thread (81) has at least one electrically conductive carrier thread (9) with an electrically conductive outer coating (10) surrounding it, wherein an electrically conductive coating (10) is one which has a resistance of ≤ 10 8 ohm · cm and wherein an electrically conductive carrier thread is one which has a resistance of ≤ 10 6 ohms per 30 cm. [2] Vehicle tyre according to claim 1, characterized by that the radially inner thread section (8a), viewed in the cross-section aligned in the axial direction, contacts a section (2a1) of the radially inner belt layer (2a) which has a width (b a ) of 25% to 50%, in particular of 30% to 45%, particularly preferably of up to 35%, of the width (b) determined in the axial direction GL ) of the radially innermost belt layer (2a). [3] Vehicle tyre according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the radially outer thread section (8b), viewed in the tire cross-section, projects beyond the electrically conductive element (7) with an end section (8b1), wherein the end section (8b1) has a projection (u) relative to its free end, determined in the axial direction relative to the electrically conductive element (7), of in particular 1.0 mm to 10.0 mm, preferably of up to 7.0 mm, particularly preferably of up to 5.0 mm. [4] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the carrier thread (9) has a diameter (d F ) from 0.05 mm to 2.50 mm, in particular from 0.10 mm to 1.50 mm, preferably from 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm. [5] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the electrically conductive thread (8) is an electrically conductive carrier thread (9) with an electrically conductive outer coating (10) surrounding it and has a maximum diameter (d E ) which is 0.10 mm to 5.00 mm, in particular up to 2.50 mm, preferably up to 1.00 mm, particularly preferably 0.20 mm to 0.50 mm, larger than the diameter (d F ) of the carrier thread (9). [6] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the electrically conductive thread (81) is formed from several, in particular from two, electrically conductive carrier threads (9) twisted together and an outer electrically conductive coating (10) surrounding the carrier threads (9), which is in particular also located in the space between the carrier threads (9). [7] Vehicle tyre according to claim 6, characterized bythat the electrically conductive thread (81) has a maximum width (bE) which is 0.10 mm to 5.00 mm, in particular up to 2.50 mm, preferably up to 1.50 mm, particularly preferably 0.30 mm to 0.75 mm, greater than twice the diameter (dF) of the carrier threads (8), the carrier threads (8) being identical. [8] Vehicle tyre according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the electrically conductive outer coating (10) of the electrically conductive thread (8) comprises or consists of an electrically conductive rubber material, wherein the electrically conductive rubber material corresponds to the carcass rubber coating, so that the carcass insert (5) also forms the electrically conductive sidewall / horn profile passage. [9] Belt station for building a belt-tread package (GL), which is formed from a tread assembly (L) and a belt assembly (G), for producing a green tire, comprising: i) A belt construction drum (11) with a drum axis (a1), ii) a transfer ring (12) for jointly holding and transporting the belt assembly (G) and the tread assembly (L) applied thereto, iii) a pressing device (13) for pressing a strip-shaped or thread-shaped, electrically conductive element (8', 81') which is inserted between the raw belt bandage (3') and the raw tread (1') and hangs down from the belt bandage (3') onto the side of the raw, radially innermost belt ply (2a') which forms the radial inside in the finished tire. [10] Belt station according to claim 9, characterized bythat the pressing device (13) has a linearly displaceable, freely rotatably mounted pressing element (13a) which can be rolled onto the side of the raw, radially innermost belt ply (2a') forming the radial inside in the finished tire, wherein the pressing element (13a) is preferably a pressing roller (13a) or a pressing ball. [11] Belt station according to claim 10, characterized by that the pressing element (13a) is displaceable parallel to the drum axis (a1). [12] Method for building a belt-tread package (GL) at a belt station with a belt building drum (11) and for producing a green tire with the following successive steps: a) Construction of a belt assembly (G) by a1) forming raw belt layers (2a', 2b') on a belt building drum (11), a2) forming a raw belt bandage (3') on the belt layers (2a', 2b'), a3) placing at least one electrically conductive, thread- or strip-shaped element (8', 81') on the raw belt bandage (3'), wherein the element (8', 81') has an element section (8b') resting on the raw belt bandage (3') and an element section (8a') extending beyond the raw belt bandage (3') and the raw belt layers (2a', 2b'), b) forming an unfinished belt-tread package (GL) by applying a tread assembly (L) to the belt assembly (G), wherein the tread assembly (L) consists of a cut-to-size raw tread strip (1') with at least one electrically conductive element (7') passing through it or a rubber mixture strip (7') passing through it to form such an element (7), c) Picking up the unfinished belt-tread package (GL) by means of a transfer ring (12), d) Moving the belt building drum (11) together and thus releasing the unfinished belt-tread package (GL), whereby the outgoing element section (8a') hangs downwards following the force of gravity and e) Folding the downwardly hanging element section (8a') around the belt assembly (G) and pressing the folded element section (8a') onto the underside of the corresponding raw belt layer (2a'), thereby forming the finished belt-tread package (GL). [13] Method according to claim 12, characterized by that step e) is carried out by means of a pressing device (13) with a linearly displaceable, freely rotatably mounted pressing element (13a), in particular a pressing roller (13a) or a pressing ball, wherein the tread assembly (L) and the belt assembly (G) are further received by the transfer ring (12) and wherein the pressing element (13a) is rolled off on the underside of the raw belt layer (2a'). [14] Method according to claim 12, characterized by that before step e) a carcass assembly (K) is attached to a cambering machine and that between step d) and step e) the unfinished belt-tread package (GL) is moved with the transfer ring (12) on the cambering machine over the carcass assembly (K) and thus step e) is carried out. [15] Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by , - that the electrically conductive, thread- or strip-shaped element (8, 81) used is at least one electrically conductive carrier thread (9) with an electrically conductive outer coating (10) surrounding it, - that the electrically conductive, thread-like or strip-like element (8, 81) used has at least one electrically conductive carrier thread (9) with an electrically conductive outer coating (10) surrounding it, or - that the electrically conductive, thread-like or strip-like element (8, 81) used is a rubber mixture strip for forming an electrically conductive rubber strip.

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