Method and device for producing a vehicle tire comprising at least one sidewall with at least two sections and a vehicle tire

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a vehicle tire according to patent claim 1 and to a device for producing a vehicle tire according to patent claim 9. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of such a device according to patent claim 10 and to a vehicle tire according to patent claim 11.

[0002] The production of a vehicle tire today takes place in various production stages, one of which includes the tire construction, in which the individual components are assembled to form a green tire. The essential components usually include a carcass, two sidewalls and a tread package, whereby the carcass itself usually consists of at least one inner layer, a ply and two cores with an apex and is formed in a first step. In the following second expansion step, the formed carcass is placed on a crowning drum and expanded into a package of belt plies, wound bandage and tread. The package of belt plies, wound bandage and tread is also referred to below as the tread package or belt package.

[0003] The current technology for building a green tire is one or more drums, with the individual components being placed and assembled manually or automatically. For example, the carcass is assembled on a carcass drum, and the tread or belt assembly is assembled on a belt drum. The assembly of the individual components of the carcass, sidewalls, and tread assembly is a highly complex process step, the goal of which is to produce a vehicle tire that meets today's quality requirements.

[0004] DE102005003856A1 discloses a method for producing a pneumatic tire with tire construction parts, with which the tire sidewall is constructed in a simple manner and at a high process speed.

[0005] Currently, the sidewalls are constructed during the tire manufacturing process by placing the sidewalls on a drum in one drum revolution or on a pre-formed carcass. The sidewalls are then formed as a single component and are either adapted to the shape of the carcass or expanded and joined to the belt package in a single process step. A disadvantage of current processes and devices is the high complexity of material preparation and logistics required to get the wide range of sidewall variants onto the machine. Current vehicle tires are correspondingly disadvantageous due to the structure of the sidewalls and therefore have potential for improvement, particularly with regard to concentricity.

[0006] This is where the present invention comes in. It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a vehicle tire, by which the quality of the vehicle tire is improved, in particular with regard to concentricity. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide an apparatus for producing a vehicle tire, by which the vehicle tire is improved, in particular with regard to concentricity. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a vehicle tire that exhibits improved properties, in particular with regard to concentricity.

[0007] The object is achieved by a method for producing a vehicle tire having the features of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a device having the features of patent claim 9 and by a vehicle tire having the features of patent claim 11.

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for producing a vehicle tire, wherein the vehicle tire has at least one carcass, at least two sidewalls and a belt package, wherein at least one sidewall has at least two sections and the production of the at least one sidewall comprises at least the following steps: Producing a first section of the at least one sidewall by laying a first strip of at least one rubber mixture on the laying unit or on a preformed carcass, wherein the first strip can be laid once around the laying unit, and producing a second section of the at least one sidewall by spirally winding a second strip of at least one rubber mixture onto the laying unit or onto the preformed carcass, wherein either the first section or the second section is produced first.

[0009] Advantageously, the method according to the invention significantly reduces the effort required for material preparation. Furthermore, a high degree of flexibility is possible, as the sidewall contours can be quickly and easily changed in terms of material and contours. The spiral winding of the second section ensures a wide overlap in this section. Overall, a vehicle tire produced using the method according to the invention exhibits significantly improved properties in terms of quality and concentricity.

[0010] According to the invention, the at least one sidewall has at least two sections which differ in that the first section fits with essentially one fold around the one laying unit or the preformed carcass and the second section is wound spirally by means of strip winding. Strip winding is known in the art. For the purposes of the invention, strip winding means that an endless strip is wound onto the laying unit or onto the preformed carcass, wherein the wound strip sections can at least partially overlap. According to the invention, either the first section or the second section can be produced first. Furthermore, further method steps can take place between the production of the first and second sections or depending on the sequence of the second section and the first section. For the purposes of the invention, the first and second sections form a sidewall.Both sections may comprise the same rubber compound and / or a different rubber compound.

[0011] It is preferably conceivable for the sidewall to have more than two sections, with at least one of these sections being wound up and at least one section being applied in one drum revolution. For example, two sections could be wound up, whereby the sidewall can advantageously be individually adapted to requirements. It is also preferably conceivable for the second section to comprise two different wound strips. This can be advantageous, for example, for using different rubber compounds and / or different widths.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second section is wound in the area above the bead area toward the tread. Advantageously, the second section is the area of ​​the sidewall that extends above the bead area in the subsequent tire. This second section can be wound individually to better meet the vehicle tire's true-running requirements.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first strip of the first section is an at least partially contoured strip. It is conceivable that the area not resting on the support unit or the preformed carcass is contoured, namely, has a profile. This area is thus visible in the subsequent tire. Advantageously, the first section can thus be adapted to the desired profile shape.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first strip has a width in the range of 20 mm to 70 mm and / or the second strip has a width in the range of 30 mm to 300 mm overall or, as individual strips, from 5 mm to 40 mm. It is essential that the wound second strip, as an individual strip, is narrower than the applied first strip. It is advantageous that the narrower second individual strip can be wound several times around the application unit, whereby the side surfaces of the individual strips can overlap.

[0015] Overall, the second section can be individually adapted in terms of thickness and thus to the requirements in this area.

[0016] Furthermore, the first section is preferably worked down around the bead area after being laid on. In this case, a part of the first section is laid onto the laying unit or the pre-formed carcass, with the protruding area along the surface of the carcass being worked down around the bead area. Particularly preferably, the second section is wound up after the first section has been worked down. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the second section is wound up first and the first section of the sidewall is then laid on and worked down. It is advantageous that this improved method can be combined with current methods, thereby improving the overall quality of the vehicle tire, particularly with regard to concentricity.

[0017] Alternatively, the first section is preferably worked up around the bead area after it has been laid on. A portion of the first section in the bead area below the core is laid on the preformed carcass, and the protruding portion is worked up along the surface of the carcass. The second section can then be wound up, preferably after the first section has been worked up, although the winding can alternatively also take place before the first section is laid on and worked up. This can advantageously improve the overall quality of the vehicle tire, particularly with regard to concentricity.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, two sidewalls are produced in parallel on a lay-up unit or a preformed carcass, wherein both sidewalls each have at least two sections and are produced according to the described method. Advantageously, a vehicle tire, which usually has two sidewalls, can thus be produced with improved quality, particularly with regard to concentricity.

[0019] Furthermore, the application unit preferably comprises a drum, particularly preferably a carcass drum or a crowning drum or a combined carcass and crowning drum or a combined carcass and crowning drum. It is conceivable that a carcass drum is also referred to as a winding drum. It is advantageous that such a drum is designed to manufacture the corresponding component thereon. For example, the carcass can be manufactured on the carcass drum.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method for producing a vehicle tire, wherein the vehicle tire has at least one carcass, at least two sidewalls and a belt package, wherein at least one sidewall has at least two sections, comprises at least the following steps: Providing a laying unit, in particular a drum, building a carcass on the laying unit by joining an inner layer, at least one insert with two cores with an apex, preforming the carcass, producing a first section of the at least one sidewall by laying a first strip of at least one rubber mixture on the preformed carcass, wherein the first strip can be laid once around the laying unit, and producing a second section of the at least one sidewall by spirally winding a second strip of at least one rubber mixture onto the preformed carcass, whereby either the first section or the second section is produced first. Expansion of the preformed carcass with the sidewalls into a belt package, creating a green tire and vulcanization of the green tire to form a vehicle tire.

[0021] Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method for producing a vehicle tire, wherein the vehicle tire has at least one carcass, at least two sidewalls and a belt package, wherein at least one sidewall has at least two sections, comprises at least the following steps: Providing a laying unit, in particular a drum, producing a first section of the at least one side wall by at least partially laying a first strip of at least one rubber mixture on the laying unit, wherein the first strip can be laid once around the laying unit, producing a second section of the at least one side wall by spirally winding a second strip of at least one rubber mixture onto the laying unit, whereby either the first section or the second section is produced first, Placing the components of a carcass on the laying unit and the sidewalls, in particular an inner layer, at least one ply with two cores with apex and joining the carcass components to the belt package and working up or down the first sections of the sidewalls along the carcass, wherein the working up or down takes place before or after the joining or during the joining.

[0022] Further alternatively, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method for producing a vehicle tire, wherein the vehicle tire has at least one carcass, at least two sidewalls and a belt package, wherein at least one sidewall has at least two sections, comprises at least the following steps: Providing a laying unit, in particular a drum, producing a first section of the at least one sidewall by at least partially laying a first strip of at least one rubber mixture on the laying unit, wherein the first strip can be laid once around the laying unit, laying the components of a carcass on the laying unit and the first section of the sidewalls, in particular an inner layer, at least one insert with two cores with an apex, producing a second section of the at least one sidewall by spirally winding a second strip of at least one rubber mixture onto the laying unit and joining the carcass components to the belt package and working the first sections of the sidewalls up or down along the carcass,wherein the working up or down takes place before or after joining or during joining or before the production of the second section. ,

[0023] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a device for producing a vehicle tire, in particular by using a described method, wherein the vehicle tire has at least one carcass, at least two sidewalls and a belt package, wherein at least one sidewall has at least two sections, wherein the device comprises at least one laying device for laying a first strip of at least one rubber mixture onto a laying unit or a preformed carcass to produce a first section of the sidewall and a winding device for spirally winding a second strip of at least one rubber mixture in several turns onto the laying unit or onto the preformed carcass to produce a second section of the sidewall.

[0024] Advantageously, with the aid of such a device according to the invention, a vehicle tire can be produced which has improved quality, in particular with regard to concentricity. The winding device according to the invention allows at least a second section of the sidewall or both sidewalls to be wound spirally, whereby this section can be adapted much better to the requirements. For example, parts of the sidewall can thus be varied in their thickness. In a preferred embodiment, the winding device can wind two different strips with different rubber compounds and different widths. Individual adaptation of the respective section is thus possible depending on the sidewall type and vehicle tire type.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the described device for producing a vehicle tire, wherein the vehicle tire comprises at least one sidewall with at least two sections.

[0026] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a vehicle tire which is produced by a described method, wherein the vehicle tire comprises at least one sidewall with at least two sections, wherein the first section comprises a first simply wrapped strip of at least one rubber mixture and the second section comprises a second spirally arranged strip of at least one rubber mixture.

[0027] It is advantageous that the vehicle tire according to the invention exhibits improved concentricity, since at least one sidewall is constructed from a single-wrapped section and a spirally applied section. Advantageously, certain sections of the sidewall can be more specifically adapted to the requirements of the vehicle tire.

[0028] Further advantages previously described with regard to the method and devices according to the invention also apply to vehicle tires. To the extent technically feasible, the above-described embodiments also apply to vehicle tires.

[0029] Further advantages and features of the method and device according to the invention emerge from the subclaims, which relate to advantageous embodiments of the present invention and are not to be understood as limiting. The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of various subclaims, insofar as these are technically possible, even if the subclaims do not relate to one another or if they belong to different claim categories. Furthermore, combinations of preferred and particularly preferred embodiments can also be combined with one another, insofar as these are technically possible. This also applies to the individual features of the exemplary embodiments discussed below, insofar as these are not recognizable to the person skilled in the art as necessarily belonging to one another. Character description

[0030] Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Figures 1a-a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, Figures 2a-a second embodiment of the method according to the invention and Figures 3a-a third embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0031] Figures 1a-d show a section of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention with a preformed carcass 1, which is usually arranged on a carcass drum ( Figure 1a ). The carcass 1 comprises an inner layer and at least one ply as well as two cores 2 with apex 3. In Figure 1bIt is shown how the first section of the respective sidewall 4 is partially placed on the preformed carcass above the bead area over the core 2. The protruding area of ​​the first section is then worked down along the carcass surface towards the bead area. Figure 1c shows the preformed carcass 1, with the first section of the respective sidewall 4 worked down. Figure 1d shows the wound second section of the respective sidewall 5. This is arranged above the bead area. The first, machined-down first section of the respective sidewall 4 and the second wound second section of the respective sidewall 5 form the respectively formed sidewall.

[0032] Figures 2a-d show a section of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, this embodiment differing from that shown in the Figures 1a-ddiffers only in that the second section of the respective sidewall 5 is wound up first. Subsequently, the first section of the respective sidewall 4 is partially laid onto the preformed carcass 1 and worked down.

[0033] Figures 3a-d show a section of a third embodiment of the method according to the invention. Figure 3a shows a preformed carcass 1, which is typically arranged on a carcass drum. The carcass 1 comprises an inner layer and at least one ply, as well as two cores 2 with apex 3. Figure 3b shows the subsequent process step in which the first two sections of the respective sidewall 4 are placed at the lower end of the bead area and then worked up along the carcass surface ( Figure 3c). After the upward working, the second section of the respective sidewall 5 is wound up, with this section connecting to the end of the first section. Optionally, the inner area of ​​the carcass can be partially wound, creating a third section of the sidewall 6 ( Figure 3d ). List of reference symbols:

[0034] 1Carcass 2Core 3Apex 4First section of a sidewall 5Second spooled section of the sidewall 6Third section of the sidewall

Claims

1. Method for producing a vehicle tyre, wherein the vehicle tyre has at least one carcass (1), at least two sidewalls and a belt assembly, wherein at least one sidewall has at least two portions (4, 5), and the production of the at least one sidewall comprises at least the following steps: - producing a first portion (4) of the at least one sidewall by placing a first strip consisting of at least one rubber compound onto the lay-up unit or onto a preformed carcass (1), wherein the first strip can be placed once around the lay-up unit, and - producing a second portion (5) of the at least one sidewall by spirally winding a second strip consisting of at least one rubber compound onto the lay-up unit or onto the preformed carcass (1), wherein either first the first portion (4) or first the second portion (5) is produced, and is characterized by - expansion of the preformed carcass with the sidewalls into a belt assembly, thereby creating a green tyre.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second portion is wound on in the direction of the tread in the region above the bead region.

3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first strip of the first portion (4) is an at least partially contoured strip.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first strip has a width in the range from 20 mm to 70 mm and / or the second strip has a width in the range from 30 mm to 300 mm overall width and / or as a single strip a width in the range from 5 mm to 40 mm.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after placement around the bead region, the first portion (4) is turned down, wherein the second portion (5) is preferably wound on after the turning down of the first portion (4).

6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, after placement around the bead region, the first portion (4) is turned up, wherein the second portion (5) is preferably wound on after the turning up of the first portion.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two sidewalls are produced in parallel on a lay-up unit or a preformed carcass (1).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lay-up unit comprises a drum, in particular a carcass drum or a shaping drum or a combined carcass-and-shaping drum.

9. Apparatus for producing a vehicle tyre by using a method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the vehicle tyre has at least one carcass, at least two sidewalls and a belt assembly, wherein at least one sidewall has at least two portions, characterized in that the apparatus comprises at least a lay-up device for placing a first strip consisting of at least one rubber compound onto a lay-up unit or a preformed carcass for producing a first portion (4) of the sidewall and a winding device for spirally winding a second strip consisting of at least one rubber compound onto the lay-up unit or onto the preformed carcass for producing a second portion (5) of the sidewall.

10. Use of an apparatus according to Claim 9 for producing a vehicle tyre, wherein the vehicle tyre comprises at least one sidewall with at least two portions (4, 5).

11. Vehicle tyre produced by a method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the vehicle tyre comprises at least one sidewall with at least two portions (4, 5), wherein the first portion (4) comprises a first singly wound strip consisting of at least one rubber compound and the second portion (5) comprises a second spirally arranged strip consisting of at least one rubber compound.