Tire heating press and method for producing tires

Abstract

The invention relates to a tire heating press and to a method for producing tires. The tire heating press is designed in the form of a column press, having two cavities arranged next to each other, wherein the tire heating press has a press lower part and a press upper part which can be moved in the vertical direction relative to the press lower part by means of at least one drive unit in order to open and close the cavities. According to the invention, all of the columns are arranged between the lateral ends of the cavities, said ends facing away from each other, such that the width of the tire heating press is defined by the cavities lying next to each other. The method for producing tires allows a common control of the cavities lying next to each other.

Description

[0001] Tire heating press and method for manufacturing tires

[0002] The invention relates to a tire curing press with two cavities arranged next to one another, wherein the tire curing press is designed as a column press with at least two columns.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing tires using a tire heating press.

[0004] Tire curing presses have at least one cavity in which a green tire is vulcanized using heat and pressure. The cavity is opened for loading and unloading, while it is closed for tire vulcanization.

[0005] Tire curing presses with two cavities arranged next to each other are already known and serve to reduce costs and space requirements compared to two tire curing presses with only one cavity each.

[0006] The space required for installing tire curing presses at the production site is an important feature of a tire curing press. The smaller the space required, the more tire curing presses can be installed in a given area.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a tire curing press with two adjacent cavities and at least two columns, which requires less space than known designs. This object is achieved according to the invention by a tire curing press according to claim 1.

[0008] It is furthermore an object of the invention to provide a method for producing tires with which two cavities of a tire heating press can be operated in a common mode.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for producing tires according to patent claim 12.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are claimed in the dependent patent claims.

[0011] The features of a tire curing press and a method for producing tires disclosed below are part of the invention in all executable combinations.

[0012] A tire heating press according to the invention is designed as a column press and has two cavities arranged next to one another and at least two columns.

[0013] In embodiments of the invention, the columns are designed as fixed columns. Compared to pivoting or retractable columns, fixed columns allow for a smaller footprint of the tire curing press, so that during operation of the tire curing press, no space is required in front of or behind the tire curing press for pivoting the press upper section to open it, or below the tire curing press for lowering the columns.

[0014] In embodiments of the invention, fixed columns are neither pivotable nor retractable, but are stationary and immobile in all functional states of the assembled tire heating press.

[0015] In embodiments of the invention, the tire heating press has exactly two columns.

[0016] The tire curing press is divided into a lower press section and an upper press section, with the upper press section being movable vertically relative to the lower press section for opening and closing the cavities. In embodiments of the invention, the at least two columns are designed to guide the upper press section.

[0017] The at least two columns are arranged vertically in their longitudinal direction.

[0018] In embodiments of the invention, the columns are designed as round guides.

[0019] In embodiments of the invention, the columns are rigidly connected to the lower press section, and the upper press section is guided in its movement along the columns. Preferably, the columns in these embodiments of the invention are designed as fixed columns.

[0020] In other embodiments of the invention, the columns are firmly connected to the upper press section and are guided in the region of the lower press section. In such embodiments of the invention, the columns are preferably retractable into the floor on which the tire curing press is installed.

[0021] For moving the upper press part relative to the lower press part, the tire heating press according to the invention has at least one drive unit.

[0022] In embodiments of the invention, the at least one drive unit can be operated electrically and / or hydraulically.

[0023] In embodiments of the invention, at least one drive unit is realized as a cylinder, in particular as a hydraulic cylinder.

[0024] However, designs with other drive units are also conceivable. It is important that these are suitable for lifting the weight of the press upper section vertically or lowering it in a controlled manner.

[0025] In embodiments of the invention with a drive unit, this is preferably arranged centrally between two of the columns.

[0026] In embodiments of the invention, each of the at least two columns is assigned a separate drive unit and arranged in the region of the respective column.

[0027] In embodiments of the invention, the associated drive unit is arranged close to the respective column. In other embodiments of the invention, a drive unit is integrated into at least one of the columns.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention with at least one cylinder as a drive unit, this is arranged so that the force is diverted directly into the ground on which the tire heating press is placed.

[0029] The parts of the adjacent cavities arranged on the upper part of the press are mechanically connected to one another so that they can be moved together.

[0030] By mechanically connecting the cavities to each other, a common operating mode is realized for both cavities in embodiments of the invention. This means that the cavities can be controlled synchronously for the vulcanization process, but especially for opening and closing the cavities.

[0031] In embodiments of the invention, hood-like parts of the cavities are arranged on the upper part of the press.

[0032] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the adjacent cavities are arranged very close to one another. This allows for a particularly narrow width of the tire curing press. Preferably, the adjacent cavities in the upper press section are arranged so close to one another that they just barely touch.

[0033] In embodiments of the invention, all columns are arranged between the opposite lateral ends of the cavities, so that the width of the tire curing press is defined by the adjacent cavities.

[0034] In embodiments of the invention, the columns are arranged entirely within the area defined by the smallest rectangle enclosing the cavities in a plan view. Thus, the width and depth of the tire curing press are defined by the width and depth of the cavities and are not increased by columns positioned externally adjacent to the cavities.

[0035] In preferred embodiments of the invention, at least two columns are arranged in the space between the two cavities. This allows for a particularly narrow width of the tire curing press. If all columns are arranged in the space between the two cavities, the cavities are freely accessible from the outside without columns blocking the way, for example, for loading and / or unloading devices.

[0036] In embodiments of the invention, the cavities have a circular or circle-like contour in a plan view.

[0037] In embodiments of the invention, the space between the cavities results from the free space that lies in a plan view between the cavities and between the two tangents that each touch the outer points of the two cavities on one side.

[0038] In advantageous embodiments of the invention, at least one column is arranged in the front space between the cavities and at least one column is arranged in the rear space between the cavities.

[0039] In embodiments of the invention, the at least two columns are arranged on a straight line that passes through the center of weight of the upper part of the press.

[0040] In embodiments of the invention, column positions are also conceivable which are shifted outwards from the space between the cavities in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the connecting line of the centers of the cavities.

[0041] In particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention, the at least one column in the front intermediate space is arranged symmetrically to the at least one column in the rear intermediate space in a plan view, wherein the connecting line of the centers of the cavities serves as the axis of symmetry.

[0042] In particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, the columns are arranged on a horizontally extending straight line that perpendicularly intersects the connecting line between the centers of the cavities. With a symmetrical design of the upper press section, this corresponds to the straight line passing through the center of gravity of the upper press section.

[0043] Preferably, both the at least two columns and the at least one drive unit are arranged on this straight line. This enables a uniform movement of the press upper part with respect to both cavities. In other embodiments of the invention, at least one stationary column is arranged laterally next to each cavity. For example, a stationary column is arranged on the outside next to each cavity on the straight line connecting the centers of the cavities.

[0044] In other embodiments of the invention, at least one fixed column is arranged laterally next to the cavities and at least one fixed column is arranged in the space between the cavities.

[0045] In advantageous embodiments of the invention with at least one cylinder as the drive unit, this has at least one extension on the upper part of the tire curing press that is connected to the cavities and projects upwards above them. This extension enables the tire curing press to be installed at ground level while providing the required stroke to fully open the cavities. The point of engagement of the at least one cylinder on the upper part of the press is positioned so high with the aid of the extension that the required stroke can be achieved.

[0046] In embodiments of the tire heating press according to the invention, it has at least one loading and / or unloading device.

[0047] A method for producing tires according to the invention comprises at least the following steps:

[0048] Joint opening of two adjacent cavities of a tire curing press,

[0049] Loading the cavities with one green tire each using at least one loading device,

[0050] Closing the two cavities together,

[0051] Vulcanization of the tires in the two cavities,

[0052] Joint opening of the two cavities,

[0053] Unloading the two cavities using at least one unloading device.

[0054] In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the cavities are loaded and / or unloaded simultaneously, so that the loading and / or unloading process can be carried out more quickly.

[0055] In preferred embodiments of the tire manufacturing process according to the invention, a tire curing press according to the invention is used. The figures explained below represent an exemplary embodiment of the invention. They show:

[0056] Figure 1: A side view of a tire heating press according to the invention from the front,

[0057] Figure 2: A side view of a tire heating press according to the invention in a perspective rotated by 90° compared to Figure 1 and

[0058] Figure 3: A plan view of a tire heating press according to the invention.

[0059] Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a tire heating press (1) according to the invention.

[0060] The tire curing press (1) comprises an upper press section (2), a lower press section (3), and at least two columns (4, 5). The upper press section (2) is movable relative to the lower press section (3) and is guided along the vertically aligned columns (4, 5). In the illustration, only the first column (4) is visible; the second column (5) is concealed by it.

[0061] The tire heating press (1) has two cavities (6, 7) arranged next to one another, which are shown in an open state.

[0062] Figure 2 shows the embodiment of a tire heating press (1) shown in Figure 1 in a side view rotated by 90° compared to this.

[0063] Next to the first column (4) and the second column (5), a drive device (8, 9) designed as a cylinder is arranged, which serves to move the upper press part (2) relative to the lower press part (3) to open and close the cavities (6, 7). The columns (4, 5) lie within the width defined by the cavities (6, 7) and are thus arranged in the space between the cavities (6, 7).

[0064] In the embodiment shown, the drive devices (8, 9) are each arranged outside next to the columns (4, 5). However, embodiments with at least one drive device (8, 9) arranged between the columns (4, 5) are also conceivable.

[0065] The drive devices (8, 9) are each attached to the upper press section (2) by means of a fastening element (10). The drive devices (8, 9), the columns (4, 5), and the lower press section (3) are firmly connected to one another via a frame structure.

[0066] Figure 3 shows the embodiment of a tire heating press (1) according to the invention in a view from above.

[0067] The parts of the cavities (6, 7) arranged on the press upper part (2) are mechanically and firmly connected to one another via connecting elements (11). Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the connecting elements (11) form sleeves running on the columns (4, 5), so that the press upper part (2) is guided along the columns (4, 5).

[0068] The cavities (6, 7) are arranged directly next to each other.

[0069] Drive devices (8, 9) are arranged outside the columns (4, 5), each of which is connected to the upper part of the press (2) by a connecting element (11).

[0070] The columns (4, 5) are arranged in the intermediate space and centrally between the cavities (6, 7), the first column (4) being arranged in the front intermediate space (12) and the second column (5) being arranged in the rear intermediate space (13).

[0071] The space is limited in plan view by the adjacent sides of the cavities (6, 7) facing each other and the tangents C1 and C2.

[0072] In the advantageous embodiment shown, the columns (4, 5) are spaced apart from each other only to such an extent that the diameter of the sleeve running on the respective column (4, 5) approximately corresponds to the distance between the cavities (6, 7) at the respective points or is slightly smaller. This allows the depth of the tire curing press (1) to be reduced compared to designs with columns arranged further outwards.

[0073] In other embodiments of the invention, the press upper part (2) is guided along the columns (4, 5) using other types of elements. For example, pins running in a groove of the column (4, 5) or elements only partially enclosing the column (4, 5) are conceivable.

[0074] In the embodiment of the invention shown, the centers of the columns (4, 5) and the drive devices (8, 9) in the cross-section of the plan view lie on the straight line (B) perpendicular to the connecting line (A) of the centers of the cavities (6, 7).

Claims

Patent claims 1. Tire heating press (1) designed as a column press having two cavities (6, 7) arranged next to one another, the tire heating press (1) having a lower press part (3) and an upper press part (2) which can be moved in a vertical direction relative to the lower press part (3) for opening and closing the cavities (6, 7) with the aid of at least one drive unit (8, 9), characterized in that all columns (4, 5) are arranged between the mutually opposite lateral ends of the cavities (6, 7), so that the width of the tire heating press (1) is defined by the adjacent cavities (6, 7).

2. Tire heating press (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two columns (4, 5) are designed to guide the press upper part (2).

3. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the at least two columns (4, 5) is assigned a separate drive unit (8, 9) and is arranged in the region of the respective column (4, 5).

4. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parts of the adjacent cavities (6, 7) arranged on the press upper part (2) are mechanically connected to one another so that they can be moved together.

5. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the columns (4, 5) are arranged entirely within the area defined by the smallest rectangle enclosing the cavities (6, 7) in a plan view 6. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two columns (4, 5) are arranged in the space between the two cavities (6, 7).

7. Tire heating press (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one column (4) is arranged in the front space (12) between the cavities (6, 7) and at least one column (5) is arranged in the rear space (13) between the cavities (6, 7).

8. Tire heating press (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one column (4) in the front intermediate space (12) is arranged in a plan view symmetrically to the at least one column (5) in the rear intermediate space (13), wherein the connecting line (A) the centers of the cavities (6, 7) serve as the axis of symmetry.

9. Tire heating press (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the columns (4, 5) in a plan view on a horizontally extending straight line intersecting the connecting line (A) of the centers of the cavities (6, 7) vertically in the middle (B) are arranged.

10. Tire heating press (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that at least two columns (4, 5) are arranged on a straight line which runs through the center of weight of the press upper part (2).

11. Tire heating press (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the at least one drive unit (8, 9) is arranged on a straight line passing through the positions of the columns (4, 5).

12. A method for producing tires comprising at least the following method steps: a. Joint opening of two adjacently arranged cavities (6, 7) of a tire curing press (1), b. Loading the cavities (6, 7) with one green tire each by means of at least one loading device, c. Joint closing of the two cavities (6, 7), d. Vulcanisation of the tyres in the two cavities (6, 7), e. Joint opening of the two cavities (6, 7), f. Unloading of the two cavities (6, 7) using at least one unloading device.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that a tire heating press (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 is used.

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