Methods and system for preparing a tire

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and a system for preparing a tire comprising among other things the particular positioning of an unvulcanized tire in a tire mold and a system or plant for preparing tires to carry out the method according to the present invention. Figure to be published with the abstract: [Fig 2]

Description

Title of the invention: Methods and system for preparing a tire

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and a system for preparing a tire comprising among other things the particular positioning of an unvulcanized tire in a tire mold and a system or plant for preparing tires in order to carry out the method according to the present invention.

[0002] In the tire industry, it is important to respond as best and as quickly as possible to the needs of car manufacturers, particularly in view of the transition to electric vehicles. This is why developing new tire preparation methods is essential in order to adapt to the needs and the latest regulations. Even if in recent years different methods have been developed, there is still the need to develop new methods, particularly for the optimization of manufacturing stages and the increase in tire quality.

[0003] In particular, it has been discovered that with the method according to the present invention it is possible to prepare improved tires in particular thanks to an optimized positioning of the unvulcanized tire in a tire mold before its vulcanization. Indeed, this makes it possible to reduce the unfavorable effects of the tires when driving a vehicle such as vibrations or stability problems for example due to tire uniformity defects.

[0004] Thus, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a tire, the method comprising

[0005] (i) the preparation of an unvulcanized tire PG, comprising

[0006] assembling tire components on a tire manufacturing drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, tire sidewalls and a tread, the assembly comprising placing the carcass on the manufacturing drum and placing the sidewalls and tread on the carcass, the placings being made with respect to a reference point defined on the drum, wherein, upon placing the tread on the carcass, a seal is formed;

[0007] (ii) affixing a materialized mark R on the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or said formed joint, obtaining an unvulcanized marked tire;

[0008] (iii) positioning the unvulcanized marked tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold M, having a rounded internal shape, comprising

[0009] (iii.l) determining a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees, relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized marked tire, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more physical characteristics of the unvulcanized tire relative to the circumferential positions;

[0010] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the reference frame R for the positioning of the marked tire not vulcanized in the mold M, comprising

[0011] the comparison of curve A obtained according to (iii.l) and a curve B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold M at the different circumferential positions of this mold M, measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circle shape of the mold; then the determination of coordinates of the reference R of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M for the positioning of the unvulcanized marked tire using curves A and B making it possible to at least partially compensate for said deviations of the internal shape of the mold M;

[0012] (iii.3) the handling of the unvulcanized marked tire by a device at automated tire handling and the arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2);

[0013] (iv) vulcanizing the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold M.

[0014] Preferably, the tire components further comprise one or more of one or more belts, and shoulders.

[0015] Preferably, the assembly comprises placing the carcass on the manufacturing drum, placing the sidewalls, one or more belts and the tread on the carcass, and placing any shoulders, the placing being done in relation to a reference point defined on the drum.

[0016] Preferably, the method further comprises inflating the carcass on which the tread and sidewalls are placed, so that it takes on a toroidal shape.

[0017] Preferably, the method further comprises providing the tire components used according to (i) comprising preparing the tire components, more preferably preparing the carcass components, preparing the sidewalls and preparing the tread.

[0018] Preferably, the preparation of the tire components comprises the use of several unvulcanized tire preparation units. Preferably, the preparation units comprise one or more mixing units, one or more extrusion units, one or more cutting units, one or more bead and apex winding units, and / or one or more units assembly.

[0019] Preferably, the preparation units are connected to each other by a network, the network more preferably being an internal network, for example an intranet, or an external network. Indeed, this allows the units to communicate with each other to improve the efficiency of the manufacture of unvulcanized tires.

[0020] Preferably, the preparation units are connected to the automated tire handling device.

[0021] Preferably, according to (i), the assembly of the tire components is automated.

[0022] Preferably, the affixing of a materialized mark R according to (ii) is done on one of the sidewalls of the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or said formed joint. An example of placement of the mark R is illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0023] Preferably, the affixing of a materialized mark R according to (ii) is done at a distance dl from said reference point. The distance dl is preferably practically invariable, in fact there is a margin of error of the order of 1 / 100 millimeter at most. This allows the mark R to be affixed at the same place on the tire for each tire manufactured.

[0024] Preferably, the affixing of a materialized marker R according to (ii) is automated.

[0025] Preferably, the materialized marker R is a label, more preferably with a bar code or a QR code.

[0026] Preferably, the barcode or QR code is unique for each tire.

[0027] Preferably, the barcode or QR code is generated for each tire and contains one or more pieces of information on the composition of the tire, in particular one or more pieces of information on the components used to form the tire and / or on the chemical composition of the components used for the tire. This increases the traceability of a factory's tires.

[0028] Preferably, the affixing of a materialized mark R according to (ii) is done on the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i) and positioned on the manufacturing drum.

[0029] Optionally, after (ii) and before (iii), the method further comprises storing the unvulcanized marked tire obtained according to (ii). Preferably, said storage comprises taking charge of the unvulcanized marked tire by an automated tire handling device and the optional use of a conveyor belt, for storage in a storage area.

[0030] Preferably, the tire mold M comprises two lateral parts, each serving for the external molding of a sidewall of the tire, and a peripheral crown divided into at least two segments, preferably divided into 3 to 20 segments, more preferably preferably in 5 to 15 segments, more preferably in 6 to 10 segments. An example of an assembly of segments forming the mold M is illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0031] Preferably, a vulcanization bladder is used in the mold M, in particular to mold the internal shape of the tire.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the peripheral crown is intended to mold the radially external surface of the tread.

[0033] Optionally, the tire mold M is connected to a network, namely an internal network, such as an intranet, or an external network, and to the automated tire handling device. The mold M may further be connected to the tire preparation units defined in this invention.

[0034] In the context of the present invention, the term "internal shape" relating to the mold M means the shape of the internal part of the mold M, namely the internal part of the mold which accommodates and is in contact with the unvulcanized marked tire.

[0035] Preferably, (iii) comprises

[0036] (iii. 1) determining a variation of one or more mechanical characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized marked tire, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical characteristics of the unvulcanized tire relative to the circumferential positions;

[0037] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the reference frame R for the positioning of the marked tire not vulcanized in the mold M, comprising

[0038] the comparison of curve A obtained according to (iii.l) and a curve B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold M at the different circumferential positions of this mold M, measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circle shape of the mold; then

[0039] determining the coordinates of the reference mark R of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire using the curves A and B making it possible to at least partially compensate for said deviations of the internal shape of the mold M;

[0040] (iii.3) the handling of the unvulcanized marked tire by a device at automated tire handling and the arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2).

[0041] Preferably, according to (iii.l), one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire is the radial force of the unvulcanized tire and / or the geometry of the unvulcanized tire, more preferably the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is the determination of a variation in radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire.

[0042] Preferably, the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is

[0043] determining a variation in radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees, relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, comprising

[0044] measuring the radial force by means of a sensor C when applying a pressing force to the outer surface of the tire tread at the different circumferential positions, measured in degrees, relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the unvulcanized marked tire rotates, obtaining a curve A representing the variation in radial force of the tire relative to the circumferential positions.

[0045] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a tire, the method comprising

[0046] (i) the preparation of an unvulcanized tire (TP) comprising the assembly of components of the unvulcanized tire (TP), the assembly comprising the placement of a carcass, sidewalls and the tread on a manufacturing drum, the placements being carried out in relation to a defined reference point;

[0047] (ii) affixing a materialized mark (R) on the unvulcanized tire (PG) prepared according to (i) at a distance (dl) from said defined reference point, obtaining a marked unvulcanized tire;

[0048] (iii) positioning the unvulcanized marked tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold (M), having a rounded internal shape, comprising

[0049] (iü.l) determining a variation of one or more characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees relative to the mark (R) on the unvulcanized marked tire, obtaining a curve A or a representation of data A representing the variation of said one or more characteristics of the unvulcanized tire relative to the circumferential positions;

[0050] (iii.2) determining the coordinates of the reference frame (R) for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold (M), comprising comparing curve A or data representation A and a curve B or data representation B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold (M) at the different circumferential positions of this mold (M), measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circle shape of the mold; then determining coordinates of the reference mark (R) of the unvulcanized tire in the mold (M) for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire using the curves or representations A and B making it possible to at least partially compensate for the deviations of the shape of the mold (M);

[0051] (iii.3) the handling of the unvulcanized marked tire by a device of tire handling and arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2);

[0052] (iv) vulcanizing the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold.

[0053] Preferably, the defined reference point is a reference point defined on the drum or a reference point defined on the unvulcanized tire PG such as a tread joint.

[0054] Preferably, the characteristics are mechanical and / or geometric and / or chemical characteristics of the tire.

[0055] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a tire, the method comprising at least partially compensating for deviations in the shape of a tire mold M of a non-perfectly round or non-uniform internal shape by the defined arrangement of an unvulcanized tire PG of a non-perfectly round external shape or a non-perfectly uniform shape around the tire in the mold, the defined arrangement using a measured curve or data representation A representing a variation in the tire external radius around the tire or representing a tire non-uniformity around the tire and using a measured curve or data representation B representing a variation in the mold internal radius around the mold.

[0056] For example, for radial force measurement of the marked tire, the sensor C, preferably an axle sensor, is mounted on an assembly AP comprising a pressure roller. The pressure roller has the function of applying sufficient pressure to the outer circumferential surface of the uncured marked tire. The pressure roller is cylindrical in shape. A suitable axle sensor for use with the present invention is manufactured by, among others, Honigmann and sold under the trade name RFS 150. Each axle sensor preferably has a spindle so that it rotates with the roller and is capable of detecting radial forces. Thus, while the roller performs its application of pressure to the tread of the uncured tire, or commonly referred to as a green tire, the axle sensors measure the variation in radial force as the uncured marked tire rotates.

[0057] In the context of the present invention, the system for measuring the radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire can be carried out simultaneously with a step of stitching the tread using a stitching roller which has the function of applying sufficient pressure to ensure that the tread adheres sufficiently to the external circumferential surface of the carcass.

[0058] In the context of the present application, the determination of the radial force of an unvulcanized tire can be done according to techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as for example that described in patent EP 3 960 433 Bl.

[0059] Preferably, the measurement of the radial force is made at each degree at the different circumferential positions.

[0060] Preferably, the radial force measurement is made at the center line of the tread of the unvulcanized tire.

[0061] Preferably, the amplitude of the variation in the radial force is in the range of 0 N to 200 N. Optionally, an alert may be set up if the variation in the radial force exceeds a defined threshold value, in order to adjust the construction properties of the tire.

[0062] Preferably, the deviations of the internal shape of the mold M are measured at the different circumferential positions in the center of the peripheral crown of the mold.

[0063] Preferably, the measurement of the radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire is done on the tire manufacturing drum.

[0064] Preferably, the determination of the coordinates of the reference point R for the positioning of the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M according to (iii.2) is implemented by a computer.

[0065] Preferably, the determination of coordinates of the reference mark R for the positioning of the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M is

[0066] determining an angle a, in degrees, of rotation of the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M relative to a point 0 located on the peripheral surface of the mold M which served as a starting point for measuring the deviations of the internal shape of the mold, making it possible to at least partially compensate for the deviations of the shape of this mold M.

[0067] Preferably, (iii.3) comprises

[0068] removing the unvulcanized marked tire from the manufacturing drum, used for measuring the radial force, by an automated tire handling device, moving the unvulcanized marked tire to the mold M located in a press zone and positioning the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2).

[0069] For example, if the coordinates determined according to (iii.2) correspond to the coordinates of a point 0 located on the peripheral surface of the mold M which served as a starting point for measuring the deviations of the internal shape of the mold M, namely that the angle a = 0°, the positioning by rotation of the unvulcanized tire will be done so that the point 0 and the reference mark R are aligned.

[0070] Conversely, if the coordinates determined according to (iii.2) do not correspond to the coordinates of a point 0 located on the peripheral surface of the mold M which served as starting point for measuring deviations of the internal shape of the mold M, namely that the angle a is 0°, the rotational positioning of the unvulcanized tire will be done from angle a from point 0.

[0071] In the context of the present invention, it is preferred that the determination of the coordinates of R according to (iii.2) is done by the addition of curve A to curve B so that the maximum of curve A at least partially compensates for the minimum of the curve or vice versa that the minimum of curve A at least partially compensates for the maximum of curve B to deduce the necessary rotation angle a.

[0072] Optionally, after (iii) and before (iv), the method comprises the use of one or more treadmills.

[0073] Preferably, the automated tire handling device used according to (iii.3) is connected to a network and optionally with unvulcanized tire preparation units, preferably the tire preparation units here.

[0074] Preferably, the network is an internal network, such as an intranet, or an external network, more preferably an internal network.

[0075] Preferably, between (ii) and (iii) and / or between (iii) and (iv), the method further comprises an intermediate storage step. Preferably, the intermediate storage step is automated.

[0076] Preferably, after (iii) and before (iv), the method further comprises storing the unvulcanized marked tire for which the position in the mold M has been determined according to (iii). Preferably, said storage comprises taking charge of the unvulcanized marked tire by an automated tire handling device and the optional use of a conveyor belt, for storage in a storage area.

[0077] Preferably, the method comprises the use of one or more digital twins.

[0078] Preferably, the one or more digital twins are based on digital tire design data, data collected through the Internet of Things, and a human-machine interface that correlates and presents the data to support decision making. Preferably, the decision making is automated.

[0079] Preferably, the method further comprises (v) determining a radial force variation of the vulcanized tire obtained according to (iv) and / or determining the balancing of the vulcanized tire obtained according to (iv).

[0080] Preferably, determining a radial force variation comprises

[0081] determining a variation in radial force of the vulcanized tire obtained according to (iv) at the different circumferential positions entials of this tire, measured in degrees relative to the R mark on the vulcanized tire, including

[0082] measuring the radial force by means of a sensor C1 when applying a pressing force to the outer surface of the tire tread at the different circumferential positions measured in degrees relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the unvulcanized marked tire rotates, obtaining a curve C representing the variation in radial force of the vulcanized tire relative to the circumferential positions.

[0083] Preferably, the determination of the balance of the vulcanized tire obtained according to (iv) comprises the use of a robot.

[0084] Preferably, the method of the present invention is continuous or semi-continuous.

[0085] Preferably, steps (i) to (iv) are carried out at a single location, namely a factory.

[0086] The present invention further relates to a system or plant for carrying out the tire preparation method according to the present invention, comprising

[0087] at least one tire manufacturing drum;

[0088] at least one means for assembling the tire components on the manufacturing drum, tire components including a tire carcass, sidewalls and a tread;

[0089] a means for placing a materialized mark R on the unvulcanized tire;

[0090] a tire mold M;

[0091] means for determining a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire to obtain a curve A or a representation of data A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the tire with respect to the circumferential positions;

[0092] a means for determining coordinates of the reference for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M;

[0093] an automated tire handling device allowing the handling of the unvulcanized marked tire and the movement of the tire;

[0094] a means for vulcanizing the tire.

[0095] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises at least one means for supplying the tire components. The at least one means for supplying the tire components preferably being several unvulcanized tire preparation units.

[0096] Preferably, the preparation units comprise one or more units of mixing, one or more extrusion units, one or more cutting units, one or more bead and apex winding units, and / or one or more assembly units.

[0097] Preferably, the system or factory further comprises means for editing the materialized reference mark R.

[0098] Preferably, R is a label, namely a barcode or a QR code.

[0099] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises a network enabling the connection between the automated tire handling device and one or more of said means, more preferably an internal network of the intranet type.

[0100] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises a sensor C, and preferably a press roller, for determining the radial force measurement on the unvulcanized marked tire.

[0101] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises one or more conveyor belts.

[0102] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises at least one second automated tire handling device.

[0103] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises at least one means for storing tires, more preferably at least one means for storing unvulcanized tires and at least one means for storing vulcanized tires.

[0104] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises a sensor C1 for determining the measurement of the radial force on the vulcanized tire.

[0105] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises a robot for determining the balance of the vulcanized tire.

[0106] The present invention further relates to a vulcanized tire obtainable or obtainable by a method according to the present invention.

[0107] In the context of the present invention, the terms "radial" and "radially" refer to the radial directions toward or away from the tire's axis of rotation.

[0108] In the context of the present invention, the term "internal shape" relating to the mold M means the shape of the internal part of the mold M, namely the internal part of the mold which accommodates the unvulcanized marked tire.

[0109] In the context of the present invention, the term "digital twin" refers to a virtual representation of a product or process that makes it possible to understand and predict its physical equivalents in order to improve an object or method.

[0110] The present invention is further illustrated by the following set of embodiments and combinations of embodiments resulting from the dependencies and backreferences as indicated. In particular, it should be noted that in each case where a range of embodiments is mentioned, for example in the context of a term such as "The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3", each embodiment within this range is intended to be explicitly disclosed to those skilled in the art, i.e., the wording of this term should be understood by those skilled in the art to be synonymous with "the method of any one of Embodiments 1, 2 and 3". Furthermore, it is explicitly noted that the following set of embodiments represents a suitably structured part of the general description directed to preferred aspects of the present invention and, therefore, suitably supports, but does not represent the claims of the present invention.

[0111] According to embodiment 1 of the present invention, a method of the present invention for preparing a tire comprises

[0112] (i) the preparation of an unvulcanized tire PG, comprising

[0113] assembling tire components on a tire building drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, tire sidewalls and a tread, the assembly comprising placing the carcass on the building drum and placing the sidewalls and tread on the carcass, the placings being made with respect to a reference point defined on the drum, wherein, upon placing the tread on the carcass, a seal is formed;

[0114] (ii) affixing a materialized mark R on the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or said formed joint, obtaining an unvulcanized marked tire;

[0115] (iii) positioning the unvulcanized marked tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold M, having a rounded internal shape, comprising

[0116] (iü. 1) determining a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized marked tire, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized tire relative to the circumferential positions;

[0117] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the reference frame R for the positioning of the marked tire not vulcanized in the mold M, comprising

[0118] the comparison of curve A obtained according to (iii.l) and a curve B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold M at the different circumferential positions of this mold M, measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circle shape of the mold; then

[0119] the determination of coordinates of the reference R of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire using curves A and B making it possible to at least partially compensate for said deviations from the internal shape of the mold M;

[0120] (iii.3) the handling of the unvulcanized marked tire by a device at automated tire handling and the arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2);

[0121] (iv) vulcanizing the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold M.

[0122] Embodiment 2: The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the tire components further comprise one or more of one or more belts, and shoulders.

[0123] Embodiment 3: The method according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises providing the tire components used according to (i) comprising preparing the tire components, preferably preparing the carcass components, preparing the sidewalls and preparing the tread.

[0124] Embodiment 4: The method according to embodiment 3, wherein the preparation of the tire components comprises the use of several unvulcanized tire preparation units.

[0125] Embodiment 5: The method according to embodiment 4, wherein the preparation units are connected to each other by a network, the network preferably being an internal network, for example an intranet, or an external network.

[0126] Embodiment 6: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein according to (i) the assembly of the tire components is automated.

[0127] Embodiment 7: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, in which the affixing of a materialized mark R according to (ii) is done on one of the sidewalls of the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or said formed joint.

[0128] Embodiment 8: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, in which the affixing of a materialized marker R according to (ii) is automated.

[0129] Embodiment 9: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, in which the materialized marker R is a label, preferably with a bar code or a QR code.

[0130] Embodiment 10: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, in which the affixing of a materialized mark R according to (ii) is done on the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), the tire being positioned on the manufacturing drum.

[0131] Embodiment 11: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the tire mold M comprises two side portions, each serving for the external molding of a sidewall of the tire and a peripheral crown divided into at least two segments, preferably divided into 3 to 20 segments, more preferably into 5 to 15 segments, more preferably into 6 to 10 segments.

[0132] Embodiment 12: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein, according to (iii.l), one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire is the radial force of the unvulcanized tire and / or the geometry of the unvulcanized tire, preferably the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is the determination of a variation in radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire.

[0133] Embodiment 13: The method according to embodiment 12, wherein determining a variation according to (iii.l) is determining a variation in radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, comprising measuring the radial force via a sensor C when applying a pressing force to the outer surface of the tread of the tire at the different circumferential positions measured in degrees relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the unvulcanized marked tire rotates, obtaining a curve A representing the variation in radial force of the tire relative to the circumferential positions.

[0134] Embodiment 14: The method according to embodiment 13, wherein the measurement of the radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire is done on the tire manufacturing drum.

[0135] Embodiment 15: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 14, in which the determination of the coordinates of the reference mark R for the positioning of the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M according to (iii.2) is implemented by a computer.

[0136] Embodiment 16: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 15, insofar as embodiment 16 depends on embodiment 14, wherein (iii.3) comprises removing the uncured marked tire from the manufacturing drum, used for radial force measurement, by an automated tire handling device, moving the uncured marked tire to the mold M located in a press area and positioning the uncured marked tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2).

[0137] Embodiment 17: The method according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the automated tire handling device used according to (iii.3) is connected to a network, preferably an internal network, and optionally with unvulcanized tire preparation units, preferably the tire preparation units according to embodiment 4 or 5.

[0138] Embodiment 18: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein between (ii) and (iii) and / or between (iii) and (iv), the method further comprises an intermediate storage step.

[0139] Embodiment 19: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the method comprises using one or more digital twins.

[0140] Embodiment 20: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19, being a continuous or semi-continuous method.

[0141] Embodiment 21: A method for preparing a tire, the method comprising

[0142] (i) the preparation of an unvulcanized tire (TP) comprising the assembly of components of the unvulcanized tire (TP), the assembly comprising the placement of a carcass, sidewalls and the tread on a manufacturing drum, the placements being carried out in relation to a defined reference point;

[0143] (ii) affixing a materialized mark (R) on the unvulcanized tire (PG) prepared according to (i) at a distance (dl) from said defined reference point, obtaining a marked unvulcanized tire;

[0144] (iii) positioning the unvulcanized marked tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold (M), having a rounded internal shape, comprising

[0145] (iii. 1) determining a variation of one or more characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees relative to the mark (R) on the unvulcanized marked tire, obtaining a curve A or a data representation A representing the variation of said one or more characteristics of the unvulcanized tire relative to the circumferential positions;

[0146] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the reference frame (R) for the positioning of the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold (M), comprising comparing curve A or data representation A and a curve B or data representation B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold (M) at the different circumferential positions of this mold (M), measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circle shape of the mold; then determining coordinates of the reference mark (R) of the unvulcanized tire in the mold (M) for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire using curves or representations A and B allowing at least partial compensation for deviations in the shape of the mold (M);

[0147] (iii.3) the handling of the unvulcanized marked tire by a device of tire handling and arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2);

[0148] (iv) vulcanizing the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold.

[0149] Embodiment 22: The method according to embodiment 21, wherein the defined reference point is a reference point defined on the drum or a reference point defined on the unvulcanized tire PG such as a tread joint.

[0150] Embodiment 23: The method according to embodiment 21 or 22, in which the characteristics are mechanical and / or geometric and / or chemical characteristics of the tire.

[0151] Embodiment 24: A method for preparing a tire, the method comprising at least partially compensating for deviations in the shape of a tire mold M of a non-perfectly round or non-uniform internal shape by the defined arrangement of an unvulcanized tire PG of a non-perfectly round external shape or a non-perfectly uniform shape around the tire in the mold, the defined arrangement using a measured curve or data representation A representing a variation in the tire's external radius around the tire or representing a tire's non-uniformity around the tire and using a measured curve or data representation B representing a variation in the mold's internal radius around the mold.

[0152] Embodiment 25: A system or plant for carrying out the tire preparation method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 24, comprising at least one tire manufacturing drum; at least one means for assembling the tire components on the manufacturing drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, sidewalls and a tread; means for placing a materialized mark R on the unvulcanized tire; a tire mold M; means for determining a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire to obtain a curve A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the tire with respect to the circumferential positions;a means for determining coordinates of the reference mark for positioning the marked tire; unvulcanized in the mold M; an automated tire handling device allowing the handling of the tire marked unvulcanized and the movement of the tire; a means for vulcanizing the tire.

[0153] Embodiment 26: A vulcanized tire obtainable or obtainable by a method according to any one of the embodiments. Description of the figures

[0154] [Fig.l] represents a drawing of a side view of the unvulcanized tire 1 marked with a reference R and placed on a tire manufacturing drum 7 obtained according to (ii) of the method of the present invention. In the figure are represented the tread 3, the sidewall 5 and the reference point PR on the drum 7.

[0155] [Fig.2] represents the positioning of 7 segments (S) forming a tire manufacturing mold M that can be used in the present invention.

[0156] [Fig.3] represents a curve B representing the deviations of the internal shape of a mold M (or radial eccentricity, in English "radial runout") used for the present invention at the different circumferential positions of this mold M, measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circle shape of the mold.

[0157] [Fig.4] shows a curve A representing the variation of the radial force of the unvulcanized tire prepared according to the method of the present invention with respect to the different circumferential positions.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for preparing a tire, the method comprising (i) preparing an unvulcanized PG tire, comprising assembling the tire components on a tire building drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, tire sidewalls and a tread, the assembly comprising placing the carcass on the building drum and placing the sidewalls and the tread on the carcass, the placings being made with respect to a reference point defined on the drum, wherein, upon placing the tread on the carcass, a joint is formed; (ii) affixing a materialized mark R on the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or said formed joint, obtaining an unvulcanized marked tire; (iii) positioning the unvulcanized marked tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold M, having a rounded internal shape, comprising (iii.l) determining a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tyre at the different circumferential positions of this tyre, measured in degrees, relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized marked tyre, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized tyre relative to the circumferential positions; (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the reference point R for the positioning of the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M, comprising the comparison of curve A obtained according to (iii.l) and a curve B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold M at the different circumferential positions of this mold M, measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circle shape of the mold; then the determination of coordinates of the reference R of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M for the positioning of the tire marked unvulcanized using curves A and B allowing at least partially compensating for said deviations from the internal shape of the mold M; (iii.3) taking charge of the unvulcanized marked tire by an automated tire handling device and arranging the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2); (iv) vulcanizing the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold M.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing the tire components used according to (i) comprising preparing the tire components, preferably preparing the carcass components, preparing the sidewalls and preparing the tread, wherein more preferably preparing the tire components comprises using a plurality of unvulcanized tire preparation units.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein according to (i) the assembly of the tire components is automated.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the affixing of a materialized mark R according to (ii) is done on one of the sidewalls of the unvulcanized tire PG.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the affixing of a materialized marker R according to (ii) is automated.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the materialized marker R is a label, preferably with a bar code or a QR code.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tire mold M comprises two side parts, each serving for the external molding of a sidewall of the tire and a peripheral crown divided into at least two segments, preferably divided into 3 to 20 segments, more preferably into 5 to 15 segments, more preferably into 6 to 10 segments.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, according to (iii.l), one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire is the radial force of the unvulcanized tire and / or the geometry of the unvulcanized tire, preferably the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is the determination of a force variation radial of the tire marked unvulcanized.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein determining a variation according to (iii.l) is determining a variation in radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of that tire, measured in degrees relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, comprising measuring the radial force via a sensor C when applying a pressing force to the outer surface of the tread of the tire at the different circumferential positions measured in degrees relative to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the unvulcanized marked tire rotates, obtaining a curve A representing the variation in radial force of the tire relative to the circumferential positions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the measurement of the radial force of the unvulcanized marked tire is made on the tire building drum.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the automated tire handling device used according to (iii.3) is connected to a network and optionally with unvulcanized tire preparation units.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the method comprises using one or more digital twins.

13. A method for preparing a tire, the method comprising (i) preparing an unvulcanized tire (PG) comprising assembling components of the unvulcanized tire (PG), the assembly comprising placing a carcass, sidewalls and the tread on a manufacturing drum, the placings being made with respect to a defined reference point; (ii) affixing a materialized mark (R) on the unvulcanized tire (PG) prepared according to (i) at a distance (dl) from said defined reference point, obtaining a marked unvulcanized tire; (iii) positioning the marked unvulcanized tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold (M), having a rounded internal shape, comprising (iii.l) determining a variation of one or more character- characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees relative to the mark (R) on the unvulcanized marked tire, obtaining a curve A or a representation of data A representing the variation of said one or more characteristics of the unvulcanized tire relative to the circumferential positions; (iii.2) determining coordinates of the reference frame (R) for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold (M), comprising comparing curve A or data representation A with a curve B or data representation B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold (M) at the various circumferential positions of this mold (M), measured in degrees, from the theoretical circle shape of the mold; then determining coordinates of the reference frame (R) of the unvulcanized tire in the mold (M) for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire using the curves or representations A and B to at least partially compensate for the deviations of the shape of the mold (M); (iii.3) taking over the unvulcanized marked tire by a tire handling device and arranging the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2); (iv) vulcanization of the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold.

14. A method for preparing a pneumatic tire, the method comprising at least partially compensating for deviations in the shape of a tire mold M of a non-perfectly round or non-uniform internal shape by the defined arrangement of an unvulcanized tire PG of a non-perfectly round external shape or a non-perfectly uniform shape around the tire in the mold, the defined arrangement using a measured curve or data representation A representing a variation in the tire external radius around the tire or representing tire non-uniformity around the tire and using a measured curve or data representation B representing a variation in the mold internal radius around the mold.

15. A system or plant for carrying out the tire preparation method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, including at least one tire manufacturing drum; at least one means for assembling the tire components on the manufacturing drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, sidewalls and a tread; a means for placing a materialized mark R on the unvulcanized tire; a tire mold M; a means for determining a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the unvulcanized marked tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire to obtain a curve A or a representation of data A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the tire with respect to the circumferential positions; a means for determining coordinates of the reference for positioning the unvulcanized marked tire in the mold M; an automated tire handling device allowing the unvulcanized marked tire to be taken over and the tire to be moved; a means for vulcanizing the tire.

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