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 specific 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 abbreviation: [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 effectively and quickly as possible to the needs of automotive manufacturers, particularly with regard to the transition to electric vehicles. Therefore, developing new tire preparation methods is essential to adapt to these needs and the latest regulations. Even though various methods have been developed in recent years, there is still a need to develop new methods, especially for optimizing manufacturing steps and improving 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, notably through optimized positioning of the unvulcanized tire in a tire mold prior to vulcanization. Indeed, this makes it possible to reduce the adverse effects of tires during vehicle operation, 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 a non-vulcanized PG tire, comprising

[0006] the assembly of tire components on a tire manufacturing drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, tire sidewalls and a tread, the assembly comprising the placement of the carcass on the manufacturing drum and the placement of the sidewalls and tread on the carcass, the placements being made with respect to a reference point defined on the drum, in which, when the tread is placed on the carcass, a joint is formed;

[0007] (ii) the application of a material marker R on the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or of said formed joint, obtaining a marked unvulcanized tire;

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

[0009] (iii.l) the determination of a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees, with respect to the reference point R on the marked non-vulcanized tire, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more physical characteristics of the non-vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions;

[0010] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the frame R for the positioning of the marked non-vulcanized pneumatic tire in mold M, comprising

[0011] the comparison of the curve A obtained according to (iii.l) and of 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, with respect to the theoretical circular shape of the mold; then the determination of coordinates of the frame R of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M for the positioning of the marked unvulcanized tire thanks to the curves A and B allowing to compensate at least partially the said deviations of the internal shape of the mold M;

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

[0013] (iv) the vulcanization of 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 includes placing the carcass on the manufacturing drum, placing the sides, one or more belts and the tread on the carcass, and placing any shoulders, the placements being made in relation to a reference point defined on the drum.

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

[0017] Preferably, the method further includes the supply of the tire components used according to (i) including the preparation of the tire components, more preferably the preparation of the carcass components, the preparation of the sidewalls and the preparation of the tread.

[0018] Preferably, the preparation of the tire components includes the use of several units for preparing unvulcanized tires. Preferably, the preparation units include 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 being more preferably 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 placement of a material reference mark R according to (ii) is made 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 the placement of the reference mark R is illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0023] Preferably, the marking R according to (ii) is placed at a distance dl from said reference point. The distance dl is preferably practically constant, since there is a margin of error on the order of a maximum of µm. This ensures that the marking R is placed in the same location on the tire for each tire manufactured.

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

[0025] Preferably, the material marker R is a label, more preferably with a barcode 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 It contains one or more pieces of information about the tire's composition, specifically one or more pieces of information about the components used to make the tire and / or the chemical composition of the components used in the tire. This allows for increased traceability of tires from a factory.

[0028] Preferably, the application of a materialized marker 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 includes the storage of the marked, unvulcanized tire obtained according to (ii). Preferably, said storage includes the handling of the marked, unvulcanized 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 outer molding of a sidewall of the tire, and a peripheral ring divided into at least two segments, preferably divided into 3 to 20 segments, plus 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 vulcanizing bladder is used in the mold M, in particular for molding the internal shape of the tire.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, the peripheral ring 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 can 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 houses and is in contact with the marked non-vulcanized tire.

[0035] Preferably, (iii) includes

[0036] (iii. 1) the determination of a variation of one or more mechanical characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees with respect to the reference point R on the marked non-vulcanized tire, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical characteristics of the non-vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions;

[0037] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the frame R for the positioning of the marked non-vulcanized pneumatic tire in mold M, comprising

[0038] the comparison of the 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, with respect to the theoretical circular shape of the mold; then

[0039] the determination of coordinates of the reference frame R of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M for the positioning of the marked unvulcanized tire thanks to the curves A and B allowing to compensate at least partially the said deviations of the internal shape of the mold M;

[0040] (iii.3) the handling of the marked non-vulcanized tire by a device at automated handling of tire 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 marked non-vulcanized tire is the radial force of the non-vulcanized tire and / or the geometry of the non-vulcanized tire, more preferably the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is the determination of a variation of radial force of the marked non-vulcanized tire.

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

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

[0044] the measurement of the radial force by means of a sensor C when applying a press force to the external surface of the tire tread at the different circumferential positions, measured in degrees, with respect to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the marked unvulcanized tire rotates, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of radial force of the tire with respect 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 a non-vulcanized tire (PG) comprising the assembly of components of the non-vulcanized tire (PG), the assembly including the placement of a carcass, sidewalls and tread on a manufacturing drum, the placements being made in relation to a defined reference point;

[0047] (ii) the application of a materialized marker (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) the positioning of the marked, unvulcanized tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold (M), having a rounded internal shape, comprising

[0049] (iü.l) the determination of a variation of one or more characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees with respect to the reference mark (R) on the marked non-vulcanized tire, obtaining a curve A or a data representation A representing the variation of said one or more characteristics of the non-vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions;

[0050] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the frame (R) for the positioning of the marked non-vulcanized tire in the mold (M), including the comparison of 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, with respect to the theoretical circular shape of the mold; then the determination of coordinates of the frame (R) of the non-vulcanized tire in the mold (M) for the positioning of the marked non-vulcanized tire using curves or representations A and B allowing at least partial compensation of the deviations of the shape of the mold (M);

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

[0052] (iv) the vulcanization of 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 non-vulcanized PG tire as a tread seal.

[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 uniform internal shape by the defined arrangement of an unvulcanized tire PG of a non-perfectly round or non-perfectly uniform external shape around the tire in the mold, the defined arrangement using a measured curve or data representation A representing a variation in the external radius of the tire around the tire or representing a non-uniformity of the tire around the tire and using a measured curve or data representation B representing a variation in the internal radius of the mold around the mold.

[0056] For example, for measuring the radial force of the marked tire, the sensor C, preferably an axle sensor, is mounted on an assembly AP comprising a pressure roller. The pressure roller's function is to apply sufficient pressure to the outer circumferential surface of the unvulcanized marked tire. The pressure roller is cylindrical in shape. A suitable axle sensor for use with the present invention is manufactured, among others, by 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 applies pressure to the tread of the unvulcanized tire, or commonly called a green tire, the axle sensors measure the change in radial force as the unvulcanized marked tire rotates.

[0057] In the context of the present invention, the radial force measurement system for the marked, unvulcanized tire can be performed simultaneously with a stitching step of the tread using a stitching roller which applies sufficient pressure to ensure that the tread adheres adequately to the outer circumferential surface of the carcass.

[0058] In the context of the present application, the determination of the radial force of a non-vulcanized tire can be done according to techniques known to the person skilled in the art, such as that described in patent EP 3 960 433 Bl.

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

[0060] Preferably, the radial force measurement is taken at the centerline of the tread of the unvulcanized tire.

[0061] Preferably, the amplitude of the radial force variation is in the range of 0 N to 200 N. Optionally, an alert can be put in place if the radial force variation 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 at the center of the peripheral ring of the mold.

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

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

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

[0066] the determination of an angle a, in degrees, of rotation of the marked non-vulcanized tire in the mold M with respect to a point 0 located on the peripheral surface of the mold M which served as the starting point for the measurement of the deviations of the internal shape of the mold, allowing to compensate at least partially the deviations of the shape of this mold M.

[0067] Preferably, (iii.3) includes

[0068] the removal of the marked non-vulcanized tire from the manufacturing drum, used for measuring the radial force, by an automated tire handling device, the movement of the marked non-vulcanized tire to the mold M located in a press area and the positioning of the marked non-vulcanized 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 the 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 frame 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 from the internal shape of mold M, namely that angle a 0°, the positioning by rotation 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) be done by adding the curve A to the curve B so that the maximum of the curve A compensates at least partially the minimum of the curve or vice versa that the minimum of the curve A compensates at least partially the maximum of the curve B in order to deduce the necessary angle a of rotation.

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

[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 includes an intermediate storage step. Preferably, the intermediate storage step is automated.

[0076] Preferably, after (iii) and before (iv), the method further includes the storage of the marked, non-vulcanized tire for which the position in the mold M was determined according to (iii). Preferably, said storage includes the handling of the marked, non-vulcanized 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 includes the use of one or more digital twins.

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

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

[0080] Preferably, the determination of a radial force variation includes

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

[0082] the measurement of the radial force by means of a sensor Cl when applying a press force on the external surface of the tread of the tire at the different circumferential positions measured in degrees with respect to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the marked unvulcanized tire rotates, obtaining a curve C representing the variation of radial force of the vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions.

[0083] Preferably, the determination of the balance of the vulcanized tire obtained according to (iv) includes 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 in 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 tread;

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

[0090] a tire mold M;

[0091] a means for determining a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire to obtain a curve A or a data representation 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 frame for positioning the marked non-vulcanized tire in the mold M;

[0093] an automated tire handling device allowing the handling of the marked non-vulcanized tire and the movement of the tire;

[0094] a means for the vulcanization of the tire.

[0095] Preferably, the system or plant further comprises at least one means for supplying tire components. This at least one means for supplying tire components is preferably several units for preparing unvulcanized tires.

[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 plant further includes a means for editing the materialized marker 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 link 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 includes a sensor C, and preferably a press roller, for determining the measurement of the radial force on the marked non-vulcanized tire.

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

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

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

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

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

[0106] The present invention further relates to a vulcanized tire that can be obtained or obtained by a method according to the present invention.

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

[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 marked non-vulcanized 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 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 In the context of a term such as "The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3," each embodiment in this range is intended to be explicitly disclosed to a person skilled in the art; that is, the formulation of this term should be understood by a person skilled in the art as being 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 portion of the general description directed toward preferred aspects of the present invention and, consequently, appropriately 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 a non-vulcanized PG tire, comprising

[0113] the assembly of tire components on a tire manufacturing drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, tire sidewalls and a tread, the assembly comprising the placement of the carcass on the manufacturing drum and the placement of the sidewalls and tread on the carcass, the placements being made with respect to a reference point defined on the drum, in which, when the tread is placed on the carcass, a joint is formed;

[0114] (ii) the application of a material marker R on the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or of said formed joint, obtaining a marked unvulcanized tire;

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

[0116] (iü. 1) the determination of a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees with respect to the reference frame R on the marked non-vulcanized tire, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the non-vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions;

[0117] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the frame R for the positioning of the marked non-vulcanized pneumatic tire in mold M, comprising

[0118] the comparison of the 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, with respect to the theoretical circular shape of the mold; then

[0119] the determination of coordinates of the frame R of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M for positioning the marked non-vulcanized tire thanks to curves A and B allowing to compensate at least partially the said deviations of the internal shape of mold M;

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

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

[0122] Embodiment 2: The method according to embodiment 1, in which 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 the supply of the tire components used according to (i) including the preparation of the tire components, preferably the preparation of the carcass components, the preparation of the sidewalls and the preparation of the tread.

[0124] Embodiment 4: The method according to embodiment 3, in which the preparation of the tire components includes the use of several units for preparing unvulcanized tires.

[0125] Embodiment 5: The method according to embodiment 4, in which 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, wherein the application of a materialized reference mark R according to (ii) is made on one of the sidewalls of the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or from said formed joint.

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

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

[0130] Embodiment 10: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, in which the application of a materialized marker R according to (ii) is made 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, in which the tire mold M comprises two lateral parts, each serving for the external molding of a sidewall of the tire and a peripheral ring 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 marked non-vulcanized tire is the radial force of the non-vulcanized tire and / or the geometry of the non-vulcanized tire, preferably the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is the determination of a variation of radial force of the marked non-vulcanized tire.

[0133] Embodiment 13: The method according to embodiment 12, in which the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is the determination of a variation of radial force of the marked unvulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees with respect to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, comprising the measurement of the radial force by means of a sensor C when applying a press force on the external surface of the tread of the tire at the different circumferential positions measured in degrees with respect to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the marked unvulcanized tire rotates, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of radial force of the tire with respect to the circumferential positions.

[0134] Embodiment 14: The method according to embodiment 13, in which the measurement of the radial force of the marked non-vulcanized tire is carried out 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 frame R for the positioning of the marked non-vulcanized 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, in which (iii.3) comprises removing the marked unvulcanized tire from the manufacturing drum, used for radial force measurement, by an automated tire handling device, moving the marked unvulcanized tire to the mold M located in a press area and positioning the marked unvulcanized 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 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 includes the use of 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 a non-vulcanized tire (PG) comprising the assembly of components of the non-vulcanized tire (PG), the assembly including the placement of a carcass, sidewalls and tread on a manufacturing drum, the placements being made in relation to a defined reference point;

[0143] (ii) the application of a materialized marker (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) the positioning of the marked, unvulcanized tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold (M), having a rounded internal shape, comprising

[0145] (iii. 1) the determination of a variation of one or more characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees with respect to the reference mark (R) on the marked non-vulcanized tire, obtaining a curve A or a data representation A representing the variation of said one or more characteristics of the non-vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions;

[0146] (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the frame (R) for the positioning of the marking an unvulcanized tire in the mold (M), including comparing curve A or data representation A with curve B or data representation B representing the deviations of the internal shape of the mold (M) at different circumferential positions of this mold (M), measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circular shape of the mold; then determining the coordinates of the frame (R) of the unvulcanized tire in the mold (M) for positioning the marked unvulcanized 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 marked non-vulcanized tire by a device handling of the tire and the arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2);

[0148] (iv) the vulcanization of 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 defined reference point on the drum or a defined reference point on the non-vulcanized tire PG as a tread seal.

[0150] Embodiment 23: The method according to embodiment 21 or 22, wherein 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 uniform internal shape by the defined arrangement of an unvulcanized tire PG of a non-perfectly round or non-perfectly uniform external shape around the tire in the mold, the defined arrangement using a measured curve or data representation A representing a variation in the external radius of the tire around the tire or representing a non-uniformity of the tire around the tire and using a measured curve or data representation B representing a variation in the internal radius of the mold 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 onto the manufacturing drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, sidewalls and a tread; a means for placing a materialized marker 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 marked unvulcanized 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 the coordinates of the reference frame for positioning the marked tire; unvulcanized in mold M; an automated tire handling device allowing the handling of the marked unvulcanized tire and the movement of the tire; a means for vulcanizing the tire.

[0153] Embodiment 26: A vulcanized tire that can be obtained or obtained by a method according to any of the embodiments. Description of the figures

[0154] Figure 1 shows a drawing of a side view of the unvulcanized tire 1 marked with a reference mark R and placed on a tire manufacturing drum 7 obtained according to (ii) of the method of the present invention. The figure shows 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 mold M for manufacturing tires 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 runout) used for the present invention at the different circumferential positions of this mold M, measured in degrees, relative to the theoretical circular shape of the mold.

[0157] Fig. 4 represents 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

Demands

1. A method for preparing a tire, the method comprising (i) the preparation of a non-vulcanized PG tire, comprising the assembly of tire components on a tire manufacturing drum, the tire components comprising a tire carcass, tire sidewalls and a tread, the assembly comprising the placement of the carcass on the manufacturing drum and the placement of the sidewalls and tread on the carcass, the placements being made with respect to a defined reference point on the drum, in which, during the placement of the tread on the carcass, a joint is formed; (ii) the application of a material marker R to the unvulcanized tire PG prepared according to (i), at a distance dl from said reference point or formed joint, obtaining a marked unvulcanized tire; (iii) the positioning of the marked unvulcanized tire obtained according to (ii) in a tire mold M, having a rounded internal shape, comprising (iii.l) the determination of a variation of one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees, with respect to the reference point R on the marked non-vulcanized tire, obtaining a curve A representing the variation of said one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the non-vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions; (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the reference frame R for the positioning of the marked unvulcanized 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 mold M at the different circumferential positions of this mold M, measured in degrees, with respect to the theoretical circular shape of the mold; then the determination of the coordinates of the frame R of the unvulcanized tire in mold M for the positioning of the marked unvulcanized tire using curves A and B allowing compensate at least partially for said deviations in the internal shape of the mold M; (iii.3) the handling of the marked unvulcanized tire by an automated tire handling device and the arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2); (iv) the vulcanization of the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold M.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the supply of the tire components used according to (i) comprising the preparation of the tire components, preferably the preparation of the carcass components, the preparation of the sidewalls and the preparation of the tread, wherein more preferably the preparation of the tire components comprises the use of several unvulcanized tire preparation units.

3. The method according to 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, wherein the application of a material marker R according to (ii) is made on one of the sidewalls of the unvulcanized tire PG.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the placement of a material marker R according to (ii) is automated.

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

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tire mold M comprises two lateral parts, each serving for the outer molding of a sidewall of the tire and a peripheral ring 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.1), one or more mechanical, physical and / or geometric characteristics of the marked unvulcanized 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.1) is the determination of a variation of force radial of the marked non-vulcanized tire.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the determination of a variation according to (iii.l) is the determination of a radial force variation of the marked unvulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees with respect to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, comprising the measurement of the radial force by means of a sensor C when applying a press force to the external surface of the tread of the tire at the different circumferential positions measured in degrees with respect to the mark R on the unvulcanized tire, when the marked unvulcanized tire rotates, obtaining a curve A representing the radial force variation of the tire with respect to the circumferential positions.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the measurement of the radial force of the marked unvulcanized tire is carried out on the tire manufacturing 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 units for preparing unvulcanized tires.

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

13. A method for preparing a tire, the method comprising (i) preparing an unvulcanized tire (UG) including assembling components of the unvulcanized tire (UG), the assembly including placing a carcass, sidewalls, and tread onto a manufacturing drum, the placements being made with respect to a defined reference point; (ii) applying a material marker (R) to the unvulcanized tire (UG) prepared according to (i) at a distance (d1) 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 characteristics characteristics of the marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire, measured in degrees with respect to the reference mark (R) on the marked non-vulcanized tire, obtaining a curve A or a data representation A representing the variation of said one or more characteristics of the non-vulcanized tire with respect to the circumferential positions; (iii.2) the determination of coordinates of the frame (R) for the positioning of the marked unvulcanized tire in the mold (M), including the comparison of 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, with respect to the theoretical circular shape of the mold; then the determination of coordinates of the frame (R) of the unvulcanized tire in the mold (M) for the positioning of the marked unvulcanized tire using curves or representations A and B allowing at least partial compensation of the deviations of the shape of the mold (M); (iii.3) the handling of the marked unvulcanized tire by a tire handling device and the arrangement of the unvulcanized tire in the mold M according to the coordinates determined according to (iii.2); (iv) the vulcanization of the tire positioned according to (iii) in the tire mold.

14. 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 uniform internal shape by the defined arrangement of an unvulcanized tire PG of a non-perfectly round or non-perfectly uniform external shape around the tire in the mold, the defined arrangement using a measured curve or data representation A representing a variation in the external radius of the tire around the tire or representing a non-uniformity of the tire around the tire and using a measured curve or data representation B representing a variation in the internal radius of the mold 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 material reference 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 marked non-vulcanized tire at the different circumferential positions of this tire to obtain a curve A or a data representation 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 the coordinates of the reference frame for positioning the marked unvulcanized tire in the mold M; an automated tire handling device allowing the handling of the marked unvulcanized tire and the movement of the tire; a means for tire vulcanization.

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