Method for manufacturing a tire equipped with an electronic device

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a tire (1) equipped with an electronic device (7) is provided. [Solution] A method for manufacturing a tire (1) comprising an electronic device (7) includes the steps of bonding the electronic device (7) to a support (8) comprising at least one rubber member (9) that is at least partially green, forming a green tire (1) comprising an inner liner (6), inserting the green tire (1) into a vulcanization mold (20), subjecting the green tire (1) in the vulcanization mold (20) to a vulcanization process, removing the vulcanized tire (1) from the vulcanization mold (20) at the end of the vulcanization process, and applying the support (8) comprising the electronic device (7) to the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1) after removing the vulcanized tire (1) from the vulcanization mold (20) when the surface temperature of the inner liner (6) resulting from heating during the vulcanization process is higher than 90°C.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tire equipped with an electronic device, in particular a transponder. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, so-called "smart" tires capable of providing information on the type of tire fitted, on the condition of the tire and on the environmental conditions have appeared and are being actively integrated into modern vehicles.

[0003] "Smart" tires are typically equipped with a transponder (electronic device suited to communicating over radio frequencies) that allows the tire's identity, characteristics and history to be communicated remotely (both to the vehicle it is fitted to and to the operator inspecting or changing the tire).

[0004] Recently, based on the presence of a transponder, it has been proposed to integrate RFID (Radio-Frequency IDentification) technology with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems) technology, which measures the effective air pressure, stores the effective air pressure in the transponder, and remotely communicates the effective air pressure by the transponder itself.

[0005] Typically, the transponder to be mounted in the tire is pre-inserted into a rubber support (housing) that completely surrounds the transponder on all sides. The transponder can then be mounted in the tire either by mounting it on the inner surface of the tire (usually on the inner liner that ensures the tire is airtight) or by being integrated inside the components that make up the tire structure (i.e., the transponder is located between the various layers that make up the tire). Mounting the transponder on the inner surface of the tire ensures that the tire will perform as expected, since the presence of foreign objects does not alter the structure of the tire. The transponder can be mounted on the inner surface of the tire when it is still green (i.e., before vulcanization) or when the tire has already been vulcanized.

[0006] During the vulcanization process, a layer of lubricant is generally applied to facilitate the removal of the tire from the vulcanization mold at the end of the vulcanization process, in particular the lubricant is interposed between the inner surface of the tire and the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the vulcanization mold. As a result, at the end of the vulcanization process, the inner surface of the vulcanized tire has a layer of lubricant, which must be removed locally (for example by cleaning with a laser beam) in the area where the transponder is to be attached (otherwise the transponder may not adhere with adequate force to the tire surface). As a result, the attachment of the transponder to the inner surface of the vulcanized tire requires additional processing (cleaning of the area where the transponder is to be attached), which increases the production time and costs. Alternatively, the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the mold can be made of a specific material, preferably silicone, which contributes to the removal of the tire without the additional use of lubricants (mold release agents). However, at the current state of the art, such inner membranes that do not require lubricants are expensive and have a limited lifespan.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to adequately adhere the transponder to the surface of the vulcanized tire, it is necessary to use an adhesive (glue) that is strong enough, compatible enough with the rubber that makes up the tire innerliner, and does not damage the integrity of the tire innerliner, which is an additional cost both economically and environmentally.

[0008] Therefore, in order to reduce production times and costs, it is desirable to attach the transponder to the inner surface of the tire when it is still green (i.e. before the tire is vulcanized). However, it has been observed that the high pressures and high temperatures reached during the vulcanization process can cause parts of the transponder to float outside the rubber support (the so-called "floating" phenomenon), which often leads to a malfunction (if not a complete failure) of the transponder. Furthermore, the high pressures and high temperatures reached during the vulcanization process can cause parts of the transponder to come into contact with the carcass cord, which often leads to a malfunction (if not a complete failure) of the transponder and, as a further consequence, can adversely affect the operation of the carcass cord. Finally, the high pressures and high temperatures reached during the vulcanization process can cause unevenness in the inner liner (especially at the ends of the rubber support of the transponder), which in the long term can cause cracks in the inner liner and impair the retention of air inside the tire, which can result in a loss of air pressure. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing a tire equipped with an electronic device, which makes it possible to avoid damage to the tire and to the electronic device, and at the same time is easy and economical to implement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the present invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a tire with an electronic device, as claimed in the accompanying claims.

[0011] The following claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention and form an integral part of this specification.

[0012] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show illustrative and non-limiting embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tire equipped with a transponder. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transponder of FIG. 1 inserted in a rubber support. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the transponder of FIG. 1 inserted in a rubber support. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smart label. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a processing station in a production plant for manufacturing the tire of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a processing station in a production plant for manufacturing the tire of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a processing station in a production plant for manufacturing the tire of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a processing station in a production plant for manufacturing the tire of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a processing station in a production plant for manufacturing the tire of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a tool used at an application station in a production plant. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gripper used in a production plant. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] In Fig. 1, reference number 1 indicates as a whole a tire 1 with a toroidal carcass 2 having two side flaps partially folded on itself (i.e. two layers superimposed on each other, together called "turn-ups"). Two annular beads 3 are provided on both sides of the carcass 2, each surrounded by the carcass 2. The carcass 2 supports an annular tread 4 via a tread belt 4. An inner liner 6 arranged within the body ply 2 is airtight, constitutes an inner lining, and has the function of retaining air within the tire 1 so as to maintain the air pressure of the tire 1 over a long period of time.

[0015] The tire 1 is provided with a transponder 7 (shown in figures 2 and 3), i.e. an electronic device (usually passive, i.e. without its own power source) capable of storing information and communicating by radio frequency. In other words, the transponder 7 is a small "smart label" suitable to respond to remote polling on the part of certain fixed or mobile devices, called readers (or polling devices), which are able to read and / or modify the information contained in the polled transponder 7 whilst communicating by radio frequency with the transponder 7 itself. The transponder 7 is therefore part of a radio reading and / or writing system operating according to the so-called RFID technology (Radio-Frequency IDentification).

[0016] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the transponder 7 is inserted into a support 8 which is made up of two overlapping parts 9, 10 pressed against each other: an inner component 9 (see below for details) which is in direct contact with the inner liner 6 of the tire 1, and an outer component 10 (see below for details) which is arranged on the opposite side with respect to the inner liner 6 of the tire 1. In general, the two parts 9 and 10 of the support 8 are longer and wider than the transponder 7. In general, the two parts 9 and 10 are both made of rubber and consist of exactly the same type of rubber compound, or the two parts 9 and 10 may both be made of rubber and consist of two different types of rubber compounds. According to another embodiment, only the inner component 9 (i.e. in direct contact with the inner liner 6 of the tire 1) is made of rubber (at least partially green, as will be explained in more detail below), and the outer component 10 (i.e. arranged on the opposite side with respect to the inner liner 6 of the tire 1) is made of a material other than rubber (plastic). According to yet another embodiment, the support 8 may consist only of the inner component 9 (i.e. without the outer component 10).

[0017] Each component 9 or 10 may have a monolayer structure (i.e., made of one type of material forming a single homogenous layer) or a multilayer structure (i.e., made of two or more materials superimposed to form two or more layers).

[0018] The inner component 9 has a connection surface S that faces the inner liner 6 of the tire 1 (i.e., is in direct contact with the inner liner 6 of the tire 1) and is therefore arranged opposite the transponder 7. That is, the inner component 9 has a connection surface S that is in direct contact with the inner liner 6 of the tire 1 and is arranged opposite the transponder 7, and a surface opposite the connection surface S on which the transponder 7 rests.

[0019] The assembly of the tire 1 comprises the steps of forming (in a completely known manner) a green tire 1 and applying (while the tire 1 is still green) a protective label 11 to the part of the inner liner 6 that will subsequently receive the support 8 (coupled to the transponder 7) containing the transponder 7. In particular, as shown in Figure 5, when the green (i.e. unvulcanized) tire 1 arrives at an application station S1 of the production plant, an applicator device 12 applies the protective label 11 to the inner liner 6.

[0020] Preferably, the protective label 11 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (also known under the trade name Mylar) and is preferably larger than the support 8 containing the transponder 7 so that its larger size can "compensate" for positioning tolerances (i.e. errors) (both in the positioning of the protective label 11 and in the positioning of the support 8 containing the transponder 7).

[0021] The applicator device 12 is moved by a robotic arm 13 (or similar handling device), i.e. the applicator device 12 is attached to one end of the robotic arm 13. Preferably the applicator device 12 comprises a frame 14 rigidly fixed to the robotic arm 13, said frame 14 supporting both an application head 15 arranged to pick up and transfer the protective label 11 to the inner liner 6 of the green tire 1, and a camera 16 used to frame the space in front of the application head 15 and guide the movement of the robotic arm 13.

[0022] Then, as shown in Fig. 6, the green tire 1 with the protective label 11 applied thereto arrives at a lubrication station S2 of the production plant. At the lubrication station S2, (at least) a spray device 17 moved by a robotic arm 18 (or a similar handling device) applies a lubricating liquid 19 (e.g., silicone-based) to the entire inner surface of the green tire 1 (and thus the inner liner 6 and the protective label 11 applied thereto), which facilitates the removal of the vulcanized tire 1 from the vulcanization mold 20 (illustrated in Fig. 7 and described in more detail below). Alternatively, at the lubrication station S2 of the production plant, the lubricating liquid 19 is applied to the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the vulcanization mold 20, rather than to the inner surface of the green tire 1 with the protective label 11 applied thereto.

[0023] 7, the green tire 1 with the protective label 11 applied thereto arrives at the vulcanization station S3 of the production plant and is placed in the vulcanization mold 20. Between the inner surface of the vulcanization mold 20 and the green tire 1 is a thin layer of lubricating liquid 19 (applied on the vulcanization mold 20 or on the green tire 1 at the lubrication station S2). In the vulcanization mold 20, the tire 1 undergoes a vulcanization cycle at high temperature (180° C.) and high pressure.

[0024] At the end of the vulcanization process, the vulcanized tire 1 is removed from the vulcanization mold 20, as shown in Fig. 8. After being removed from the vulcanization mold 20, the vulcanized tire 1 arrives at the application station S4. At the application station S4, the protective label 11 is first removed from the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1 by a removal device 21, exposing the underlying portion of the inner liner 6 from which the lubricating liquid 19 has been completely removed (which would be evident if the protective label 11 was actually present).

[0025] The removal device 21 is moved by a robot arm 22 (or a similar handling device), i.e. the removal device 21 is attached to one end of the robot arm 22. Preferably, the removal device 21 comprises a frame 23 rigidly fixed to the robot arm 22, said frame 23 supporting both a pick-up head 24 arranged to remove the protective label 11 from the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tyre 1, and a camera 25 used to frame the space in front of the pick-up head 24 and to guide the movement of the robot arm 22.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 9, immediately after removing the protective label 11 from the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1 to expose the underlying portion of the inner liner 6 from which the lubricating liquid 19 has been completely removed, an applicator device 26 applies a support 8 including a transponder 7 to the area of ​​the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1 that was covered by the protective label 11 and therefore has not been applied with the lubricating liquid 19.

[0027] The applicator device 26 is moved by the robot arm 22 (or a similar handling device), i.e. the applicator device 26 is attached to one end of the robot arm 22. Preferably, the applicator device 26 comprises a frame 27 rigidly fixed to the robot arm 22, said frame 27 supporting both an application head 28 arranged to pick up the support 8 and transfer it to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1, and a camera 29 used to frame the space in front of the application head 28 and to guide the movement of the robot arm 22.

[0028] According to a possible embodiment, the removal device 21 is first operated by a common robot arm 22 to remove the protective label 11 from the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1, and immediately thereafter the removal device 21 is replaced by the applicator device 26 (i.e. the removal device 21 is released and then the applicator device 26 is withdrawn) to apply the support 8 to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1. According to another embodiment, the removal device 21 and the applicator device 26 are operated completely independently by two different robot arms 22. According to yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the applicator device 26, which applies the support 8 including the transponder 7 to the inner liner 6, and the removal device 21, which removes the protective label 11 from the inner liner 6, are supported together (simultaneously) by a common robot arm 22 that can be moved in and out of the interior of the vulcanized tire 1. In particular, the applicator device 26 and the removal device 21 are attached to the robot arm 22 by a rotatable support element 30 that rotates about a rotation axis 31, so that the applicator device 26 or the removal device 21 are alternately positioned towards the inner liner 6. In this embodiment, a single camera 32 may be provided that does not rotate (ie is not connected to the support element 30) and is common to both devices 21 and 26, thus replacing cameras 25 and 29.

[0029] The support 8 including the transponder 7 is applied to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1 after the tire 1 is removed from the vulcanization mold 20, when the surface temperature of the inner liner 6 is higher than 90°C (preferably 100-110°C) due to heating in the vulcanization process. In other words, the support 8 including the electronic device 7 is applied to the inner liner 6 after a certain waiting time from the moment the vulcanized tire 1 is removed from the vulcanization mold 20, when the tire 1 is still (sufficiently) hot due to the heat applied during the vulcanization process. This waiting time should not be too long (to prevent the surface temperature of the inner liner 6 brought about by the heating in the vulcanization process from becoming too low, i.e., below 90°C).

[0030] According to a possible embodiment, the (maximum) duration of the waiting time is preset and therefore kept constant. According to an alternative embodiment, the surface temperature of the inner liner 6 is measured (for example with a common infrared non-contact thermometer) and therefore the (maximum) duration of the waiting time is continuously variable depending on when the surface temperature of the inner liner 6 reaches a minimum value. It is important in this respect that, since the tire 1 has a large heat capacity and a low thermal conductivity (rubber is a thermal insulator), the cooling of the tire 1 removed from the vulcanization mold 20 is relatively slow and therefore it is easy to apply the support 8 including the electronic device 7 to the inner liner 6 when the surface temperature of the inner liner 6 resulting from the heating during the vulcanization process is still sufficiently high.

[0031] The support 8 (in particular the inner component 9 of the support 8) consists at least partially of green rubber and is (also) vulcanized under the effect of the residual heat that the tire 1 has after removal from the vulcanization mould 20 (i.e. the residual heat of the heating carried out during the vulcanization process). The support 8 including the transponder 7 must therefore be applied onto the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1 within a certain time interval after removal of the tire 1 from the vulcanization mould 20, i.e. while the tire 1 is still sufficiently hot due to the heat received during the vulcanization process.

[0032] As mentioned above, at least the inner component 9 of the support 8 is at least partially composed of green rubber or rubber that has not yet started or in any case has not yet completed the vulcanization process. In other words, the inner component 9 has at least partially a green rubber that constitutes the connection surface S (i.e. the surface that is in direct contact with the inner liner 6 of the tire 1). In particular, the rubber that constitutes the connection surface S of at least the inner component 9 (and therefore the rubber that is in direct contact with the inner liner 6 of the tire 1) has a lower degree of vulcanization than the rubber of the (possible) outer component 10 that is not in direct contact with the inner liner 6 of the tire 1. For example, the rubber of the inner component 9 is completely green and the rubber of the (possible) outer component 10 is partially vulcanized, or the rubbers of the components 9 and 10 are both partially vulcanized but with different degrees of vulcanization (higher degree of vulcanization of the outer component 10 and lower degree of vulcanization of the inner component 9).

[0033] Preferably, but not necessarily, the inner component 9 is made up entirely of unvulcanized rubber, i.e., rubber that has not been partially vulcanized or vulcanized in any way, or is made up exclusively of partially vulcanized rubber, i.e., rubber where vulcanization has begun but not been completed, i.e., neither completely unvulcanized nor completely vulcanized. Preferably, but not necessarily, the outer component 10 is made up entirely of partially vulcanized rubber, i.e., rubber where vulcanization has begun but not been completed, i.e., neither completely unvulcanized nor completely vulcanized, or is made up exclusively of fully vulcanized rubber.

[0034] The connection surface S of the inner component 9, which is in direct contact with the inner liner 6, must have a lower degree of vulcanization (and therefore a higher adhesive capacity) since it must guarantee adhesion with the inner liner 6. On the other hand, the outer component 10 (if present) which covers the transponder 7 must have a higher degree of vulcanization (and therefore must be harder and more resistant, at the expense of its adhesive capacity) since it must guarantee protection of the transponder.

[0035] According to another embodiment, before inserting the green tire 1 into the vulcanization mold 20, it is possible to spray the inner surface of the green tire 1 or the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the vulcanization mold 20 with a lubricating liquid 19 that does not interfere with the adhesion between the support 8 including the transponder 7 and the inner liner 6. In this embodiment, the protective label 11 (and therefore the applicator device 12 and the removal device 21) are not necessary, since the lubricating liquid 19 does not interfere with the adhesion between the support 8 including the transponder 7 and the inner liner 6.

[0036] According to yet another embodiment, the application of the protective label 11 is not performed and the removal device 21 is replaced by a cleaning device which cleans (e.g. by means of a laser) the area of ​​the inner liner 6 where the support 8 containing the transponder 7 needs to be applied.

[0037] According to yet another embodiment, the lubricating liquid 19 is not applied to the inner surface of the green tire 1 nor to the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the vulcanization mold 20, since the inner membrane (inflation bladder) of the vulcanization mold 20 has a low-adhesion surface that does not require the lubricating liquid 19. Obviously, if no lubricating liquid 19 is used, the protective label 11 (and therefore the applicator device 12 and the removal device 21) are not required.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the application station S4 is provided with a contrast element 33. This contrast element is moved by an actuator device 34 and is arranged on the outside of the tire 1 and is arranged on the applicator device 26. In particular, the contrast element 33 is arranged against the outside of the vulcanized tire 1 in the area of ​​the inner liner 6 to which the support 8 including the transponder 7 is applied when the support 8 including the transponder 7 is applied to the inner liner 6 or on the opposite side. In this way, the applicator device 26 can forcefully press the support 8 including the transponder 7 against the inner liner 6. This is because the thrust exerted by the applicator device 26 is adequately opposed by the contrast element 33 without causing undesired deformations of the tire 1 (which has not yet spent a limited time away from the vulcanization mold 20 and is still hot). In particular, the actuator device 34 presses the contrast element 33 (with a certain force) against the outside of the vulcanized tire 1, which is the opposite side when the applicator device 26 applies the support 8 including the transponder 7 to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1. Depending on the position of the transponder 7 on the inner liner 6 of the tire 1 , the contrast element 33 is pressed either against the tread 4 of the tire 1 or against the sidewall of the tire 1 .

[0039] According to a possible embodiment, the surface of the contrast element 33, which is in contact with the outside of the vulcanized tire 1, is provided with a (small) relief pattern 35 (inscription and / or logo) indicating the presence and position of the transponder 7. Preferably, the relief pattern 35 is heated so that it can be well impressed on the outside (tread 4 or sidewall) of the vulcanized tire 1. The function of the relief pattern 35 engraved on the outside (tread 4 or sidewall) of the vulcanized tire 1 is to indicate the position of the transponder 7 from the outside.

[0040] According to a preferred, non-binding embodiment, the support 8 including the transponder 7 is heated before applying said support 8 to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1. More generally, at least the connection surface S of the inner component 9 of the support 8 including the transponder 7 is heated before applying said support 8 to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1. According to a preferred embodiment, the temperature of the support 8 including the transponder 7 (or better at least the connection surface S of the inner component 9) is between 90°C and 110°C, preferably about 100°C, when applied to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1. According to another embodiment, the temperature of the support 8 including the transponder 7 (or rather at least the connection surface S of the inner component 9) is substantially equal (similar) to the surface temperature of said inner liner 6 when applied to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1.

[0041] According to a possible embodiment shown in FIG. 11, after the support 8 including the transponder 7 has been applied to the inner liner 6 of the vulcanized tire 1, a compressive force is applied to the support 8 and maintained (for a relatively long time, for example several minutes), thereby pressing the support 8 against the inner liner 6. The compressive force applied to the support 8 is generally equal to 5-15 bar, preferably 10 bar, and furthermore, the compression applied to the support 8 is maintained for a time interval generally between 10 and 30 minutes, preferably 20 minutes. In particular, the compressive force is applied by a ratchet gripper 36, which comprises an inner jaw 37 arranged against the support 8 and an outer jaw 38 arranged against the outer side (tread 4 or sidewall) 4 of the vulcanized tire 1. A ratchet is a mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel and coplanar beaks or teeth that can move only in one direction, so that the ratchet gripper 36 is able to apply and maintain a compressive force between the two jaws 37 and 38. According to a possible embodiment, the inner jaw 37 is heated by a heater device so as to heat (and apply pressure) to the support 8 containing the transponder 7 .

[0042] To summarise the above, when the vulcanisation mould 20 is opened, the vulcanisation of the tyre 1 is substantially complete, but due to the high vulcanisation temperature and thermal inertia, sufficient thermal energy is available to complete the vulcanisation of the support 8 including the transponder 7 (especially if the support 8 is partially pre-vulcanised). The degree of pre-vulcanisation of the support 8 is selected to ensure complete (or almost complete) vulcanisation of the support 8 within the "dead" time between the removal of the vulcanised tyre 1 from the vulcanisation mould 20 and the subsequent processing steps of the vulcanised tyre 1. In this way, optimal adhesion between the support 8 and the inner liner 6 of the vulcanised tyre 1 is ensured without damaging the inner liner 6.

[0043] In particular, when applying the support 8 including the transponder 7 to the inner liner 6 of a vulcanized tire 1, it has been found that the best overall results are obtained when the surface temperature of the inner liner 6 is (still) high enough to ensure sufficient vulcanization of the support 8.

[0044] The embodiments described herein can be combined without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0045] The above manufacturing method has many advantages.

[0046] Firstly, the above-described manufacturing method is particularly simple and cost-effective to implement, since it requires the performance of only a few operations that can be easily automated and takes advantage of the dead time present in the manufacturing cycle of the tire 1 after removal of the vulcanized tire 1 from the vulcanization mold 20 to apply the support 8 including the transponder 7.

[0047] Furthermore, the above-described manufacturing method makes it possible to prevent damage to the tire and the transponder 7.

[0048] In the above-described manufacturing method, no adhesive is required to bond the support 8 containing the transponder 7 to the inner liner 6, but only the adhesive forces established between two rubber layers under pressure at a certain temperature are used to bond the support 8 to the inner liner 6, thereby reducing both costs and the environmental impact.

[0049] Finally, the manufacturing method described above ensures that the transponder 7 is adhered to the tire 1 with sufficient strength and resistance, thus avoiding any risk of the transponder 7 being even partially detached from the tire 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Transponder 2. Carcass 3 Bead 4 Tread 5 Treadbelt 6 Inner Liner 7 Transponder 8 Support 9 Inner Components 10 Outer Components 11 Protection Label 12 Applicator device 13 Robot Arm 14 Frame 15 Application Head 16 Cameras 17 Spray Equipment 18 Robot Arm 19 Lubricants 20 Vulcanization mold 21 Removal device 22 Robot Arm 23 Frame 24 Removal Head 25 Camera 26 Applicator device 27 Frame 28 Application Head 29 Camera 30 Supporting Elements 31 Rotation axis 32 Camera 33 Contrast Elements 34 Actuator device 35 Relief Pattern 36 Gripper 37 Inner Jaw 38 Outer Jaw S Connection surface S1 Application Station S2 Lubrication Station S3 Vulcanization Station S4 Application Station

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a tire (1) equipped with an electronic device (7), comprising the steps of: - bonding said electronic device (7) to a support (8) comprising at least one rubber member (9) having a connection surface (S) and being at least partially raw; forming a green tire (1) comprising an inner liner (6); Inserting the green tire (1) into a vulcanization mold (20); subjecting the green tire (1) in the vulcanization mold (20) to a vulcanization process; At the end of the vulcanization process, removing the vulcanized tire (1) from the vulcanization mold (20); applying the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7) onto the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1) and placing the connection surface (S) of the support (8) in direct contact with the inner liner (6); Including, the support (8) bonded to the electronic device (7) is applied to the inner liner (6) of the tire (1) when the surface temperature of the inner liner (6) resulting from heating in the vulcanization process is higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 100°C.

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7) is applied to the inner liner (6) of the tire (1) when the surface temperature of the inner liner (6) resulting from the heating in the vulcanization process is higher than 110° C., preferably higher than 120° C.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rubber constituting the connecting surface (S) of the support (8) is at least partially vulcanized in contact with the inner liner (6) of the tire (1) by the effect of residual heat resulting from the heating in the vulcanization step.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of heating at least the connection surface (S) of the support (8) bonded to the electronic device (7) before applying the support (8) to the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1).

5. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the temperature of at least the connection surface (S) of the support (8) joined to the electronic device (7) is between 90°C and 110°C, preferably 100°C, when applied to the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1).

6. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the step of applying and maintaining a compressive force on the support (8) pressing the support (8) against the inner liner (6) after applying the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7) to the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1).

7. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the compressive force is applied by a ratchet gripper (36) comprising an inner jaw (37) arranged against the support (8) and an outer jaw (38) arranged against the outside of the vulcanized tire (1).

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the inner jaw (37) is heated by a heater.

9. Method according to any one of claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein the compressive force applied to the support (8) is between 5 and 15 bar, preferably 10 bar.

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the compressive force applied to the support (8) is maintained for a time interval between 10 minutes and 30 minutes, preferably 20 minutes.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (8) is made up of an inner component (9) and an outer component (10) sandwiching the electronic device (7).

12. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the inner component (9) which is placed in direct contact with the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1) and has the connection surface (S) is made of a rubber having a lower degree of vulcanization than the rubber constituting the outer component (10).

13. applying a protective label (11) to the inner liner (6) of the green tire (1) in the area where the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7) is applied; Applying a lubricating liquid (19) between the inner surface of the green tire (1) and the inner membrane of the vulcanization mold (20); removing a protective label (11) from the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1) after removing the tire (1) from the vulcanization mold (20) and before applying the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7); The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising:

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the protective label (11) is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the protective label (11) is larger than the support (8) bonded to the electronic device (7).

16. 16. The method according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein an applicator device (26) for applying the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7) to the inner liner (6) and a removal device (21) for removing the protective label (11) from the inner liner (6) are supported together by a common arm (22) movable in and out of the interior of the vulcanized tyre (1).

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the applicator device (26) and the removal device (21) are attached to the arm (22) by a rotatable support member (30) that rotates to alternately position the applicator device (26) or the removal device (21) towards the inner liner (6).

18. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a step of spraying a lubricating liquid (19) that does not interfere with adhesion between the support (8) bonded to the electronic device (7) and the inner liner (6) between the inner surface of the green tire (1) and the inner membrane of the vulcanization mold (20) before inserting the green tire (1) into the vulcanization mold (20).

19. 19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising, when applying the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7) to the inner liner (6), supporting a contrast element (33) against the outside of the vulcanized tire (1) in the area of ​​the inner liner (6) where the support (8) coupled to the electronic device (7) is applied or opposite said area.

20. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the contrast element (33) is pressed onto the outside of the vulcanized tire (1).

21. 21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the surface of the contrast element (33) that contacts the outside of the vulcanized tire (1) is provided with a relief pattern (35) indicating the presence and position of the electronic device (7).

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising heating the relief pattern (35) of the contrast element (33).

23. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein no adhesive or glue is present between the support (8) joined to the electronic device (7) and the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1).

24. A tire (1) manufactured according to the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising the electronic device (7) coupled to the support (8) applied onto the inner liner (6) of the vulcanized tire (1).

Images