Method for manufacturing mold segment component, mold segment component, vulcanization mold, and pneumatic vehicle tire

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mold segment component of a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire, wherein the mold segment is provided to mold at least one tread lug or one lug structured area of ​​a tread having an outer tread surface, said tread being generally curved, and the mold segment component is built by an additive method such as selective laser melting by flatly applying and fusing metal powder layer by layer on a flat build plate (10) together with a bottom (7b) and mold elements such as laminae (4) and / or microlamellae (11) and / or ribs and / or rib areas, the mold elements separating or extending around adjacent mold surface elements (12) of the bottom (7b), which mold surface elements mold a region of the outer tread surface and have an outer surface (12a). During additive construction, the mold surface elements (12) are each additively constructed with a uniform flat outer surface (12a) or with two or three flat outer surfaces (12a) running in a stepped manner relative to one another, all of the outer surfaces (12a) of the mold surface elements (12) running parallel to one another and located at different levels relative to the construction plate (10) such that the mutual arrangement of the outer surfaces (12a) of the mold surface elements (12) approximately approximates the curvature of the area of ​​the tread outer surface to be molded.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a mold segment component of a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire for forming at least one profile block or block-like structured area of ​​a generally curved tread having a tread outer surface, which mold segment component is built up by an additive process such as selective laser melting by applying and melting a metal powder flatly layer by layer on a flat build plate with a bottom and mold elements such as lamellae and / or microlamellae and / or ribs and / or rib areas, which mold elements delimit or run around mutually adjacent mold area elements forming a region of the tread outer surface.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a mold segment component of a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire for forming at least one profile block or block-like structured area of ​​a generally curved tread having a tread outer surface, which mold segment component is built by an additive process such as selective laser melting by flatly applying and melting a metal powder layer by layer on a flat build plate with a bottom and mold elements such as lamellae and / or microlamellae and / or ribs and / or rib areas, which mold elements delimit or run around mutually adjacent mold area elements forming a region of the tread outer surface.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a pneumatic vehicle tire having a shaped, generally curved tread divided into profile blocks by grooves and / or structured in a block-like manner, the profile blocks and / or block-like structures being present with cuts and / or microcuts passing therethrough, the positive area elements being formed between the cuts or microcuts or between the cuts and microcuts or between the cuts, microcuts and grooves. [Background technology]

[0004] Pneumatic vehicle tires are vulcanized in a heated press, where the green tire is inserted into a vulcanization mold and vulcanized under the action of pressure and heat, where the tire tread is shaped and heated by a mold segment ring consisting of a number of mold segments, which are provided with mold elements such as ribs and lamellae on their mold side facing the mold cavity, thus forming the tread profile as well. Conventionally, the mold segment ring is manufactured from a steel or aluminum alloy by a casting process followed by machining or exclusively by machining.

[0005] It is also known to manufacture mould segment components or mould segments by additive manufacturing processes, in particular by selective laser melting. For example, EP 2 379 315 B1 discloses the integral manufacture by laser sintering of a 0.25 mm to 3.00 mm thick lining layer for a mould segment together with the mould elements forming the tread profile. EP 2 399 695 A1 discloses the manufacture of a complete mould segment with the elements forming the profile of the tread by selective laser melting. DE 10 2018 202 603 A1 discloses mould segment components which include a negative profile of the tread and are manufactured by generative manufacturing processes, for example by selective laser melting. The mould segment components are connected in a materially bonded manner to a support element which serves as the segment backbone, so that in this way a hybrid mould segment is obtained.

[0006] When additively building the mold segments or mold segment components, the mold surface area which forms the outer surface (positive surface area) of the tread during vulcanization is built according to the intended and required curvature of the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire. Since the additive building involves the layer-by-layer application of metal powder and subsequent melting of the metal powder, this curvature is formed by a corresponding offset of the individual layers applied one after the other. As a result, a large number of small steps are formed on the inner surface or on the mold area elements. Subsequent machining for smoothing is difficult, especially between the lamellae or microlamellae where small mold area elements are present, and is therefore omitted. When a tire is vulcanized in such a vulcanization mold, the tread has an irregular structure and positive areas that are visually unattractive. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention addresses the problem of avoiding such step formation in order to ensure a nearly perfect outer surface of the tread of a vulcanized tire, particularly including regions at the cuts, microcuts and in the surface area between the cuts, microcuts and grooves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] With regard to the method, the stated problem is solved according to the invention in that the mold area elements are each constructed additively as a single flat surface area or from a number of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, where all mold area elements or their surface areas run parallel to one another and, relative to the building plate, are areas located at different levels such that their mutual arrangement approximately approximates the curvature of the area to be formed of the tread outer surface.

[0009] The mold segment components according to the invention are characterized in that the mold area elements are each a single flat surface area or consist of a number of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, where all mold area elements or their surface areas run parallel to one another and are areas located at different levels such that their mutual arrangement with respect to the build plate approximately approximates the curvature of the area to be formed of the tread outer surface.

[0010] As a result of the invention, mold area elements are formed that form a qualitatively perfect positive surface area on the vulcanized tire without the need for subsequent machining. A tire vulcanized in a vulcanization mold with mold segments made up of mold segment components according to the invention on the inside of the mold has a visually very attractive positive area as a whole, since the orientation of the very small mold area elements oriented parallel to one another approximates the curvature of the positive area region to be formed.

[0011] Preferably, the mould segment components are additionally constructed with lamellae and / or microlamellae running parallel to one another. In this embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if mould area elements with a plurality of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with flanks providing a level difference are additionally constructed such that the flanks run parallel to the path of the lamellae and / or microlamellae. In a preferred refinement, mould area elements made up of two or three such surface areas are provided.

[0012] The curvature of the tread of pneumatic vehicle tires often varies over the tread width, usually being smaller in the central region of the tread and somewhat larger in the tire shoulders. It is therefore advantageous, especially on the tire shoulder side, if the mold segment components forming these regions are constructed such that the mold area element is composed of, for example, two or three, i.e. several, flat surface areas running in a stepped manner relative to one another. A mold area element having several surface areas running in a stepped manner relative to one another forms a positive surface area with stepped edges in the tire tread, which is advantageous for winter performance, i.e. grip on snow and ice. The interlocking effect that can be achieved on snow and ice is particularly effective, especially if the surface areas running in a stepped manner relative to one another are constructed on the mold segment components forming the tread in such a way that the surface areas have widths that differ from one another by up to ±30%.

[0013] Preferably, the insert is additionally constructed as a mould segment component together with mould elements such as lamellae, microlamellae and / or ribs and / or partial regions of ribs, possibly together with a surrounding frame part and a base plate.

[0014] The mould segment components are therefore in particular inserts which form at least one profile block and have a base, mould elements and a peripheral frame part which is possibly a groove-forming rib or a rib forming part of the groove.

[0015] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method, structures in the form of protuberances and / or recesses, in particular with a height or depth, respectively, corresponding to the layer thickness of the additive process, are printed superficially on the mould area elements. The mould area elements printed in this way imprint a microstructure on the tread of the vulcanised tire, which ensures particularly good grip properties on ice and snow, in particular on new tires. In this respect, the formation of regular embodiments of surface structures, such as net-like structures, is particularly advantageous. However, printed structures in the form of visual elements, geometrical patterns, letters etc. may also improve grip on snow and ice.

[0016] The invention further relates to a vulcanization mould for pneumatic vehicle tyres, comprising a mould segment comprising a mould segment component according to one or more of claims 8-11.

[0017] In the case of a pneumatic vehicle tire according to the invention, the positive area elements in the profile blocks or block-like structures are each a single flat surface area or consist of several surface areas running in a stepped manner relative to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, respectively, where all surface areas of the profile blocks or block-like structures run parallel to one another and are at different levels so as to follow the curvature of the tread.

[0018] The positive area element of such a profile provides additional structure of the tread at the edges, particularly at the edges where increased edge pressure acts as the tire rolls over the ground, which is particularly advantageous for winter performance, particularly for the tire's grip on snow and ice.

[0019] Preferably, the cuts and / or microcuts of the profile block or block-like structure run parallel to one another. In this refinement, in the case of positive area elements consisting of several surface areas located at different levels, it is further advantageous if these are delimited by at least one edge running parallel to the cuts and / or microcuts so as to follow the path thereof.

[0020] Further features, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in more detail on the basis of schematic drawings which show exemplary embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 shows a view of a mold segment portion of a tire curing mold consisting of a base portion and having an insert inserted therein. [Diagram 2] A diagram of the base part is shown. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a diagram of the relevant insert. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a build plate with built inserts. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a schematic of an insert cut from a build plate. [Figure 6] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an individual insert. [Figure 7-9] 1 shows cross-sectional views of inserts according to different embodiments of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 shows a profile block of the tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire in cross section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In the following description, radial is understood to mean the direction perpendicular to the mold surface area forming the outer surface of the tread, and axial is understood to mean the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the tire being vulcanized.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a view of a mould segment part 1 of a mould segment of a segment ring of a tire curing mould, in particular for tyres for passenger cars, vans or light trucks, where in particular the inner side - the side facing the mould cavity - can be seen. The segment ring is the part of the vulcanisation mould which forms the tread of the tire together with its profile during the vulcanisation of the tire. A typical segment ring is made up of, for example, 7 to 14 mould segments, each of which has a mould segment spine on the inner and opposite sides, by means of which the mould segments are placed in a known manner on the segment shoes of the tire curing mould.

[0024] To form the profile of the tread of the tire to be vulcanized, the mold segment part 1 has mold elements, which are in particular ribs 3, lamellae 4 and possibly microlamellae 11, the ribs 3 in the embodiment shown being formed at least partly by the rib skeleton 5 and partly by the inserts 6, as will be described in more detail.

[0025] The lamellae 4 generally have a width on the order of 0.40 mm to 1.00 mm, and their height may vary and may correspond to the height of the ribs at least in certain portions. The micro-lamellae 11 generally form narrow, shallow sipes and have a width and height of about 0.20 mm to 0.30 mm.

[0026] The rear side of the mold segment part 1 is, for example, a simple cylindrical surface, so that the mold segment part 1 can be attached to the segment shoe of the vulcanization mold by means of a suitably designed adapter. In an alternative embodiment, the mold segment part 1 itself is pre-designed as an interface to the container of the vulcanization mold.

[0027] The base part 2 of the mould segment part 1 consists of a metallic material, in particular a steel or aluminium alloy. In the embodiment shown, the base part 2 is a milled part with a shoulder decorative rib 2a milled in its lateral peripheral region and a milled rib skeleton 5 (Fig. 2). The rib skeleton 5 has ribs 5a with rib flanks 5b, the arrangement and path of which correspond to the arrangement and path of the ribs 3. The ribs 5a of the rib skeleton 5 are narrower compared to the groove-forming rib 3, and the rib flanks 5b are missing a flank part, which is complemented by the frame part 7b of the insert 6, as will be described below. According to a preferred embodiment, the rib flanks 5b are radially oriented flat surfaces. Essentially, the ribs 5a are milled in such a way that the insert 6 can be inserted flush with its rib flanks 5b from above. The level of the pointed parts of the ribs 5a corresponds to that of the groove-forming ribs 3. However, the rib 5a has a greater height than the rib 3, since together with the shoulder decorative rib 2a it encloses, on the shoulder side, deeper milled recesses with a flat bottom surface 8. The depth of these recesses or the level of the bottom surface 8 is adapted to the thickness of the bottom plate 7b of the insert 6, so that when the insert 6 is inserted, the inside of the insert 6, which forms the mould surface, is at the intended mould surface level. The orientation of the bottom surface 8 is adapted to the desired radius or contour of the outside of the tread of the tyre to be vulcanised.

[0028] For ventilation, the base part 2 is perforated between the bottom surface 8 and its backside, either more holes 9 respectively are made for each bottom surface 8, or only one or two holes 9 are made for ventilation and a kind of channel network of flat recesses connected to the one or more holes 9 is milled into each bottom surface 8.

[0029] The inserts 6 are built up in greater numbers from metal powder on the build plate 10 by additive processes, in particular selective laser melting (FIG. 4). The build plate 10 is a flat plate, and in a preferred embodiment the thickness of the build plate 10 also determines the necessary depth of the aforementioned recesses in the base part 2. The build plate 10 is also initially provided with holes 10a corresponding to the arrangement of the holes 9 in the base part 2. A channel network can be formed corresponding to a milled channel network that may be provided in the bottom surface 8, but this is not absolutely necessary, since a channel network milled in the bottom surface 8 usually already ensures good ventilation.

[0030] The build plate 10 is properly aligned and positioned in the 3D printer, and the formed holes 10a are filled with metal powder or the like, flush with the top surface of the build plate 10. The individual inserts 6 are then built up layer by layer in the intended design, along with the intended laminae 4 (FIG. 4), any additional microlaminae 11 (FIG. 8), other surface structures, and optionally lettering, treadwear markings, etc., leaving vent holes open at the locations of the holes 10a in the build plate 10. The inserts 6 (FIG. 6) are further built up with the intended laminae 4, optional microlaminae 11, the mentioned peripheral frame portion 7a, and bottom plate 7b, such that when the inserts 6 are inserted into their intended locations in the base portion 2, the ribs 5a of the rib skeleton 5 are complemented to form complete ribs 3 forming grooves. Depending on the actual design of the tread profile with grooves, the insert 6 may also have frame portions 7a on only two or three sides and / or may be designed to form a larger profile block, multiple profile blocks or other block-like structures in the tread together with the rib skeleton 5. The insert 6 may also include mold elements forming the ribs apart from the rib skeleton.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the base part 2 of the mould segment part 1 does not have a rib skeleton but has an inner surface on which the insert is positioned and fastened, e.g. screwed, which are constructed additively together with the mould elements forming the intended ribs. The ribs may be configured as a peripheral frame part of the insert or may be formed in the insert, so that it is possible to use an insert without a peripheral frame part or an insert only partially provided with a peripheral frame part.

[0032] On the upper surface of the build plate 10, the bottom plate 7b of each insert 6 is built up, in which flat mold area elements 12 run stepped and parallel to one another, the outermost layer of which is each a layer of molten metal powder having a flat outer surface.

[0033] 7 shows one exemplary embodiment of an insert 6 with three additionally constructed lamellae 4 running parallel to one another between two frame parts 7a. Between the lamellae 4 and between the two outer lamellae 4 and the frame part 7a are located in each case additionally constructed flat mold area elements 12 running parallel to the surface of the build plate 10. The mold area elements 12 between the outer lamellae 4 and the frame part 7a have a matching height and are also at a higher level, with respect to the build plate 10, than the two mold area elements 12 between the lamellae 4 located further inside, whose levels also match.

[0034] Each insert 6 occupies or is intended for a specific position on the mold segment part 1. At each position, the respective insert 6 is intended to form in an optimal manner the outer contour or curvature of the tread outer surface provided at that position. The mold area elements 12 are therefore built up with a number of layers adapted to the thickness of the layers used in the additive process at this point, so that the mold area elements 12 have a level adapted in an optimal manner to the curvature of the tread area in question.

[0035] 8 shows one exemplary embodiment of an insert 6 with three lamellae 4, whereby respective microlamellae 11 are additionally constructed between the three lamellae 4, respectively, and between the outer lamellae 4 and the frame part 7a. In particular, the microlamellae 11 and the lamellae 4 run parallel to each other, and the microlamellae 11 runs centrally between the lamellae 4 and the frame part 7a. A single flat mold area element 12 is additionally formed both between the microlamellae 11 and the lamellae 4, and between the microlamellae 11 and the frame part 7a. The mold area element runs stepwise - at different levels - parallel to each other and to the lamellae 4 and the microlamellae 11, such that its levels are optimally adapted to the curvature of the tread area to be formed.

[0036] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the insert 6 with three lamellae 4 running parallel to each other. The insert 6 is intended for a position on the mold segment part 1 in which the outer contour of the tread part to be formed at this position requires a height difference Δh1 between the base parts of the adjacent lamellae 4 and / or between the outer lamellae 4 and the frame part 7a that is at least 100 μm. Between the lamellae 4 positioned relative to each other and / or between the outer lamellae 4 and the frame part 7a, the mold area element 12 is built up additively from two flat surfaces located at different levels that run parallel to each other in each case. All these surface areas on the insert 6 run parallel to each other. In the example shown, the two surface areas adjacent to the intermediate lamellae 4 on both sides are at the lowest level relative to the building plate 10, and the outermost surface areas on the respective outermost mold area element 12 are at a relatively higher level. It is also possible to form three or more surface areas at different levels instead of two surface areas. Between the two surface areas of each mould area element 12 runs a respective vertical side surface 12a which runs parallel to the lamina 4. The widths b of the surface areas preferably substantially coincide but may preferably differ from one another by up to ±30% depending on the curvature to be reproduced and the distance between the lamina 4 or between the lamina 4 and the frame part 7a.

[0037] The thin plates 4 and the micro-plates 11 may be zigzag or wavy and / or have any other desired, in particular three-dimensional, structuring. The thin plates 4 and the micro-plates 11 may also be formed with different heights.

[0038] The flat mould area element 12 or its surface area can furthermore be printed in any desired way with high resolution, thus obtaining different surface structures, such structures being fine bumps and / or depressions with a height or depth, respectively, of for example 30 μm, corresponding to the layer thickness of the metal powder layer, in particular visual elements, geometrical patterns or letters, or structures which superficially form the structure of the tread, for example giving it good ice or snow grip properties when the tyre is new and not yet worn.

[0039] The inserts 6 are preferably cut out from the build plate 10 together with the build plate parts on which they are directly built, e.g. by laser beam, water jet or mechanically. The mating surfaces are then machined, if necessary. The bottom of such inserts 6 is thus respectively composed of a build plate part and an additively built bottom plate 7b with the mould area element 12. In an alternative embodiment, the inserts 6 are separated, e.g. cut off, along the upper side of the build plate 10, and the bottom of such inserts is thus an additively built bottom plate 7b. In another alternative, a prefabricated bottom plate is used according to the dimensions of the insert, and each insert is built on a separate bottom plate.

[0040] The finished inserts 6 are then fastened in their position on the base part 2. The fixed connection of the inserts 6 is effected, for example, by shrinking the base part 2 by heating it before insertion. Alternatively, the inserts 6 can be connected to the base part 2 by screwing or welding.

[0041] The additive construction of the insert is performed automatically by software control, as are the milling operations on the base part 2. As a result of the step-by-step transitions, the algorithms on which the software control is based have to meet special requirements in order to guarantee an optimal configuration on the tire to achieve optimal performance.

[0042] Fig. 10 shows a schematic cross section of a profile block 13 of a tread of a pneumatic vehicle tire, in which cuts 14 and microcuts 15 are formed. This cross section is an exemplary circumferential cross section of the tread, so that the cuts 14 and microcuts 15, which preferably both run parallel to one another, run in the axial direction. Along the outer surface of the profile block 13, which comes into contact with the ground during rolling of the pneumatic vehicle tire, an envelope 16 is additionally drawn in dashed lines, which envelope represents the outer contour that would result during the vulcanization of the tire in a conventional tire heating press. According to the invention, the profile block 13 has an outer surface made up of positive area elements 13a, all of which run parallel to one another, but whose mutual arrangement is adapted to the path of the envelope 16 and its curvature. The present invention may also include the following aspects: 1. A method for manufacturing a mold segment component of a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire for forming at least one profile block or block-like structured area of ​​a generally curved tread having a tread outer surface, said mold segment component being built up by an additive process such as selective laser melting by flatly applying and melting a metal powder layer by layer on a flat build plate (10) with a bottom (7b) and mold elements such as lamellae (4) and / or microlamellae (11) and / or ribs and / or areas of ribs, said mold elements delimiting or running around mutually adjacent mold area elements (12) forming an area of ​​said tread outer surface, 1. A method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the mould area elements (12) are each built as a single flat surface area or additively from a plurality of flat surface areas (12a) running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, wherein all said mould area elements (12) or their surface areas run parallel to one another and are areas located at different levels with respect to the building plate (10) such that their mutual arrangement approximately approximates the curvature of the area to be formed of the tread outer surface. 2. A method for manufacturing a mold segment component having parallel extending lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11) as described in claim 1, characterized in that a mold area element having a plurality of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with side surfaces resulting in a level difference is additionally constructed such that the side surfaces run parallel to the path of the lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11). 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mould area element (12) is constructed additively from a number of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner relative to one another such that the widths (b) of their surface areas differ from one another by a maximum of ±30%. 4. The method according to any one of 1. to 3. above, characterized in that an insert (6) having mould elements such as thin plates (4), micro-thin plates (11) and / or ribs (5a) and / or partial regions of ribs, and optionally a peripheral frame part (7b) and a bottom plate (10), is additionally constructed as a mould segment component. 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that structures in the form of protuberances and / or recesses, in particular having a height or depth, respectively, corresponding to the layer thickness of the additive process, are printed superficially on the mold area element (12). 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the printed surface structure is a visual element, a geometric pattern, a letter, or the like. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the printed surface structure is a uniformly arranged structure, such as a reticulated structure. 8. A mold segment component of a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire for forming at least one profile block or block-like structured area of ​​a generally curved tread having a tread outer surface, said mold segment component being built up by an additive process such as selective laser melting by flatly applying and melting a metal powder layer by layer on a flat build plate (10) together with a bottom (7b) and mold elements such as lamellae (4) and / or microlamellae (11) and / or ribs and / or partial areas of ribs, said mold elements delimiting or running around mutually adjacent mold area elements (12) forming an area of ​​said tread outer surface, 1. A mold segment component, characterized in that the mold area elements (12) are each a single flat surface area or consist of a plurality of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, wherein all said mold area elements (12) or their surface areas run parallel to one another and are areas located at different levels with respect to the build plate (10) such that their mutual arrangement approximately approximates the curvature of the area to be formed of the tread outer surface. 9. A mold segment component as described in claim 8, characterized in that in the case of a mold area element (12) having a plurality of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner relative to one another, these surface areas have widths (b) which differ from one another by a maximum of ±30%. 10. A mould segment component having parallel extending lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11) as described in 8. or 9. above, characterized in that in the case of a mould area element (12) having a plurality of flat surface areas (12a) running in a stepped manner relative to one another, side surfaces having a difference in level are provided running parallel to the lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11). 11. A mold segment component according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it is an insert (6) forming at least one profile block and having a bottom, a mold element and, optionally, a peripheral frame part (7b) which is a rib forming a groove or a rib forming part of the groove. 12. A vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire comprising a mold segment including the mold segment component according to any one of 8. to 11. above. 13. A pneumatic vehicle tire having a shaped, generally curved tread divided into profile blocks (13) by grooves and / or structured in block-like form, the profile blocks (13) and / or the block-like structure being present in particular with cuts (14) and / or micro-cuts (15) passing through them, the positive area elements (13a) being formed between the cuts (14) or the micro-cuts (15), or between the cuts (14) and the micro-cuts (15), or between the cuts (14), the micro-cuts (15) and the grooves, A pneumatic vehicle tyre, characterized in that the positive area elements (13a) of the profile blocks (13) or block-like structures are each a single flat surface area or consist of several surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another, each with a level difference of at least 100 μm, and in which all the surface areas of the profile blocks or block-like structures run parallel to one another and are at different levels so as to follow the curvature of the tread. 14. A pneumatic vehicle tyre as described in claim 13 above, comprising a tread having profile blocks (13) and / or block-like structures with cuts (14) and / or micro cuts (15) running parallel to one another, characterized in that in the case of positive area elements (13a) consisting of a plurality of surface areas located at different levels, these are separated by at least one edge extending parallel to the cuts (14) and / or micro cuts (15) so as to follow the path of said cuts (14) and / or micro cuts (15). 15. A pneumatic vehicle tire as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in the case of a positive area element consisting of a plurality of surface areas, these surface areas are present at different levels so as to be stepped one above the other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Mold segment part 2 Base part 2a Shoulder decorative rib 3. Ribs 4 thin plate 5 Rib Skeleton 5a Rib 5b Rib Frank 6 Insert 7a Frame part 7b Bottom plate 8 Bottom 9 holes 10 Build Plate 10a hole 11 Micro thin plate 12 Mold Area Elements 12a side 13 Profile Block 13a Positive Area Elements 14 Cutting 15 Micro cutting 16 Envelope b Width

Claims

1. 1. A method for manufacturing a mold segment component of a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire for forming at least one profile block or block-like structured area of ​​a generally curved tread having a tread outer surface, said mold segment component being built up by an additive process by flatly applying and fusing a metal powder layer by layer on a flat building plate (10) with a bottom (7b) and mold elements, the mold elements delimiting or running around mutually adjacent mold area elements (12) forming an area of ​​said tread outer surface, 1. A method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the mould area elements (12) are each built up as a single flat surface area or additively from a plurality of flat surface areas (12a) running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, wherein all said mould area elements (12) or their surface areas run parallel to one another and are areas located at different levels with respect to the building plate (10) such that their mutual arrangement approximates the curvature of the area to be formed of the tread outer surface.

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mould elements are sheets (4) and / or microsheets (11) and / or ribs and / or areas of ribs.

3. 3. A method for manufacturing a mold segment component having parallel extending lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a mold area element having a plurality of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with side surfaces resulting in a level difference is additionally constructed such that the side surfaces run parallel to the path of the lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11).

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mould area element (12) is constructed additively from a number of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner relative to one another such that the widths (b) of their surface areas differ from one another by a maximum of ±30%.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the insert (6) with the mould element is constructed additively as a mould segment component.

6. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the mould elements are sheets (4), microsheets (11) and / or ribs (5a) and / or partial regions of ribs.

7. 7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the insert (6) has a peripheral frame part (7b) and a bottom plate (10).

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that structures in the form of bumps and / or recesses are printed superficially on the mould area element (12).

9. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the structures in the form of bumps and / or depressions have a height or depth, respectively, which corresponds to a layer thickness of the additive process.

10. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the printed superficial structures are visual elements, geometric patterns, characters.

11. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the printed superficial structures are uniformly arranged structures.

12. A mold segment component built by an additive process by flatly applying and fusing a metal powder layer by layer on a flat build plate (10) with a bottom (7b) and mold elements of a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic vehicle tire for forming at least one profile block or block-like structured area of ​​a generally curved tread having a tread outer surface, the mold segment components delimiting or running around mutually adjacent mold area elements (12) forming an area of ​​said tread outer surface, 1. A mold segment component, characterized in that the mold area elements (12) are each a single flat surface area or consist of a plurality of flat surface areas running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, wherein all said mold area elements (12) or their surface areas run parallel to one another and are areas located at different levels with respect to the building plate (10) such that their mutual arrangement approximates the curvature of the area to be formed of the tread outer surface.

13. A mold segment component as described in claim 12, characterized in that the bottom of the mold segment component consists of a build plate portion and an additionally built bottom portion (7b).

14. 14. A mould segment component according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the mould elements are lamellae (4) and / or microlamellae (11) and / or ribs and / or partial regions of ribs.

15. 15. A mould segment component according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that in the case of a mould area element (12) having a number of flat surface areas running in a step with respect to one another, these surface areas have widths (b) which differ from one another by a maximum of ±30%.

16. A mould segment component with parallel extending lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that in the case of a mould area element (12) with a plurality of flat surface areas (12a) running in a stepped manner relative to one another, side surfaces with a difference in level are provided which run parallel to the lamellae (4) and / or micro-lamellae (11).

17. A mould segment component according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that it is an insert (6) forming at least one profile block and having a base and a mould element.

18. 18. A mould segment component according to claim 17, characterized in that the insert (6) has a peripheral frame portion (7b) which is a rib forming a groove or a rib forming part of a groove.

19. A vulcanization mold for pneumatic vehicle tires comprising a mold segment comprising the mold segment component according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

20. A pneumatic vehicle tyre having a shaped, generally curved tread divided into profile blocks (13) by grooves and / or structured in block-like form, the profile blocks (13) and / or the block-like structures being present with cuts (14) and / or micro-cuts (15) passing through them, the positive area elements (13a) being formed between the cuts (14) or the micro-cuts (15), or between the cuts (14) and the micro-cuts (15), or between the cuts (14), the micro-cuts (15) and the grooves, A pneumatic vehicle tyre, characterized in that the positive area elements (13a) in the profile blocks (13) or block-like structures are each a single flat surface area or consist of a number of surface areas each running in a stepped manner with respect to one another with a level difference of at least 100 μm, and in that all surface areas of the profile blocks or block-like structures run parallel to one another and are at different levels.

21. 21. A pneumatic vehicle tyre according to claim 20, comprising a tread with profile blocks (13) and / or block-like structures with cuts (14) and / or microcuts (15) running parallel to one another, characterized in that in the case of positive area elements (13a) made up of a number of surface areas located at different levels, these are delimited by at least one edge running parallel to the cuts (14) and / or microcuts (15) so as to follow the path of said cuts (14) and / or microcuts (15).

22. 22. Pneumatic vehicle tyre according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that in the case of a positive area element constituted by several surface areas, these surface areas are present at different levels so as to be stepped one above the other.

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