PROCESS AND PLANT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TIRES FOR VEHICLE WHEELS.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PIRELLI TYRE SPA
- Filing Date
- 2017-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
Smart Images
Figure MX434269B0
Abstract
Description
RRQCESQ AND PLANT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TIRES FOR VEHICLE WHEELS The present invention describes a process and a plant for building pneumatic tires for vehicle wheels. More specifically, the invention is intended for the construction of green tires, which will subsequently undergo a vulcanization cycle to obtain the final product. The term olastochoric material refers to a composition consisting of at least one elastomeric polymer and at least one reinforcing filler. Preferably, such a composition also includes additives, such as a crosslinking agent and / or a plasticizer. Due to the presence of the crosslinking agent, such material can be crosslinked by heating itself to form the final manufactured product. The terms radial and axial, and the expressions radially internal / external and axially external, are used to refer to the radial direction of the tire's forming drum (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the aforementioned drum), and to the axial direction of the tire's forming support (i.e., a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the aforementioned forming drum). The terms circumferential and circumferential are used instead to refer to the annular extent of the forming support of the tire, which is generally used for vehicle wheels. 10. comprises a housing structure consisting of at least one housing cover that respectively <Iós eteremos apuestos acoplados con respeteivas estructuras de anclaje anulares, integradas en las senas normalmente idéátif loadas can el nombre de '“puesteóte, que tiene un diámetro interior sustaneialmente correspondiente al deteminadp diámetro de ajuste del neumático en una llanta de montaje respectiva. The casing structure is associated with a belt structure that may comprise one or more layers of belts: situated radially overlapping one another and with respect to the casing cover, which have cords of erg O: textile, or. .metal .with transverse and / or substantially parallel to the: circumferential extension direction of the tire (at 0 degrees·- the tread is placed in a radially external position: with respect to the belt structure; the tread is also made of elastomeric material^ same as the other components that constitute the tire. 5. The respective sidewalls made of elastomeric material are also placed in an axial external position on the lateral surfaces of the casing structure, each extending from one of the lateral edges of the tread to the respective annular anchoring structure to the flanges. In tubeless-type tires, an airtight layer, usually called a liner, covers the inner surfaces of the tire. After the manufacture of the green tire powered by the assembly of the respective components, a molding and vulcanization treatment is generally carried out, with the aim of causing structural stabilization of the tire by means of crosslinking of the elastomeric compositions, as well as stamping on it, if requested, a desired rim design and possible distinctive graphic markings on the sides of the tire. The housing structure and the belt structure are normally obtained separately from each other in respective manufacturing areas, with the purpose of assembling them together at a later time. More specifically: obtaining the casing structure first establishes that the casing cover or covers are placed on a construction drum, to form a so-called casing flange which is a cylindrical substance. The annular anchoring structures for the flanges are fitted or formed on the opposite end fins of the casing cover or covers, which are subsequently turned upwards around the same annular structures so that they are wrapped in a ring-like wing. In a second drum or auxiliary drum, a so-called crown structure is obtained in the form of an outer sleeve consisting of one or more layers of belt 20 wound in mutual radial overlap, and possibly the tread, wound in a radially external position with respect to the belt layers. The crown structure is then picked up by the drum to be wound in order to couple it to the casing sleeve. The crown structure for this purpose is arranged axially around the casing sleeve, after which the casing cover or covers are formed according to a troidal configuration by means of mutual axial approach of the flanges and simultaneous introduction of pre-purified liquid S into the casing sleeve, so as to cause a radial retardation of the casing covers until they adhere against the inner surface of the crown surface. The assembly of parts of the casing sleeve with the crown structure can be driven in the drum used to obtain a casing sleeve; in this case, it is called a 'one-stage construction process' or 'monostage process'. There are also construction processes of the type called two-step* in which the so-called first-stage drum is used to manufacture the casing sleeve, while the assembly of parts between the casing sleeve and the crown structure is driven in a so-called 'second-stage drum' or 'forming drums' to which the casing sleeve collected from the first-stage drum and, subsequently, the crown structure collected from the auxiliary drum are transferred. US patent 4,732,640 describes the use of rotating towers in vertical systems, which together sequentially transfer a semi-diagonal question t< t <e las diferentes estaciones de trabajo con el fin de obtener una manga de carcasa equipada con revestibiante, la cubierta de carcasa y las estructuras anulares de refuerzo para las pestañas. US patent 3,388,024 describes an instruction device in which a plurality of construction drums are moved through work stations distributed along a conveyor system so that each receives 1.03 of a respective pneumatic drum being produced. Along the conveyor system, a pair of rotating towers operate on their respective vertical axes, each with four stations for loading the drums. At each end, each drum loaded at one of the loading stations is sequentially transferred according to a forward movement through the respective workstations, which comprise a pair of loading stations, a station for warming the semi-finished product, and a station for applying a respective agreed-upon anal reinforcement structure. Document US 0.13.9 describes a device for building tires, in which three towers, rotating according to their respective horizontal axes, each carry a pair of drums that can be alternately placed on a pair of workstations. In particular, a first tower supports a first and second drum, coupled with a station for placing the casing covers and reinforcements and a station for placing the liners and sidewalls. A second tower supports a third and fourth drum, coupled with a station for placing the belt plies and a station for placing a tread. A third tower, positioned with respect to the alignment between the first and second towers, supports a fifth and sixth drum paired with a forming station to which the casing sleeve is coupled to the belt ply assembly, tread, and a winding station. bus transfer units provided each to remove <1 semi-finished product from the drums carried to one of the towers, in order to transfer it to one of the drums carried by the adjacent tower. The Applicant has observed that, in the prior art, undesirable decreases in productivity can occur due to occasional production interruptions in the area dedicated to manufacturing the casing lugs or in the area dedicated to building the tire structures. In particular, the Applicant has verified that a temporary interruption of production in any of the 8 manufacturing areas of the lug or the casing - due to road maintenance or breakdown, or to allow adjustment operations or variations in the size or model of the tires under production - necessarily entails the stoppage of production throughout the entire plant. In fact, if the production of the casing sleeves is stopped, the absence of casing sleeves that are to be coupled to the crown structures (which are being produced in the meantime) also forces a suspension of production in the crown construction area, 1S duremótirón .similares,; a production interruption in the area dedicated to the construction of crown structures causes an interruption in the production of the ds casing sleeves, Therefore, the Applicant has perceived the possibility of increasing productivity in a timely manner, ensuring that production in each of the areas respectively dedicated to the manufacture of sleeves, casing and cereña structure does not occur with each interruption in the production of the other area. exploiting the appropriate arrangement of a storage device©®! entity, Therefore, the Applicant has discovered that by having an immediately countercurrent storage device, a station arranged to form each casing sleeve according to a toroidal configuration, the storage device with a loading and collecting geometry such that the accelerations are obtained in angularly spaced areas around a center of rotation of the casing sleeves carried by the storage device, it becomes possible to have a supply of casing sleeves that can be associated with the respective crown structures during occasional production interruptions in the casing sleeve construction area. Finally, the plant increases its reliability in case of downtime during the construction of the casing sleeves as well as the crown structures. More particularly, according to a first aspect, the present invention describes a process for constructing tires for vehicle wheels. Preferably, it is established that the casing sleeves obtained in a sleeve extraction area are transferred to a forming station where each casing sleeve is formed according to a toroidal configuration. Preferably, each formed sleeve is associated with a respective crown structure obtained in a crown construction area. Preferably, each casing sleeve collected from the sleeve construction area, before being transported to the forming station, passes through a storage device arranged to receive a plurality of the casing sleeves. Preferably, each casing sleeve is coupled to, and collected from, the storage device respectively at a loading station and a collection station, angularly spaced from each other around a center of rotation of the casing sleeves transported by the storage device. According to a second aspect, the invention deals with a plant for manufacturing motors for vehicle wheels. Preferably, there is a sleeve manufacturing area in which devices operate to obtain the casing sleeves. Preferably, a crown construction area is available in which devices operate to obtain crown structures. Ideally, a station is available W conformation to shape each wn^a of housing according to cp® a theroidal configuration. Preferably, transfer devices are available to transfer the casing sleeves from the casing construction area to the forming station. Preferably, the transfer devices comprise a first displacing device for collecting each casing sleeve from the output station of the sleeve building area and transferring it to a loading station in a storage device. Preferably, they also comprise a second transfer device configured to transfer each casing sleeve from the re-suction station to the storage device and the forming station. The storage device is given preference in an operational manner between the first displacing device and the second: deplatted device. Preferably, the loading station and the collection station are angularly separated from each other around a center of rotation of the casing sleeves carried by the storage device. The Applicant considers it possible to achieve considerable increases in productivity in this way. The use of the storage device, operatively interposed between the sleeve construction line and the forming station, makes it possible to have a supply of casing sleeves available that can be used to feed the forming station in case of temporary production interruptions in the sleeve construction area, for example, due to breakdowns or if adjustments need to be made when requested, variations in the tire cover and / or the model of the tires being processed. Therefore, processing at the workstation and in the casing construction area can continue without interruption until the casing sleeves previously stored in the storage device are exhausted. At the same time, the storage device is also adapted in the forming station.The Applicant also considers that the use of a rotating device allows for improved design flexibility in terms of plant layout, as the angular orientation of each casing sleeve is not restricted in the casing construction area and at the forming station. Furthermore, a storage device of limited size is obtained, capable of holding the casing sleeves without damaging them. In at least one of the aforementioned aspects, the invention may also comprise one or more of the following 20 preferred features. Preferably, each housing sleeve is wrapped with the storage device; by means of inverting the support element in the housing sleeve. In this way it is possible to limit the distance traveled, and the volume required by the respective sensor to reach the respective charging or collection station. Therefore, it becomes possible to limit the size of the storage device, since both the first and second sensors can interact with each other without interfering with one another. Preferably, the insertion of the support element is preceded by an alignment action of the housing sleeve, having its geometric shape substantially aligned with the support element. Therefore, the casing sleeve can be collected by ®1 sleeve construction areas at an output station that is not aligned with the positioned support element: at the loading station, improving the flexibility of the plant design as a type of distribution requirements. Preferably, the insertion of the support element is carried out by means of longitudinal displacement of the support element; parallel to a geometric axis of the housing sleeve. Preferably, ceda manga dé Carcasa recogida desda área de cqüs tracción dé cangas i sé nave hacia el Dispositivo 4® Almacenamiento a lo largo ide una primera ruta de transferencia que está en un plano vertical < In this way it is possible to obtain a reduction in the volume of land occupied by the plant. Ideally, the flat plane of the first transfer route 10 aligns with a storage device charging station. Preferably, each casing sleeve is picked up from the storage device and transferred to the 15th station - of / Conforms to ion along a second: transfer route that is in coi piano Wrtical. In this way it is possible to obtain a 20% reduction in the volume of land of the plant. , the : 1 year of the second route The transfer unit aligns with a collection station of the storage device©» In terms of pre-existence, the flat planes of the first and second transfer routes are respectively orroganal, Thus, the forming station is arranged within the crown construction area, with the consequent co-compaction of the production plant. Preferably, the second transfer route extends wsiancia^^ with a configuration in the shape of & above: of the station: of conformity,. This solution also allows for a timely reduction in the project's volume. Preferably, the first transfer route extends substantially along a service area configured to be occupied by an operator. Therefore, it is possible to limit the plant's volume without the transit of the casing sleeves posing risks to the operator supervising the service area. Preferably, the storage device has at least one manual charging station that can be accessed from the service area. If necessary, one or more casing sleeves can then be loaded into the storage device in order to anticipate or prepare for possible temporary interruptions in production in the sleeve construction area. Preferably, each casing sleeve picked up from the sleeve building area, before being moved along the first transfer route, is moved from an exit station to a 15 alignment position, respectively deflected along a direction orthogonal to the flat plane of the first transfer route. Therefore, the casing sleeve can be picked up from the sleeve building area at an output station that is not aligned with the support element positioned at the loading station. Ideally, each casing sleeve should be collected. From the sleeve construction area, it is supported by a radial containment action distributed over an outer surface of the sleeve. In this way, it is possible to carry out a reliable clamping action without risk of damage or tearing of the housing sleeve. Preferably, each casing sleeve picked up from the storage device is held by means of a radial containment action distributed over an outer surface thereof. Preferably, at the forming station, the forming drum is internally attached to each formed casing sleeve. Thanks to the use of the forming drum, the crown structure can be formed directly onto the casing sleeve cmi:ru ^a, without having to be obtained separately. Preferably, each forming drum attached to the casing sleeve is picked up from the forming station and transferred to the crown forming area in order to obtain the crown structure. The forming station is thus available for a new cycle of working on a new casing sleeve, without having to wait for the crown structure to be obtained. Preferably, each manufactured tire is removed from the forming drum attached to the forming station, after obtaining the wax structure. The drum, thus shaped, is available to receive a new sleeve. While the tire is still in use, it can be easily transferred to the service area. Oe preference-, each tire removed from the drum former is transferred to the service area. From p1ef to rene ia the storage device has a plurality of support elements that can simultaneously be moved around a common center of rotation. The support element can be selectively attached, at least at the charging station and the collection station. Preferably, the charging station and the collection station are separated angularly by 90° around the center of rotation. Preferably, the storage device comprises moving elements that operate in at least one of the loading station and the collection station, in order to move each support element between an extended condition in which it moves radially away from the center of rotation and a contracted condition in which it moves closer to the center of rotation. Preferably, the moving elements comprise an extended slide guide around the center of rotation. Preference is given, the sliding guide is attached, with the capacity to be deployed in a radial arm extended from a rotating or axial support with the center of rotation. Preferably, the moving elements comprise a jack that operates on a driving strut that can move radially with respect to the center of rotation. A possible additional movement of the support element towards the charging station can thus be obtained. Given preference, a pair of the 1.0 sliding guide is obtained in the pusher. Therefore, a coexistence is obtained. Integral of the movements, obtained respectively by means of the guidance of des1ication and the cat. Preferably, the first displacing device comprises a first clamping element that can be moved vertically and along a horizontal direction along a first transfer path that is in a vertical plane. Preferably, the first movable device comprises: a first horizontally extended guide beam in an upright position between the sleeve construction area and the storage device; a first carriage moving along the first guide beam; a first coupled column: movable with the first carriage and vertically movable; a first clamping element coupled in proximity to a lower end of the first column. In this way it is possible to prevent the first displacing device and the casing sleeve carried by it from interfering with the equipment or other objects or other people below:. Preferably, the plan, the flat of the first transit route ^r;-'ucla to :nea .u ” a vr of .una., with storage device. Preferably, the second displacing device comprises a second clamping element movable in a vertical and a horizontal direction along a second path of surface that is in a vertical plane. Preferably, the second displacing device comprises: a second guide beam extended simultaneously in an upright position with respect to the storage device and above the forming station; a second carriage movable along the second guide beam; a second column coupled in a displaceable manner with the second carriage and also movable; a second clamping element coupled in close proximity to a lower end of the second column; In this way it is possible to prevent the second displacing device and the housing sleeve carried by the Mam© from interfering with equipment or other objects or people below. 0© preference, the flat plane of the second transfer route is aligned with a storage device collection station> Preferably, the flat planes of the first and second transfer route are respectively 15 ort oqon ales. Se: preference,· the storage device is placed in a position relative to the forming station, 20 Preferably, the sleeve construction area and the crown construction area are respectively side by side according to a direction parallel to the flat plane of the first transfer route, within a rectangular perimeter line. By: <1© tantd: se: a reorganized use of the spaces normally available in an industrial building 1 with a rectangular floor plan. Preferably, a service area, configured to be occupied by at least one operator, is arranged internally along one side of the perimeter line and is delimited between the sleeve construction area and the crown construction area. Preferably, the forming station is positioned within the crown construction area. Preferably. The first guide beam extends above a service area configured to be occupied by an operator. Ideally, each element of support can also be cloned by the girls in a manual upload cure. Preferably, the first clamping element is carried by an oscillating arm that rotates in close proximity to the lower end of the first column, according to an oscillation axis parallel to the first guide beam. Preferably, at least one of the first clamping element and the second clamping element comprises at least two loops that can be brought close together in order to exert a radial containment action on an outer surface of the housing sleeve. Preferably, each of the wrappers: has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, Preferably, the movement elements and control units configured to unplate the 15 support elements around the center of rotation are installed on the fixed parts of the storage device, without the movement elements and / or control units being installed on the support elements or other moving parts around the center of rotation. This allows the support elements to perform even multiple complete rotations around the inside of the dissection, clockwise or counterclockwise, without having to use the swivel joints between the fixed piles of the tower and the moving parts. Furthermore, the storage device can be driven, according to requirements, either according to a logic called FIFO (First In, First Out). Exit; and according to a logic called 11EO (Last in, last out), so that the movement sequence of the support elements around the center of rotation is released from the movement sequence of the first and second displaced device. Preferably, the plant also comprises forming drums that can be coupled to the forming station, each within a respective formed casing sleeve. Preferably, the crown construction area comprises mcvimisntc devices that operate - on the individual forming drums in order to move the formed casing sleeves between the second work stations distributed in the crown construction area. From t' - ^ua, the forming station comprises desiring devices to remove each constructed pneumatic: from the respective forming drum. Preferably, a discharge conveyor device is also available - located in the service area to receive the tires assembled from the devices: unload, Other features and advantages will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive refinement form of a process for constructing tires for vehicle wheels and a plant for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, according to the present invention. The description will henceforth be stipulated with reference to the attached drawings, which are provided herein as a non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a top view of a plant for construction tires; Figure 2 shows a detail of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale; Figure 3 shows the detail of Figure 2 from the side; Figure 4 shows a detail of the plant, indicating a first device dosplacadur in side view; It shows a detail of the plant indicating a second device, daspla, satiate in view of castada; Figure 6 shows a tire that, when obtained according to the present invention, has an interrupted radial section. With reference to the aforementioned figures, reference number 1 generally indicates a plant for producing vehicle wheel tires. Plant 1 is arranged to activate a process for constructing vehicle wheel tires according to the present invention. Plant 1 is installed to obtain tires (Figure 6) that essentially comprise at least a tire cover 3, preferably internally covered by a layer of impermeable elastomeric material or called lining 4, and two annular anchoring structures. 5, each comprising a so-called flange 5 a prominent feature which carries a filling 5 b is radially external, coupled with the respective end flanges 3a of the casing cover / covers 3. The axial anchoring structures 5 are integrated in close proximity to flanges normally identified with the number of flanges 6, in which the coupling between the tire 2 and a respective mounting rim (not described) usually occurs, Around the casing cover / covers 3, a casing structure 7 is stacked, for example, consisting of several layers of belt 7a, 7b and a tread 8 circumferentially overlapping the belt layers 7a, 7b. Two sidewalls 9, each extending from the flange corresponding to a side rib of the tread 8, are applied in laterally opposite positions on the casing cover / covers 3 Floor 1 is preferably delimited within a closed perimeter line, preferably L, which has a rectangular footprint. Within perimeter line L, a construction area A and a construction area B can be identified, side by side. The construction area 2S sleeves A and the crown construction area B occupy a major portion, comprising approximately between 70% and 90% of the surface inscribed in the perimeter line L. A service area S, configured to be occupied by at least one operator O, is placed internally along one side of the perimeter line L, preferably in a substantially central position, and delimited between the sleeve construction area A and the crown construction area B. In the illustrated example, the service area C occupies approximately 10% to 30% of the surface inscribed in the perimeter line, L. In the sleeve construction area A, one or more construction drums 10 are moved according to a previously established sequence through a plurality 15 of first workstations 11, for example, according to known modes, in order to form in the construction drum itself a casing handle 12 having a shape s* i'.n-frej;.' m. The carding sleeve 12 may comprise, for example, at least a casing cover 20 3, preferably internally covered by the lining, and having the respective axially opposed end fins 3a coupled, for example, by turning upwards with the respective annular anchoring structures S*. If necessary, the casing sleeve 12 may also comprise the side walls 9 or first portions thereof. extending^ each from a respective tab 6. In the hull construction area B, the second workstations 13 are distributed to: obtain the crown structures 7, and each of these: may comprise the belt layer or layers 7a, 7b, the tread 8, and possibly at least a part of the sidewalls It is established that each casing sleeve 12 be transferred to a forming station 14 where, for example, in a known manner, it can be shaped according to a toroidal configuration in order to couple with the respective crown structure 7. According to an unillustrated embodiment, each housing structure 7 can be obtained in a respective auxiliary drum, from which it must be removed to be coupled to a respective housing sleeve 12. According to a different preferred embodiment, each crown structure 7 can be obtained in a timely manner directly into the respective housing sleeve 12 25. For this purpose, it is preferred that within a casing sleeve 12 transferred to the forming station 14, a forming drum 15 or coupling that is radially expandable is placed within the formed casing sleeve 12. Forming station 14 may be located within the crown construction area or. Movement devices 16 include, for example, rheometric forados:, operate in the crown construction area B in order to sequentially collect, from the forming station 14, each forming drum 15 coupled to the respective formed casing sleeve 12, and transfer it to the crown construction area B, in order to move it sequentially through the second stations. The different components of the crown structure 7 can therefore be obtained according to a desired sequence directly in the respective casing sleeve 12, suitably shaped and properly supported by the respective forming drum cqh the object: to obtain the crown structure Ω® preferably, at the end of the work cycle in the crown construction area B> each forming drum 15 which carries a respective newly constructed green tire 2 is coupled in the forming station 14.The forming drum 15 is then contracted radially in order to allow the removal of the constructed tire 2, for example, through an annular transfer device 5 or other unloading devices 17 that remove the constructed tire 2 in order to take it out of the forming station 14. Preferably, each constructed tire 2 is released to an unloading conveyor device 18 disposed in the service area O. W Between the sleeve construction area A and the forming station 14, the transfer devices 19 are arranged in an operational manner, configured to transfer separately and sequentially 15 the casing sleeves 12 from the sleeve construction area A to the forming station 14. The transfer devices 19 preferably comprise a first displacement device 20 configured to collect each casing sleeve 12 from an output station of the sleeve building area A, a second displacement device 21 configured to release each casing sleeve 12 at the forming station 14, and a storage device 25 operatively integrated between the first displacement device 20 and the second displacement device 21. The first displacement device 2Q has a first guide beam 21 that extends horizontally in a raised position above the service area C, between the sleeve construction area A and the storage device 22. Along the first guide beam 33, a first carriage 24 is coupled with displacement capacity to Through which a first vertically movable column 25 ss couples to its seat in a displaceable form. In proximity to a lower end of the first column 25, an oscillating arm 26 is coupled, rotatably according to an axis parallel to the first guide beam 23; the oscillating arm 26 carries a first fastening element 27 at one end thereof. The first clamping element 27 preferably comprises at least two first wraps 27a, which are brought together to exert a radial containment action on an outer surface of the casing sleeve 12. The first wraps 27a preferably have a semi-cylindrical shape, so that they are adapted to fit the casing sleeve 12, exerting a radial containment action on its outer surface. Suitable, unillustrated, devices drive the controlled movement of the first carriage 24 along the first guide beam 23 and the first column 25 through the first carriage 24 in respectively perpendicular directions, for the purpose of unplaning the first clamping element 27 along a predetermined first transfer path TI, which is in a vertical plane preferably parallel to the direction of the side-by-side mutual placement of the sleeve building area A and the crown building area B. The second displaced device 21 has a second guide beam 23 extended horizontally in position, raised above the storage device 22 and the forming station 14, preferably in accordance with an orientation perpendicular to the first guide beam 23. Along the second guide beam 28, a second frame 29 is coupled in a displaceable manner, through which a second vertically movable column 30 is in turn coupled in a flexible manner. At a lower end of the second column 30, a second fastening element 31 is attached, which preferably comprises two second wraps 31a that approach each other. The second wraps also 31a preferably have a subcylindrical shape, so that they are adapted to fit the casing flange 12, exerting a radial containment action on the outer surface of 1a. Suitable, unillustrated cats drive the movement of the second car:29 along Xa: second guide beam 28 and of the second slab 30 through the second carriage 29 along respectively perpendicular directions, for the purpose of unplaning the second fastening element 31 along a second predetermined transfer path TI, which is in a vertical plane, preferably orthogonal with respect to the flat plane of the first transfer path TI, The storage device 22, located for example in the vicinity of a corner of the service area C adjacent to the crown construction area B and close to the . » u < »nr . -' .. u? -C, preferably comprises a tower 32 that defines a center of rotation Y along a vertical axis. The tower 32 carries a rotating m* 33 coaxial with the center of rotation Y, from which extend a plurality of angularly equidistant radial arms 34. Each radial arm 34 carries a respective support element 35 having a bearing surface on its upper part, preferably convex in shape. In the illustrated realization form, four radial arms 34 are provided, which carry respective support elements 35 angularly separated by 90° from each other. Under the command of a jack, not illustrated, the rotating jack 33 of the tower 32 can be rotated so as to cause a simultaneous displacement of the support elements 35 around the center of rotation Y, preferably in accordance with one or more angular movement inclinations that have a value corresponding to the angular distance between two respectively adjacent support elements 35. Consequently, each support element 35 can be selectively placed at least at one loading station E, which can be reached by the first displacing device 20, and one collection station F, which can be reached by means of a second displacing device 21. Preferably, the loading station E and the collection station F are separated angularly by 90° around the center of rotation i, each aligned with the plane of the respective first and second transfer paths Ti, Tg. Also, preferably, a manual loading station G is provided, which can be accessed from the service area SC, and preferably placed diametrically opposite to the collection station F. A possible transit station H can be located diametrically opposite to the loading station E, between the collection station F and the manual loading station G. Preferably, the storage device 22, and more precisely the support elements 35 carried by the respective radial arms 34, are situated in an open position with respect to the forming station 14, but, in any case, in such a way that the manually operated station E can be easily accessed by the operator or, possibly by means of a suitable ladder K placed in the service area C. The rotating support 33 and the parts supported by it, for example, the radial arms 34 and the elements \e ct p ?r* a · . , . p' et . j ' t u'ia τ <'1. mo:G. at:ox .. iu other components with electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic operation 2. In other words, the motion elements and control units configured to move the support elements 35 around the center of rotation Ϊ not illustrated in the drawings are installed only on the tower 32 or other fixed parts of the storage device 22, without motion elements and / or control units installed on the support elements 35 or other moving parts around the center of rotation i. In order for the first and second displacement device 21 to interact with the storage device 1-2 without interfering with each other, the movement elements 36 are preferably operated at least at one of the loading station E and collection station F, in order to move each support element 35 between an extended condition in which they are radially separated from the center of rotation Y and a contracted condition in which they are brought closer to the center of rotation Y. In the illustrated embodiment, the movement elements 36 operate at a single loading station E. From rou^'a „r, a plate 37 is fixed near the top of tower 32- On a surface of 1_, plac?. ¿ dí ..c < it is obtained- that extends eccentrically around the center of rotation 2S ϊ, suatañólade acorderde! con un plano horizontal, For example:fla guia de desgliámientu 38 puede obtener· de una groove extensa a según a línea cerrada alrededor del centro de rota Y, y que tiene una portion circular extensa en para: 180° concent ti enmanto alrededor del centro de: rota Y, y un portion eccentric extensa hacia la estación da carga E. Each support element 35 is movably coupled along the respective radial arm 34 and, at one end directed towards the center of rotation Yj, carries a runner 39, for example, in the form of a cylinder, movably coupled along the sliding guide 38, The 39 slides travel along the defibrillation guide 38 during the imposed rotation on the support elements around the center of rotation Y. The coupling between the guides 38 and the sliding guide 38 consequently forces a radial movement to the support element 35 which moves closer to or further away from the loading station E. More particularly, during the movement towards the loading station E, each support element 35 moves 'towards the respective extracted condition, in order to return to the loading station E itself. Furthermore, or as an alternative, for example, in order to increase the distance of the loading station E from the center of rotation Y, a portion of the sliding guide©· 38 coupled by the slider 39 to any support element 35 5 at the loading station £ can be obtained on a driving strut 40 that moves radially away from the center of rotation Y, under the control of a jack 41 fixed to the tower 32. During plant operation, the IQ construction drum or drums carrying the casing sleeves 12 obtained in the casing construction area A are carried by a rough separator, for example, by means of a. device of saneju 42, to the exit station S, preferably placed along one side of the sleeve construction area: A adjacent to the crown construction area B and the service area C. The first unlatching device 20 carries the respective first clamping element 27 to the exit station D, in such a way that the casing sleeve 12 is grafted axially within the first clamping element 27. With a mutual approach of the first wraps: 27a, the quiver sleeve 12 is coupled by the first clamping element 27 and can therefore be removed from the constriction drum 10, to the possible radial contraction thereof. With a rotation of the swing arm 26, for example, of 180% or less, the casing sleeve 12 held by the first clamping element 27 is brought from the exit station D to an alignment position DI parallel and offset with respect to the exit station D, along a direction orthogonal to the plane of the first transfer path TI. Upon reaching the alignment position DI, the casing sleeve 12 has a geometric axis X-axis replanar with the first transfer path TI. IF the geometric axis XX of each sleeve of casing 12 coincides with the axis of rotation of the respective tire 2 during production. The presence of the oscillating .bramo·, 26 of the first displacement device 20 ensures that if the output station D p„ea?; ar & nona ^'n , í ul of load E in the storage device 22 is required, so that the flexibility of the plant design is improved as a function of the needs, The displacement of the first column 25 and the first carriage 24 is then: driven, in order to move the casing sleeve 12 along the first transfer route TI, preferably extending along the service area C. More particularly, with a displacement of the first moving column 25, an elevation of the casing sleeve 12 is caused to a height of up to at least 2100 mm, suitable to avoid risks of collision with the operator or present in the service area d £1 movirt .. o, · del. first carriage 24 es esconces lepa Isa do, causing the casing sleeve 12 to perform a horizontal displacement along its geometric axis XX upon arrival of the service area C. A further downward displacement of the first column 25 causes an alignment of the casing sleeve 12 in such a way that its geometric axis XX aligns with the support element 35 arranged at the loading station E.A new movement of the first carriage 24 and / or the movement of the support element 35 in the extracted condition is then driven by the command of the jack 41, if not performed above, in order to cause the insertion of the support element itself into the housing sleeve 12, parallel to the geometric axis XX of the latter. The first wraps 27a can thus be moved away in order to release the housing sleeve 12, fixing it to the support element 35, after which the first clamping element 27 is removed from the housing sleeve 12, which remains attached to the support element 33 at the charging station E. The support element 35 is returned to the contracted condition to the jack handle 41 and, with a displacement of the support elements 35 around the center of rotation 1, according to an angle of 90° counterclockwise with respect to figure 1, the housing sleeve 12 is transferred from the loading station E to the collection station F. Ϊ0 O.simult éneamente, a possible casing sleeve. 11 additional, manually loaded by operator G, is transferred from manual loading station G to loading station E, ready to be transferred to collection station F with a nine displacement of the support elements 35 around the center of rotation Y. The housing sleeve 12 carried to the collection station F is coupled by the second clamping element carried by the displacing device 21 in a manner analogous to that declared with reference to the first clamping element 27* The casing sleeve 12 is therefore adapted to be picked up from the storage device 22 and carried to the forming station 14 along the second transfer route T2, extended according to a 1-shaped configuration above the forming station 14. More particularly, with a horizontal displacement of the second carriage 29 along the second guide beam 26, the casing sleeve 12 is removed from the support elbow 35 at the collection station F and carried above the forming station 14. A subsequent descent of the second column 30 places the casing sleeve 12 inside the forming station 14. The casing sleeve 12 is then coupled to the forming station 14, in order to be shaped according to the toroidal configuration necessary for the purpose of coupling it with the crown structure 7 15 subsequently obtained in the crown construction area;
Claims
A plant for constructing tires for vehicle wheels, comprising: a sleeve construction area for obtaining casing sleeves; a crown construction area for obtaining crown structures; a forming station for shaping each casing sleeve according to a toroidal configuration; a storage device comprising a loading station, a collection station, one or more support elements, and a tower defining a center of rotation Y along a vertical axis, wherein the loading station and the collection station are angled relative to each other about the center of rotation Y;and transfer devices for transferring casing sleeves from the sleeve construction area to the forming station, wherein the transfer devices comprise: a first shifter configured to collect each casing sleeve from an output station of the sleeve construction area and which transfers each casing sleeve to the loading station in the storage device; and a second shifter configured to transfer each casing sleeve from the collection station in the storage device to the forming station; wherein the storage device is operatively interposed between the first shifter and the second shifter; 2. The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more support elements of the storage device are simultaneously displaced 20 around the center of rotation i.
3. The plant according to claim 2, characterized in that each support element is selectively positioned at least at the loading station and the collection station.
4. The plant according to Xa rsivindXwúí^ a, characterized by the storage device further comprising one or more movement elements which operate in at least one of the loading station and the collection station, in order to displace each support seat between an extended condition in which each support element moves radially away from the center of rotation 1 and a contracted condition in which each support element is closer to the center of rotation Y. 5< The plant according to claim 4, wherein the one or more movement elements comprise a sliding guide extended around the center of rotation 1.
1. The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding guide extends eccentrically with respect to the center of rotation 1.20 7* The plant according to claim i, characterized in that the sliding qju is coupled in a sliding manner by means of one or more slides, where: each of the slides is carried by the one or more support elements.
8. The plant according to claim 5, characterized in that the one or more movement elements comprise an actuator that operates on a drive that can be moved radially with friction to the center of rotation i.
5. The plant according to claim 8, characterized in that a portion of the sliding guide is provided to the impeller. 1Q. The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that each support element is slidably coupled on a radial arm extending from the swivel support coaxial with the center of rotation. Y.
11. The plant according to claim 1 characterized in that the first displacer comprises a first clamping element that can be moved along a vertical direction and along a horizontal direction along a first transfer path lying in a vertical plane.
12. The plant according to claim 11, characterized in that the plane of the first transfer path is aligned with the drop station of the storage device. 13.The plant according to claim 11, 5, characterized in that the second displacer comprises a second clamping element that can be moved in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction along a second transfer path lying in a vertical plane.
14. The plant according to claim 13, characterized in that the second displacer further comprises: a second guide beam permanently in a raised position with respect to the storage device and above the forming station; a second carriage that can be moved along the second guide beam; a second column coupled in a hinged form to the second carriage and vertically movable; and a second clamping element coupled in proximity to a lower end of the second column. 15.The plant according to claim 13, characterized in that the lying plane of the second transfer path is aligned with the collection station of the storage device.
16. The plant according to claim 13, characterized in that the lying planes of the first transfer path and the second transfer path are respectively orthogonal.
17. The plant according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one part of the first clamping element and the second clamping element comprises at least two shells, mutually compatible in order to exert a radial containment action on an external surface of a respective housing sleeve.
13. The plant according to claim 17, characterized in that each of the shells has a semi-cylindrical shape.
1. A plant according to claim 11, characterized in that the sleeve co-attraction area and the crown construction area are respectively side by side in accordance with a direction parallel to the lying plane of the first transfer route, within a rectangular perimeter line.
2. The plant according to claim 19, characterized in that it further includes a service area, wherein the service area is occupied by at least one operator, is internally arranged along one side of the perimeter line and delimited between the sleeve construction area and the crown construction area. 2.
1. The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the first displacement comprises: a first guide beam extended horizontally with respect to the construction area.of sleeve and the storage device; a first carriage that can move along the first guide beam; with the first column slidably coupled to the first carriage and which can be moved vertically; and a first clamping element coupled in proximity to a lower end of the first column.
22. The plant according to claim 21, characterized in that the first guide beam extends above a service area occupied by an operator. The plant according to claim 21, characterized in that the first clamping element is carried by an oscillating element rotatably coupled in proximity to the lower end of the first column according to an oscillation axis parallel to the first guide beam. According to claim 1, characterized in that the storage device is arranged in a raised position with respect to the forming station.The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the forming station is positioned within the corona coastroceion area.
27. The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that each support element is positioned in at least one manual loading station.
28. The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more movement elements and one or more control units are configured to rotate one or more support elements around the rotational axis T, the movement elements and control units being mounted on fixed parts of the storage device, and without movement elements and control units mounted on the one or more movable support elements around the rotational axis. 29.The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises one or more forming drums, wherein the one or more forming drums 15 are attachable to the forming station and each one is within a respective formed casing sleeve.
29. The plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the crown building area 20 comprises one or more crown building movement devices that operate on a single forming drum to move the formed casing sleeves between a second workstation distributed in the crown building area.