Method of manufacturing radial tyre and apparatus used therefor

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a radial tyre is disclosed, wherein a tread ring is formed separately from a tyre main body by the use of a tread ring forming apparatus. The radial tyre comprises a belt having a camber and a band wound thereon. The tread ring is an annular assembly of a raw belt, a raw band wound thereon and a raw tread rubber. The tread ring forming apparatus comprising a belt drum (10) made up of segments (14) defining the drum circumference. In a cross section including the belt drum axis (10X), the radially outer surface of each segment is a straight line parallel to the axis. In a cross section normal to the belt drum axis (10X), the radially outer surface is an arc having one radius substantially equal to one half of the drum diameter, but the drum circumference is decreased in the belt edge portion than the central portion by increasing gaps (g) between the segments.

Description: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a radial tyre having a belt (breaker) and a bandage wound thereon, more particularly to a method of forming a tread ring separately from a tyre main body. It also relates to a tread ring forming apparatus. In general, high speed radial tyres for passenger cars, sport cars and the like are provided with a belt or breaker. As the belt cord angle is relatively large with respect to the circumferential direction, the hoop effect is less and the belt is liable to be lifted by high speed rotation. Thus, a bandage whose cord angle is substantially zero is further wound on the belt to provide a tight hoop effect. On the other hand, the tyre tread is usually provided with a camber or curvature in cross-section of the tyre. Therefore, it is preferable that the belt is also provided with a similar camber. Such a belt camber can be obtained by using a profiled belt drum the profile of which is a convex line in a cross section including the drum axis and also a convex line in a cross section normal to the drum axis. Namely, the drum has a three-dimensional curvature. Such a drum is disclosed in Japanese patent publication Nos. JP-B2-5-44914 and JP-B2-6-51368. In practice, however, due to high cost, it is difficult to prepare or make such a profiled belt drum for various tyre sizes. Further, it is almost impossible to exactly adjust or control the three-dimensional curvature according to the output. Therefore, sometimes the belt camber is decreased to almost zero, though the tread camber is maintained. As a result, in the vulcanising mould, the tread rubber is liable to be moved or displaced and compressed unevenly especially in the tyre shoulder portions which disturbs the uniformity of the tyre. Further, the radially inward compressive force that the belt and bandage receive from the inside of the mould is relatively larger in the belt edge portions than the centre due to the curvature corresponding to the tread camber. As a result, bandage tension decreases in the tyre shoulders and high speed durability is decreased. Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a radial tyre in which the above problems are overcome. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing such a radial tyre. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tread ring forming apparatus including a belt drum. Still more another object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming a tread ring by the use of the tread ring forming apparatus. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a radial tyre, comprising a carcass extending between bead portions, a belt disposed radially outside the carcass, the belt having a belt camber of 2 to 4 % of the section width of the tyre and an outside diameter at the tyre equator, and a band disposed radially outside the belt and inside a tread rubber, the method comprises a process of making a tread ring by the use of a belt drum, the belt drum comprising segments arranged around the axis of the belt drum, the segments being movable radially between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, each segment having a radially outer surface, the radially outer surfaces of the segments in the radially outer position collectively forming a belt shaping face for supporting the radially inside of a belt material wound thereon, said process comprising the steps of forming a raw belt by winding a strip of rubberised high modulus cords on the belt shaping face, and forming a raw band by winding at least one organic fibre cord on the radially outside of the raw belt at an angle of 0 to 5 degrees to the circumferential direction of the drum, so that the raw band has an inside circumference Bc measured at the axial centre of the raw belt corresponding to the tyre equator and an inside circumference Be measured at the axial edges of the raw belt which satisfy the following conditions Bc = 2Rc x π x a Be = (2Rc - 2A) x π x a x b 0.94 ≤ a ≤ 0.99 0.97 ≤ b < 1.00, and forming a raw tread portion by applying a strip of raw tread rubber on the radially outer side of the assembly of the raw belt and raw band. Another aspect of the invention provides a tyre tread ring forming apparatus comprising a belt drum, the belt drum comprising segments arranged around the axis of the belt drum, the segments being movable radially between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, characterised in that the radially outer surfaces of the segments in the radially outer position collectively form a belt shaping face on which belt material is wound, in a cross section normal to the axis of the belt drum, the radially outer surface of each segment being an arc having a radius substantially equal to the radius of the belt shaping face, in a cross section including the axis of the belt drum, the radially outer surface of each segment is a straight line parallel to the axis, said belt shaping face being provided between the radially outer surfaces of the segments with gaps which provide no radial support for the wound belt material, the total of the gaps becoming wider from the axial centre of the belt drum towards the axial edges thereof, so that the circumference of the belt drum, which is defined as the total of the arc lengths of the segments and chord lengths of the gaps, becomes shorter from the axial centre of the belt drum towards the axial edges thereof. The belt drum comprises segments arranged around the axis of the belt drum, the segments being movable radially between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, each segment having a radially outer surface, the radially outer surfaces of the segments in the radially outer position collectively forming a belt shaping face for supporting the radially inside of a belt material wound thereon. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, in conjunction with the attached diagrammatic drawings in which: Fig.1 is a cross sectional view of a radial tyre; Fig.2 is a cross sectional view of a raw tyre 5 showing a tread ring 2 and a raw tyre main body 4; Fig.3 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a raw tyre 5 in a vulcanising mould MC; Fig.4 is a schematic cross sectional partial view of a tread ring forming apparatus 1 taken along the belt drum axis 10X; Fig.5 is a schematic cross sectional partial view of the tread ring forming apparatus 1 taken normal to the belt drum axis 10X; Fig.6 is a view similar to Fig.4 but the belt drum 10 is retracted; Fig.7 is a perspective view of an example of the segment 14 of the belt drum 10 showing an example shape of the outer surface 14a thereof; Fig.8 is diagram showing other examples (a) and (b) of the outer surface 14a of the segment 14; Fig.9 is a schematic perspective view showing an arrangement of the segments 14; Fig.10 is a schematic perspective view showing another arrangement of the segments 14 together with another example of the outer surface's shape of the segment 14; Fig.11 is a diagram showing a further example of the segments' arrangement; Fig.12 schematically shows cross sectional views of the belt drum in the centre (right side) and edge (left side) when the raw belt is not wound (top), the raw belt 6 is wound (middle) and the raw band 7 is wound on the raw belt 6 (bottom); Fig.13 is diagrams showing relationships between the radial force variation and lateral force variation and multipliers (a and b); and Figs.14 and 15 are graphs showing an effect of irregular arrangement of the segments on the radial force variation. The present invention is mainly concerned with a radial tyre for passenger cars especially for high speed cars. Such a radial tyre comprises, as shown in Fig.1, a carcass 3 comprising at least one ply of radially arranged cords extending between bead portions 1C through a tread portion 1A and sidewall portions 1B and turned up around bead cores 1D, a belt 6F disposed radially outside the carcass 3 and composed of at least two crossed plies 6a and 6b of parallel cords inclined at 10 to 40 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction of the tyre, and a band or bandage 7F disposed radially outside the belt 6F and inside the tread portion 1A and comprising at least one ply of one or more cords wound spirally across the overall width of the belt 6F at an angle of 0 to 5 degrees with respect to the tyre circumferential direction. For the belt cords, high modulus inorganic cords such as steel cords or high modulus organic fibre cords such as aromatic polyamide, polyester and the like are used. For the bandage cords, relatively-low-modulus heat-shrinkable organic fibre cords, preferably nylon and the like are used. (For example, nylon 6 or nylon 66; 940 to 1400 dtex/2; cord count 42 to 50 /5cm). In this type of tyre, the outermost belt ply 6b has a camber (A) in the range of from 2 to 4 % of the section width of the tyre in its normal inflated state in which the tyre is mounted on a standard rim and inflated to standard pressure but not loaded. This belt camber (A) is the difference Rc-Re between the radii Rc and Re of the radially outermost belt ply measured to the outer surface thereof from the tyre axis at the tyre equator and the axial edges thereof, respectively. In the present invention, the method of manufacturing the radial tyre comprises processes for forming a tread ring 2, forming a raw tyre main body 4, forming a raw tyre 5, and vulcanising the raw tyre 5. The process for forming the raw tyre main body 4 includes the steps of winding raw carcass materials (strip of rubberised parallel cord fabric) around a cylindrical tyre drum of a tyre building apparatus (not shown), winding bead wires around the raw carcass to form the bead cores, and turning back the edges of the raw carcass around the bead cores. The process for forming the tread ring 2 includes the steps of winding raw belt materials on a belt drum 10 of a tread ring forming apparatus 1, winding one or more cords on the radially outside of the raw belt to form a raw band, and winding a raw tread rubber on the radially outside thereof. Thus, the tread ring 2 is an annular assembly of a raw belt 6, a raw band 7 wound thereon and a raw tread rubber 9 wound thereon. The process for forming the raw tyre 5 includes the steps of inserting the raw tyre main body 4 into the tread ring 2, expanding the raw tyre main body 4 into a toroidal shape to press the outer surface thereof onto the inner surface of the tread ring 2, and applying other components such as sidewall rubber, bead rubber and the like to the raw tyre 5 shown in Fig.2. The process for vulcanising the raw tyre 5 includes the steps of putting the raw tyre 5 in a mould, heating the raw tyre 5 during pressurising the inside thereof, and demoulding the vulcanised tyre. The above-mentioned tread ring forming apparatus 1 as shown in Figure 4 comprises a rotatable drum 10 comprising a plurality of segments 14 arranged around the axis 10X of the drum, and means 23 for retracting and expanding the drum 10. The retracting-and-expanding-means 23 are linear actuators 25. For the linear actuators 25, a hydraulic cylinder is used, but a linkage, screw and the like can be used. The actuators 25 are mounted on an annular mounting ring 24 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. An arrangement at irregular intervals is also possible. The annular mounting ring 24 is fixed concentrically with a rotary shaft 20 to a boss 21 inserted by the rotary shaft 20 so as to provide a space between the boss 21 and the ring 24. For example, to the rod ends of the linear actuators 25, attachments 27 for the segments 14 are fixed. Each attachment 27 is provided with two guide shafts 29 which are fixed thereto to extend radially inwardly therefrom. The guide shafts 29 are slidably engaged in guide holes in the annular mounting ring 24 to prevent rotational movement of the attachment 27. The guide shafts 29 protrude radially inwardly from the annular mounting ring 24 and the protruding part thereof is provided with a flange 30 for preventing falling-off. Between the radially outer surface of the flange 30 and the radially inner surface of the annular mounting ring 24, a horseshoe-shaped spacer 32 is disposed to adjust the diameter of the drum to various tyres. Thus, spacers 32 having various thicknesses are prepared. The segments 14 are fixed to the respective attachments 27. As a result the segments 14 can be moved radially outwardly and inwardly by lengthening and shortening the linear actuators 25. In the expanded state of the drum in which the segments 14 are moved to a radially outer position determined by the spacer 32, the radially outer surfaces 14a of the segments 14 collectively form the belt shaping face 11. In the retracted state in which the segments 14 are moved to the radially inner position, the drum diameter is smaller than the minimum inside diameter of the tread ring 2 and so the tread ring 2 can be detached therefrom. In a cross section including the drum axis 10X, the radially outer surface 14a of each segment 14 is a straight line Y parallel to the axis 10X. However, in a cross section normal to the axis 10X, the radially outer surface 14a is an arc. The radius of the arc is substantially equal to that of the belt shaping face 11 or one half of the drum diameter. In the circumferential direction of the drum, gaps (g) are formed between the radially outer surfaces 14a (see Figure 5). Here, the length of the circumference of the drum 10 (hereinafter simply drum circumference) is defined as the total of the arc lengths of the radially outer surfaces 14a of all the segments 14 and the chord lengths of all the gaps (g). In the present invention, the drum circumference is decreased from the axial centre towards the axial edges of the drum 10 by increasing the total of the chord lengths relatively to the total of the arc lengths. As the chord length is shorter than the arc length S when their pitch angles are the same, the drum circumference can be decreased by increasing the total of the chord lengths relatively to the total of the arc lengths. In the example shown in Figs.7 and 9, the outer surface 14a is a generally diamond shape having two opposite short axial edges extending circumferentially of the drum and four oblique longer edges 14b. Thus, the arc length S of the outer surface 14a of each segment 14 gradually decreases from the centre to both edges. Incidentally, the side face of the segment 14 between the oblique edges 14b and the base 14c is formed by triangular slopes. Fig.8 shows other examples (a) and (b) of the shape of the outer surface 14a. The example (a) is a diamond shape of which the circumferential edges in an axial central part 14d are parallel with the axial direction. The example (b) is a spindle shape of which the circumferential edges are curved. Aside from the foregoing, a rhombic shape and the like can be used. Fig.10 shows another example of the segments 14. In the cross section including the axis 10X, the outer surface 14a of each segment 14 is a straight line, but in the cross section normal to the axis 10X, the outer surface 14a is an arc having substantially same radius as the radius of the expanded drum. These features are the same as the former example. However, the segments 14, more precisely the outer surfaces 14a, have at least two different axial widths in contrast with the former example having one axial width. Further, the radially outer surface 14a is a rectangular shape, in which the arc length is constant along the axial direction. It is however possible to use other shapes such as a diamond shape, spindle shape and the like. The segments 14 must include long segments 14A the axial width of which is more than the belt width and short segments 14C the axial width of which is less than the belt width. The axial width is that of the outer surface 14a. Preferably, the number of long segments 14A is four or more. In this example, the segments 14 further include middle segments 14B the axial width of which is less than the belt width but more than the short segments 14C. The segments 14 are fixed to the attachments 27 aligning the axial centres of the outer surfaces 14a with the axial centre of the drum. Therefore, in the axial central part, the raw belt 6 is supported by all the segments 14A, 14B and 14C, but in the axial edge parts, the raw belt 6 is supported by only the long segments 14A. Further, In the axial middle parts, the raw belt 6 is supported by the long segments 14A and the middle segments 14B. Thus, the gaps are formed on both sides of the middle segments 14B and short segments 14C. The total of the gaps (g) increases from the axial centre to the axial edges of the drum by one or more steps, and the ratio of the total chord length to the total arc length increases from the axial centre to the axial edges so as to decrease the drum circumference similarly to the former example. It is also possible to combine the non-rectangular outer surfaces in the former example with the variable axial width in the later example. The number of segments is preferably 5 to 32. In this example, twelve segments 14 are used. For example, the drum circumference Me at the edges could be decreased by about 2.6% of the drum circumference Mc at the centre when the number of the segments was eight, when twelve about 1.1%, when twenty about 0.5%. For example, when the belt 6F is composed of two plies the cord angles of which are different from each other, the raw belt 6 is formed by winding two strips of rubberised unwoven parallel-cord fabric firstly on the belt shaping face 11 and secondly on the previous winding with the different cord angle. In this stage, the wound raw belt 6 can be a cylindrical shape having the substantially same diameter along the axial direction thereof, and therefore, the wound raw belt 6 crosses the gaps (g) with an arc configuration rather than a straight configuration. For example, when the band 7F is composed of one ply extending across the overall width of the raw belt 6, the cord(s) is(are) wound around the radially outside of the raw belt on the drum from one of the belt edges to the other. It is also possible to wind the cord(s) double in the belt edge portions only. Further, it is possible to wind double across the overall width of the belt 6. Preferably, the above-mentioned one or more band cords are embedded in topping rubber in the form of ribbon, and the raw band 7 is formed by spirally winding the ribbon 7a at an angle of 0 to 5 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction. During winding the cord(s), a relatively large tension is applied thereto so that the raw band 7 forces the raw belt 6 to extend along the arc of the radially outer surfaces 14a in the places where the segments 14 exist, but in the gaps (g), to extend substantially straight in a cross section normal to the axial direction along the chord length. Thus, in this stage, the raw belt 6 is not a cylindrical shape any more, and the raw band 7 is also not a cylindrical shape. Additionally, the inside circumferences Bc and Be of the raw band 7 and the inside circumferences Lc and Le of the raw belt 6 satisfy the above-mentioned conditions. Further, a raw tread rubber 9 is wound on the assembly of the raw belt 6 and raw band 7. As the drum edge circumference Me is smaller than the drum centre circumference Mc, the inside circumference Le of the raw belt 6 measured at the edges becomes smaller than the inside circumference Lc thereof measured at the centre, and the belt and band assembly has generally a barrel-like shape. Therefore, by winding tread rubber 9 of a uniform thickness, the tread ring 2 detached from the drum can be a barrel-like shape. To achieve the desired belt camber, dimensions and curvature of the belt, band and the like in the finished tyre, it is important to set these at different values taking into account the estimated expansion of the belt and band during forming a raw tyre, and vulcanising the raw tyre in a mould, and due to the inflation of the tyre as well known in the art. Additionally, it is also important to satisfy the following conditions. Thus, the circumference of the belt drum 10 is designed to satisfy the following conditions. In the tread ring 2, the inside circumference Bc of the raw band 7 at the tyre equator is 2Rc x π x a and the inside circumference Be of the raw band 7 at the axial edges of the raw belt is 2(Rc-A) x π x a x b where 0.94 ≤ a ≤ 0.99, 0.97 ≤ b < 1.0. As a result, the raw band 7 properly fastens the raw belt 6 during vulcanisation to improve the tyre uniformity as well as the high speed durability. The multiplier (a) corresponds to the ratio Rb/Rc of the centre radius Rc of the belt 6 in the finished tyre and the centre radius Rb of the raw belt 6. The multiplier (b) corresponds to a contraction rate in the belt edge. When the belt camber (A) increases to near 4 % of the tyre section width W, the multiplier (b) is decreased to near 0.97. When the belt camber (A) decreases to near 2 % of the tyre section width W, the multiplier (b) is increased to near 1.00. If the value (b) is less than 0.97, the tyre uniformity decreases in the belt edges, and it becomes difficult to set the belt camber (A) within the desired range. Further, when the raw tyre is put in the vulcanisation mould, a gap is liable to be formed radially outside the belt edges between the tyre and the mould, and as a result, the belt edges are excessively expanded by a high pressure applied to the inside of the tyre during vulcanisation and a poor tyre is liable to be formed. Further, the inside circumference Le of the raw belt 6 at the edges is set to be less than the inside circumference Lfe of the belt 6F in the finished tyre T in the mould MC measured at the edges. The inside circumference Lc of the raw belt 6 at the centre is set to be less than the inside circumference Lfc of the belt 6F in the finished tyre T in the mould MC measured at the centre. The difference {(Le/Lfe}X100}-{(Lc/Lfc}X100} is set to be 0 to 2 to make the variation of the radius at the edges substantially equal to the variation of the radius at the centre whereby the band 7F effectively prevents the belt 6F, especially the edge portions, from being lifted during high speed rotation. If the difference is more than 2 and the elongation at the centre is more than the elongation at the edges, the band can not effectively prevent the lifting. If the difference is more than 2 and the elongation at the edges is more than the elongation at the centre, when the raw tyre is set in the vulcanisation mould, a gap is liable to be formed radially outside the belt edges between the tyre and the mould, and as a result, the belt edges are excessively expanded by a high pressure applied to the inside of the tyre during vulcanisation and a poor tyre is liable to be formed. On the other hand, as shown in Fig.12 (bottom), in a cross section normal to the drum axis 10X, the belt and band assembly on the belt drum 10 has a shape like a polygon, but when detached from the drum, this shape turns to a circle. However, even if the shape turns to a circle, variation of stress is liable to remain between the portions supported by the segments and the portions corresponding to the gaps (g). Although, the stress variation is small, the variation affects the harmonic components of the radial force variation of the finished tyre. If for example, five segments 14 are arranged, vibrations of the fifth harmonic component is liable to increase relatively. If stress variations repeat regularly along the tyre circumference, a particular harmonic component is amplified at a particular running speed, and the running noise is liable to increases. Therefore, sometimes, it becomes important to prevent the regular repetition of stress variations in the ground contacting width. In order to prevent the regular repetition, preferably the lengths Q between the circumferential centres of the. circumferentially adjacent outer surfaces 14a in a cross section normal to the axis 10X are varied. In order to vary these lengths Q, the arc lengths of the outer surfaces 14a of the segments 14 and/or the chord lengths of the gaps (g) can be varied by changing the shapes of the outer surfaces 14a for example by changing the inclination of the oblique edges 14b in case of the segments having a non-rectangular outer surface as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. In case of the segments having a rectangular outer surface as shown in Fig.10, the circumferential sequence thereof can be changed as follows. Further, in order to vary the lengths Q, it is possible to vary the pitch angles P of the segments, and to set the axial centres of the outer surfaces 14a off the drum centre irregularly. However, when the number of segments is relatively small, and the irregularity is great, the tyre uniformity is liable to deteriorate. Further, when the number of segments is relatively large, stress vibrations can be neglected. Therefore, a regular sequence can be employed. As to the sequence of the axial widths of the segments in the circumferential direction of the drum, it is possible to use a regular sequence, but preferably an irregular sequence is used. Examples of sequence Number of width Regular Sequence 2 LSLSLSLSL 3 LMSMLMSML 3 LMSLMSLMS 3 LSMSLSMSL Number of width Irregular Sequence 2 LSLLSLSSL 3 LMSMLMSLM 3 LLSMLMSSL In Figs.10 and 11 in which the segments 14A, 14B and 14C are arranged in an irregular sequence, the pitch angles P of the segments 14 are constant (for example, P = 360 degrees / 12 seg. = 30 degrees) as shown in Figs.4 and 10. Additionally, the arc lengths S of the segments 14 are the same. However, the chord lengths are not constant. For example, in the axially central region, there are all the segments 14 and small gaps (g1) therebetween. However, in the axial edge region, a wide gap (g2) is formed between two long segments 14A between which a short segment 14C exists. Further, between two long segments 14A between which a short segment 14C and two middle segment 14B exist, a wide gap (g4) is formed. Thus, the distances Q between the centre lines 14X of the outer surfaces 14a are uneven depending on the axial position. In any way, it is important that, in a drum width corresponding to the belt width, there are a plurality of distances Q1, Q2, Q3 --- which do not repeat regularly along the circumference of the drum. Comparison test 1 Fig.13 shows relationships between the multiplier (a, b) and the radial force variation (RFV) and lateral force variation (LFV). Tyre size 255/45ZR17 Carcass 2 plies cord 1670 dtex/2 polyester cord count 50/5cm Belt 2 plies (steel cord) cord angle +24, -24 degrees Band 1 ply (nylon fibre cord) cord angle almost 0 degree RFV and LFV measuring method: JASO-C607 If (b) is less than 0.96, the belt camber (A) exceeds 4%. When the multipliers (a, b) are in the above-mentioned ranges, good results can be obtained. Comparison test 2 Figs.14 and 15 show the results of measuring RFV. The test tyres had the following same structure, but the belt drum specifications were different as follows. Tyre size 225/50R16 Carcass 2 plies Cord 1670 dtex/2 polyester Cord count 50/5cm Belt 2 plies (steel cords) Cord angle +24, -24 degrees Band 1 ply (nylon cord) cord angle almost 0 degree Rim size 16X7 Inner pressure 2.0 kgf/sq.cm Tyre load 471 kg RFV measuring method JASO-C607 Belt drum specifications Tyre Fig.14 Fig.15 Diameter (mm) 582 582 Segment Outer surface rectangle rectangle Number 18 18 Arc length S (mm) 70 70 Axial width (mm) three constant 250 (l) 250 175 (m) 100 (s) Sequence irregular regular l, m, s, m, l, m m, s, m, s, m, l, m, s, s, m, m, l Comparison test 3 Using belt drums having the specifications shown in the following table, test tyres having the same structure were made and tested for the high speed durability. Tyre Ex.1 Ex.2 Ex.3 Ref.1 Ref.2 Segments Number 12 12 18 12 18 Shape diamond Fig.9 diamond Fig.9 rectangle Fig.10 rectangle rectangle Axial width (mm) 250 250 230 250 230 180 130 Arc length Centre (mm) 140 140 100 140 130 Edge (mm) 5 20 100 140 130 Sequence regular regular irregular regular regular Tread ring Shape barrel barrel barrel cylinder cylinder Durability Speed (km/h) 310 305 320 290 300 Time (minute) 20 20 20 18 20 Carcass 2 plies cord 1670 dtex/2 polyester cord count 50/5cm Belt 2 plies (steel cords) cord angle +24, -24 degrees Band 1 ply (nylon cord) cord angle almost 0 degree Ex.1, Ex.2 and Ref.1 Tyre size 235/45ZR17 Rim size 17X8 Inner pressure 3.0 kgf/sq.cm Tyre load: 474 kg Ex.3 and Ref.2 Tyre size 215/45ZR17 Rim size 17X8 Inner pressure 3.0 kgf/sq.cm Tyre load 307 kg

Claims: A method of manufacturing a radial tyre, comprising a carcass (3) extending between bead portions (1C), a belt (6F) disposed radially outside the carcass, the belt having a belt camber (A) of 2 to 4 % of the section width of the tyre and an outside diameter (2Rc) at the tyre equator, and a band (7F) disposed radially outside the belt and inside a tread rubber, the method comprises a process of making a tread ring (2) by the use of a belt drum (10), the belt drum (10) comprising segments (14) arranged around the axis (10X) of the belt drum, the segments being movable radially between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, each segment (14) having a radially outer surface (11), the radially outer surfaces of the segments in the radially outer position collectively forming a belt shaping face for supporting the radially inside of a belt material wound thereon, said process comprising the steps of forming a raw belt by winding a strip of rubberised high modulus cords on the belt shaping face (11), and forming a raw band by winding at least one organic fibre cord on the radially outside of the raw belt at an angle of 0 to 5 degrees to the circumferential direction of the drum, so that the raw band has an inside circumference Bc measured at the axial centre of the raw belt corresponding to the tyre equator and an inside circumference Be measured at the axial edges of the raw belt which satisfy the following conditions Bc = 2Rc x π x a Be = (2Rc - 2A) x π x a x b 0.94 ≤ a ≤ 0.99 0.97 ≤ b < 1.00, and forming a raw tread portion by applying a strip of raw tread rubber on the radially outer side of the assembly of the raw belt and raw band. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the radially outer surfaces of the segments are an arc in a cross section normal to the axial direction, and said belt shaping face (11) is provided between the radially outer surfaces (14a) of the segments (14) with gaps (g) providing no radial support for the wound belt so that the total of the gaps is wider in the edges of the belt than the centre thereof, and in the step of forming the raw band, said at least one organic fibre cord is wound at a tension such that the raw band forces the raw belt to extend along the arc of the radially outer surfaces in the places where the segments exist to provide a radial support, but in the gaps, to extend substantially straight in a cross section normal to the axial direction. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the radially outer surface (14a) of each segment (14) decreases in arc length from the centre towards both edges of the segment so that the total of the gaps becomes wider in the edges of the belt than the centre thereof. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the radially outer surface of each segment (11) has a substantially constant arc length from one edge to the other edge of the segment (14), but the radially outer surfaces of the segments have at least two axial widths including a maximum axial width more than the axial width of the belt and an axial width less than the axial width of the belt so that the total of the gaps (g) providing no radial support becomes wider in the edges of the belt than the centre thereof. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that in a circumference of the drum defined as the total of the arc lengths of the segments and chord lengths of the gaps, the circumferential lengths between the circumferential centres of the arcs of the adjacent segments are varied in the circumferential direction by changing the arc lengths and/or the chord lengths. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that in a circumference of the drum defined as the total of the arc lengths of the segments (14) and chord lengths of the gaps (g), the circumferential lengths between the circumferential centres of the arcs of the adjacent segments are varied in the circumferential direction by employing an irregular arrangement of the segments. A method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised by the step of forming a raw band comprises winding a ribbon of rubber in which said at least one organic fibre cord is embedded. A method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the inside circumference Lc of the raw belt measured at the axial centre, the inside circumference Le of the raw belt measured at the axial edges, and the inside circumference Lfc at the axial centre and inside circumference Lfe at the axial edges of the belt in the finished tyre in a mould are set so that Le < Lfe, Lc < Lfc, 0 ≤ {(Le/Lfe)X100}-{(Lc/Lfc)X100} ≤ 2. A tyre tread ring forming apparatus comprising a belt drum (10), the belt drum comprising segments (14) arranged around the axis (10X) of the belt drum, the segments (14) being movable radially between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, characterised in that the radially outer surfaces (14d) of the segments (14) in the radially outer position collectively form a belt shaping face on which belt material is wound, in a cross section normal to the axis of the belt drum, the radially outer surface (14a) of each segment (14) being an arc having a radius substantially equal to the radius of the belt shaping face, in a cross section including the axis of the belt drum (10X), the radially outer surface of each segment is a straight line parallel to the axis, said belt shaping face (14a) being provided between the radially outer surfaces of the segments with gaps (g) which provide no radial support for the wound belt material, the total of the gaps (g) becoming wider from the axial centre of the belt drum (10) towards the axial edges thereof, so that the circumference of the belt drum, which is defined as the total of the arc lengths of the segments and chord lengths of the gaps, becomes shorter from the axial centre of the belt drum towards the axial edges thereof. A tyre tread ring forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the radially outer surface (14a) of each segment (14) decreases in arc length from the centre towards each edge of the segment so as to increase the total of the gaps from the centre towards each edge of the segment (14). A tyre tread ring forming apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the radially outer surface (14a) of each segment (14) has a substantially constant arc length from one edge to the other edge of the segment, and the radially outer surfaces of the segments (14) have at least two axial widths so that a wider gap is formed on the axially outside of a segment having a smaller axial width and between the circumferentially adjacent segments having a larger axial width. A tyre tread ring forming apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that in the direction of the circumference of the drum, the circumferential lengths between the circumferential centres of the arcs of the adjacent segments are varied in the circumferential direction by changing the arc lengths and/or the chord lengths. A tyre tread ring forming apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that in the direction of the circumference of the drum, the circumferential lengths between the circumferential centres of the arcs of the adjacent segments are varied in the circumferential direction by employing an irregular arrangement of the segments. A method of making a tread ring by the use of a belt drum, the belt drum comprising segments arranged around the axis of the belt drum, the segments (14) being movable radially between a radially inner position and a radially outer position, each segment (14) having a radially outer surface (14a), the radially outer surfaces of the segments in the radially outer position collectively forming a belt shaping face for supporting the radially inside of a belt material, the method comprising the steps of forming a raw belt by winding a strip of rubberised high modulus cords on the belt shaping face, and forming a raw band by winding at least one organic fibre cord on the radially outside of the raw belt at an angle of 0 to 5 degrees to the circumferential direction of the drum, wherein the inside circumference Lc of the raw belt at the axial centre is more than the inside circumference Le of the raw belt at the axial edges so that the assembly of the raw belt and the raw band has a generally barrel shape, and applying a strip of raw tread rubber on the radially outside of the assembly of the raw belt and the raw band to form a tread ring. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that the raw belt has a cylindrical shape before forming the raw band, but after forming the raw band, the raw belt has a generally barrel shape such that the inside circumference thereof gradually decreases from the axial centre thereof towards the axial edges. A method according to claim 14, characterised by in the step of forming a raw band including winding a ribbon of rubber in which said at least one organic fibre cord is embedded. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that the inside circumference Lc of the raw belt at the axial centre, the inside circumference Le of the raw belt at the axial edges, and the inside circumference Lfc at the axial centre and the inside circumference Lfe at the axial edges of the belt in a finished tyre in a tyre vulcanising mould are Le < Lfe, Lc < Lfc, 0 ≤ {(Le/Lfe)X100}-{(Lc/Lfc)X100} ≤ 2. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that the radially outer surfaces of the segments are an arc in a cross section normal to the axial direction, and the belt shaping face is provided between the radially outer surfaces of the segments with gaps (g) providing no radial support for the wound belt, so that the total of the gaps (g) is wider in the edges of the belt than the centre thereof, and in the step of forming the raw band, said at least one organic fibre cord is wound at a tension such that the raw band forces the raw belt to extend along the arc of the radially outer surfaces in the places where the segments exist to provide a radial support, but in the gaps, to extend substantially straight in a cross section normal to the axial direction. A method according to claim 18, characterised in that the radially outer surface of each segment decreases in the arc length from the centre towards each edges of the segment so that the total of the gaps becomes wider in the edges of the belt than the centre thereof. A method according to claim 18, characterised in that the radially outer surface of each segment has a substantially constant arc length from one edge to the other edge of the segment, but the radially outer surfaces of the segments have at least two axial widths including a maximum axial width more than the axial width of the belt and an axial width less than the axial width of the belt so that the total of the gaps providing no radial support becomes wider in the edges of the belt than the centre thereof. A method according to claim 19, characterised in that in a circumference of the drum defined as the total of the arc lengths of the segments and chord lengths of the gaps, the circumferential lengths between the circumferential centres of the arcs of the adjacent segments are varied in the circumferential direction by changing the arc lengths and/or the chord lengths. A method according to claim 20, characterised in that in a circumference of the drum defined as the total of the arc lengths of the segments and chord lengths of the gaps, the circumferential lengths between the circumferential centres of the arcs of the adjacent segments are varied in the circumferential direction by employing an irregular arrangement of the segments.

Inventors: KURODA YUTAKA, OMOKAWA TOSHIHIKO, SAKAMOTO MASAYUKI, SUZUKI KAZUYA, KURODA, YUTAKA, OMOKAWA, TOSHIHIKO, SAKAMOTO, MASAYUKI, SUZUKI, KAZUYA
Applicants: SUMITOMO RUBBER IND, SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B29D30
IPC codes: B29D30