Heavy duty radial tyre

Abstract: A heavy duty radial tyre comprises: a carcass ply (6) turned up around a bead core (5) in each bead portion (4) from the inside to outside of the tyre so as to form a pair of turnup portions (6B) and a main portion (6A) therebetween; a rubber bead apex (8) disposed between each of the turnup portions and the main portion, each of the turnup portions extending radially outwardly beyond a radially outer end (8E) of the bead apex to adjoin the main portion (6A); a chafer rubber (9) disposed along at least an axially outer surface of each of the bead portions so as to define at least a flange-contacting part (S3) for contacting with a flange (J1) of a wheel rim (J); the height (L1) of the radially outer end (8E)of the bead apex (8) being in the range of from 7 to 35 % of the height (H) of the carcass at the tyre equator (C) and being less than the height (L3) of the radially outer end of the chafer rubber (9); and the flange-contacting part (S3) being devoid of a concave profile. When the carcass ply is made of steel cords whose sectional area is in the range of from 0.10 to 0.25 sq.mm, a carcass reinforcing layer (19) is disposed along the carcass so as to extend at least between the maximum tyre width points (P1) and the edges (7E) of a belt disposed radially outside the carcass in the tread portion.

Description: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tyre, more particularly to a heavy duty radial tyre improved in bead durability without increase in tyre weight. In heavy duty radial tyres for trucks, buses and the like, hitherto, in order to increase bead durability, as shown in Fig.10, bead apex rubber (b), which is disposed between a main portion (al) and turnup portion (a2) of the carcass, was increased in volume to increase the rigidity of the bead portion, and thereby decrease deformation of the tyre in this region when under load. Further, in order to make even the contact pressure between the bead portion and the flange of its wheel rim, the bead portion is provided on the axially outer surface with a concave part to fit to the curved inner surface of the rim flange. Such a conventional bead structure is shown, for example, in the laid-open Japanese patent application No. JP-A-9-263113, which discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1. In recent years, a technique in which the volume and height of the bead apex rubber are considerably decreased has been proposed. In this technique (hereinafter called the slim bead structure), as the bead apex rubber thickness is decreased, the thickness of a chafer rubber (d) disposed axially outside the bead apex rubber (b) is relatively increased. This is preferable per se because it is particularly effective in increasing the bead rigidity against axially outward bending. However, if a tyre having such a slim bead structure is provided with the above-mentioned concave part (e) as shown in Fig.9, the bead durability is liable to decrease because, during vulcanising the tyre in a mould, the chafer rubber (d) is pressed by a protrusion of the mould provided to form the concave part, and the axially outer part of the chafer rubber (d) flows radially outwards. As a result, the boundary (k) between the chafer rubber (d) and the sidewall rubber (f) undulates, and the bead durability is decreased and the rigidity distribution is disturbed. Further, it was found that even when the concave part (e) is not formed, the same problem - undulations of the boundary - arises, if a bead core (c) is moved axially outward during vulcanising the tyre, and then the under part of a chafer rubber (d) is pushed and thus flows radially outwards as shown in Fig.8. Also it was found that such a movement is closely related with the inclination angle of the axially outer surface of the bead portion near the bead heel, more particularly, the inclination angle during vulcanising the tyre. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a heavy duty radial tyre based on a slim bead structure, in which undulations of the boundary between chafer rubber and sidewall rubber are effectively prevented to improve the bead durability, without hindering tyre weight reduction. In a slim bead structure, on the other hand, as the volume of the bead apex above the bead core is decreased, the carcass ply turnup portion is curved steeper than ever. As a result, during building a raw tyre, an air gap is liable to be formed between the carcass ply turnup portion and the bead apex rubber by spring-back of the carcass cords. This also greatly decreases the bead durability. Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a heavy duty radial tyre based on a slim bead structure, in which the occurrence of such an air gap is effectively prevented to improve the bead durability. According to one aspect of the invention, a heavy duty radial tyre comprises a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions each with a bead core therein, a carcass comprising a ply of cords extending between the bead portions and turned up around a bead core in each bead portion from the inside to the outside of the tyre so as to form a pair of turnup portions and a main portion therebetween, a bead apex rubber disposed between each of the turnup portions and the main portion, each of the turnup portions extending radially outwardly beyond a radially outer end of the bead apex to adjoin the main portion, a chafer rubber disposed along at least an axially outer surface of each of the bead portions so as to define at least a flange-contacting part for contacting a flange of a wheel rim, the height of the radially outer end of the bead apex being in the range of from 7 to 35 % of the height of the carcass at the tyre equator, and being less than the height of the radially outer end of the chafer rubber, the flange-contacting part being devoid of a concave profile. The above-mentioned cords of the carcass ply may be steel cords whose sectional area is in the range of from 0.10 to 0.25 sq.mm, and a carcass reinforcing layer is disposed along the carcass so as to extend between at least the maximum tyre width points and the edges of a belt disposed radially outside the carcass in the tread portion. Further aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments in which: Fig.1 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment; Fig.2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the bead portion of Fig. 1 when the tyre is mounted on a wheel rim; Fig.3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the bead portion showing its profile in a tyre mould; Fig.4 is a diagram showing distributions of the maximum principal strain; Figs.5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining a method of measuring the maximum principal strain; Fig.7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment; Figs.8 and 9 are schematic cross sectional views for explaining the problems in a slim bead apex rubber; and Fig.10 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a conventional bead structure. In the drawings, a heavy duty tyre 1 according to the present invention comprises a tread portion 2, a pair of axially spaced bead portions 4, a pair of sidewall portions 3 extending therebetween, a bead core 5 disposed in each bead portion 4, a carcass 6 extending between the bead portions 4, and a belt 7 disposed radially outside the carcass 6 in the tread portion 2. Fig.1 and Fig.7 each show a meridian section of a heavy duty radial tyre 1 for trucks and buses according to the present invention mounted on its standard wheel rim J and inflated to standard inner pressure but loaded with no tyre load (hereinafter, referred to as the standard unloaded state). Here, the standard rim is the "standard rim" specified in JATMA, the "Measuring Rim" in ETRTO, the "Design Rim" in TRA or the like. The standard pressure is the "maximum air pressure" in JATMA, the "Inflation Pressure" in ETRTO, the maximum pressure given in the "Tyre Load Limits at Various Cold Inflation Pressures" table in TRA or the like. The standard load is the "maximum load capacity" in JATMA, the "Load Capacity" in ETRTO, the maximum value given in the above-mentioned table in TRA or the like. In this invention, a "radial height" or "height" refers to a height measured radially from the bead base line BL under the standard unloaded state if not mentioned specifically. The bead base line BL is an axial line passing the bead heel points corresponding to the wheel rim diameter. The above-mentioned belt 7 comprises at least two crossed breaker plies. For the belt cords, steel cords and organic fibre cords, e.g. nylon, aromatic polyamide, rayon and the like can be used. In the embodiments shown in Fig.1 and Fig.7, the belt 7 is composed of four plies of parallel cords: a radially innermost first ply 7a of steel cords laid at an angle of from 50 to 70 degrees with respect to the tyre equator C; and outer second-fourth plies 7b, 7c and 7d each made of steel cords laid at an angle of not more than 30 degrees with respect to the tyre equator C. The bead core 5 is made of at least one steel wire which is coiled a predetermined number of turns. In the embodiments shown in Fig.1 and Fig.7, the sectional shape of the bead core 5 is a polygon (for example, a hexagon) the radially inner side 5i of which is substantially parallel with the bead bottom S1 so as to become parallel with the rim seat J1 of the wheel rim J when the tyre is mounted on the wheel rim J. The inclination angle of the inner side 5i under the mounted state is set in the range of from 10 to 17 degrees (in this example about 15 degrees) with respect to the tyre axial direction. When the bead apex rubber is very small, movements and bending deformation of the carcass ply under loads become relatively large, and the tension of the carcass cords is large. As a result, a large stress concentrates on any contacting points with the bead core, and the carcass cords are liable to be cut. Therefore, the bead core 5 is covered with a bead core cover made of a textile fabric and/or a rubber layer to prevent the carcass cords from directly contacting the bead wire. In the case of a bead core cover made of textile fabric, the textile fabric is made of organic fibre yarn such as nylon, rayon, polyester and the like. Preferably, the yarn is relatively thin (for example, 940 dtex/2 to 1670 dtex/2) in comparison with the usual tyre cords. It is possible to cover the bead core surface partially, but preferably, the textile fabric is wound around the bead core 5 in a single layer at least, preferably a double layer, so as to cover all the surface of the bead core 5. In the case of a bead cover made of a rubber layer, the thickness thereof is set such that the minimum thickness of rubber between the bead core wire and the carcass cords is not less than 1.0 mm. Incidentally, for the bead core 5, steel wire is preferably used as explained above, but high modulus organic materials such as aromatic polyamide may be used. The above-mentioned carcass 6 comprises at least one ply 6a of radially arranged cords extending between the bead portions 4 through the tread portion 2 and sidewall portions 3 and turned up around the bead cores 5 from the axially inside to the outside of the tyre to form a pair of turnup portions 6B and a main portion 6A therebetween. For the carcass cords, steel cords and organic fibre cord, e.g. polyester, aromatic polyamide rayon, nylon and the like can be used. In the embodiment shown in Fig.1, The carcass 6 consists of a single ply 6a of steel cords arranged radially at an angle of from 70 to 90 degrees (in this example substantially 90 degrees) with respect to the tyre equator C. Between the carcass ply main portion 6A and turnup portion 6B in each of the bead portions 4, a bead apex 8 is disposed. The bead apex 8 is made of a hard rubber having a JIS-A hardness of from 60 to 99 degrees, preferably 70 to 95 degrees and being tapered radially outwardly from the bead core 5. The radial height L1 of the radially outer end 8e thereof is set in the range of from 7 to 35 %, preferably 7 to 20 % (in this example about 13%) of the radial height H of the carcass 6 at the tyre equator C. If the height L1 is less than 7%, it is difficult to manufacture the tyre. If more than 35%, improvement in the tyre weight and bead durability is nullified. As to the profile of the bead apex 8 in a tyre meridian section, the axially inner surface of the bead apex 8 on which the carcass ply main portion 6A abuts has a substantially straight profile, but the axially outer surface on which the carcass ply turnup portion 6B abuts has a concave profile. As to the carcass ply main portion 6A, a part between a position at which the carcass ply main portion 6A contacts with the bead core 5 and a position of the outer end 8e of the bead apex 8 is formed substantially straight. On the other hand, the carcass ply turnup portion 6B extends radially outwardly along the axially outer convex surface of the bead apex 8, and then from the radially outer end 8e of the bead apex 8, extends along the carcass ply main portion 6A to form an adjoining part G in which the turnup portion 6B adjoins the main portion 6A. (See Fig. 2). This adjoining part G has a length L in the range of from 0.5 to 5.0 times, preferably 1.0 to 4.0 times the maximum section width BW of the bead core 5 which occurs in the direction parallel to the bead bottom S1. The radially outer end Be of the adjoining part G or the turnup portion 6B has a radial height L2 of not more than 50% (in this example 44%) of the carcass height H, and is also radially inward of the maximum tyre section width point P1. In the adjoining part G, the thickness N of rubber 22 between the carcass cords 21 of the main portion 6A and those of the turnup portion 6B is set in the range of from 0.15 to 4.5 times, preferably 1.3 to 3.5 times the diameter K of the carcass cords 21 to mitigate sharing force therebetween. This rubber layer 22 can be a topping rubber for the carcass, but in this embodiment, a separate cushion rubber layer having substantially the same hardness as the carcass topping rubber is disposed between the main portion 6A and turnup portion 6B. If the length L is less than 0.5 times the bead core width BW, the bead durability decreases. If the length L exceeds 5.0 times the width BW, the bead durability is not improved any more, and the weight increases. If the thickness N is less than 0.15 times the carcass cord diameter K, a separation failure is liable to occur. If the thickness N is more than 4.5 times the diameter K, the turnup portion 6B is liable to be broken due to buckling of the cords and the heat generation increases. In each of the bead portions 4, a chafer 9 is disposed along the bottom surface and axially outer surface of the bead portion. The chafer 9 is made of rubber having an elastic modulus higher than a sidewall rubber 10 disposed on the axially outer side of the carcass. For example, the chafer rubber 9 has a 100% modulus of 55 to 75 kgf/sq.cm, and the sidewall rubber 10 has a 100% modulus of 10 to 20 kgf/sq.cm. If the 100% modulus of the chafer is less than 55 kgf/sq.cm, the rigidity of the bead portion becomes insufficient. If the 100% modulus of the chafer is more than 75 kgf/sq.cm, heat generation increases and the bead durability decreases. If the 100% modulus of the sidewall rubber is less than 10 kgf/sq.cm, it is difficult to protect the carcass 6 from external injury. If the 100% modulus of the sidewall rubber is more than 20 kgf/sq.cm, the sidewall portions lose suppleness, and cracks occur. The chafer 9 (height L3) extend radially outwardly from the radial inside of the bead core 5, directly contacting with the carcass ply turnup portion 6B, beyond the outer end 8e (height L1) of the bead apex 8, but not to extend beyond the outer end Be (height L2) of the turnup portion 6B. It is preferable for the bead rigidity that the chafer height L3 is more than the middle height Lg of the adjoining part G. (Thus, L1 < L3 < L2, preferably, L1 < Lg < L3 < L2) Further, it is preferable for preventing chafer separation from the carcass cords that the distance L0 between the chafer end 9e and the carcass turnup end Be is in the range of from 5 to 15 mm. The chafer rubber 9 and the sidewall rubber 10 are spliced such that the boundary 11 therebetween is defined by a smooth or gentle concave curve which generally inclines radially inwards from the carcass ply turnup portion 6B to the outer surface of the tyre. Therefore, the axial thickness TC of the chafer rubber 9 gradually decreases radially outwards from the radially inner end P2 of the sidewall rubber 10, to the outer end 9e. However, the thickness Tc gradually increases radially outwards from the radial inside of the bead core 5 to the outer end 5Eo of the bead core 5 in this example to the end point P2. At the height of the outer end 5Eo of the bead core 5, the rubber thickness TC1 is set in the range of from 0.5 to 2.0 times, preferably 0.7 to 1.5 times the maximum section width BW of the bead core 5, so that a sufficient bead rigidity is obtained. The total rubber thickness measured axially between the carcass ply turnup portion 6B and the outer surface of the tyre becomes a maximum near the outer end 8e of the bead apex 8. Further, the radially inner end P2 of the boundary 11 or the radially outer edge P2 of the chafer 9 on the tyre outer surface is preferably positioned at a height L4 of from 1.2 to 2.5 times the height L5 of the rim flange Jf. If the height L4 is less than 1.2 times the rim flange height L5, the sidewall rubber 10 chafes from the rim flange Jf when the tyre deformation is large. If more than 2.5 times L5, heat generation from the chafer rubber increases, and cracks are liable to occur on the surface of the chafer 9. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the minimum rubber thickness T4 under the bead core between the carcass cords 21 and the bead bottom S1 is set in the range of from 1.0 to 5.0 mm. If the rubber thickness T4 is less than 1.0 mm, the chafer rubber 9 is liable to crack. If more than 5.0 mm, the engaging force between the tyre and wheel rim decreases and the durability decreases. In order to prevent the boundary 11 from undulating, the profile of the inside of the tyre vulcanising mould is specifically defined. As the mould inside profile corresponds to the profile of the tyre when it is not mounted on a wheel rim, the profile S of the bead portion 4 in such a free state is described according to Fig.3. The profile S of the bead portion 4 is made up of a profile S1 for the bead bottom which contacts the rim seat J1, a profile S2 for the bead heel, and a profile S3 for the part contacting the rim flange Jf. The profile S1 is defined by a substantially straight line or a bent line composed of straight segments. The profile S3 is defined by a curved line not having a concave part. The profile S2 is defined by a curved convex line having a relatively small radius in comparison with the profile S3. In this embodiment, further, a concave part is not formed from the radially outer edge P3 of the profile S3 to the radially outer edge P2 of the chafer 9 on the tyre outer surface. The sidewall lower part between the outer edge P3 and the maximum tyre width point P1 is defined by a smoothly curved convex line 25. This convex line 25 may be a single-radius curve or a multi-radius curve. On the other hand, it is also important to prevent the bead core 5 from being moved axially outwardly by the high pressure applied to the inside of the tyre during vulcanising the tyre in the mould. Therefore, in the mould, at the same radial position or height as the middle point between the outer end 5Eo and inner end 5Ei of the bead core 5, the inclination angle α of the profile S with respect to the axial direction is set to be not less than 55 degrees, preferably not less than 57 degrees, but not more than 65 degrees. In other words, the tyre is vulcanised in a mould having the negative profile of the above-explained tyre profile S. As a result, axially outward movements of the bead core 5 during vulcanising the tyre and the resultant radially outward movement of the chafer rubber can be controlled to prevent undulation of the boundary. If the angle α less than 55 degrees, it is difficult to prevent the undulation. If more than 65 degrees, running performances such as steering stability and the like deteriorate. On the other hand, when the undulation of the boundary 11 is prevented, in other words, when the main cause of deterioration in the bead durability in a slim bead structure is eliminated, separation of the inner liner 12 becomes an issue. The inner liner 12 is a gas-impermeable rubber - such as a butyl rubber containing at least 50 parts by weight of halogenated butyl rubber - disposed along the inside of the tyre. It is necessary to prevent this separation that the inner liner 12 does not extend to below the bead core 5. Further, in order to prevent the inner liner 12 from being subjected to a strong shearing force by the wheel rim during rim-mounting, the radially inner end 12e of the inner liner 12 is preferably positioned above the bead toe and beside the axially inner end P5 of the bead core 5. Comparative Test 1 Fig.4 shows maximum principal strain distributions of the tyre shown in Figs.1-3 and a conventional tyre shown in Fig.10. As shown in Fig.4, the conventional tyre has a remarkable peak Z reaching to 7% or 8%, but the example tyre has no peak and the maximum principal strain is decreased to less than 3.0%. Thus tyres according to the present invention are characterised in that, in a region from the maximum tyre section width point P1 to the outer end P3 of the flange-contacting part S3, the maximum principal strain ε(%) when the tyre pressure is increased from 50 kpa to standard pressure does not have such a peak being over the value at the maximum tyre section width point P1 by two or more points in percentage. Therefore, this region is prevented from being cracked, and bead damage therefrom is prevented. Incidentally, as shown in Figs.5 and 6, the maximum principal strain ε is measured as follows. First, the surface of the sidewall portion 3 and bead portion 4 of a test tyre is buffed and washed with naphtha. An adhesive agent is applied to the buffed surface, and a radially extending measuring reference line RL is drawn. Markings or a series of circles in white ink (titanium oxide+DOP+castor oil) are copied onto a vinyl tape 15 by means of screen printing. Then, to copy the markings, the vinyl tape 15 is applied to the buffed surface of the test tyre along the measuring reference line, wherein the tyre is mounted on its regular rim and inflated to an inner pressure of 50 kpa. Further, after the tyre is inflated to its regular inner pressure, the markings on the tyre are copied to a blank tape. The markings (under the reference condition in which 50kpa was applied, and the comparative condition in which the regular pressure was applied), obtained as explained above, are enlarged to measure each reference point shown in Fig.6. The maximum principal strain can be calculated from the following equations 1 to 11. Equation 1: Under the reference condition, the circumferential length Lc0={(x10-x20) 2 + (y10-y20) 2 } 1/2 Equation 2: Under the reference condition, the radial length Lr0={(x30-x40) 2 +(y30-y40) 2 } 1/2 Equation 3: Under the reference condition, the length in a 135 degree direction L 135 0={ (x50-x60) 2 + (y50-y60) 2 } 1/2 Equation 4: Under the comparative condition, the circumferential length Lc1={(x11-x21) 2 + (y11-y21) 2 } 1/2 Equation 5: Under the comparative condition, the radial length Lr1={(x31-x41) 2 + (y31-y41) 2 } 1/2 Equation 6: Under the comparative condition, the length in a 135 degree direction L 135 1={(x51-x61) 2 + (y51-y61) 2 } 1/2 Equation 7: The circumferential strain εc= (Lc1-Lc0)/Lc0 Equation 8: The radial strain εr=(Lr1-Lr0)/Lr0 Equation 9: The strain in 135 degree direction ε 135 = (L 135 1-L 135 0)/L 135 0 Equation 10: Searing strain γ=εc+εr-2Xε 135 Equation 11: The maximum principal strain ε= (εc+εr) /2+{(εc-εr) 2 +γ 2 } 1/2 /2 Comparative Test 2 Heavy duty radial tyres of size 11R22.5 having the specifications given in Table 1 were prepared and tested for bead durability and resistance to sidewall cracking. Bead durability test: Using a tyre test drum, the test tyres were run for 10,000 km under the following conditions, and the running distance until any visible damage appeared was measured. Running speed: 20 km/h Tyre load: 9000 kgf Wheel rim: 8.25X22.5 standard rim Inner pressure: 1000 kPa In Table 1, showing bead durability, the running distance in km /10,000 km is indicated by an index based on the conventional tyre being 100. The larger the value, the better the durability. Crack resistance test: The test tyres were mounted on a 8.25X22.5 standard wheel rim and inflated to an inner pressure of 800 kPa and were put in an ozone chamber for fourteen days under the following conditions. Then, external inspection was made if the sidewall surface was cracked. The results are shown in Table 1. Ozone concentration: 50 pphm Room temperature: 40 degrees C Fig.7 shows a modification of the carcass structure. In the above-explained new bead structure in which the carcass ply turnup portion 6B is steeply curved along the bead apex 8, if thick steel carcass cords are used, due to their spring-back during making the tyre, there is a possibility that an air gap is formed between the carcass ply turnup portion 6B and the bead apex rubber 8. In this embodiment, therefore, more flexible carcass cords are used. In order to avoid repetition, only differences from the former embodiment will be described. The carcass 6 comprises at least one ply 6a of cords 21 arranged radially at an angle in the range of from 60 to 90 degrees with respect to the tyre equator C and turned up around the bead cores 5 from the inside to outside of the tyre as explained in the former embodiment. The carcass cords 21 in this example are a flexible thin steel cord whose sectional area is preferably in the range of from 0.10 to 0.25 sq.mm. Thus the sectional area thereof is about one half of that in the former embodiment. Former embodiment: 0.385 sq.mm (cord construction :3 X0.20+7 X0.23) This embodiment: 0.172 sq.mm (45%) (cord construction :1 X3/0.27) Further, the amount of steel is preferably set in the range of from 5.0 to 10.0 sq.mm, wherein the steel amount is defined as the product of the sectional area of a cord and the cord count per 5cm ply width counted under the bead core. This embodiment: 6.88 sq.mm Former embodiment: 14.63 sq.mm The length L of the adjoining part G of the carcass ply is set in the range of from 1.0 to 4.0 times the maximum section width BW of the bead core 5. In this embodiment, a carcass reinforcing layer 19 is provided along the carcass 6. The carcass reinforcing layer 19 is made of reinforcing cords 26 arranged radially at an angle of from 70 to 90 degrees with respect to the tyre equator C. For the reinforcing cords 26, steel cords or organic fibre cords, e.g. nylon, polyester, rayon, aromatic polyamide and the like can be used. However, the materially and structurally identical cord as the above-mentioned carcass cords 21 is preferably used. Further, in the case of steel cords, it is preferable that the cord count is substantially the same as that of the carcass ply 6a. The carcass reinforcing layer 19 extends at least between the maximum tyre section width point P1 and a belt end line 7E drawn normal to the carcass 6 from the edge of the belt 7. In Fig.7, the carcass reinforcing layer 19 is disposed on the inside of the carcass 6 and extends between the bead portions 4 and is not turned up around the bead cores 5 so that the ends 19e thereof are located immediately axially inside the bead cores (5). Further, at the tyre equator CO, the thickness T2 of rubber between the reinforce cords 26 of the carcass reinforcing layer 19 and the carcass cords 21 is set in the range of from 1.0 to 4.0 times the diameter D2 of either the carcass cords 21 or the reinforce cords 26 which are not thicker than the other. Also the thickness T1 of rubber between the carcass cords 21 and the belt cords 25 is set in the range of from 1.0 to 4.0 times the diameter D1 of either the carcass cords 21 or the belt cords 25 which are not thicker than the other. Therefore, the strength of the tread portion 2 (such as the plunger strength) is effectively improved by not only the direct contribution of the presence of the carcass reinforcing layer 19 but also due to the stress dispersing effect of the increased rubber thicknesses T1 and T2. As a result, even though the total amount of steel in the carcass ply 6a and the carcass reinforcing layer 19 is less than the steel amount of the former embodiment's carcass consisting of a single ply of thicker steel cords, it is possible to maintain tyre strength of the same level. As to the extension of the carcass reinforcing layer 19, as explained above, it must cover at least between the belt edges and the maximum tyre width points P1. Thus, there are the following options: (a) extending continuously from one of the points P1 to the other or (b) breaking under the belt or between the belt edges; and (c) not turning up around the bead cores or (d) turning up around the bead cores from the inside to outside of the tyre. In case (c), it is possible (e) to terminate between the point P1 and the bead core 5 on the axially inside of the main portion of the carcass ply 6a, but it is preferable (f) to terminate beside the bead core as shown in Fig.7. In case (d), it is necessary (g) to terminate radially inside the radially outer end 8e of the bead apex 8, and it is preferable (h) to terminate beside the bead core. In every case (a)-(d), it is possible to dispose the carcass reinforcing ply 19 along (i) the inside of the main portion of the carcass ply 6a as shown in Fig.7 or (j) the outside of the main portion. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the carcass cords 21 are steel cords, but organic fibre cords, e.g. nylon, polyester, rayon, aromatic polyamide and the like may be used. Comparison Test 3 Heavy duty radial tyres of size 11R22.5 having specifications shown in Table 2 were prepared and tested for bead durability, steering stability, plunger strength, and tyre weight. Bead durability test: Same as above Steering stability test: A ten-ton truck provided on all wheels with test tyres was run on highways, and the test driver evaluated the tyres with regard to steering response, rigidity, grip and the like. Wheel rim: 8.25X22.5 standard wheel rim Tyre pressure: 800 kPa The results are indicated by an index based on the conventional tyre being 100. The larger the value, the better the steering stability. Plunger strength test: According to the test procedure specified in Japanese Industrial Standard D4230, the breaking energy was measured. Wheel rim: 8.25X22.5 standard rim Tyre pressure: 800 kPa The energy is indicated by an index based on the conventional tyre being 100. The larger the value, the higher the strength. Tyre weight: In Table 2, the tyre weights are indicated by an index based on the conventional tyre being 100.

Claims: A heavy duty radial tyre comprising a tread portion (2), a pair of sidewall portions (3), a pair of bead portions (4) each with a bead core (5) therein, a carcass (6) comprising a ply (6a) of cords (21) extending between the bead portions (4) and turned up around a bead core (5) in each bead portion from the inside to the outside of the tyre so as to form a pair of turnup portions (6B) and a main portion (6A) therebetween, a bead apex rubber (8) disposed between each of the turnup portions and the main portion, a chafer rubber (9) disposed along at least an axially outer surface of each of the bead portions so as to define at least a flange-contacting part (S3) for contacting with a flange (J1) of a wheel rim (J), the axial thickness (TC) of the chafer rubber (9) gradually decreases radially outwards from the radially inner end (P2) of the sidewall rubber (10), to the outer end (9e) of the chafer rubber (9), and the height (L1) of the radially outer end of the bead apex (8) being in the range of from 7 to 35 % of the height (H) of the carcass at the tyre equator (C), said flange-contacting part (S3) being devoid of a concave profile, characterized in that each of the turnup portions (6B) extends radially outwardly beyond a radially outer end (8e) of the bead apex (8) to adjoin the main portion (6A) to form an adjoining part (G), the height (L1) of the radially outer end of the bead apex (8) being less than the height (L3) of the radially outer end of the chafer rubber (9), said adjoining part (G) defined such that the thickness of rubber (22) between the cords (21) of the main portion (6A) and the cords (21) of the turnup portion (6B) is in the range of from 0.15 to 4.5 times the diameter of the cords (21), and said adjoining part (G) has a length (L) in a range of from 0.5 to 5.0 times the maximum section width (BW) of the bead core (5) which occurs in the direction parallel to the bead bottom (S1), said chafer rubber (9) having an elastic modulus higher than the elastic modulus of a sidewall rubber (10) to which the chafer rubber (9) is spliced, the chafer rubber (9) extending radially outwardly from the radially inside of the bead core (5), contracting with the carcass ply turnup portion (6B), beyond the outer end (8e) of the bead apex (8), but not to extend beyond the outer end (Be) of the turnup portion (6B). A tyre according to claim 1, characterized in that the radially outer end (Be) of the adjoining part (G) has a radial height (L2) of not more than 50% of the carcass height (H). A tyre according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the 100% modulus of the chafer rubber (9) is in a range of 55 to 75 kgf/cm2, and the 100% modulus of the sidewall rubber (10) is in a range of 10 to 20 kgf/cm2. A tyre according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height (L3) of the chafer rubber (9) is more than the middle height (Lg) of the adjoining part (G). A tyre according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (L0) between the outer end (9e) of the chafer rubber (9) and the radially outer end (Be) of the adjoining part (G) is in the range of from 5 to 15 mm. A tyre according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thickness (TC) of the chafer rubber increases radially outwardly from the radially inside of the bead core (5) to the radially outer end (5Eo) of the bead core (5), and the thickness (TC1) at the outer end (5Eo) of the bead core is in the range of from 0.5 to 2.0 times the maximum section width (BW) of the bead core (5). A tyre according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in a meridian section of the tyre, a boundary (11) between a sidewall rubber (10) and the chafer rubber (9) extends from the carcass to the outer surface of the tyre, inclining radially inwardly and describing a smooth curve. A tyre according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an inner liner (12) is disposed along the inside of the tyre, and the inner liner (12) terminates on the axially inside of the bead core (5) in each of the bead portions (4). A tyre according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the height (L1) of the radially outer end (8e) of the bead apex (8) is in the range of from 7 to 20 % of the height (H) of the carcass, the cords of the carcass ply (6) are steel cords, a belt (7) is disposed radially outside the carcass (6) in the tread portion, and a carcass reinforcing layer (19) is disposed along the carcass (6A) so as to extend between the belt edges (7E) and the maximum tyre width points (P1) at least. A tyre according to claim 9, characterised in that the carcass reinforcing layer (19) extends between the maximum tyre width points (P1) at least, and the thickness (T2) of rubber between the carcass cords (6A) and the reinforcing cords of the carcass reinforcing layer (19) at the tyre equator is 1.0 to 4.0 times the diameter of either the carcass cord or the reinforcing cord which is not thicker than the other, and the thickness (T1) of rubber between the carcass cords and the belt cords at the tyre equator (C) is in the range of from 1.0 to 4.0 times the diameter of either the carcass cord or the belt cord which is not thicker than the other. A tyre according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the reinforcing cords are materially the same as the carcass cords. A method of making the heavy duty radial tyre according to claim 1, characterised by the improvement comprising a step of vulcanising the tyre in a mould whose inside has a profile such that, the inclination angle α of the outer surface of the tyre in the mould measured at the same radial position as the middle point between the radially outer end and the radially inner end of the bead core is not less than 55 degrees not more than 65 degrees with respect to the axial direction.

Inventors: UEYOKO KIYOSHI, UEYOKO, KIYOSHI
Applicants: SUMITOMO RUBBER IND, SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60C15
IPC codes: B60C9, B60C5, B60C15