Patent Description:
In many operations involving the manufacture of pneumatic tires, following fabrication and vulcanization, a tire is placed on a chuck assembly so that various inspection and grinding operations can be performed. Generally, for example, in a tire uniformity machine, tires are advanced along a conveyor into the uniformity machine whereupon a first chuck is raised to engage a lower bead of the tire following which the tire is elevated so that an upper bead is engaged by a second chuck. The tire is then inflated and various inspections are conducted. The tire is then deflated, the first chuck is retracted, the tire is removed from the second chuck and then removed from the machine so that another tire may be tested.

In such a system and in other areas where tires are mounted on chucks for further manufacturing, inspection, or grinding operations, it is desirable to lubricate the upper and lower beads along their sealing surface so as to achieve a complete airtight seal with the mating surfaces of the chuck or, for that matter, the wheel of an automobile.

One existing lubricating system provides a vertically-oriented roller, sometimes referred to as an applicator, that is mounted beneath a conveyor and housed in a container used to contain overspray or runoff of excess lubricant. As a tire moves into a position above the roller, it the roller is extended upward along its axis to enter a bore defined by the tire. At the same time, a pop-up roller table raises the tire from the conveyor. The tire is both driven on the roller table, causing it to contact the roller, and rotated about the roller which applies lubricant to the beads by a set of pop-up spinner rolls. Since contact between the roller and the beads relies on the pop-up spinner rolls driving the tire into contact with the applicator, the roller is stressed by the impact with the tire. Oftentimes, the tire will impact the roller multiple times until achieving the proper position. Accordingly, some systems provide for an applicator assembly having plural applicators movable along the vertical axis to enter the bore of the tire and extensible in a radial direction to contact the beads of the tire and apply a lubricant thereto.

In another known lubricating system; however, it is common to employ a cloth sleeve or "sock" to cover the roller and absorb the lubricating fluid prior to application to the tire bead. In particular, most systems employ a nylon cylindrical roller with the cloth sleeve. Lubricating oil is sprayed on to or otherwise applied to the sleeve prior to each application to the tire bead. The cylindrical roller is then forced into engagement with the bead and then rotated to coat the bead surface. Over time, the tire beads engage the sleeve at a same location and the sleeve tears and no longer adequately applies lubricating material. As such, the sleeve needs to be replaced resulting in downtime of the machine. Skilled artisans will also appreciate that use of a cloth sleeve is problematic as the cloth fibers become loose and get into the hydraulic fluid valves and fluid lines, further causing problems for operation of the tire uniformity machine and other nearby equipment. Therefore, there is a need in the art to use an applicator without a cloth sleeve and which lasts longer and minimizes the need for machine maintenance.

<CIT> A1discloses a lubricator device which includes an upper roller brush unit that comes into contact with a bead section on the upper side of a tire rotated about a vertical axis and applies a lubrication liquid, and a lower roller brush unit that comes into contact with a bead section on the lower side of the tire and applies the lubrication liquid. A brush movement unit moves the upper roller brush unit and the lower roller brush unit in contact with and away from the tire.

<CIT> describes a tire uniformity testing machine including an upper spindle and a lower spindle, wherein a distance between both spindles can be varied. The tire testing machine also includes a conveyor adapted to move an associated tire to be tested along a conveying direction.

In light of the foregoing, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a tire bead lubricating system.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:.

As shown in the drawings and in <FIG>, it can be seen that a tire bead lubricating system is designated generally by the numeral <NUM>. The system <NUM> is used in conjunction with tire manufacturing and, in particular, tire testing equipment. In particular, the tire bead lubricating system <NUM> is used prior to the recently manufactured tire being received by a tire uniformity machine, other inspection equipment, or other manufacturing equipment wherein the tire must be received and chucked between a pair of opposed rims prior to the next manufacturing or testing operation. Generally, the tire bead lubricating system applies a lubricating oil to the tire beads so as to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of the tire in the opposed rims of a chucking apparatus.

The system <NUM> includes a frame designated by the numeral <NUM> which includes a plurality of posts <NUM> supported by a manufacturing floor. At about a midpoint of the posts <NUM>, an internal cross member <NUM> may span from one side to another. Skilled artisans will appreciate that a pair of opposed conveyor belts <NUM> are associated with the frame <NUM>, wherein the conveyor belts have a conveyor opening <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) therebetween. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the conveyor belts <NUM> are driven by a motor so as to transfer a tire from a prior manufacturing station toward the next, which may be a tire inspection machine. The tire, which is designated by capital letter T, moves on the conveyor belt wherein the tire has opposed beads designated by capital letter B that terminate at each sidewall. The beads define an inner diameter and, in particular, a tire bore <NUM>. The beads are where lubricating fluid is applied so as to facilitate chucking of the tire in the next manufacturing station.

A tire position sensor <NUM> monitors a leading edge of the tire and generates a positon signal A. The position signal A is received by a controller <NUM> which includes the necessary hardware and software for receiving various types of signals so as to implement various operations of the tire bead lubricating system <NUM>. Once an appropriate position signal A is received by the controller <NUM>, the controller instructs the motors connected to the conveyor belts to stop at a predetermined position and initiate other actions that will be described.

A significant portion of the lubricating system <NUM> is substantially maintained underneath the conveyor belts, wherein the primary components of the system are associated in the area of the conveyor opening <NUM>. The lubricating system <NUM> may include a lubricating wick chamber <NUM> which maintains therein a lubricating wick assembly <NUM>. The lubricating wick assembly <NUM> is movable to an extended position, as shown in <FIG>, and, as a result, axially movable into the tire bore <NUM> by a movement cylinder <NUM>. The cylinder <NUM> internally maintains a piston rod <NUM>, wherein the cylinder <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM> and receives a control signal B from the controller <NUM> at an appropriate time to extend and retract the piston rod and, as a result, the wick assembly <NUM>. Skilled artisans will appreciate that multiple movement cylinders <NUM> may be employed to lift the wick assembly <NUM> in embodiments where the wick assembly is of heavier weight. This may be necessitated when the system <NUM> is sized to handle larger semi-truck tires or tires used with construction equipment. The movement cylinders <NUM> will move in tandem when actuated by the controller. Also part of the lubricating system <NUM> is a lubricating pump system <NUM> which supplies lubricating fluid to the lubricating wick assembly <NUM> as it either moves into or out of the chamber <NUM>.

The lubricating wick chamber <NUM> is axially aligned with the conveyor opening <NUM> and, in particular, the tire bore <NUM> when the tire is in a stopped position on the conveyor belts <NUM>. The chamber <NUM> includes a chamber housing <NUM> which defines a chamber cavity <NUM> which has a housing bottom <NUM> that seals the bottom of the housing <NUM>. Connected to an opening in the housing bottom <NUM> is an excess return port <NUM> which collects any excess lubricating fluid that accumulates at the bottom of the chamber for return to the lubricating pump system <NUM> by a tube <NUM> connected to the port. A housing cap <NUM>, which has a cap opening <NUM>, is situated on the chamber housing <NUM> at an end opposite the housing bottom <NUM>. The cap <NUM> effectively surrounds an upper edge of the chamber housing <NUM> and allows for extension and retraction of the lubricating wick assembly <NUM> through the cap opening <NUM>. The cap <NUM>, which may extend radially from the chamber housing <NUM>, may provide for a drain <NUM> which collects any excess lubricating fluid that drops from the lubricating wick assembly <NUM> and directs it toward the housing bottom <NUM> for return by the excess return port <NUM> and tube <NUM> to the pump system <NUM>. Excess fluid may also drain back into the chamber housing <NUM> through the port <NUM> and the tube <NUM>.

The lubricating wick assembly <NUM> is axially movable out of and back into the chamber housing <NUM>. Moreover, the lubricating wick assembly is movable into and out of the tire bore <NUM>. Movement of the assembly <NUM> is initiated by the piston rod <NUM>, wherein the cylinder <NUM> is positioned below the housing bottom <NUM> with an appropriate sealing arrangement maintained around the piston rod <NUM>. This precludes any leakage of the lubricating fluid into the cylinder <NUM>. At the appropriate time, the controller <NUM> generates the control signal B that is received by the cylinder <NUM> which controls vertical movement of the piston <NUM>, which in turn vertically moves the lubricating wick assembly <NUM>.

The lubricating wick assembly <NUM>, which is best seen in <FIG>, includes a bottom cap <NUM> which is opposed by a top cap <NUM>. The bottom cap <NUM> is connected to and moved by the piston rod <NUM>. At least one support rod <NUM> may extend between the bottom cap <NUM> and top cap <NUM> for connection therebetween. Also connected between the bottom cap <NUM> and the top cap <NUM> is at least one engagement roller <NUM>. In some embodiments a pair of engagement rollers <NUM> may be employed, wherein each roller is spaced equidistantly from the support rod. In some embodiments, the roller or rollers may extend only from just one of the caps. Moreover, each roller <NUM> is rotatable about its axis. In other words, any tangential force applied to the roller will cause it to rotate. Extending from at least one of the caps <NUM> and <NUM> is an elongate brush <NUM>. The brush includes brush bristles <NUM> upon which lubricating fluid is applied and which is then later transferred to the tire beads as will be described. In one embodiment, the elongate brush may be connected to both caps <NUM> and <NUM>.

The elongate brush <NUM> in some embodiments may be connected between the caps <NUM> and <NUM> and positioned between the rollers <NUM>. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the brush <NUM> may be provided in a number of brush segments <NUM> that are fastened to a spine <NUM> so as to allow for replacement of selected brush segments if they become worn. The elongate brush is positioned so that the bristles extend radially further than an outer surface of the engagement rollers when not engaged by the tire beads. However, when the engagement roller or rollers come in contact with the tire beads, the brush bristles <NUM> are deflected and transfer lubricant to the bead as the tire and/or wick assembly is moved.

As best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, extending from the top cap <NUM> is a cap pilot <NUM> which may be somewhat conical in shape and is positioned on a side of the cap opposite the rollers and the brush. Extending from the frame <NUM>, and above the conveyor belts <NUM>, is an external cross member <NUM> which in the present embodiment extends vertically upwardly from the frame and then horizontally over the conveyor opening <NUM>. In some embodiments, the external cross member <NUM> may extend from a structure other than the frame <NUM>. The cross member <NUM> provides for a cross member receiver hole <NUM> which is axially aligned with the cap pilot <NUM> for receipt therein when the lubricating wick assembly <NUM> is vertically extended.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, it can be seen that the lubricating pump system <NUM> may be maintained on the floor underneath the frame <NUM> or in close proximity thereto. The pump system <NUM> includes a fluid tank <NUM> which holds the lubricating fluid, wherein the tank may carry a removable tank cover <NUM> for enclosure thereof. A pump <NUM> is maintained on the tank cover <NUM> and connected to the controller <NUM> via a control signal C. A cover <NUM> may be employed to cover the pump <NUM> so as to keep debris out of the pump mechanism. Maintained within the fluid tank <NUM> is a fluid level switch <NUM> which monitors the fluid level therein and sends a level indication via control signal C to the controller <NUM> so that alerts may be generated and/or sent depending upon the fluid level. A fill cap <NUM> is associated with the cover <NUM> to allow for depositing of lubricating fluid into the tank <NUM> as needed. The cover <NUM> also provides a fluid return port <NUM> which is connected to the excess return tube <NUM> so that any excess fluid that is collected may be recycled through the pump system <NUM>. An air line <NUM> is connected to the pump to facilitate operation thereof and a fluid line <NUM> extends from the pump <NUM> wherein the opposite end of the fluid line <NUM> is connected to a spray nozzle <NUM> which is mounted to the lubricating wick chamber housing <NUM> at an optimal position. In other words, the spray nozzle <NUM> is directed so as to deposit lubricating fluid onto the brush bristles <NUM> as the lubricating wick assembly is extended upwardly and/or received during return into the chamber housing <NUM>.

Implementation of the lubricating system <NUM> may require additional components. As seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, a spinner roll <NUM> may be positioned on each side of the frame <NUM> near the conveyor belts <NUM>. Each spinner roll <NUM> includes a roll drive <NUM>, which moves the spinner roll vertically above the conveyor belt when needed and retracted underneath the conveyor belts when not needed. Each spinner roll may also include a drive motor <NUM> which is connected to the controller and which serves to rotate the respective spinner roll <NUM>. The roll drives <NUM> and the drive motors <NUM> are operated by the controller <NUM> via a control signal D.

Another feature of the lubricating system is a pop-up table <NUM> which is positioned between the conveyor belts <NUM> in the area of the conveyor opening <NUM>. At least one table air cylinder <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>) is coupled to the pop-up table <NUM> which lifts the tire off the conveyor belts <NUM> and allows rotation of the tire. The air cylinder <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM> and mounted to an underside of the frame and/or to components of the tire bead lubricating system. Each air cylinder <NUM> receives a control signal E from the controller <NUM>. The pop-up table <NUM> includes a plurality of table rollers <NUM> which allow for rotatable movement of the tire as will be explained.

The spinner rolls <NUM>, once lifted into a position above the conveyor belts, and after the tire is lifted by the pop-up table <NUM>, are moved laterally by a carriage <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> includes a pair of bushings <NUM> slidably mounted on rods <NUM> that are carried by the frame <NUM>. A piston <NUM>, which may be connected to the controller <NUM> by control signal F, places the spinner rolls <NUM> into engagement with the tread of the tire. As discussed below, this places the tire beads adjacent to or in contacting engagement with the rollers <NUM>.

In operation, the tire is delivered along a conveyor line and received by the conveyor belts <NUM>. The tire position sensor <NUM> detects the leading edge of the tire and positions the tire so that its bore <NUM> is substantially concentric with the lubricating wick chamber <NUM>. At the appropriate time, the controller <NUM> causes the conveyor belts <NUM> to stop movement and the tire is positioned in place. Next, the pop-up table <NUM> is actuated so that the table rollers <NUM> engage the tire sidewall and lift the tire above the conveyor belts so that the tire is no longer in contact therewith.

Upon completion of those steps, the controller instructs the lubricating wick cylinder <NUM> to actuate its internal piston rod <NUM> so as to vertically move the lubricating wick assembly <NUM> out of the lubricating wick chamber <NUM>. Concurrently with this instruction the controller may instruct the pump system <NUM> to direct lubricating fluid through to the spray nozzle <NUM> which deposits the lubricating fluid on to the brush bristles <NUM> as they move upwardly. The lubricating wick assembly may continue to move upwardly until such time that the cap pilot <NUM> is received in the cross member receiver hole <NUM>. Next, the controller <NUM> instructs the roll drives <NUM> to extend upwardly and lift the spinner rolls up whereupon the controller <NUM> actuates the piston <NUM> which moves the carriage <NUM> causing the spin rollers <NUM> to laterally engage the tire tread. This lateral movement forces the tire beads into engagement with the rollers <NUM>. Next, the controller instructs the spinner rolls to rotate which results in rotation of the tire. Rotation of the tire forces the beads of the tire to rotatably engage the engagement rollers and the brush bristles to apply lubricating fluid to the tire beads as the tire is rotated on the table rollers <NUM>. After a sufficient number of rotations of the tire have been completed so as to coat both beads with the appropriate amount of lubricant, rotation of the spinner rolls is stopped by the controller <NUM> and withdrawn. In a corresponding manner, the lubricating wick assembly may be withdrawn, the spin rollers disengaged and lowered, and the pop-up table is lowered so that the tire sidewalls are no longer engaged by the pop-up table <NUM> but by the conveyor belts <NUM>. Once all of the assemblies are fully withdrawn, then the conveyor belts deliver the lubricated tire to the chucking station.

The advantages of the present invention are readily apparent. The use of a brush with lubricating fluid deposited thereon is advantageous in that the brush does not absorb the direct contact of the tire bead. Instead, the rollers absorb the direct contact and minimal forces are applied to the brush bristles so that they do no become excessively worn and fall into the flow of the lubricating fluid. As a result, the bristles do not foul the pump machinery nor do loose or detached bristles enter into other fluid systems of nearby operating equipment. Additionally, more fluid is recycled, thus minimizing waste. Finally, worn brush segments can be easily replaced as needed.

Claim 1:
A tire bead lubricating system (<NUM>) for applying lubricant to beads of a tire, comprising:
a frame (<NUM>);
a pair of conveyor belts (<NUM>) associated with said frame (<NUM>) for transferring a tire, said pair of conveyor belts (<NUM>) having a conveyor opening (<NUM>) therebetween;
characterised by
a pop-up table (<NUM>) having a plurality of table rollers (<NUM>) and which is positioned between said pair of conveyor belts (<NUM>) in the area of said conveyor opening (<NUM>), and at least one table air cylinder (<NUM>) being coupled to the pop-up table (<NUM>) for lifting the tire off said pair of conveyor belts (<NUM>) and for allowing rotation of the tire; and
a lubricating wick assembly (<NUM>) axially movable by a movement cylinder (<NUM>) into a bore (<NUM>) of the tire, said lubricating wick assembly (<NUM>) having opposed caps (<NUM>,<NUM>) connected to one another by at least one engagement roller (<NUM>) and wherein at least one elongate brush (<NUM>) extends from at least one of said caps (<NUM>,<NUM>) and wherein said at least one engagement roller (<NUM>) and said at least one elongate brush (<NUM>) contact a bead (B) of the tire (T) and said at least one elongate brush (<NUM>) applies lubricant to the bead (B) of the tire (T).