US 12,377,626 B2
Process and apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels
Cesare Emanuele Amurri, Milan (IT); and Christian De Col, Milan (IT)
Assigned to PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A., Milan (IT)
Filed by PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A., Milan (IT)
Filed on May 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/317,844.
Application 18/317,844 is a continuation of application No. 16/771,206, granted, now 11,691,370, previously published as PCT/IB2018/060352, filed on Dec. 19, 2018.
Claims priority of application No. 102017000147539 (IT), filed on Dec. 20, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0286236 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. B29D 30/60 (2006.01); B29D 30/16 (2006.01); B29D 30/30 (2006.01); B29D 30/14 (2006.01); B29D 30/28 (2006.01); B29D 30/52 (2006.01); B60C 19/08 (2006.01)
CPC B29D 30/60 (2013.01) [B29D 30/1621 (2013.01); B29D 30/3021 (2013.01); B29D 30/14 (2013.01); B29D 30/1628 (2013.01); B29D 30/28 (2013.01); B29D 30/3028 (2013.01); B29D 2030/526 (2013.01); B60C 19/08 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An application device configured for applying a conductive insert on a tyre being processed, wherein said application device comprises:
a supply device for supplying a conductive liquid elastomeric compound; and
an applicator having a movable surface configured for being operatively coupled with the supply device and receiving the conductive liquid elastomeric compound;
wherein:
the movable surface is configured for being placed in contact with a tyre being processed while said tyre is placed in rotation and for applying the conductive liquid elastomeric compound on at least one coil of a plurality of coils that are axially adjacent and/or partially superimposed;
the applicator is configured to:
a) generate depressions in the tyre in a pattern defined by elements in relief; and
b) fill the depressions in the tyre with said conductive liquid elastomeric compound thereby covering said elements as the depressions in the tyre are generated;
the supply device comprises:
an auxiliary wheel rotatable around a centre thereof and having a peripheral edge placed in contact with the movable surface; and
a tank for the conductive liquid elastomeric compound; and
the peripheral edge of the auxiliary wheel is partially in contact with the conductive liquid elastomeric compound contained in the tank.
 
15. An apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels, comprising:
a motorized forming drum configured for supporting and rotating a tyre being processed around a rotation axis thereof;
a deposition device configured for winding a continuous elongated element made of elastomeric material according to a plurality of coils that are axially adjacent and/or partially superimposed in radially outer position on a belt structure of the tyre being processed; and
an application device comprising:
a supply device for supplying a conductive liquid elastomeric compound; and
an applicator having a movable surface operatively coupled with the supply device and receiving the conductive liquid elastomeric compound;
wherein the movable surface is configured for being placed in contact with the tyre being processed while said tyre is placed in rotation and for applying the conductive liquid elastomeric compound on at least one coil of the plurality of coils that are axially adjacent and/or partially superimposed;
wherein the applicator is configured to:
a) generate depressions in the tyre in a pattern defined by elements in relief; and
b) fill the depressions in the tyre with said conductive liquid elastomeric compound covering said elements in relief as the depressions in the tyre are generated;
wherein the supply device comprises:
an auxiliary wheel rotatable around a centre thereof and having a peripheral edge placed in contact with the movable surface, and
a tank for the conductive liquid elastomeric compound; and
wherein the peripheral edge of the auxiliary wheel is partially in contact with the conductive liquid elastomeric compound contained in the tank.
 
19. An apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels, comprising:
a motorized forming drum configured for supporting and rotating a tyre being processed around a rotation axis thereof;
a deposition device configured for winding a continuous elongated element made of elastomeric material according to a plurality of coils that are axially adjacent and/or partially superimposed in radially outer position on a belt structure of the tyre being processed; and
an application device comprising:
a supply device for supplying a conductive liquid elastomeric compound; and
an applicator having a movable surface operatively coupled with the supply device and receiving the conductive liquid elastomeric compound;
wherein:
the movable surface is configured for being placed in contact with the tyre being processed while said tyre is placed in rotation and while the deposition device winds the continuous elongated element in coils such that the movable surface applies the conductive liquid elastomeric compound on at least one coil of the plurality of coils that are axially adjacent and/or partially superimposed; and
the applicator is configured to:
a) generate depressions in the tyre in a pattern defined by elements in relief; and
b) fill the depressions in the tyre with said conductive liquid elastomeric compound covering said elements in relief as the depressions in the tyre are generated.