US 12,479,238 B2
Device for assembling the spokes of a tire for a wheel by means of pushers that are actuated and elastically suspended by levers
Christophe Bessac, Clermont-Ferrand (FR); Lucie Chevrel, Clermont-Ferrand (FR); Jean-Claude Delorme, Clermont-Ferrand (FR); and Yorrick Bunge, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
Assigned to COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
Appl. No. 18/710,507
Filed by COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, Clermont-Ferrand (FR)
PCT Filed Oct. 25, 2022, PCT No. PCT/FR2022/052018
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 15, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/084172, PCT Pub. Date May 19, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 2112030 (FR), filed on Nov. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2025/0010660 A1, Jan. 9, 2025
Int. Cl. B60B 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60B 31/005 (2013.01) 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An assembly device for manufacturing a tire that comprises a hub having a central axis, a peripheral annular band coaxial with the hub, and a plurality of spokes that connect the hub to the peripheral annular band and that each comprise a first foot fastened on a radially outer face of the hub forming a first receiving face and a second foot fastened on a radially inner face of the peripheral annular band forming a second receiving face, the assembly device comprising:
a plurality of pressing sub-assemblies that are each assigned to fastening a separate spoke and each comprise at least one pusher arranged to press one of the first and second feet of a given spoke against the receiving face of the hub or the peripheral annular band respectively that corresponds to the first or second foot of the spoke,
wherein each of the pressing sub-assemblies comprises at least one traveller that is mounted radially movably relative to the central axis, under the control of a drive system, and that holds a lever that extends radially from an anchor point, via which the lever is rigidly connected to the traveller, to a bearing member that is situated axially at a distance from the anchor point along the central axis, and via which the lever bears against the pusher in a contact area that is situated on a back of the pusher, radially opposite the foot and the receiving face, and that is also contained in an axial range occupied by the foot along the central axis, so that, when the drive system radially moves the traveller, the lever carried by the traveller transmits to the pusher, by means of the bearing member, a clamping force that presses the pusher, and therefore the foot of the spoke, against the receiving face, and provides through an elastic bending capacity of the lever, elastic radial suspension of the pusher vis-à-vis the traveller and therefore against the foot of the spoke and the receiving face.