US 11,926,114 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass

AssigneeCompagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin

InventorsDavid C. Lung, Michael Widmyer, Eric Rivers

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Abstract

This disclosure includes methods and apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes. The method includes arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus, where the inner hub is arranged concentrically within a radially inner annular side of the outer band and the plurality of spokes are arranged between the outer band and the inner hub. The plurality of spokes are forced in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, where each spoke of the plurality of spokes is forced in a curing position against the inner hub and towards the outer band in a curing arrangement. The plurality of spokes are then cured to each of the inner hub and outer band.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes extending between the inner hub and the outer band, the inner hub and outer band each being annular, the inner hub being arranged radially inward of the outer band, each of the inner hub and the outer band having a width extending in an axial direction and defined by opposing lateral sides, the method comprising:

arranging the inner hub, the plurality of spokes, and the outer band to form a curing assembly arranged in a first arrangement within a forming apparatus, where the inner hub is arranged concentrically within a radially inner annular side of the outer band and the plurality of spokes are arranged between the outer band and the inner hub;
forcing the plurality of spokes in opposite radial directions from the first arrangement and to a second arrangement, where each spoke of the plurality of spokes is forced in a curing position against the inner hub and towards the outer band in a curing arrangement;
and,
curing the plurality of spokes to each of the inner hub and outer band.

1 more element

An apparatus for forming a non-pneumatic tire carcass comprising an inner hub, an outer band, and a plurality of spokes extending between the inner hub and the outer band, the inner hub and outer band each being annular, the inner hub being arranged radially inward of the outer band, each of the inner hub and the outer band having a width extending in an axial direction and defined by opposing lateral sides, the apparatus comprising:

a first support base having a first outer band abutment and a first inner hub abutment;
a second support base having a second outer band abutment and a second inner hub abutment;
a first plurality of elongate spoke supports extending axially from the first support base and to the second support base, the first plurality arranged in a first annular array;
a second plurality of elongate spoke supports extending axially from the first support base and to the second support base, the second plurality arranged in a second annular array, the first plurality being arranged concentrically within the second plurality;
each of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports having at least one spoke-engaging portion;
and,
a plurality of radially-extendable members arranged between the first plurality of elongate spoke supports and the second plurality of elongate spoke supports, where one or more radially-extendable members of the plurality of radially extendable members are arranged on opposing axial sides of the spoke-engaging portions of each of the first and second plurality of elongate spoke supports.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/765,814Filed 21 Nov 2017
Published: US 2020/0376789 A13 Dec 2020
Granted: 12 Mar 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification30 codes

B29D 30/02
Producing pneumatic or solid tyres or parts thereof: solid tyres ; Moulds therefor
B29C 43/027
Of articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles: having an axis of symmetry
B29C 65/4805
Using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding: characterised by the type of adhesives
B29C 66/545
Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms,…:…