Use of injected sealant to improve dynamic tire balance
AssigneeBridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
InventorJohn D. CLOTHIAUX
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of applying a sealant layer to an inner surface of a tire and a resulting tire are disclosed. Prior to sealant application first and second balance light spots on first and second sides of the tire are identified. A starting location for the sealant bead adjacent the first side of the tire is determined as a function of the location of the first balance light spot. An ending location for the sealant bead adjacent the second side of the tire is determined as a function of the location of the second balance light spot. Balance of the tire is improved by the application of the sealant layer.
Claims13
A method of applying a sealant layer to an inner surface of a tire, the method comprising:
- (a) identifying a circumferential location of a first balance light spot on a first side of the tire as a first angle θT measured about a rotational axis of the tire from a physical indicia on the tire;
- (b) identifying a circumferential location of a second balance light spot on a second side of the tire as a second angle θB measured about the rotational axis of the tire from the physical indicia;
- (c) determining a target starting location for a sealant bead adjacent the first side of the tire as a target starting angle θS measured about the rotational axis of the tire from the physical indicia, the target starting angle θS being determined as a function of the first angle θT;
- (d) determining a target ending location for the sealant bead adjacent the second side of the tire as a target ending angle θE measured about the rotational axis of the tire from the physical indicia, the target ending angle θE being determined as a function of the second angle θB;
- and
- (e) applying the sealant bead to the inner surface of the tire in a spiral pattern beginning at an actual starting location selected based upon the target starting angle θS and ending at an actual ending location selected based upon the target ending angle θE.
A tire, comprising:
- a tread portion;
- first and second sidewall portions extending radially inward from the tread portion;
- a first balance light spot location on a first side of the tire prior to sealant application measured as a first angle θT about a rotational axis of the tire from a physical indicia on the tire;
- a second balance light spot location on a second side of the tire prior to sealant application measured as a second angle θB about the rotational axis of the tire from the physical indicia on the tire;
- an inner surface defining an inner cavity of the tire between the first and second sidewall portions;
- and
- a spiral wound sealant bead laid down on the inner surface, the sealant bead having a starting location closest to the first sidewall and ending location closest to the second sidewall;
- wherein the starting location is within a range of 45 degrees to 135 degrees ahead of the first balance light spot location OT relative to a direction of winding of the sealant bead;
- and
- wherein the ending location is within a range of 45 degrees to 135 degrees behind the second balance light spot location θB relative to the direction of winding of the sealant bead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.