The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Stephen L Williams

George Michael Stoila

Bryan E Nixon

Loren K Miller

Kenneth A Spriggel

Kenneth L Kounkel

Shaun Matthew Immel

George Jeffrey Lipczynski

Gino Salvador Vicini

Methods and apparatus for predicting tire uniformity, preferably a harmonic component of force variation (radial, lateral, or tangential) for a production tire operating at a high speed, and also method and apparatus for manufacturing tires and controlling the manufacturing of tires in response to quality control based on a comparison of a production tire's predicted uniformity versus predetermined criteria. A production tire's predicted tire uniformity is determined by a calculation using a prediction curve with parameters which are determined for the production tire by collecting measurement data for the production tire using a factory floor tire uniformity machine operated at a plurality of intermediate test speeds, and then fitting the prediction curve to the measurement data, preferably using a least squares curve fitting process. Higher speed measurements are optionally given greater weight in the curve fitting process as compared to lower speed measurements. The prediction curve is preferably a parabolic curve type. The plurality of intermediate test speeds (preferably at least 3) are between and including a lower test speed (preferably at least 60 rpm) and a highest reasonable test speed. Most preferably, the lower test speed is at least approximately 200 rpm, and the highest reasonable test speed is at least approximately 200 rpm higher than the lower test speed. Preferably, the individual values of the plurality of intermediate test speeds are spaced at approximately regular intervals between and including the lower test speed and the highest reasonable test speed.

Tire uniformity prediction using curve fitting

A radial tire having an annular cavity is built with precision and positioned between the upper and lower mold sections of a tire press. An upper center mechanism has an inflatable clamping bladder for gripping the upper bead of the tire which is suspended from the center mechanism to insure orientation of the tire components in substantially the built condition of the tire. The upper center mechanism including the upper bead ring and clamping bladder is lowered to grip and center the upper bead on the upper bead ring. The lower bead is positioned over the lower bead ring and sealing air may be utilized to provide the neccessary centering and seating. The sealing air in the tire cavity is maintained at a pressure sufficient to hold the beads in seating engagement with the bead rings while the curing bladder is being inserted in the tire cavity and while the clamping bladder is deflated and retracted with the center support assembly from the tire cavity. The press may then be closed for vulcanizing the tire without distortion by the curing bladder. The annular inflatable clamping bladder is mounted on an upper center support assembly of the upper center mechanism for movement with the assembly upward into a retracted storage position in an upper well of the upper center mechanism and downward into an operating position for inflation and engagement with the upper bead of the tire.

Tire press mechanism

The magnitude of a variable property of a tire such as the dynamic imbalance may be predicted by measuring lateral runout at positions close to the end of the thread pattern on both sides of the tire and determining the first harmonic runout values. The first harmonic runout values relative to the centerplane of the tire at different circumferential positions around the tire are arithmetically added. The largest sum at any point on the circumference of the tire gives an indication of the maximum dynamic imbalance of the tire. Tires can be screened by the system comparing this sum with predetermined amounts corresponding to the maximum acceptable dynamic imbalance or other standards and providing visual signals identifying those tires with the largest sum exceeding this predetermined amount or the other standards.

Tire dynamic imbalance screening system

A radial tire having an annular cavity is built with precision and positioned between the upper and lower mold sections of a tire press. An upper center mechanism has an inflatable clamping bladder for gripping the upper bead of the tire which is suspended from the center mechanism to insure orientation of the tire components in substantially the built condition of the tire. The upper center mechanism including the upper bead ring and clamping bladder is lowered to grip and center the upper bead on the upper bead ring. The lower bead is positioned over the lower bead ring and sealing air may be utilized to provide the necessary centering and seating. The sealing air in the tire cavity is maintained at a pressure sufficient to hold the beads in seating engagement with the bead rings while the curing bladder is being inserted in the tire cavity and while the clamping bladder is deflated and retracted with the center support assembly from the tire cavity. The press may then be closed for vulcanizing the tire without distortion by the curing bladder. The annular inflatable clamping bladder is mounted on an upper center support assembly of the upper center mechanism for movement with the assembly upward into a retracted storage position in an upper well of the upper center mechanism and downward into an operating position for inflation and engagement with the upper bead of the tire.

Method of making tires

The magnitude of a variable property of a tire such as the dynamic imbalance may be predicted by measuring lateral runout at positions close to the end of the tread pattern on both sides of the tire and determining the first harmonic runout values. The first harmonic runout values relative to the centerplane of the tire at different circumferential positions around the tire are arithmetically added. The largest sum at any point on the circumference of the tire gives an indication of the maximum dynamic imbalance of the tire. Tires can be screened by the system comparing this sum with predetermined amounts corresponding to the maximum acceptable dynamic imbalance or other standards and providing visual signals identifying those tires with the largest sum exceeding this predetermined amount or the other standards.

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Doylestown, OH, United States of America

Stephen L Williams