WO2009064068A1

WO2009064068A1 - Tread mold formed of puzzle mold and semi-segment

Info

Publication number: WO2009064068A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/004948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shi-Hoon Seong
Original assignee: Mk Technology Corp.
Priority date: 2007-11-13
Filing date: 2008-08-25
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: KR100835589B1

Abstract

There is provided a tread mold formed of a puzzle mold and a semi-segment used in a tire vulcanization process and, more particularly, to a tread mold formed of a semi-segment and a number of puzzle molds which is installed in a segment moving from side to side by an up and down movement of an outer ring, wherein when installing the puzzle molds in the semi-segment, a regular gap between the adjacent puzzle molds is formed to release air during the vulcanization process.

Description

TREAD MOLD FORMED OF PUZZLE MOLD AND SEMI- SEGMENT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a tread mold formed of a puzzle mold and a semi- segment used in a tire vulcanization process and, more particularly, to a tread mold formed of a semi- segment and a number of puzzle molds which is installed in a segment moving from side to side by an up and down movement of an outer ring, wherein the puzzle molds are installed in the semi-segment in the manner that a regular gap between the adjacent puzzle molds is formed to release air during the vulcanization process. Background Art

[2] Generally, a tire mold is formed in a round shape of 360 degrees divided into a number of sectors. In the tire mold, a vent hole is formed to release the air contained in the mold during tire vulcanization.

[3] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a tire mold comprises: a top mold installed in a top plate 1; a bottom mold installed in a bottom plate 2; and a tread mold 5 installed in a number of segments 4 moving from side to side as an outer ring 3 moves up and down. The separated segments 4 are arranged in a round shape and a number of the tread molds 5 installed in a number of the segments 4 are formed in a round shape for the vulcanization.

[4] In the tread mold 5, a vent hole is formed to release the air contained in the mold during the tire vulcanization.

[5] However, when the vent hole is formed in the tread mold and the air is released through the vent hole as described above, precipitation rubber is likely to be formed. Then, since the precipitation rubber results in a final tire product of poor appearance, a process of trimming the precipitation rubber is performed. Moreover, since the precipitation rubber deforms various cord layers forming the tire and half-finished rubber products, the tire performance deteriorates.

[6] To solve these problems, various tire molds have been presented to remove the vent holes, in which, generally, gaps to release air are formed perpendicularly dividing in the radius direction of a tire.

[7] However, in the aforementioned case, during a process of assembling with a green tire, the gaps in a specific section of the circumferential direction of the tire are likely to be out of balance by the pressure applied in the vulcanization. As a result, the air in the specific section is not smoothly released and irregular precipitation is caused to seriously deteriorate the quality.

[8] That is, since the aforementioned conventional art needs a lot of gaps, for example, about 50 to 150 gaps, along the tire circumference, maintenance and repair are difficult. Moreover, since the marks, such as a number of vent lines, remain on the final product due to the non-uniform gaps, the outer surface is not neat. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a tread mold formed of a semi-segment and a number of puzzle molds, in which gaps between the adjacent puzzle molds are uniformly and regularly formed when the puzzle molds are installed into the semi- segment, to prevent the interval between the gaps from being changed by pressure in tire vulcanization. Technical Solution

[10] In accordance with the present invention, the above and other aspects can be accomplished by a tread mold to vulcanize a tire, which is installed in a segment moving from side to side as an outer ring moves up and down, the tread mold comprising: a semi-segment to be installed in the segment having an inner side surface formed of an arc shape; and a number of puzzle molds to be installed in the arc shape inner side surface of the semi-segment vertically along a height direction of the arc shape inner side surface of the semi-segment.

[11] The arc shape inner side surface of the semi- segment includes a number of vent grooves in which a number of vent holes are formed, and opposite lateral side surfaces of the semi- segment include a number of installation grooves on which screw threads are formed.

[12] One lateral side surface or opposite lateral side surfaces of each of the puzzle molds include a number of gap members to form gaps when the puzzle molds are installed, and side puzzle molds to be installed at the opposite lateral sides of the semi-segment include installation grooves corresponding to the installation grooves of the semi- segment.

[13] While positioning the puzzle molds at the inner side surface of the semi-segment and installing coupling members and fixing plates at the installation grooves formed at the opposite lateral side surfaces of the semi-segment, the side puzzle molds are pressed by the coupling members and the fixing plates to fix the puzzle molds to the semi- segment.

[14] Further, the inner side surface of the semi-segment and the outer side surface of the puzzle mold contacting with the inner side surface of the semi- segment may include prominences and depressions formed to be fit into each other to easily install the puzzle molds in the inner side surface of the semi- segment.

[15] The gap members formed in the one lateral side surface or both opposite lateral side surfaces of each of the puzzle molds may be formed by attaching gap gauges, by processing the one lateral side surface or both opposite lateral side surfaces of each puzzle mold to form a step, or by coating the one lateral side surface or both opposite lateral side surfaces of each puzzle mold so as to protrude.

Advantageous Effects

[16] In accordance with the present invention, since the tread mold is formed of the semi- segment and a number of the puzzle molds, wherein the puzzle molds are installed in the inner side surface formed of the arc shape in the semi-segment, the puzzle molds are stably fixed in the inner side surface of the semi-segment in spite of the pressure applied during the vulcanization.

[17] Furthermore, since the puzzle molds are installed in the arc shape inner side surface of the semi-segment vertically along the height direction of the semi-segment, the puzzle molds are stable against the pressure of the vulcanization.

[18] Furthermore, since the gaps formed when the puzzle molds are installed cross over a number of the vent grooves formed in the semi- segment, the air generated during the vulcanization is easily released.

[19] Furthermore, since the puzzle molds are installed in the arc shape inner side surface of the semi-segment and are fixed by using the coupling members installed at both opposite lateral side surfaces of the semi-segment, the puzzle molds are fixed at the constant pressure. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[21] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a general vulcanization container;

[22] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a tread mold according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tread mold according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FIG. 4 is a front view of a semi-segment according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FIG. 5 is a front view of a number of puzzle molds according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[26] FIG. 6 is a separate side view of the semi-segment and the puzzle mold according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[27] FIG. 7 is a side view of the semi-segment and the puzzle mold according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[28] FIG. 8 is a front view of the semi-segment and the puzzle molds according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FIG. 9 is the puzzle mold according to the embodiment of the present invention; and

[30] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the semi-segment according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[31 ] [Brief description of main elements]

[32] 10: semi-segment 10-1: inner side surface

[33] 10-2: lateral side surface 11: vent hole

[34] 12: vent groove 13: installation groove

[35] 13-1: screw thread

[36] 20, 20': puzzle mold and side puzzle mold

[37] 20-1: outer side surface 20-2: lateral side surface

[38] 21: installation groove 23: gap

[39] 24: gap member

Mode for the Invention

[40] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[41] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[42] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a general tire mold of a vulcanization container comprises: a top mold installed in a top plate 1, a bottom mold installed in a bottom plate 2, and a number of tread molds 5 installed in a number of separate segments 4 moving from side to side as an outer ring 3 moves up and down. The segments 4 are arranged in a round shape 4 and the tread molds 5 each installed in the segments 4 are formed in a round shape for vulcanization.

[43] The tread mold 5 includes a vent hole formed to release the air contained in the mold during the vulcanization of the tire.

[44] Referring to FIG. 2, in the tire mold of the vulcanization container which has the above-described constitution, a tread mold 5 according to the present invention comprises: a semi-segment 10 installed in the segment 4 and a number of puzzle molds 20 installed in the semi-segment 10.

[45] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the semi-segments 10 are installed in the segments 4 arranged in the round shape. Each semi-segment 10 is installed in each segment 4 so that the semi-segments 10 are arranged in the round shape and formed in the round shape for the vulcanization.

[46] As illustrated in FIG. 10 which is a perspective view of the semi-segment 10, an inner side surface 10-1 of the semi-segment 10 installed in the segment 4 is formed of an arc shape, so that a number of the puzzle molds 20 are stably installed in the inner side surface 10-1.

[47] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10, a number of vent grooves 12 are formed in the arc shape inner side surface 10-1 formed in a lengthwise direction of the semi-segment 10. A number of vent holes 11 are formed in the vent groove 12.

[48] Although sizes of the vent grooves 12 and the vent holes 11 are different, depending on a size of a tire to be manufactured, in general, six to twelve vent grooves 12 are formed and six to fourteen vent holes 11 are formed in each vent groove 12.

[49] FIG. 4 is a front view of the two semi-segments 10 which are connected to each other. A number of installation grooves 13 are formed in opposite lateral side surfaces 10-2 of the semi-segment 10 as shown in FIG. 4. A fixing plate 14 and a coupling member 15 are installed in the installation groove 13. A screw thread 13-1 is formed in the installation groove 13 so that a bolt which is the coupling member 15 is installed.

[50] A number of the installation grooves 13 are arranged at suitable intervals, to stably fix a number of the puzzle molds 20 as shown in FIG. 6.

[51] Referring to FIG. 5, a number of the puzzle molds 20 are each installed in the respective semi-segments 10 vertically along a height direction of the semi-segment 10 (in a perpendicular direction).

[52] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a number of the puzzle molds 20 are respectively installed in a number of the semi-segments 10 vertically along the height direction of the semi-segments 10 (in a perpendicular direction), and as illustrated in FIG. 5, inner surfaces 20-1 of the puzzle molds 20 are formed of prominences and depressions to form prominences and depressions in a green tire.

[53] As illustrated in FIG. 6, when installing the semi-segment 10, side puzzle molds 20' are each positioned at opposite lateral sides of the semi-segment 10. A number of installation grooves 21 are formed in a lateral side surface 20-2 of the side puzzle mold 20', so that a number of the installation grooves 21 correspond to a number of the installation grooves 13 formed in the lateral side surface 10-2 of the semi-segment 10. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the fixing plate 14 and the coupling member 15 are installed in the installation grooves 13 and 21.

[54] Referring to FIG. 9, a gap member 24 is formed either in the one lateral side surface

20-2 or in the both opposite lateral side surfaces 20-2 of the puzzle mold 20.

[55] In FIG. 9, (a) and (b) indicate the lateral side surfaces 20-2 of the puzzle mold 20.

The gap member 24 may be formed in various shapes at different positions. The gap member 24 may be formed by using a gap gauge, by forming a step (by differentiating a thickness), or by coating.

[56] That is, the gap gauge as the gap member 24 may be attached to the lateral side surface 20-2 of the puzzle mold 20. Or when processing the lateral side surface 20-2 of the puzzle mold 20, the lateral side surface 20-2 may be formed to have a step different in thickness to form the gap member 24. Or the gap member 24 may be formed by coating the lateral side surface 20-2 of the puzzle mold 20.

[57] FIG. 8 illustrates the puzzle molds 20 installed in the semi-segment 10. A number of the puzzle molds 20 are installed in the arc shape inner side surface 10-1 formed in the semi-segment 10. The side puzzle molds 20' are each pressed against the fixing plates 14 at the opposite side surfaces 10-2 of the semi-segment 10, by using the fixing plates 14 and the coupling members 15 installed in the installation grooves 13 formed on the opposite lateral side surfaces 10-2 of the semi-segment 10. Therefore, a number of the puzzle molds 20 are fixedly installed in the semi-segment 10.

[58] Then, gaps 23 are uniformly formed between the adjacent puzzle molds 20 by the gap members 24 formed in the lateral side surfaces 20-2 of the puzzle molds 20, to release the contained air.

[59] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the prominences and depressions may be formed between the semi-segment 10 and the puzzle molds 20, to easily install the semi- segment 10 and the puzzle molds 20.

[60] That is, the prominences and depressions is formed by forming grooves in the inner side surface 10-1 of the semi-segment 10 lengthwise and by forming projections corresponding to the grooves in the outer side surfaces 20- 1 of the puzzle molds 20.

[61] As the projections formed in the outer side surfaces 20-1 of the puzzle molds 20 are connected to the grooves formed in the inner side surface 10-1 of the semi-segment 10 lengthwise, the puzzle molds are movable, along the grooves formed in the inner side surface 10-1 of the semi-segment 10 lengthwise to be easily installed.

Claims

[1] A tread mold (5) to vulcanize a tire, which is installed in a segment (4) moving from side to side as an outer ring moves up and down, comprising: a semi-segment (10) to be installed in the segment (4) having an inner side surface (10-1) of an arc shape; a number of puzzle molds (20) to be installed in the arc shape inner side surface (10-1) of the semi-segment (10) vertically along a height direction of the arc shape inner side surface of the semi- segment (10); a number of vent grooves (12) with a number of holes (11) formed in the arc shape inner side surface (10-1) of the semi-segment (10); a number of installation grooves (13) with screw threads (13-1) formed in opposite lateral side surfaces (10-2) of the semi-segment (10); a number of gap members (24) formed in one lateral side surface or both opposite lateral side surfaces of each of the puzzle molds (20), to form gaps (23) when the puzzle molds (20) are installed; and a number of installation grooves (21) formed in side puzzle molds (20') to be installed at opposite sides of the semi-segment (10), so as to correspond to the installation grooves (13) of the semi- segment (10), wherein coupling members (15) and fixing plates (14) are installed at the installation grooves (13) formed at the opposite lateral side surfaces (10-2) of the semi-segment (10), and the side puzzle molds (20') are pressed by the coupling members (15) and fixing plates (14) to fix the puzzle molds (20) to the semi- segment (10) while positioning the puzzle molds (20) to be installed in the inner side surface (10-1) of the semi- segment (10) .

[2] The tread mold according to claim 1, wherein the inner side surface (10-1) of the semi-segment (10) and the outer side surface (20-1) of the puzzle mold (20) contacting with the inner side surface (10-1) of the semi-segment (10) comprise: prominences and depressions formed to be fit into each other to easily install the puzzle molds (20) in the inner side surface (10-1) of the semi- segment (10).

[3] The tread mold according to claim 1, wherein the gap member (24) is formed by attaching a gap gauge.

[4] The tread mold according to claim 1, wherein the gap member (24) is formed by processing the lateral side surface (20-2) of the puzzle mold (20) to form a step.

[5] The tread mold according to claim 1, wherein the gap member (24) is formed by coating the lateral side surface (20-2) of the puzzle mold (20).