Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~i~
SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING SELF-E~EALING TIRES
Background of the Invention
This invention relates to systems and methods for
producing self-healing tires and to tire cleaners and seal-
ant applicators suited for use therewith.
Tire cleaners are used in the production of self-
healing tires to remove mold release compounds and contamin-
ants from the interior surfaces of the tire in preparation
for application of an air barrier coating or sealant. Self-
healing tires typically include a sealant or air barrier com-
position which is applied to the tire interior by spray appli-
cation to the interior tire surfaces underlying the tread
area, usually with gradual feathering into the sidewalls.
Until this invention, however, tires of this type were fabri-
cated using uneconomical application techniques which did
not afford automatic or mass production treatment of a large
number of tires.
~ . .
"~
~ff~
_ mmary of the Invention
The cleaner of this invention affords highly
effective, yet economical tire cleaning by moving tires
with respect to stationary or fixed position tire clean-
ing means whlch are insertable within the tire casing by
appropriate movement of the tire while simultaneously
spreading the tire beads, if necessary, to admit the
cleaning means into the tire interior. The applicator
includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in
parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant applica-
tion station toward a tire unloading station. The rol-
lers simultaneously rotate a series of tires about a
common axis with one end tire adjacent a tire sealant
application station and the other end tire adjacent a
tire unloading station. Following unloading of the
latter end tire, the rollers advance each tire toward
the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation
thereof so that, upon arrival at a predetermined posi
tion of advancement, preferably the unloading station,
sealant applied to each tire is properly cured and dis-
tributed. After each tlre advan~ement, a fresh tire
may be positioned at the application station and the
application and advancement steps repeated. According
to further aspects of the invention, the tires are ro-
tated coaxially in side-by-side engagement with one
another and, in this way, form a coaxial passageway
through which air flow can be established in order to
extract evaporating solvent produced during the sealant
curing process.
According to one preferred embodiment of the
invention, a tire is movable vertically with respect to
the cleaning means by an elevator which supports and
rotates the tire adjacent -the cleaning means during
the cleaning process. At the beginning of each clean-
ing cycle, a horizontal conveyor receives a fresh tire
and moves it into position to be lifted by the elevator.
At the termination of each cleaning cycle, the conveyor
receives- a cleaned tire from the elevator and discharges
it prior to receiving a fresh tire for a subsequent
cleaning cycle.
~ According to further aspects of the invention,
`` the cleaning means includes a powered brush which is
mounted from a fixed position support frame for trans-
verse movement within the tire at a selected contact
pressure with an interior tire surface, together with
~,, .
fluid application and removal apparatus. Movable
spreader rollers engage and spread the tire beads to
admit the brush into the tire interior during elevation
of the tire by the elevator. Fixed guide rollers engage
the tire when completely elevated and assist the spreader
rollers in maintaining the tire vertical and in proper
alignment with the brush during rotation by the elevator.
The elevator further provides a flat tire support sur-
face corresponding in width to the width of the tire
tread and underlying the brush contact area. The sup-
port surface preferably is movable and is constituted
by the outer surface of an endless belt which, when ro-
tated, imparts rotational motion to the tire with re-
spect to the brush. In this instance, the spreader
and guide rollers maintain the tire in fixed transla-
tional position with respect to the belt, while simul-
taneously therewith permitting the tire to rotate with
--2--
respect to the brush during cleaning.
The applicator further includes a movable
sealant applicator for effec-ting airless spray appli-
cation of sealant to a tire, together with a control
system for controlling the position thereof. While
preferably the tires are unloaded automatically by a
kicker a-ssembly and fresh tires are positioned manu-
ally at the application station, either or both oper-
ations could be effected automatically or manually,
as the case may be, for use in a fully or partially
automated fabrication of self-healing tires.
In system for producing self-healing tires,
this invention utilizes the aforementioned tire cleaner
in combination with the tire sealant applicator. The
system may further include appropriate heating means
for heating a tire after cleaning and before sealant
application, after sealant application, or both, de-
pending upon the type of cleaning agent used, sealant
used, temperature conditions and other factors.
Brief Description oE the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a rear side perspective view of
the system for producing self-healing tires according
to this invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tire
cleaner with parts broken away;
Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of the Fig.
2 cleaner;
Fig. 4 is a rear side perspective view in
enlarged scale of the cleaning head of the Fig. 2
cleaner;
Fig. 5 is a rear side elevation of the Fig. 4
cleaning head, depicting a tire in position for cleaning;
Fig. 6 is a schema~ic outline of the Fig. 2
cleaner, depicting the tire drawer open and supporting a
fresh tire, with the elevator lowered;
Fig. 7 is a schematic outline generally similar
to Fig. 6, depicting the tire drawer closed, and supporting
a fresh tire in coaxial alignment with the cleaning head,
with the elevator lowered;
Fig. 8 is a schematic outline generally similar
to Fig. 6, depicting the tire drawer closed, with the ele-
vator raised and supporting a tire in position for clean-
ing with the cleaning head admitted into the tire between
spread apart tire beads.
Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the con-
trol system of the Fig. 2 cleaner;
Fig. lO is a timing diagram depicting operation
of the Fig. 2 cleaner.
Fig. ll is a perspective view of the tire sealant
applicator of this invention with parts broken away, together
with a block diagram representation of the system for pro-
ducing self-healing tires according to this invention;
Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the Fig. ll appli-
cator, with parts broken away;
Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation generally
similar to Fig. 12 but partially in section and on enlarged
scale;
Fig.14A is a fragmentary perspective on an enlarged
scale of the spray applicator of the Fig. ll applicator,
depicting the spray applicator in its lowered advanced appli-
cation position;
Fig. 14B is a fragmentary perspective generally
-4-
~;5.
similar to Fiy. 14A, depicting the spray applica-tor in its
raised advanced position;
Fig. 14C is a fragmentary perspective generally
similar to Fig. 14A, depicting the spray applicator in its
raised retracted rest posi-tion;
Fi~. 14D is a fragmentary perspective generally
similar to Fig. 14~, depicting the spray applicator in its
lowered retracted purge position;
Fig. 15 is a section taken along the line 5-5 in
Fig. 12;
Fig. 16 is a schematic block diagram of the con-
trol system of the Fig. 11 applicator;
Fig. 17 is a timing diagram depicting operation
of thè Fig. 11 applicator.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
The system and method for producing self-healing
tires according to this invention, together with the tire
cleaner for use therewith, are illustrated in Fig. 1 of
the drawings. The Fig. 1 cleaner removes mold release
agents, band ply lubricants and other contaminants from
the interior surface or surfaces of a tire in preparation
for subsequent sealant application. In the illustrated
example, tires are manually loaded into a horizontally mov-
able tire drawer (generally referenced by numeral 10) in
which a tire is supported vertically between opposed ver-
tical support plates 12, 14 and rests upon fixed horizon-
tal support member 16 and retractable horizontal stop 18.
(The tire drawer is illustrated in Fig. 1 in its open or
retracted position, and is illustrated in Fig. 2 with parts
broken away in its closed or advanced position.) In the
open position of drawer 10, the tire is spaced from but
aligned coaxially with a stationary cleaning head ~gener-
-5-
ally referenced by numeral 20) as depicted schematically
in Fig. 6; in the closed position of drawer 10, the clean-
ing head is inserted wi-thin the tire wheel opening in coax-
ial alignment therewith and is spaced radially from the
tire beads and adjacent interior surfaces. Although the
drawer is movable manually between its open and closed
posltions, it could be moved correspondingly by suitable
automatic drive means if desired.
Following loading of a fresh tire and closure
of the tire drawer as illustrated schematically in Figs. 6
and 7, an elevator (generally referenced by numeral 22)
lifts the tire from the tire drawer and moves it vertically
toward the stationary cleaning head, as depicted schemati-
cally in Fig. 8. The cleaniny head 20 is mounted in fixed
vertical alignment with elevator 22. It includes two mov-
able spreader rollers 24, 26 (Fig. 4~ for engaging and
spreading the tire beads a distance sufficient to admit a
powered cleaning brush 28, along with cleaning fluid appli-
cation and removal apparatus, into the tire interior dur-
ing such vertical movement of the tire by the elevator.
(The spreader rollers are illustrated in Fig. 4 in position
ready for engagement with a tire and are illustrated in Fig.
5 in their spread apart position.) The elevator further
supports and rotates the tire with respect to the brush
during cleaning while the spreader rollers, together with
four additional fixed guide rollers, 30, 32, 34, 36, main-
tain the tire vertical and in alignment with the brush while
preventing translational movement of the tire along the
elevator. Following tire cleaning, the elevator lowers
the cleaned tire and repositions it upon the tire drawer
which thereupon may be moved back toward its open or retracted
position of Fig. 1. The tire then may be discharged bv
retracting stop 18 manually and allowing the tire to drop
upon an inclined discharge ramp 38 (partially shown in Fig.
2) along which the tire rolls downward (to the right as illus-
trated in Fig. 2) and out the rear discharge end of -the
cleaner. To accommodate tires of different sizes, the posi-
tion of stop 3~ may be varied along elongated slot 39. The
stop 18, of course, could be retracted automatically, or
appropri-ately automated tire unloading apparatus substituted
for stop 18, or ramp 38, or both.
In a system for producing self-healing tires, the
Fig. l cleaner may be combined with appropriate sealant
application apparatus 40. If required by the type of clean-
ing agent used, sealant used, temperature conditions and
other factors, of course, appropriate heating apparatus
41 may be provided for hea-ting the tires subsequent to
cleaning and prior to sealant application. Likewise, addi-
tional heating apparatus 43 may be provided for heating the
tire subsequent to sealant application. The applicator pro-
vides a sealant application station adjacent one end thereof,
a tire unloading station adjacent the other end thereof, and
an intervening sealant cure station. The applicator includes
two elongated conveyor rollers 210, 212 arranged in parallel
alignment and inclined from the application station toward
the unloading station. These rollers simultaneously rotate
a series of tires (referenced Tl-T10 in Figs. 11, 12) in the
same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement
with one end tire adjacent the application station and the
other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A movable
sealant applicator (generally referenced by numeral 214) is
located adjacent the application station for effecting air-
less spray application of a suitable tire sealant to end
tire Tl during rotation thereof. A movable tire unloader
-7-
or kicker assembly (generally referenced by numeral 216~ is
located adjacent the unloading station for unloading end
tire T10 by engaging and movingit transversely to the com-
mon tire axis out of coa~.ial alignment with remaining tires
Tl-T9. Following unloading of tire T10, tires Tl-T9 advance
in series toward the position previously occupied by tire
T10 and in this way make room along side now-advanced tire
T1 for ]oading of a fresh tire adjacen-t the application
station in the position formerly occupied by ti.re Tl. In
the example, fresh tires are positioned or loaded manually
at the application station, although automatic loading appar-
atus could be used, if desired.
Thus, it will be appreciated that the sealant
applied to the respective tires Tl-T10 will be in various
stagesofset-up or cure, depending upon the position of a
certain tire between the sealant application station and
the unloading station during passage thereof through the
sealant cure station. It is possible, therefore, by unload-
ing tires Tl-T10 at predetermined time intervals, to effec-
tively control the time during which each tire is advanced
from the sealant application station to the unloading sta-
tion through the sealant cure station. In the illustrated
example, the tires are conveyed from the application station
to the unloading station for a time period which is suffi-
cient to allow the sealant applied to set-up or substan-
tially cure and which preferably represents a certain mul-
tiple of the time required to effect sealant application
and advancement with respect to each tire. In the example,
ten tires are treated simultaneously for a period of about
ten (10) minutes -- sealant application and tire advance-
ment each consuming about thirty (30) seconds elapsed time.
In other instances, of course, these time periods could
--8--
vary, depending upon tire size, sealant application time
required, type of sealant and other factors.
In a system for producing self-healing tires, the
applicator may be combined with the tire cleaning apparatus
and, if required by the type of cleaning apparatus or seal-
ant used, appropriate pre-heat apparatus 41. In this in-
stance, each tire may be maintained under coaxial rotation-
al conditions therein with respect to a series of tires us-
ing conveyor rollers 210', 212' generally similar to rollers
210, 212. For use with liquid cleaning apparatus, the ap-
paratus 40 effects removal oE residual water and cleansers
from the now cleaned tire in preparation for sealant appli-
cation. The preheated cleaned tire is thereupon delivered
by suitable means to the sealant application station. Upon
completion of the aforementioned sealant application, cure
and unloading operations, each tire may be delivered to an
additional heating apparatus 43, depending upon the condi-
tion of the sealant upon completion of the aforementioned
operations and maintained under coaxial rotational condi-
tions therein with respect to a series of tires using con-
veyor rollers 210, l'212" generally similar to rollers 210,
212.
In the illustrated example, the applicator ad-
ditionally maintains the tires in side-by-side engagement,
as shown (Figs. 11, 12), except during the advancement
following unloading of end tire T10. During such advance-
ment, the remaining tires Tl-T9 undulate transversely and,
in effect, "walk" down the inclined rollers 210, 212 toward
_g_
the unloading station. At other times, therefore, the
tires define a coaxial gas passage for axial alignment
with duct 222 through which evaporated solvent, if any
; may be extracted, discharged and/or recovered by suit-
able solvent recovery appara-tus 226 (Fig. 11). Such
solvent recovery additionally may be efEected with
respect to heating apparatus 41, as indicated schema-
tically.
In the illustrated example, the tire sealant
or fluid air barrier is formed by a two component cata-
lyzed sealant, the components being referenced generally
in Fig. 11 as sealant A and sealant B. These components
are routed via separate control valves 228, 230 and màni-
fold 232 to a mixing chamber 234 in which they are mixed
immediately prior to spray application. The now mixed
sealant components are then fed by a high pressure hose
~ 235 via spray valve 236 (Fig. 14A) to applicator 214
; which effects airless spray application thereof. Follow-
ing application to the tire interior, the sealant is main-
tained in position until it gels by centrifugal force pro-
duced b~ tire rotation~ thereby yielding a uniform coating
inside the tire which does not tend to alter tire balance.
The rotational velocity of the tire during such sealant
application, of course should be selected to maintain
the sealant in position until it gels and, in the illus-
trated example, the tire is therefore rotated through mul-
6 tip`le revolutions during each spray cycle. Conse~uently,
multiple thin coats of sealant are applied to the tire
interior surfaces. Although a two component or two-part
sealant is depicted in the illustrated example, it will be
recogni~ed that other appropriate sealants or liquid air
barriers may be used in this invention, if desired.
,,'~
--10--
~ gs
In those applications in which one or both com-
ponents of the sealant utilized require application of heat
thereto prior to mixing or application thereof to a tire, a
heat exchanger or other appropriate heating means may be
provided. In the illustrated example, a tubular heat ex-
changer 237 of conventional design and construction is
positioned adjacent the Fig. ll.applicator with its output
end adjacent the application station. The illustrated heat
exchanger causes heat to be transferred from input steam
to sealant component A in conventional fashion. Sealant
component A first is delivered under pressure to the heat
exchanger input indicated and, following passage through
the heat exchanger, is in turn routed to valve 228, as
shown (Fig. 12). In those applications requiring solvent
and/or air purge, an additional input valve 239 may be pro-
vided in communicatlon with manifold 232 for receipt of
solvent and/or air for purging the sealant system made up
of the manifold 232, mixer 234, hose 234, and applicator 214,
as will be described presently.
Referring now in particular to Figs. 2 and 3,
the cleaner includes a base structure made up of two re-
duced height vertical corner members 40, 42; two full-
height vertical corner members 44, 46; and horizontal
transverse brace members 47 therebetween. Upper and lower
horizontal mounting members 49, 51 are secured between
corner members 44, 46 and support a mount 48 which mounts
the cleaning head 20 1n the fixed position illustrated.
The upper end of ramp 38 is mounted from L-shaped member 49
secured to the base structure, as shown (Figs. 2, 3). The
lower end of ramp 38 (not shown) is similar~y supported.
Still referring to Figs. 2 and 3, tire drawer 10
includes a tire supporting frame made up of vertical mem-
bers 52, 54, 56, 58; upper and lower horizontal side members60, 62; member 16; and upper horizontal end members 64, 66
respectively projecting -toward one another from the upper
ends oE members 54 and 56, as shown (Fig. 2). End members
64, 66 terminate at sufficient transverse spacing that a
tire may pass therebetween as it rolls down and off the
ramp 38. The tire support frame is mounted upon lower hori-
zontal drawer slide members 68, 70 secured to the lower ends
of members 52, 54, 56 and 58, as shown (Fig. 2). Horizon-
tal V-guides 72, 74 are respectively secured by bolt con-
nectors 76 or other appropriate means to members 68, 70.
Horizontal roller mounting members 78, 80 project trans-
versely from the aforementioned base structure and mount
opposed pairs of V-type guide rollers 82 which engage and
rotatively support the guide rails for horizontal recipro-
cative movement of the drawer.
Still referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the elevator
is constituted by a movable endless belt 84, the upper run
of which forms a horizontal tire support surface corres-
ponding in width approximately to the width of the tire
tread, as shown (Fig. 5). The belt is mounted by and is
movable rotatively by two horizontally spaced guide rollers
86, 88. The guide rollers 86, 88 are supported rotatively
for rotational movement about respective transverse hori-
zontal axes by mounting shafts 90, 92, the ends of which
are mounted between two transversely spaced apart horizon-
tal elevator support members 94 (one member not shown) by
opposed pairs of pillow blocks 96. The belt 84 is driven
about rollers 86, 88 by drive motor 97 which is connected
with roller 86 by a drive belt 99, as shown (Fig. 2). A
suitable pneumatic clutch controls the driving effor-t ap-
plied by motor 97 to belt 84.
-12-
The elevator belt and attendant support members
are movable vertically between a lowered position (Fig. 7)
and an elevated position (Fig. 8). The support members 94
are mounted by intermediate inclined connector structure 95
from a movable carriage made up of vertical members 98, 100,
102, 104; lower horizontal members lOS, 107; upper inclined
members 106, 108; and connecting brace member 110 secured
to structure 95. Members 105, 106, 107, 108 rotatively
support appropriate V-type guide rollers 112. These rollers
ride up and down along respective vertical V-type guide
rails 114, 116 which are mounted by vertical elevator slide
members 118, 120 upstanding from members 78 and 80. The
upper ends of members 118, 120 are secured to members 44,
46 by braces 122, 124. The belt and its attendant support
members are movable vertically along guide rails 114, 116
by a double acting reciprocative actuator 126 (Fig. 3)
mounted vertically by the base frame underneath and connected
to member 110. At the elevated position of Fig. 8, the
upper surface of member 110 engages and is positioned by a
stationary stop 128 (Fig. 2) threadably mounted by member
122, as shown (Fig. 2). Stop 128 limits and, hence, effec-
tively determines the elevated position of the elevator.
In order to accommodate tires of varying sizes, this stop
is adjustable vertically in order to adjust the elevated
position of the elevator accordingly.
During cleaning, the tire is rotated by the drive
belt at a selected rotational velocity, depending upon the
type and size of the tire being cleaned. The spreader rol-
lers, in combination with the guide rollers, maintain the
tire vertical and in pxoper alignment with the brush during
cleaning. These rollers further maintain the tire in a fixed
translational position with respect to the cleaning head
i~
brush 28; yet permit the tire to rotate with respect to
the brush during cleaning. The tire support surface for-
med by the illustrated belt constuction further affords
stable support ~or the tire in underlying relation to the
point of contact of brush 28 with the tire interior sur-
face being cleaned.
The cleaning head of this invention will now be
described in Eurther detail with reference to Fi~s. 4 and
5. Referring first to Fig. 4, the movable spreader rollers
24, 26 are supported by a scissors linkage made up of sup-
port arms 130, 132 respectively secured rotatively thereto.
The upper ends of these arms are pivotally mounted adjacent
the rear interior face of mount 48 by respective pins 134
and associated pivot blocks 135 secured to mount 48 by
bolts 137 through slots 144 (mount associated with arm 132
not shown). Arms 130, 132 are thus movable relatively
about spaced apart pivot points along respective substan-
tially coincident vertical planes. The intermediate por-
tions of these arms include elongated slots 136, 138. A
pin connector 140 extends through these slots and maintains
them in adjacent registry so that, when rollers 24, 26 are
subjected to respective vertical forces in response to
engagement with respective opposed tire beads during ele-
vation o~ a tire, the rollers and their respective support
arms will swing oppositely about connector 140 along respec-
tive arcuate paths, thereby spreading the tire beads toward
the fully spread position illustrated in Fig. 5. At this
position, the guide rollers 30, 32, 34, 36 engage the upper
edges of the tire beads and positively position the tire
adjacent the cleaning head. These rollers are supported in
pairs from the end faces of mount 48 by fixed double arm
supports 142 secured to mount 48 by bolts 143 (Fig. 5).
To accommodate tires of varyiny sizes, the spreader roller
support pins 134 may be secured at selected positions by
adjustment of blocks 135 and bolts 137 along slots 144
(one slot not shown) in order -to vary the arcuate paths
travelled by rollers 24, 26, or the guide rollers may be
secured at selected vert.icalpositions along vertical slots
146 by adjustment of supports 142 and bolts 143.
- The brush 2~ is suspended pivotally below mount
48 to swing with respect thereto about a horizontal pivot
axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation
of a tire adjacent the cleaning head. A motor 148 drives
the brush about a rotational axis below and parallel to
this pivot axis. In the illustrated example, the brush is
so suspended by a double acting reciprocative actuator 150.
The upper end of actuator 150 is pivotally supported from
the top surface of mount 48 by a horizontal pivot shaft
152, the ends of which are supported rotatively by pillow
blocks 154, 156. The actuator 150 extends vertically down-
ward through an appropriate opening (not shown) in mount
48 and is secured to the brush motor 148. This actuator
applies a downward force to the brush for selectively con-
trolling the brush scrubbing or contact pressure applied
to the interior tire surface being cleaned. The brush is
moved arcuately about the pivot axis of shaft 152 by a
double acting reciprocative actuator 158 mounted underneath
mount 48 in transverse alignment with and connected to
actuator 150. In the illustrated example, actuators 150
and 158 are constituted by double acting reciprocative air
cylinders, and motor 148 is constituted by a reversible
air motor. Actuators 150 and 158 and motor 148 are sup-
plied with pressurized air by lines 159 (Fig. l).
Referring now to ~'ig~ 5 in particular, the brush
-15-
as thus supported can be swung transversely by actuator 158
within a tire along the aforementioned arcuate path in con-
tact with the tire interior surface at a contact pressure
which is selectively controllable by appropriate operation
of ac-tuator 150. The brush is swung back and forth within
the tire as depicted in Fig. 5. To this end, actuator 158
is extended and contracted in alternate sequence. A piston
rod posi-tion indicator 160 (Fig. 3) is mounted for conjoint
movement by arm 162 with the actuator piston rod. Spaced
apart sensors 164, 166 depend from mount 48 and sense the
position of the indicator 160 and, in combination with the
Fig. ~ control system, cause the aforementioned operation
of actuator 158. To control or adjust the extent of such
arcuate movement of the brush, the positions of sensors,
164, 166 may be adjustable with respect to actuator 158 by
securing them to mount 48 at selected positions using slot-
ted bolt attachments 168, as shown (Fig. 3) -- the greater
the spacing between sensors 164, 166, the greater the arc
travelled by the brush/ and vice versa.
In the illustrated example, the brush further is
driven alternately in opposite directions of rotation,
depending upon the direction in which the brush is moving
within the tire. Preferably, the brush is driven in a di-
rection of rotation which corresponds to the direction of
movement of the brush within the tire so that the brush in
effect "walks" along the interior tire surface. Upon com-
pletion of each ~ransverse brush path, the limits of which
are depicted in broken lines in Fig. 5, the direction of
brush rotation is reversed and the brush is "walked" in a
reverse direction towards the opposite side of the tire.
The cleaning fluid application and removal appar-
atus first applies a detergent-water solution to the inter-
-16-
ior tire surface prior to initiation of the scrubbing pro-
cess by brush 28. This solution suspends the material be-
ing removed from the tire in-terior and at the same time
provides brush lubrication. The apparatus further, upon
completion of the scrubbing process, removes the now dirty
solution and then automatically rinses the tire interior
with fresh water. Both fluids are removed Erom the tire
interior by vacuum application.
Referring now in partiuclar to Figs. 4 and 5, the
detergent~water solution is delivered to the tire interior
via a detergent addition line 170. Rinse water is deliv-
ered to the tire interior via line 172 and is applied there-
to by spaced apart nozzles 174, 176 adjacent the brush.
The aforementioned detergent-water solution and rinse water
are stored in appropriate containers (not shown) which are
connected with lines 170 and 172, respectively.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the detergent-water
solution or rinse water, as the case may be, is evacuated
from the tire interior via a vacuum nozzle 178 and four
vacuum lines 180 ~two lines not shown) which are attached
to motor 148 by support 182 and mounting bolts 184 for con-
joint movement with the brushes. The vacuum nozzle is posi-
tionable at appropriate vertical spacing with the tire in-
terior surface and preferably is positioned at close clear-
ance therewith by appropriate adjustment of the vacuum line
support 182 along vertical adjustment slots 186 with respect
to mounting bolts 184. In the illustrated example, there-
fore, the vacuum nozzle can sweep transversely inside the
tire along an arcuate path generally parallel to the path
of the brush 28 described previously by operating actuator
158 in a generally similar manner. During such movement of
the vacuum nozzle, tire rotation is continued so that the
-17-
~$~S
vacuum nozzle removes fluid as it collects at the bottom of
the tire by gravity. In this instance, the brush is sta-
tionary but may rub along the interior tire surface as the
vacuum nozzle sweeps back and forth inside the tire, al-
though additional retraction means could be provided for
lifting the brush out of contact with the interior tire
surface during operation of the vacuum nozzle.
; - The automaticcontrolsystem of the FigO 2 clea~-
ner will now be described with reference to Figs. 6-10
of the drawings. Appropriate position sensors sense the
position of the tire drawer, and presence of a tire adja-
cent the cleaning head, while additional sensors monitor
other system conditions and produce appropriate fault in-
dications, if necessary. The control system depicted
schematically in Fig. 9 is made up of conventional pneu-
matic and electrical components. Certain of the sensors
depicted in Fig. 6 are further illustrated in further de-
tail in Figs. 2 and 4, with the remaining sensors and other
schematically represented control system components being
illustrated generally in schematic block diagram form and
described hereinafter.
The Fig. 9 control system includes a sequence
control logic circuit which provides sequential multiple
channel output signals at appropriate time intervals dur-
ing the cleaning cycle, as depicted in Fig. 10. In the
illustrated example, the sequence control logic circuit
accomplishes one operational control cycle on a thirty
; (30~ second basis, although the actual cycle time is some-
what longer than thirty (30) seconds due to a dwell time
period during -~ certain steps. In the illustrated ex-
ample, the control system is semi-automatic in nature, al-
though the system could be fully automated if desired. In
-18-
the example, therefore, the tire drawer is first withdrawn
manually to its Fig. 6 position and a tire is loaded there-
on. The tire drawer then is advanced to its Fig. 7 closed
position, at which an appropriate drawer position or fault
sensor produces a signal indicative that the tire drawer is
closed. Following is a brief description of the channel out-
put signal logic functions effected by the sequence control
logic circuit which will be further understood with refer-
ence to Fig. 10 of drawings.
Channel 1 - Fault Check: A sequence control logic
circuit 190 now receives signals from the drawer position
sensor, together with signals from additional system condi-
tion or fault sensors 192. Among these additional signals
are signals indicative of detergent solution and rinse water
supply. The tire drawer position sensor is illustrated sche-
matically at 192 and is illustrated in further detail in
Fig. 2 in which it is referenced by numeral 194. Sensor
194 responds to the proximity of probe 196 which projects
from the end of the mounted drawer slide. If any of the
aforementioned sensors present a fault indication, a fault
logic circuit 193 is actuated in response to delivery of
an appropriate logic signal from the sequence control logic
circuit. The fault logic circuit in turn operates an ap-
propriate fault indicator 200, or causes the logic circuit
to proceed through a fault loop and return to channel 1
without actuation of any system components. The circuit
will remain in this fault loop until the fault condition
is corrected. If the fault sensors all provide a no-fault
indication, the sequence control logic circuit proceeds
automatically through remaining channels 2-8 in sequence.
Channel 2 - Elevator: The sequence control logic
circuit now causes the elevator to be raised to its Fig. 8
--19--
position by appropriate actuation of cyllnder 126.
Channel 3 - Tire Position Check: The sequence
control logic circuit repeats the aforementioned fault test
with respect to sensor 202 (Fig. 4) to determine whether a
tire is in position adjacent the cleaning head. This sen-
sor responds to the position of arm 130 and produces a sig-
nal indicative of the presence of a tire when that arm has
been swung -to its elevated position during spreading of the
tire beads. A fault indication at this point, indicative
that a tire is not in the proper position, will produce an
appropriate fault indication and again cause the sequence
control logic circuit to enter into its fault loop. In
this instance, circuit 190 further causes the elevator to
be lowered to its Fig. 7 position.
Channel 4 - Belt Drive: The circuit 190 causes
the drive belt to begin rotational movement by appropriate
actuation of motor 97 and clutch 101.
Channel 5 - Soap: The circuit 190 causes the
detergent-water solution to be applied to the tire inter-
ior surface via inlet line 172 by opening valve 204. This
valve controls flow of the detergent-water solution through
line 172.
Channel 6 - A~ply Scrub Pressure: The circuit
190 causes the brush to be engaged with the tire interior
~ surface at a selected contact pressure by appropriate actu-
;- ation of cylinder 150 and simultaneously causes the brush
to begin rotating by appropriate actuation of motor 148.
Channel 7 - Scrub Cycle Start: The circuit 190
now causes the brush to begin to sweep arcuately wlthin the
tire by appropriate actuation of cylinder 158.
Channel 8 - Automatic Sequence Stop: Circuit 190
~ thereupon stops the automatic control sequence as indicated
,,
-20-
.
a~
in Fig. 10. A timing control circuit 206 (Fig. 9) controls
the time duration of the ensuing scrub, vacuum, rinse and
vacuum operations as follows. Circuit 206 causes the brush
motor 97 to shut down at the end of the desired scrub time
period. Thereupon, vacuum is applied to the tire interior
via nozzle 178 by opening valve 208 associated therewith for
a second time period in order to remove the now dirty deter-
gent solution while cylinder 158 continues to sweep nozzle
178 transversely within the still rotating tire. At the
end of the second time period, rinse water is applied to
the tire interior surface via nozzles 174, 176 by opening
valve 210 associated therewith for a third time period. At
the end of the third time period, the vacuum procedure is
repeated in order to remove rinse water.
Channel 9 - Fault Reset: Circuit 190 resumes
sequencing upon completion of the aforementioned time opera-
tions and routes an appropriate reset logic signal to the
fault logic circuit 198. The faul~ logic circuit alter-
nately may be reset by curing the fault condition, or manual
reset by means is now shown.
Channel 10 - Manual Sequence Stop: The circuit
190 causes the elevator and the now clean tire to be lowered
to the Fig. 7 position.
To adjust the Fig. 9 control system for tires
which require varying cleaning time, circuit 206 may be
adjusted so that the four time periods determined thereby
afford the desired scrub time, irst vacuum time, rinse time,
and second vacuum time, as the case may be.
The applicator of this invention will now be des-
cribed in additional detail, first with reference to Figs.
11 and 12. The applicator includes an applicator end sec-
tion constituted by a supporting end frame structure made
-21-
-
up of four vertical corner support members 238, 240, 242,
244; upper, immediate and lower transverse side members
246, 247, 248; upper, immedia-te and lower transverse end
members 250, 251, 252; vertical end panels 254, 256; and
horizontal end panel 258, as shown (Fig. 11). The appli-
cator further includes an unloading end section constituted
by a second supporting end frame made up of vertical inver-
ted U-shaped members 260, 262; and transverse side and end
members 264 and 266. Longitudinal side rails 268, 270
(side rail 270 shown in Fig. 15) connect the aforementioned
end frame structures.
The conveyor rollers 210 and 212 are supported
rotatively at their ends by respective journal blocks 272
mounted by the aforementioned end frame structures, as
shown (Figs. 11, 15). A variable speed drive motor 273
(Fig. 11) is operatively connected by means not shown to
drive roller 210 while roller 212 acts as an idler. The
rollers are of sufficient lengths to support and simultan-
eously rotate a predetermined number of tires, the number
depending upon sealant cure or set-up time, sealant appli-
cation time, tire size, type of the kicker assembly used,
and other factors. In a specific practical example, the
conveyor rollers are of sufficient length to support and
simultaneously rotate ten automotive tires in side-by-side
contact in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow
in Fig. 11. In this example, the conveyor rollers are dri-
ven at sufficient rotational velocity that the tires are
rotated simultaneously at about 30-40 ~PM. For use with
a specific sealant which has a gel time of about three to
four minutes and which requires the application of about
sixteen coats to achieve desirable results, the spray appli-
cation process with respect to a tire Tl consumes approxi-
-22~
mately thirty (30) seconds of time. Consequently, upon
advancement oE the Tl to the position occupied by tire T5
in the drawings, the sealant applied to tire Tl should be
set-up or gelled. With con-tinued advancemen-t toward the
unloading station, the sealant, of course, will continue
to cure and should be substantially or completely cured
upon arrival at the unloading station, depending upon tem-
perature, sealant used and other factors. It will be under-
stood, of course, that the Fig. 11 applicator may be util-
ized with a fewer number of tires while achieving the desired
result. The total number of tires which are treated simul-
taneously by the Fig. 11 applicator, of course, should not
cause an excessive force to be applied to the end tire T10
which could tend to overload the kicker assembly.
Still referring to the Fig. 11 and 12, conveyor
rollers 210, 212 -- in the illustrated example -- are in-
clined about 3 toward the unloading station with respect
to horizontal, although this angle may be varied, depending
upon the tire size and other factors. For example, if this
angle is too small, tire Tl tends to fall backwards against
the spray applicator. If this angle is too large, proper
alignment and positioning of the applicator 214 could be
a-ffected adversely. The roller angle further should be
selected to encourage tire undulation during advancement.
It will be recognized, of course, that other conveyor means
could be utilized to convey the tires from the application
station toward the unloading station in order to achieve
desired results. For example, the conveyor rollers could
be horizontal and utilized in combination with a ram device
for applying a force parallel to the common tire axis in a
; direction toward the unloading station, or one or both rollers
~ could be formed with appropriate auger threads for applying
'~
~ -23-
a force to -the tires in a direction toward the unloading
station, or the rollers could be positioned in divergent
relationship to one another proceeding toward the unload-
ing station. The illustrated parallel and inclined roller
construction, however, is preferred in many practical appli~
cations because that construction prevents or substantially
minimizes relative movement between the tires during inter-
vals between tire unloading cycles; yet allows the tires to
undulate transversely during tire advancement while pre-
venting or substantially minimizing the likelihood that
tire Tl will fall backward against the applicator.
Referring now to Figs. 11 and 15, the kicker
assembly includes a kicker arm 278, one end of which is
supported pivotally by transverse members 277, 279 mounted
between rails 268, 270 by opposed pairs of mounting members
285, 287 as shown (Fig. 15). A double acting reciprocative
actuator 280, preferably a double acting air cylinder, is
mounted by members 281, 283 below members 277, 279 for sel-
ectively moving the kicker arm. Members 285, 287 are secured
to end frame members 260, 262, by slot and pin adjustment
289 (Fig. 12) which permit the kicker assembly to be secured
at selected positions along the common tire axis with the
kicker arm in underlying relation to tire T10. Members 285,
287 further mount a vertical backplate 274 which includes
a central aperature in coaxial communication with duct 224.
Duct 224 is supported by end frame members 260, 262, as
shown (Fig. 12). The backplate 276 rotatively mounts a plur-
ality of support rollers 276 which are adapted to bear
against the face of the adjacent end tire T10. Consequently,
the backplate, in combination with the support rollers 276,
serves to fix the position of the end tire T10 with respect
to the common tire axis, while permitting rotational move-
-24-
ment thereof, in order to maintain the tires in their illus-
trated side-by-side engagement when rotated by rollers 210,
212. To accommodate varying numbers of tires, or tires of
varying widths, or both, the positions of the kicker assem-
bly and backplate are adjustable conjointly along the tire
axis by adjus-tment 289 (Fig. 12).
Still referring to Fig. 15, the kicker arm 278 is
rotatable by actuator 280 between a horizontal retracted
position (depicted in solid lines) and an upright advanced
position (depicted in broken lines) at which it engages and
is positioned by L-shaped stop 291 mounted by members 277,
~79. During movement from its retracted position toward its
advanced position, arm 278 engages and lifts the T10 toward
roller 212. Tire T10 thereupon rolls over roller 212 and
is unloaded. If the direction of rotation of rollers 210,
212 is reversed, of course, the kicker arm should be mounted
for pivotal movement about a pivot point adjacent roller 210.
The sealant applicator of this invention will now
be described in detail with reference to Figs. 11, 13 and
14A-14D. Referring first to Fig.ll, the applicator includes-
a spray arm 282, the upper end of which depends from a trans-
verse pivot member 284, the ends of which are pivotally
mounted by frame members 238 and 242, respectively. A carr-
iage assembly 286 is mounted for reciprocative movement with
respect to the arm by opposed rollers 287, as shown (Fig. 13~.
~he carriage mounts a transverse roller support arm 288 and
a perpendicular nozzle support arm 290. Arm 288 mounts in-
clined tire positioning rollers 292 (Fig. 14A). Arm 290
mounts a spray applicator 293, together with inclined
spreader rollers 294, 295. The carriage assembly is movable
reciprocativel~ with respect to arm 282 by a double acting
reciprocative actuator 296 attached between member 284 and
-25-
assembly 286. The arm 282 is movable pivotally in a verti-
cal plane with respect to the supporting frame (sometimes
referred to hereinafter as "sweep" movement) by a double
acting reciprocative actuator 298 attached between -trans-
verse member 250 and arm 282, as shown (Fig. 11). The act-
uators 296, 298 are generally similar and preferably are
constituted by double acting air cylinders. The applica-tor
assembly is thereby movable between a lowered advanced
application position (Fig. 14A), a raised advanced position
(Fig. 14B), a raised retracted rest position (Fig. 14C),
and a lowered retracted purge position ~Fig. 14D). In the
Fig. 14A, 14B positions, a U-shaped stop 299 mounted by
panel 258 engages and positions the lower end of arm 282.
In the Fig. 14D position, the applicator 293 registers with
the upper end of an inclined purge tube 300 for purposes of
purging the sealant system, as will be described presently.
The lower end of tube 300 is insertable within an appropri-
ate receptacle 302 for receiving the purge and contents~of
~ the applicator via tube 300.
- The spray applicator is illustrated in Fig. 13 in
its lowered advanced application position. In this position,
the spreader rollers 294, 295 engage and spread respective
sidewalls of the tire Tl. The nozzle 293 is adjustably
positionable by adjustable connector 304 at sufficient
height from the lower interior surface of the tire in order
to obtain the desired sealant distribution. In most practi-
cal applications, the nozzle is so positioned that sealant
is applied heaviest adjacent the tread area with gradual
feathering into the sidewalls of the tire. In the illustra-
ted example, the nozzle effects airless spray application of
liquid sealant by ejecting the sealant composition at high
pressure against a deflector plate 306. The nozzle height
-26-
with respect to -the tire surface is therefore selected with
respect to the spray pattern obtained and may be varied,
depending UpOIl tire size, in order to obtain desired seal-
ant distribution. If the nozzle is positioned too high,
for example, it tends to spray the tire sidewalls exces-
sively so that, in order to obtain the desired sealant
thickness adjacent the tread area, it is necessary to apply
uneconomical amounts of sealant. Conversely, if the nozzle
is positioned too low, sealant tends to build up adjacent
the center of the tread area. It will be recognized, of
course, that instead of adjusting the nozzle to accommodate
various tire sizes, specific nozzles could be correlated
for each tire size and these nozzles substituted for one
another and mounted at a corresponding fixed position with
respect to the tire surface.
Referring now to Figs. 14A-14D, 16 and 17, the
Fig. ll spray applicator is automatically moved between
the position illustrated in Figs. 14A-14D by the automatic
control system depicted schematically in Figs. 16 and 17.
Appropriate position sensors sense the position of the arm
, .
and carriaye while additonal sensors monitor other system
conditions and produce appropriate fault indications, if
necessary. The control system additionally effects auto-
matic purge of the sealant system if a sealant application
is not effected within a predetermined time period corres-
ponding to the sealant gel time period. The control system
depicted schematically in Fig. 16 is made up of conventional
pneumatic and electrical components. Certain of the sensors
depicted in Fig. 16 are illustrated in further detail in
Figs. 14A-14D, with the remaininy sensors and other schem-
atically represented control system components being illus-
trated generally in schematic block diagram form and des
-27-
cribed hereinafter.
The Fig. 16 control system includes a sequence
control logic circuit which provides sequential multiple
channel output signals a-t appropriate time intervals dur-
ing the application and curinq cycles, as depicted in Fig.
17. In the illustrated example, the sequence control logic
circuit accomplishes one operational control cycle on a
thirty (30) second basis, although the actual cycle time
is somewhat longer than thirty (30) seconds due to a dwell
time period during sealant application~ Following is a
brief description of the channel output signal logic func-
tions effected by the sequence control logic circuit which
will be further understood with reference to Fig. 17 of
the drawings.
Channel l-Fault Test: The sequence control logic
_
circuit 306 receives signals from appropriate systèm~condi-
tion or fault sensors 308 during the time interval 0.0-1.5
seconds of the aforementioned sequence or cycle. In the
example, circuit 306 receives and processes signals from
sensors responsive to steam temperature, sealant temperature,
sealant supply, spray applicator carriage position, spray
applicator arm position, sealant B supply, solvent recovery
air flow, and tire presence. Sensors responsive to carri-
age position and arm position are illustrated in further
detail in Fig. 14A-14D and are referenced respectively by
numerals 310, 312. An additional sensor 315 (Fig. 14A-14D)
detects the presence of a fresh tire at the application sta-
tion. If any of the aforementioned sensors present a fault
indication, a fault logic circuit 314 is actuated in response
to delivery of an appropriate logic signal from the sequence
control logic circuit. The fault logic circuit in turn
operates an appropriate fault indicator 316, or causes the
-28-
Fig. 11 sealant valves 223, 230 and actuators to be de-
energized, or both. At the same time, the sequence con-
trol logic circuit initiates an idle mode whereby no fur-
ther control functions are effected until the fault con-
dition is corrected. If the fault sensors all provide a
no fault indication, the sequence control logic circuit
proceeds to the remaining channels in sequence.
- Channel 2-Arm In and Down: The sequence con-
trol circult, during the time period 6.35-9.0 seconds,
repeats the aforementioned fault test wi-th respect to sen-
sor 310 to determine whether the spray applicator is in
its lowered advanced application position of Fig. 14A. A
fault indication at this point, indicative that the spray
applicator is at some other posi-tion, will produce an ap-
propriate fault indication and again cause the sequence
control logic circuit to assume its idle mode.
Channel 3-Oven Position Clear: The sequence con-
trol logic circuit, during the time 9.75-11.25 seconds, re-
ceives logic signals from an appropriate sensor operatively
associated with the post dry oven or heat apparatus (refer-
enced 43 in Fig. 1) in order to determine whether the oven
is clear to accept a tire for completion of sealant cure.
If the logic signals from that sensor indicate that the
oven is not clear to accept a fresh tire, the sequence con-
trol logic circuit will repeat the aforementioned fault in-
dication and idle functions until the fault condition is
corrected.
Channel 4-Start Sealant Spray: The sequence con-
trol logic circuit 306 automatically assumes its idle mode
at time 7.75 seconds and will remain in its idle mode until
the sealant application process is completed, in the illus-
trated example after about thirty (30) seconds elapsed time
",
-29-
~$~
The circuit 306 now routes appropriate logic signals to
valves 228, 230 which thereupon are opened to admit seal-
ant components A and B into the chamber 234 (Fig. 11).
Simultaneously therewith circuit 306 routes an appropri-
ate logic signal to 236 which, when opened, allows the
now-mixed sealant components A and B to be applied in
spray form to the tire, as described previously.
- Channel 5-Vertical Actuation: Upon comple-
tion of the spray application cycle, circuit 306 resumes
sequencing and causes the carriage to be moved from its
Fig. 14A position to its Fig. 14B position by appropriate
actuation of cylinder 296.
Channel 6-Sweep Actuation: The circuit 306 now
-
causes the spray applicator arm to swing from its 14B to
14C position by appropriate actuation of the swee-p cylinder
298.
Channel 7~Tire Eject: During the time period 15-
16 seconds, circuit 306 causes the eject cylinder 280 to
move the Fig. 15 kicker arm to its upright position in
order to eject tire T10.
Channel 8-Fault Circuit Reset: The circuit 306
-- .
now routes an appropriate reset logic signal to the fault
logic circuit 314. The fault logic circuit alternatively
may be reset by curing the fault condition, or manual reset
by means not shown.
Channels 9-12--Purge: The circuit 306 further
effects automatic purging of the sealant system by forcing
solvent and then air through the sealant fluid system men-
tioned previously if sealant application i5 not effected
within a predetermined time period after completion of the
previous spraying cycle. In the e~ample, this time period
is less than the sealant gel time. Consequently, the chan-
-30-
nels 9-12 effect a purge operation only at machine shutdown
or in the event of a mishap. A purge timer 318 is started
each time sealant valves 228, 230 are opened and presents
logic signals indicative of elapsed time from initiation of
sealant application to a purge control logic circuit 320.
This circuit in turn delivers appropriate lo-~ic signals to
the sequerlce control logic circuit to effect operation of
channels-9-12, as follows.
Channel 9 controls operation of the spray valve
236 (Fig. 14A) by opening that valve from time period 15-
24.~ seconds.
Channel 10 controls operation of the Fig. 11 sol-
vent valve 239 (Fig. 11) to allow solvent flushing of the
system from an appropriate supply of solvent (not shown).
Channel 11 controls operation of an air valve
which delivers dry air for purging solvent from the system.
Channel 12 resets the Fig. 16 control system fol-
lowing purge after it has been established that all system
faults are corrected and that the next operational step of
the process will be that of sealant application. Operation
of Channel 12 further causes an appropriate reset signal to
be routed to the purge timer.
.
,
3~
