NL2028661B1

NL2028661B1 - Deck segment for a tire building drum, tire building drum comprising said deck segment and method of manufacturing said deck segment

Info

Publication number: NL2028661B1
Application number: NL2028661A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Papot Dave; De Graaf Martin
Original assignee: Vmi Holland Bv
Priority date: 2021-07-08
Filing date: 2021-07-08
Publication date: 2023-01-16
Also published as: CN218876359U

Abstract

The invention relates to a deck segment for forming a center deck to bridge a gap between two drum halves of a tire building drum, wherein the deck segment extends in a longitudinal direction, wherein the deck segment comprises a deck surface at a first side of the deck segment, wherein the deck segment comprises two side regions and a center region between said side regions, wherein the deck segment further comprises two contact surfaces at the respective side regions, for supporting the deck segment on the respective drum halves, wherein the contact surfaces are facing away from the deck surface at a second side of the deck segment opposite to the first side, wherein the deck segment further comprises a reinforcement structure extending in the center region of the deck segment for increasing the bend stiffnes

Description

P139595NL00 Deck segment for a tire building drum, tire building drum comprising said deck segment and method of manufacturing said deck segment

BACKGROUND The invention relates to a deck segment for a tire building drum. The invention further relates to a tire building drum comprising said deck segment. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the deck segment and a computer readable medium comprising instructions to enable an additive manufacturing apparatus to carry out said method. WO 2015/132351 Al discloses a tire building drum comprising a support, a central shaft and a number of segments together defining the cylindrical main surface. Each segment is made in three parts: two end parts and a central portion. The end parts of segments are connected by means of the angle levers to the support and the central portions of the segments are connected by radial arms to a central ring fixed to the shaft. The radial arms guide the central portions during the movement between the two extreme positions of the drum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION When the known tire building drum is expanded radially, the segments may be subjected to contracting forces as a result of the limited elasticity of the tire components applied around said drum. Moreover, several tire building operations, such as stitching, may be performed on the cylindrical main surface which exert radially inward forces onto said cylindrical main surface.

The segments, and in particular the central portions thereof may bend inwards slightly as a result of these forces.

However, even the slightest bending may cause irregularities in the tire components supported on the cylindrical main surface or inaccuracies in the resulting tire.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a deck segment, a tire building drum comprising said deck segment and a method for manufacturing said deck segment, wherein irregularities or inaccuracies can be reduced or prevented.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a deck segment for forming a center deck to bridge a gap between a first drum half and a second drum half of a tire building drum, wherein the deck segment extends in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, wherein the deck segment comprises a deck surface for forming a part of a circumferential support surface of the tire building drum at a first side of the deck segment, wherein the deck segment comprises a first side region at the first end, a second side region at the second end, and a center region between said first side region and said second side region, wherein the deck segment further comprises a first contact surface at the first side region and a second contact surface at the second side region, facing away from the deck surface at a second side of the deck segment opposite to the first side, for supporting the deck segment in a contact plane on the first drum half and the second drum half of the tire building drum, respectively, wherein the deck segment further comprises a reinforcement structure extending in the center region of the deck segment for increasing the bend stiffness of the deck segment along the longitudinal direction.

The reinforcement structure of the deck segment can improve the bend stiffness and/or rigidity of the deck segment, more particularly the bending stiffness and/or rigidity of the center region of said deck segment.

Hence, sagging or inward bending of the center deck segment due to radially inward forces exerted on the circumferential support surface of the tire building drum can be reduced or ultimately prevented. Accordingly, irregularities or inaccuracies in the tire components supported on the cylindrical main surface can be reduced or prevented. Consequently, the overall strength of the resulting tire can be improved.

In an embodiment thereof, the reinforcement structure further extends in at least a part of the first side region and/or at least a part of the second side region.

Preferably the reinforcement structure extends between the first end and the second end. Accordingly, the reinforcement structure can improve the bend stiffness and/or rigidity of the deck segment in said first and second side regions. Hence, the overall bend stiffness and/or rigidity of the deck segment can be further improved.

In a further embodiment thereof, the reinforcement structure extends between the deck surface and the first contact surface in the first side region and between the deck surface and the second contact surface in the second side region. In an advantageous embodiment thereof, the reinforcement structure is at least partly enclosed by the deck surface and the first contact surface in the first side region and/or wherein the reinforcement structure is at least partly enclosed by the deck surface and the second contact surface in the second side region. The reinforcement structure can replace a solid mass of the deck segment in said first and/or second side regions. Hence, in addition to providing bend stiffness and/or rigidity, the reinforcement structure can provide a weight reduction of the deck segment.

Moreover, the first and second contact surfaces can prevent abrasive contact between the drum halves and the reinforcement structure. Thus, the deck segments can be more durable and the lifetime of said deck segments can be improved.

In a further embodiment, the reinforcement structure extends between the deck surface and the contact plane in the center region. The reinforcement structure can replace a solid mass of the deck segment in said center region. Hence, in addition to providing bend stiffness and/or rigidity, the reinforcement structure can provide a weight reduction of the deck segment.

In a further embodiment, the reinforcement structure in the center region protrudes from the contact plane in a direction away from the contact plane at the second side of the deck segment. In other words, the reinforcement structure extends radially inward with respect to the first and second contact surfaces when the deck segment is mounted to the tire building drum. Hence, the reinforcement structure can have a larger thickness in said center region. Accordingly, the reinforcement structure can provide a higher bend stiffness and/or rigidity in the center region.

In a further embodiment, the deck segment further comprises an inner surface at the center region, wherein the inner surface faces away from the deck surface at the second side of the deck segment, and wherein, in said center region, the reinforcement structure extends between the deck surface and the inner surface. The reinforcement structure can replace a solid fill of the deck segment in said center region. Hence, in addition to providing bend stiffness and/or rigidity, the reinforcement structure can provide a weight reduction of the deck segment.

In an advantageous embodiment thereof, the distance between the deck surface and the inner surface is larger than the distance between the deck surface and the contact plane. Hence, the reinforcement structure can extend over a greater dimension in the radial direction of the deck segment.

Consequently, the bend stiffness and/or rigidity of the center region can be increased with respect to the first and second side regions.

In a further embodiment thereof, the reinforcement structure is at least partly enclosed by the deck surface and the inner surface in the center region. Hence, the reinforcement structure can, be shielded by the inner surface and the deck surface. Hence, the reinforcement structure can be less prone to contaminations, damage or other external influences. In a further embodiment, the reinforcement structure comprises a plurality of ribs. Preferably, the ribs 5 are extending away from the deck surface towards the second side of the deck segment. The ribs can substantially improve the bend stiffness and/or rigidity of the deck segments. The ribs can be spaced apart by cavities or recesses. In other words, the deck segment is hollow or substantially hollow between said ribs. Hence, said ribs can provide a weight reduction as compared to a solid deck segment. In other words, due to the recesses or cavities between the ribs, the reinforcement structure can improve the bend stiffness or rigidity of the deck segment without adding extra weight to said the deck segments. By appropriately dimensioning the ribs and the recesses, the total weight of the deck segments may even be reduced. Accordingly, the rotational inertia of a tire building drum comprising the deck segments can be reduced. Such a lower rotational inertia can render said tire building easier to control and may increase the process efficiency of manufacturing tires using said tire building drum.

In an embodiment thereof, the ribs increase in thickness towards the first end and/or the second end. The center deck generally tapers towards the first and second ends of the deck segment in the radial direction. The increased thickness of the ribs can compensate for the loss of strength at said ends due to the tapering of the deck segment.

In a further advantageous embodiment thereof, the one or more ribs extend in the longitudinal direction. Ribs extending in the longitudinal direction can greatly improve the bending stiffness and/or rigidity in said longitudinal direction.

In a further embodiment, the reinforcement structure comprises a filler structure or lattice. The filler structure or lattice can substantially improve the bend stiffness and/or rigidity of the deck segments. Preferably, said filler structure or lattice is an open structure, i.e. the filler structure or lattice can be provided with a plurality of «cavities or recesses. Hence, the filler structure or lattice can provide a weight reduction as compared to a solid deck segment.

In an advantageous embodiment thereof, the filler structure or lattice is irregular. Preferably, the distribution and shape of the filler structure or lattice are optimized to maximize the bend stiffness of said deck segment along the longitudinal direction. For example, a numerical parametrical optimization can be performed having parameters such as the expected load exerted on the support surface and/or the desired maximum bend of said support surface.

Preferably, artificial intelligence, such as machine learning, is used for the optimization of the distribution and/or shape of the filler structure or lattice.

In a further embodiment, the deck segment comprises complementary profiles at opposing lateral sides of said deck segment, wherein said profiles each comprise a plurality of protrusions extending in a lateral direction transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein each of the complementary profiles is arranged to intermesh with the complementary profile of an adjacent deck segment. Hence, when mounted to the tire building drum, the deck segments can form a contiguous or substantially contiguous center deck in a contracted and/or an expanded configuration of the tire building drum.

In a preferred embodiment thereof, the protrusions are hollow. Hence, the weight of the deck segment can be reduced.

In a further preferred embodiment thereof, the protrusions are concave.

In a further embodiment, the deck segment is obtainable by additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing, for example 3D printing, can be especially beneficial when manufacturing a reinforcement structure which is at least

: partly enclosed within the deck segment. Moreover, additive manufacturing can facilitate the manufacturing of a lattice or filler structure. In a further preferred embodiment, the deck segment is made of a metal alloy, preferably stainless steel. A metal alloy can be sufficiently strong to provide the desired bend stiffness and/or rigidity of the deck segment. According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a tire building drum comprising a first drum half, a second drum half and a center deck for bridging a gap between said first drum half and said second drum half, wherein the tire building drum is rotatable about a central axis, wherein the center deck forms a circumferential support surface of the tire building drum which extends in a circumferential direction about the central axis for supporting one or more tire components, wherein the first drum half and the second drum half are expandable in a radially outward direction with respect to the central axis, wherein the center deck is supported on the first drum half and the second drum half and expandable in the radially outward direction with respect to the central axis together with the first drum half and the second drum half from a contracted position to an expanded position, wherein the center deck comprises a plurality of deck segments according to the present invention, wherein said deck segments are distributed circumferentially about the central axis such that the combined deck surfaces of said deck segments form at least a part of the circumferential support surface of the tire building drum.

The tire building drum comprises the deck segments according to the present invention. Hence, the tire building drum incorporates the advantages as described above.

In an embodiment thereof, the deck segments are arranged for overlapping each other in the circumferential direction of the tire building drum when the center deck is in the contracted position and/or when the center deck is in the expanded position. Additionally or alternatively, the deck segments are arranged for meshing with each other in the circumferential direction of the tire building drum when the center deck 1s in the contracted position and/or when the center deck is in the expanded position. Hence, the deck segments can form a substantially contiguous and/or generally smooth circumferential support surface for receiving the a tire component.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing the deck segment of the present invention, wherein the method comprises the step of manufacturing at least the reinforcement structure of the deck segment by additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing, for example 3D printing, can be especially beneficial when manufacturing a reinforcement structure which is at least partly enclosed within the deck segment.

In an embodiment thereof, the reinforcement structure comprises a filler structure or lattice. Additive manufacturing, for example 3D printing, can be especially beneficial for manufacturing the lattice or filler structure of said deck segment. Moreover, additive manufacturing can facilitate manufacturing said filler structure or lattice within the deck segment.

In an advantageous embodiment thereof, the method further comprises the step of optimizing the shape and/or distribution of said filler structure or lattice within the deck segment to maximize the bend stiffness of said deck segment along the longitudinal direction. For example, a numerical parametrical optimization can be performed having parameters such as the expected load exerted on the support surface and/or the desired maximum bend of said support surface. Preferably, artificial intelligence, such as machine learning, is used for the optimization of the distribution and/or shape of the filler structure or lattice.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed on an additive manufacturing apparatus, such as a 3D printer, cause said additive manufacturing apparatus to carry out the method of the present invention. Hence, not only the method steps itself, but also the computer executable instructions fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a tire building drum having a plurality of deck segments according to a first embodiment of the present invention; figure 2 shows a section view of a deck segment according to the line II-III in figure 1; figure 3 shows a section view of an alternative deck segment; figure 4 shows a section view of the deck segment according to the line IV-IV in figure 2; figure 5 shows a section view of a further alternative deck segment; and figures 6 and 7 show cross sections of the tire building drum according to figure 1 in a contracted position and an expanded position respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a tire building drum 1, in particular a crown drum, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Said tire building drum 1 is rotatable about a central axis A. As is shown in figures 1, 6 and 7, the tire building drum 1 comprises a first drum half 11, a second drum half 12 and a center deck 13.

Said first drum half 11 and said second drum half 12 are spaced apart in an axial direction X along the central axis A. The first drum half 11 and the second drum half 12 are expandable in a radial direction R perpendicular to the central axis A of the tire building drum 1. The first drum half 11 and the second drum half 12 are expandable in the radial direction R from a retracted position, as shown in figure 6, to an expanded position, as is shown in figure 7. The first drum half 11 and the second drum half 12 are synchronously expandable in the radial direction R.

The center deck 13 is located between the first drum half 11 and the second drum half 12 in the axial direction X. The center deck 13 bridges the gap between said first drum half 11 and said second drum half 13. The center deck 13 forms a circumferential support surface 30 for receiving and supporting a tire component (not shown) thereon. The center deck 13 is expandable in the radial direction R together with the first drum half 11 and the second drum half 12.

As is best shown in figure 1, the center deck 13 of the tire building drum 1 comprises a plurality of deck segments 6. The deck segments 6 are distributed circumferentially about the central axis A of the tire building drum 1. Each deck segment 6 comprises a deck surface 60 at a first side of said deck segment 6. Together, the deck surfaces 60 are arranged to form at least a part of the circumferential support surface 30 of the center deck 13 of the tire building drum 1. When the deck segments 6 are mounted to the tire building drum 1, said deck surface 60 is arranged to face radially outward. Preferably, the deck surface 60 is arcuate and/or convex to resemble a part of a circular or substantially circumference of the tire building drum.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of a single deck segment 6. The deck segment 6 extends in a longitudinal direction L between a first end 66 and a second end 67. The deck segment 6 is arranged to be mounted on the tire building drum 1, such that the longitudinal direction L of the deck segment 6 is parallel or substantially parallel to the axial direction X of the tire building drum 1. The deck surface 60 extends in the longitudinal direction L between the first end 66 and the second end 67 of the deck segment 6. Preferably, the deck segment 6 tapers towards the first end 66 and the second end 67, respectively. In other words, the first end 66 and the second end 67 of the deck segment are slanted or beveled to smoothen the transition between the deck segment 6 and the respective drum halves 11, 12.

As is further shown in figure 2, the deck segment 6 comprises a first side region S1 at the first end 66, a second side region S2 at the second end 67, and a center region S33 between the first side region S1 and the second side region S2. In particular, the center region 33 is arranged between the first side region S1 and the second side region S2 in the longitudinal direction L.

As is best shown in figures 6 and 7, the first side region S1 and the second side region S2 are arranged to be supported on the first drum half 11 and the second drum half 12, respectively. In particular, the deck segment 6 comprises a first contact surface 61 at the first side region S1 for supporting the deck segment 6 on the first drum half 11 and a second contact surface 62 at the second side region S2 for supporting the deck segment 6 on the second drum half 12. The first contact surface 61 and the second contact surface 62 are facing away from the support surface 60 at a second side of the deck segment 6 opposite to the first side. In particular, when mounted on the tire building drum 1, the first contact surface 61 and the second contact surface 62 are facing radially inward.

The first contact surface 61 and the second contact surface 62 are arranged in line. More particularly, both the first contact surface 61 and the second contact surface 62 extend in a contact plane P. In other words, the first contact surface 61 and the second contact surface 62 are arranged for supporting the deck segment in the said contact plane P. As 1s best shown in figure 2, the deck segment 6 further comprises an inner surface 63 at the center region S3. The inner surface 63 faces away from the deck surface 60 at the second side of the deck segment 6. In other words, said inner surface 63 is arranged to face radially inward when the deck segment 6 is mounted to the tire building drum

1. In this particular embodiment, the distance between the deck surface 60 and the inner surface 63 is larger than the distance between the deck surface 60 and the contact plane P. In other words, the deck segment 6 protrudes past the contact plane P in the center region S3. Alternatively, the inner surface 63 may for example extend in the contact plane P, i.e. in line with the first contact surface 61 and the second contact surface 62. As is further shown in figure 4, the deck segment 6 extends between a first lateral side 64 and a second lateral side 65 opposite to said first lateral side 64 in a lateral direction W transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Preferably, the deck segment 6 is substantially planar in the plane spanned by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction W. In this particular embodiment, the deck segment has a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section in said plane spanned by the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Ww. As is shown in figures 2 and 4, the deck segment 6 further comprises a reinforcement structure 7. Said reinforcement structure 7 is arranged for increasing the bend stiffness and/or the rigidity of the deck segment 6. The reinforcement structure 7 extends in the center region 33 of the deck segment 6. In the embodiment as shown, the reinforcement structure 7 additionally extends in the first side region S1 and the second side region S2 of the deck segment 6. More particularly, the reinforcement structure 7 extends between the first end 66 and the second end 67 of the deck segment 6. Alternatively, the reinforcement structure 7 may for example extend in a part of the first side region 31 and/or a part of the second side region S2.

As is further shown in figures 2 and 4. the deck segment 6 comprises a shell structure 8. Said shell structure 8 is a hollow structure. The shell structure 8 extends externally with respect to the reinforcement structure 7. In particular, said shell structure 8 at least partly encloses the reinforcement structure 7. In other words, the shell structure 8 forms an outer wall extending at least partly around the reinforcement structure 7. Preferably, the shell structure 8 has a non-zero thickness. The shell structure 8 comprises walls at the deck surface 60, the first contact surface 61, the second contact surface 62 and the inner surface 63. The shell structure 8 further comprises walls at first lateral side 64 and the second lateral side 65. Additionally, the shell structure 8 may comprise walls at the first terminal end 66 and the second terminal end 67 of the deck segment 6. The walls at the first terminal end 66 and the second terminal end 67 are preferably slanted or beveled to provide a smooth or substantially smooth transition between the deck segment 6 and the respective first and second drum halves 11, 12. Alternatively, the shell structure may for example comprise a single continuous wall constituting the deck surface 60 as well as the first and second terminal ends 66, 67. As is shown in figure 4, the shell structure 8 further comprises a first profile 84 at the first lateral side 64 and a second profile 85 at the second lateral side

65. Preferably, the first profile 84 and the second profile 85 are complementary profiles. In other words, the first profile 84 is arranged to intermesh with the second profile 85 of an adjacent deck segment ©. In the embodiment as shown in figure 4, the first profile 84 and the second profile 85 each comprise a plurality of protrusions 81. Said protrusions 81 protrude from the respective lateral sides 64, 65 of the deck segment 6 in the lateral direction W. The first profile 84 and the second profile 85 each comprise an intermittent pattern of said protrusions 81 in the longitudinal direction L of the deck segment. Additionally or alternatively, the first profile 84 and the second profile 85 may be arranged to overlap one another in the radial direction R of the tire building drum 1 when mounted to said tire building drum 1. The first profile 84 and the second profile 85 may be arranged overlap one another in the contracted position or in both the contracted and the expanded position of the tire building drum 1.

The protrusions 81 may be hollow or at least partly hollow. Hence, the weight of said protrusions may be reduced and/or minimized. For example, the protrusions 81 may be reinforced with a lattice or filler structure. Preferably, the protrusions 81 are convex.

As is best shown in figure 2, in the first side region Sl, the reinforcement structure 7 extends between the deck surface 60 and the first contact surface 61. Accordingly, in the second side region $2, the reinforcement structure 7 extends between the deck surface 60 and the second contact surface 62. In this particular embodiment, the reinforcement structure 7 is enclosed in said first side region S1 by the first contact surface 61, the first end 66 and the deck surface 60. Accordingly, the reinforcement structure 7 is enclosed in the second region 32 by the second contact surface 62, the second end 67 and the deck surface 60.

In the embodiment as shown, the reinforcement structure 7 extends between the deck surface 60 and the inner surface 63 within said center region 33. In other words, the reinforcement structure 7 extends between the deck surface and the contact plane P, and between the contact plane P and the inner surface 63. Alternatively, the reinforcement structure 7 may for example extend between the contact plane P and the inner surface 63 only.

In said center region S83, the reinforcement structure 7 is in the radial outward direction R at least partly enclosed by the deck surface 60. In the radial inward direction, opposite to the radial outward direction R, the reinforcement structure 7 is at least partly enclosed by the inner surface 63.

In the embodiment as shown in figures 2 and 4, the reinforcement structure 7 comprises a plurality of ribs 71. Said ribs 71 extend away from the deck surface 60 towards the second side of the deck segment 6, i.e. towards the contact plane P. The ribs 71 extend in or substantially in the longitudinal direction L. As is best shown in figure 2, the ribs 71 extend between the deck surface 60 and the contact plane P in the first side region Sl, the second side region 52 and the center region S3. In said center region S3, the ribs 71 further extend past the contact plane P towards the inner surface 63. In other words, in said center region S3, the ribs 71 extend between the deck surface 60 and the inner surface 63.

As can further be seen in figure 4, the ribs 71 are spaced apart in the lateral direction W. In particular, cavities or recesses are formed between the ribs 71. In other words, the deck segment 6 is hollow between said ribs 71. The ribs 71 increase in thickness towards the first end 66 and the second end 67, respectively, of the deck segment 6. In this particular embodiment, the ribs 71 comprise bulges 72 at the first end 66 and second end 67 of the deck segment 6. Said bulges 72 may compensate for tapering of the deck segment 6 at the first end 66 and the second end 67. Additional bulges or increases of thickness of the ribs 71 may for example be added at the transition between the first side part S1 and the center part S3 and/or at the transition between the second side part S2 and the center part S3 (not shown).

Figure 3 shows an alternative deck segment 106 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Said deck segment 106 differs from the previously discussed deck segment 6 according to the first embodiment of the invention in that it does not comprise the inner surface 63 in the center region S3. Instead, the first contact surface

61 and the second contact surface 62 terminate at the center region S3. In other words, the shell structure 108 does not fully enclose the reinforcement structure 107. In fact, the shell structure merely encloses the reinforcement structure in the first side region S1, the second side region S2, and in the radial outward part of the center region S3. In the embodiment of figure 3, in the center region S3, the reinforcement structure 107 protrudes from the contact plane P at the second side of the deck segment 106, In other words, the reinforcement structure 107 protrudes past the first contact surface 161 and the second contact surface 162. The cavities or recesses between the ribs 171 are open towards the second side of the deck segment 106. Preferably, said cavities or recesses between the ribs 171 are recessed with respect to the contact plane P.

The reinforcement structure 107 extends between the deck surface 60 and the contact plane P in the center region 53 and both side regions 31, S2. Alternatively, the reinforcement structure 107 may extend in the center region S3 only.

In this case, the deck segment 106 may for example be solid in said first side region S1 and said second side region S2. Figure 5 shows a further alternative deck segment 206 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Said deck segment 206 comprises an alternative reinforcement structure 207. Said reinforcement structure 207 comprises a filler structure or lattice 271. Preferably, the filler structure or lattice 271 is an open structure forming a plurality of interconnected cavities.

Preferably, said filler structure or lattice 271 is an irregular structure.

In particular, the distribution and/or the shape and/or the orientation of the filler structure or lattice 271 may be designed such that the bend stiffness or rigidity of the deck segment 206 1s increased or optimized.

For example, extra filler material may be added in areas of high strain.

Preferably the filler structure or lattice 271 is optimized using a parametric numerical optimization method.

More preferably, the filler structure or lattice 271 is optimized using artificial intelligence. The filler structure or lattice 271 can for example be optimized through a machine learning algorithm.

A method for manufacturing the deck segment 206 will now be described. Although the method is particularly suitable for manufacturing the deck segments 206 according to the third embodiment of the invention, it is not limited to said second embodiment. In fact, the same method may be applied to manufacture the deck segments 6 according to the first embodiment or the alternative deck segments 106 according to the second embodiment.

The method comprises the step of manufacturing the deck segment 206 using an additive manufacturing technique such as 3D printing. In particular, both the shell structure 8 and the reinforcement structure 207 may be manufactured using additive manufacturing. Preferably, the shell structure 8 and the reinforcement structure 207 are manufactured simultaneously. For example, the deck segment 207 may be 3D printed in consecutive layers.

Preferably the consecutive layers are stacked in the longitudinal direction L of the deck segment 206. In other words, each layer extends in the plane spanned by the lateral direction W and the radial direction R. The stacking of the layers in the longitudinal direction L can enable an additive manufacturing apparatus or 3D printer to form multiple deck segments 206 side by side in either the lateral direction W of the deck segment 206, the radial direction R of the deck segment, or both.

Preferably, the method of manufacturing the deck segments 206 further includes the step of optimizing the filler structure or lattice 271 as described above.

The deck segments are preferably manufactured from a metal alloy, such as stainless steel. Metal alloys such as stainless steel can be used in additive manufacturing methods, in particular in 3D printing. Hence, the complex irregular filler structure or lattice 271 may be obtained by using said metal alloy in the additive manufacturing method.

The instructions for carrying out the manufacturing method above on the additive manufacturing apparatus are preferably stored on a computer readable medium.

In summary, the invention relates to a deck segment 6 for forming a center deck 13 to bridge a gap between two drum halves 11, 12 of a tire building drum 1, wherein the deck segment 6 extends in a longitudinal direction L, wherein the deck segment 6 comprises a deck surface 60 at a first side of the deck segment 6, wherein the deck segment comprises two side regions S1, S2 and a center region S3 between said side regions S1, S2, wherein the deck segment 6 further comprises two contact surfaces 61, 62 at the respective side regions S51, S2, for supporting the deck segment 6 on the respective drum halves 11, 12, wherein the contact surfaces 61, 62 are facing away from the deck surface 60 at a second side of the deck segment 6 opposite to the first side, wherein the deck segment 6 further comprises a reinforcement structure 7 extending in the center region S3 of the deck segment 6 for increasing the bend stiffness of the deck segment 6 along the longitudinal direction L.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 tire building drum 11 first drum half 12 second drum half 13 center deck 30 circumferential support surface 6 deck segment

60 deck surface 61 first contact surface 62 second contact surface 63 inner surface 64 first lateral side 65 second lateral side 66 first end 67 second end 7 reinforcement structure 71 rib 72 bulge 8 shell structure 81 protrusion 84 profile 85 profile 106 alternative deck segment 107 alternative reinforcement structure 171 alternative rib 108 alternative shell structure 206 further alternative deck segment 207 further alternative reinforcement structure 271 filler structure or lattice

A central axis C circumferential direction L longitudinal direction P contact plane R radial direction S1 first side region S2 second side region S3 center region W lateral direction X axial direction

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) for forming a center deck (13) to bridge a gap between a first drum half (11) and a second drum half (12) of a tire building drum (1), the deck segment (6 , 106, 206) extending in a longitudinal direction (L} between a first end (66) and a second end (67), the deck segment (6, 106, 206) including a deck surface (60) for forming a part of a circumferential support surface (30) of the tire building drum (1) on a first side of the deck segment (6, 106, 206), the deck segment (6, 106, 206) including a first side region (S1) at the first end (66), a second side region {52} at the second end (67) and a center region ($3) between the first region (S1) and the second region (52), the deck segment (6, 106, 206) further having a first contact surface (61, 161) at the first side region (S1) and a second contact surface (62, 162} at the second side region (52) facing away from naf the deck surface (60) on a second side of the deck segment (6, 106, 206) opposite to the first side, for supporting the deck segment (6, 106, 206) in a contact face (P) on the first drum half, respectively (11) and the second drum half (12) of the tire building drum (1), the deck segment (6, 106, 206) further comprising a reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) extending into the center region (S83) of the deck segment (6, 106, 206) for increasing the bending stiffness of the deck segment (6, 106, 206) along the longitudinal direction (L).

The deck segment (6, 106, 206) of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) extends further into at least a portion of the first side region

(81) and/or at least part of the second side region (52).

The deck segment (6, 106, 206) of claim 2, wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) extends between the first end (66) and the second end (67).

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) extends between the deck surface (60) and the first contact surface (61) in the first side region (S1) and between the deck surface (60) and the second contact surface (62) in the second side region (S2).

The deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) is at least partially enclosed by the deck surface (60) and the first contact surface (61) in the first side region (S1) and /or wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) is at least partially enclosed by the cover surface (60) and the second contact surface (62) in the second side region (32).

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) extends between the deck surface (60) and the contact surface (P} in the center region (S3).

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement structure (7, 107, 207) in the center region (53) protrudes from the contact surface (P) in a direction away from the contact surface (P) at the second side of the deck segment (6, 106, 206).

The deck segment {6, 206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deck segment (6, 206) further has an inner surface (63) at the center region (33), the inner surface (63) facing away from the deck surface (60) on the second side of the cover segment (6, 206), and wherein, in the central region (53), the reinforcing structure (7, 207) extends between the cover surface (60) and the inner surface (63).

The deck segment (6, 206) of claim 8, wherein the distance between the deck surface (60) and the inner surface (63) is greater than the distance between the deck surface (60) and the contact surface (P).

A deck segment (6, 206) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) is at least partially enclosed by the deck surface (60) and the inner surface (63) in the center region (33).

A deck segment (6, 106) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing structure (7, 107) comprises a plurality of ribs (71, 171).

The deck segment {6, 106) according to claim 11, wherein the ribs (71, 171) extend away from the deck surface (60) to the second side of the deck segment (6, 106).

A deck segment (6, 106) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the ribs (71, 171) increase in thickness towards the first end (66) and/or the second end (67).

A deck segment (6, 106) according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the one or more ribs (71, 171) extend in the longitudinal direction (L).

Deck segment (206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement structure (207) comprises a filling structure or mesh (271).

The deck segment {206) according to claim 15, wherein the filling structure or mesh (271) is irregular.

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deck segment (6, 106, 206) comprises complementary profiles (84, 85) on opposite lateral sides (64, 65) of the deck segment (6, 106 , 206).

The deck segment of claim 17, wherein the profiles (84, 85) each include a plurality of projections (81) extending in a lateral direction (W) transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), each of the complementary profiles (84, 85) is adapted to engage the complementary profile (84, 85) of an adjacent deck segment {6, 106, 206).

The deck segment {6, 106, 206) of claim 18, wherein the projections (81) are hollow.

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the projections are concave.

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deck segment (6, 106, 206) is obtainable by means of additive manufacturing.

A deck segment (6, 106, 206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deck segment (6, 106, 206) is made of a metal alloy, preferably stainless steel.

23. Tire building drum (1) comprising a first drum half (11), a second drum half (12) and a center deck (13) for bridging a gap between the first drum half (11) and the second drum half (12), the tire building drum (1) is rotatable about a central axis (A), the center deck (13) forming a circumferential support surface (30) of the tire building drum (1) which extends in a circumferential direction (C) about the central axis (A) for supporting one or more tire components (9), the first drum half (11) and the second drum half (12) being expandable in a radially outward direction (R) relative to the central axis (A), the center deck (13) is supported on the first drum half (11) and the second drum half (12) and is expandable in the radially outward direction (R) with respect to the central axis (A) together with the first drum half (11) and the second drum half (12 ) from a contracted position to a ge expanded position, wherein the center deck (13) comprises a plurality of deck segments (6, 106, 206) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deck segments (6, 106, 206) are distributed circumferentially about the central axis (A) such that the combined deck surfaces (60) of the deck segments (6, 106, 206) form at least a portion of the circumferential support surface (30) of the tire building drum.

A tire building drum (1) according to claim 23 wherein the deck segments (6, 106, 206) are arranged to overlap in the circumferential direction (C) of the tire building drum (1) when the center deck (13) is in the contracted position and /or when the center deck (13) is in the expanded position.

A tire building drum (1) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the deck segments (6, 106, 206) are arranged to interlock in the circumferential direction (C) of the tire building drum (1) when the center deck (13) is in the contracted position and/or when the center deck (13) is in the expanded position.

A method of manufacturing a deck segment {6, 106, 206) according to any one of claims 1-22, the method comprising the step of manufacturing at least the reinforcing structure (7, 107, 207) of the deck segment (6 , 106, 206) by means of additive manufacturing.

A method according to claim 26, wherein the reinforcement structure (207) comprises a filling structure or mesh {271}.

The method of claim 27, wherein the method further comprises the step of optimizing the shape and/or distribution of the fill structure or mesh (271) within the deck segment (206) to increase the bending stiffness of the deck segment (206) along the longitudinal direction (L).

A computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed on an additive manufacturing device, such as a 3D printer, cause said additive manufacturing device to perform the method of any one of claims 26, 27 or 28.

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