RU2363582C2 - Method and plant for production of tyres for wheels of transport vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: technological processes.

SUBSTANCE: present invention is related to method for production of tyres for wheels of transport vehicles, to plant for production of tyres for transport vehicles, and also to equipment for production of tyres for wheels of transport vehicles. Technical result is achieved by method for production of tyres for wheels of transport vehicles, which includes several stages. Stage a) for assembly of cylindrical frame structure in assembly point, which includes at least one frame layer connected to annular fixing structures that are distanced from each other along axis. Stage b) for manufacture of cylindrical sleeve in final point, which comprises tread band stressed in radial-external position relative to undertread structure. Undertread structure comprises at least one undertread layer. Besides, at this stage b1) assembly of the first undertread structure is realised in the first working position at the first auxiliary drum of final point. Then b2) tread band is applied in the second working position in radial-external position relative to the second undertread structure, previously assembled at the second auxiliary drum of final point. Besides, application is realised by means of installation of the first and second continuous extended elements according to appropriate preset routes from raw elastomer material in radial-external position relative to the second undertread structure. Then b3) the first auxiliary drum is positioned, which holds the first undertread structure, in the second working position. Then b4) the second auxiliary drum is positioned, which therefore holds produced cylindrical sleeve, in grab position of final point. Stage c) of cylindrical sleeve transfer from final point grab position into radial-external position relative to frame structure assembled ad interim in assembly point. At that stages b1)-b4) are cyclically repeated. Besides, stages b1) and b2) are executed at least partially simultaneously with each other. Stages b3) and b4) are executed at least partially simultaneously with each other.

EFFECT: creation of method for production of high-quality tyre with coordination of different production rates in point of frame structure assembly and in final point, intended for manufacturing of substantially cylindrical sleeve out of undertread structure/tread band, also in case when such sleeve includes tread band made by means of winding of turns from at least one continuous extended element.

41 cl, 2 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for manufacturing tires for vehicles, which can be used to implement the above production method, as well as equipment for manufacturing tires for wheels of vehicles.

State of the art

A tire for vehicle wheels typically comprises a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply having respectively opposed end rim tapes looped around annular fastening structures, each of the fastening structures usually being represented by a substantially annular insert on which at least one filling insert in a radially external position relative to it.

A belt structure comprising one or more belt layers having textile or metal reinforcing cords arranged radially on top of each other and on a frame structure is connected to the latter. A tread band made of elastomeric material, like the other semi-finished products that make up the tire, is superimposed on the belt structure in a radially external position relative to it.

In the framework of the present description and in the following claims, the term "elastomeric material" is used to refer to a composition containing at least one elastomeric polymer and at least one reinforcing filler. Preferably, such a composition also contains additives, such as, for example, a crosslinking agent and / or plasticizer. Due to the presence of a crosslinking agent, such a material can be cross-linked by heating to form the final product.

In addition, corresponding sidewalls of elastomeric material are also superimposed on the side surfaces of the frame structure, each of which extends from one of the side edges of the tread band to the corresponding annular fastening structure in the sides, while the sidewalls, depending on different embodiments, may have corresponding radial outer edges, or superimposed on the side edges of the tread band in such a way as to form a structural diagram of a type commonly referred to as "superimposed sidewalls ", or laid between the frame structure and the side edges of the tread band itself in accordance with a structural design of a type called" underlying sidewalls ".

According to most conventional tire manufacturing methods, it is envisaged that the carcass structure and the belt structure together with the corresponding tread band are manufactured separately from each other at respective operating points so as to be connected to each other later.

More specifically, the frame structure is assembled at an assembly point, and it primarily involves laying the frame layer or layers on a first drum, commonly referred to as an “assembly drum”, to form a substantially cylindrical sleeve. The annular fastening structures of the sides are laid or formed on opposite end rim tapes of the carcass ply or layers, which, in turn, are wrapped around the ring structures themselves so that they enclose the ring structures with some kind of loop.

At the same time, at the final point equipped with a second drum, generally called an auxiliary drum, an outer sleeve is made which also has a substantially cylindrical shape and contains belt layers stacked radially superimposed on each other, and a tread band superimposed on the belt layers in radially external position relative to them.

Then the outer sleeve is picked up from the auxiliary drum for connection with the frame sleeve. To this end, the outer sleeve is positioned coaxially around the frame sleeve, and then the frame layers are formed into a toroidal configuration by axially moving the sides to a position close to each other and simultaneously injecting fluid under pressure into the frame sleeve so as to allow the sleeve to be laid out from the belt structure / a tread band on a tire carcass structure in a radially outer position relative to it.

The assembly of the frame sleeve and the outer sleeve can be carried out on one drum used to assemble the frame sleeve, and in this case, you can refer to the "one-stage production process." A manufacturing process of this type is described, for example, in document US 3990931.

Alternatively, the assembly can be carried out on a so-called “forming drum”, onto which a carcass sleeve and an outer sleeve for manufacturing a tire are transferred in accordance with the so-called “two-stage production process”, as described, for example, in EP 0613757.

According to conventional manufacturing methods, the tread band is usually made of a continuously extruded element, which, after cooling, is contained on suitable racks or drums to stabilize its geometric configuration. The semifinished product in the form of sections or a continuous strip is then sent to a feeding unit, which either picks up the sections or cuts a continuous strip into sections of a given length, each section making a tread band, which is laid around the belt structure of the tire to be manufactured.

Recently, to further improve the mechanical characteristics and quality of the tire, it was proposed to manufacture a tread band in an alternative way, that is, by winding a continuous elongated element with coils located next to each other directly on the belt structure, rather than winding and cutting with a certain size of sections of a continuous strip extruded previously and contained on shelves or drums.

From a practical point of view, this can be achieved, as described, for example, in international application WO 2004/041521, by means of an assembly method comprising the steps of:

I) the location of the belt structure containing at least one belt layer on the auxiliary drum;

II) laying the tread band on the belt structure by winding on it at least one continuous elongated element of elastomeric material with adjacent ring turns;

III) picking up the cylindrical sleeve, including the belt structure and the tread band, from the auxiliary drum to transfer the sleeve to a position coaxially centered relative to the frame sleeve.

Such a continuous elongated element is obtained in place, and it forms a lot of turns, the orientation and mutual overlapping parameters of which are suitably adjusted in such a way as to regulate changes in the thickness imparted to the tread band during production, based on a predetermined styling pattern embedded in the computer, with a significant increase qualitative characteristics of the tread band, which, in turn, positively affect the characteristics of the tire and its service life.

However, from a production point of view, this improvement in the mechanical and quality characteristics of a tire implies solving a difficult problem, namely, the problem of matching performance (meaning the number of products that can be produced per unit time) of an assembly point for assembling a frame structure, which is usually high, and the performance of the final point in which a substantially cylindrical sleeve is made comprising a belt structure and a tread band.

The performance of the final item actually seriously depends on the slowness of the winding operation of the coils of a continuous elongated element of crude elastomeric material.

The difference in the performance of the assembly point for assembling the frame structure and the performance of the finishing point in which the sleeve is made from the belt structure / tread band is significant and especially critical for control if the tread band contains at least two parts, for example, such as the lower part and radially outer parts intended for traction. More precisely, when the frame structure assembled at the assembly point remains stationary so that it does not lose its centered position when it is in a standby state of reception of the sleeve, this expectation can continue even for periods of time within minutes due to the manufacture of these parts , while the condition that prevents the assembly of the next frame structure, thus lasts the period of time of the entire cycle necessary for the manufacture of assembled, but not volcanoes ovannoy tires.

The problem underlying the invention

The present invention is directed to solving the problem of manufacturing a high-quality tire with coordination of different production rates at the assembly point of the frame structure and at the final point for manufacturing a substantially cylindrical sleeve from the belt structure / tread band, also in the case where such a sleeve includes a tread band made by winding coils of at least one continuous elongated element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, great improvements have been achieved regarding the overall productivity and quality of the product as part of the production process, which involves the assembly of semi-finished products through the following measures:

- the holding of various semi-finished products is carried out in the final paragraph, at least two auxiliary drums;

- the execution in the final paragraph, intended for the manufacture of the sleeve, including the belt structure and the tread band, a special sequence of cyclically repeated production operations and drum positioning operations;

- the implementation of the belt structure and the tread band (the latter by winding coils from at least one continuous elongated element of raw elastomeric material) in two working positions specified in different zones of the final point, using work operations performed at least partially simultaneously with each other.

More specifically, the present invention relates, according to a first aspect thereof, to a method for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, comprising the following steps:

a) assemblies in the assembly point of a substantially cylindrical frame structure comprising at least one frame layer connected to annular fixing structures spaced apart from one another along the axis;

b) manufacturing at the final point of a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a tread band placed in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure containing at least one belt layer, and in step b),

b1) assembling the first belt structure in the first working position on the first auxiliary drum of the final point;

b2) the application of the tread band in the second working position in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure previously assembled on the second auxiliary drum of the finishing point, and the application is carried out by stacking, according to the corresponding predetermined paths, of the first and second continuous elongated elements of crude elastomeric material in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure;

b3) positioning the first sub drum holding the first belt structure in a second operating position;

b4) positioning the second sub drum holding the thus obtained substantially cylindrical sleeve in the pickup position of the final point;

c) transferring the substantially cylindrical sleeve from the pickup position of the final item to the radially outward position with respect to the frame structure assembled in the meantime at the assembly point;

wherein steps b1) to b4) are cyclically repeated;

wherein steps b1) and b2) are carried out at least partially simultaneously with each other; and

steps b3) and b4) are carried out at least partially simultaneously with each other.

Preferred features of the method according to the invention are defined in the attached dependent claims 2-24 of the claims, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

According to another object of the invention, the above method can be carried out using the installation for the manufacture of tires for wheels of vehicles, containing:

a) an assembly point for assembling a substantially cylindrical carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply connected to annular fixing structures axially spaced from each other;

b) a finishing point for manufacturing a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a tread band placed in a radially outward position with respect to a belt structure comprising at least one belt layer, wherein the ending point comprises:

b1) a first sub drum;

b2) a second sub drum;

b3) a moving device configured to hold the auxiliary drums and position the auxiliary drums in the first working position in which the belt structure is assembled, in the second working position in which the tread band is applied, and in the pickup position of the substantially cylindrical sleeve; moreover, the first and second working positions are set in different zones of the final paragraph;

b4) at least two feed elements for supplying the corresponding continuous elongated elements of crude elastomeric material located in the second working position, for working interaction with one of the auxiliary drums;

c) at least one means of transferring a substantially cylindrical sleeve made at the final point, configured to cooperate with one of the auxiliary drums at the pick-up point, for transmitting the substantially cylindrical sleeve to a radially outer position relative to the frame structure assembled in assembly point.

Preferred features of the installation according to the invention are defined in the attached dependent claims 26-40 of the claims, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

According to another object thereof, the invention relates to equipment for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, comprising the aforementioned installation and at least one vulcanization station for vulcanizing tires manufactured by the installation.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading a detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a method and apparatus for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels according to the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying illustrated, but not limiting, drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first preferred embodiment of a tire manufacturing apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a tire obtained according to the method and installation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus for producing tires for vehicle wheels for implementing a production method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by 1.

A tire which can be produced by the installation 1 is generally indicated by the reference numeral 2 in FIG. 2 and may be a tire designed to equip the wheels of a passenger car or heavy vehicle.

Tires 2 essentially comprise a carcass structure 3 having a substantially toroidal shape, a belt structure 4 having a substantially cylindrical shape, circumferentially extending around the frame structure 3, a tread band 5 superimposed on the belt structure 4 in a radially outward position with respect to it, and a pair of sidewalls 6, superimposed laterally on opposite sides of the frame structure 3, each extending from the side edge of the tread band 5 to the radially inner edge of the frame structure 3.

Each sidewall 6 essentially comprises a layer of elastomeric material having a suitable thickness, and may have a radially outer end tail portion 6a at least partially covered by the axial end of the tread band 5, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, according to a pattern of a type commonly referred to as “laying sidewalls”.

Alternatively, the radially outer tail portions 6a of the sidewalls 6 may be superimposed laterally on the respective axial ends of the tread band 5, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 2, to implement a circuit of a type commonly referred to as “covering sidewalls”.

The carcass structure 3 comprises a pair of annular fastening structures 7 embedded in areas commonly referred to as “beads”, each of which, for example, is represented by a substantially circular annular insert 8, commonly referred to as a “bead core”, and contains an elastomeric filler 9 in a radially -final position relative to it. Around each of the fastening structures 7 are wrapped end rim tapes 10a of one or more layers of the carcass 10 containing textile or metal cords extending in the transverse direction relative to the annular extension of the tire 2, possibly with a predetermined slope between the two annular fastening structures 7.

The belt structure 4 contains, in turn, at least one belt layer, preferably two belt layers 11a, 11b, containing reinforcing cords made of suitable material, for example metal or textile cords.

Preferably, said reinforcing cords are suitably inclined with respect to the annular extent of the tire 2 according to respective intersecting orientations between one belt layer and the other.

In a preferred embodiment, the belt structure 4 further comprises at least one belt layer 12 in a radially outward position relative to the belt layers 11a, 11b and includes at least one reinforcing cord, preferably a plurality of cords wound around the circumference of the turns located next to each other and commonly referred to in this area as "zero-slope cords."

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the belt structure 4 may comprise a belt layer 12 including zero slope cords substantially extending along the entire transverse length of the belt structure 4; alternatively, the belt structure 4 may comprise a pair of belt layers 12, each of which includes zero slope cords located near the shoulder regions of the tire 2 and extending axially along a portion of a limited width, as schematically shown in FIG. 2.

In heavy-duty tires, such as tires for trucks and heavy vehicles, the belt structure 4 may also include, in a radially outward location relative to the belt layers 11a, 11b, an additional layer 13 made of an elastomeric material, preferably including a plurality of reinforcing cords, commonly referred to as "breaker layer" and designed to prevent the penetration of foreign bodies into the underlying breaker layers.

The tread band 5 may essentially consist of a single elastomeric material, or, alternatively, it may comprise parts consisting of appropriate elastomeric materials having the proper composition and mechanical and chemical-physical characteristics.

These parts can be composed of one or more layers superimposed in a radial direction having a suitable thickness, suitably configured sectors arranged according to a predetermined configuration along the axial extent of the tread band or a combination thereof.

Thus, for example, the tread band 5 may include a radially inner layer or a base layer essentially consisting of a first elastomeric material having an appropriate composition and mechanical and chemical-physical characteristics, for example, adapted to reduce tire rolling resistance, and a radially outer a layer essentially consisting of a second elastomeric material having a composition and mechanical and chemical-physical characteristics different from those of the first elastomeric material, for example, adapted to optimize wet grip and tire durability.

Individual components of the frame structure 3 and the belt structure 4, such as, in particular, the annular fixing structures 7, the carcass layers 10, the belt layers 11a, 11b and elements of elastomeric material (strip elements) including at least one reinforcing cord and intended for forming the belt layer 12 and, possibly, the belt layer 13, are supplied to the installation 1 in the form of semi-finished products made during previous production operations, for suitable assembly according to the operation described below.

Now with reference to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of a vehicle tire manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the invention, for example, for manufacturing a tire 2 of the above type, will be described.

In the following description, reference will be made to the various components of tire 2 in their semi-finished state and, with regard to the various elastomeric materials used, in their raw state, that is, prior to vulcanization operations that bind different semi-finished products to each other to form a complete tire 2.

Installation 1 contains an assembly point 14 for assembling a substantially cylindrical frame structure 3 containing one or more layers 10 of the frame, in the working position connected to the annular fixing structures 7, spaced apart from one another.

The assembly point 14 comprises a primary drum 15, not described in detail, since it can be made in the usual way, on which, preferably, the layer or layers 10 of the frame are wound; moreover, these layers enter the supply line 16, on which they are cut into sections of appropriate length corresponding to the circumferential length of the primary drum 15, before they are superimposed on it to form the so-called essentially cylindrical "frame sleeve".

The assembly point 14 also contains a line (not shown) for supplying the sidewalls 6, and this line delivers the semi-finished product in the form of a continuous strip of elastomeric material from which sections of a given length are cut, the specified length corresponding to the circumferential length of the primary drum 15 and the tire 2 being manufactured.

Alternatively, the assembly point 14 may be provided with an additional assembly drum (not shown), on which the components of the frame structure 3 and possibly the side walls 6 are assembled, and transmission means (also not shown) for transferring the assembled frame sleeve to the primary drum 15.

The installation also contains the final paragraph 17, intended for the manufacture of essentially cylindrical sleeves containing:

I) a tread band 5 comprising one or more crude elastomeric materials, the tread band being superposed in a radially outward position on

II) a belt structure 4 comprising layers 11a, 11b including reinforcing cords suitably inclined relative to the circumferential length of the sleeve with correspondingly intersecting orientations in one belt layer and in another, and possibly layer 12 includes reinforcing cords substantially parallel to the direction of the circumference the length of the essentially cylindrical sleeve, while the layer 12 in this preferred embodiment is superimposed in a radially outer position relative to the layers 11a, 11b, and possibly a belt layer 13, which in this redpochtitelnom embodiment applied at a radially outer position with respect to the layer 12.

The final paragraph 17, in turn, contains a moving device 18, adapted to hold the first auxiliary drum 19 and the second auxiliary drum 20 and position the auxiliary drums 19, 20 in a variety of operating positions in which the operations necessary for the manufacture of the specified essentially cylindrical sleeves.

More specifically, the transfer device 18 is for positioning the auxiliary drums 19, 20 in a first operating position, indicated by the letter A in FIG. 1, in which the belt structure 4 is assembled, in at least one second working position, indicated by the letter B in FIG. 1, in which a tread band 5 is applied, and to the pickup position C of the substantially cylindrical sleeve made in the final paragraph 17.

In this preferred embodiment, the pickup position C of the substantially cylindrical sleeve substantially coincides with the first operating position A.

The first working position A and the second working position B are in different zones of the finishing point 17, and preferably they are on opposite sides of the moving device 18.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in addition, it is provided that in the catch position C, the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located there by the moving device 18 is arranged in accordance with the coaxial alignment with the primary drum 15 of the assembly point 14.

The final paragraph 17 contains a device for applying the belt structure 4 to one auxiliary drum, generally indicated by the reference numeral 21, adapted to interact with the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located in the operating position A of the moving device 18.

The overlay device 21, in turn, contains at least one means 24 for feeding the belt layers 11a, 11b located in the first working position A for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located in the specified working position by the moving device 18.

For example, the supplying means 24 may contain, in a known manner, at least one supply line 24a along which the semi-finished products in the form of a continuous strip are advanced, said strip being cut into sections with a length corresponding to the circumferential length of the auxiliary drums 19, 20, simultaneously with the formation of corresponding belt layers 11a, 11b on the same drums.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the overlay device 21 of the final paragraph 17 further comprises at least one means 22 for feeding the belt element 23 from a raw elastomeric material, comprising at least one reinforcing cord, preferably a plurality of textile or metal reinforcing cords, a belt an element 23 superposed in a radially outward position relative to the belt layers 11a, 11b, for forming axially adjacent annular turns intended for I'm forming a breaker layer 12.

To this end, the supply means 22 is in the first working position A for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located in the specified working position by the moving device 18.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 21 further comprises at least one means for feeding an additional belt layer, preferably including a plurality of reinforcing cords, located in the first working position A for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located in the specified working position moving a device 18 for forming the aforementioned breaker layer 13.

The final paragraph 17 further comprises at least two feed elements 25, 26 of the corresponding continuous elongated elements 27, 28 of raw elastomeric material, and these feed elements are located in the second working position B for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 19, 20, located in the specified operating position of the moving device 18.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the feed elements 25, 26 of the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 are located in the second working position B for working interaction on opposite sides of the auxiliary drum 19, 20, placed in the specified working position by the moving device 18.

The feeding elements 25, 26 are adapted for laying continuous elongated elements 27, 28 with adjacent annular turns on the belt structure 4, previously assembled on the auxiliary drum 19 or 20 in the second working position B.

More specifically, the feed members 25, 26 may comprise, for example, an extruder or, alternatively, a roll or another member adapted to feed continuous elongated members 27, 28 in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure 4 held by the sub drum 19 or 20 in the second operating position B, simultaneously with the winding of the elongated elements themselves in a radially outer position relative to the belt structure 4, as will be described in more detail below.

Preferably, each of the feed members 25, 26 comprises at least one extruder, shown in FIG. 1 with reference numerals 29, 30.

For winding continuous elongated elements fed by extruders 29, 30 to a radially outward position relative to the belt structure 4, the transfer device 18 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 comprises at least one drum rotation unit, preferably a pair of rotating units 31, 32 adapted to rotate the auxiliary drums 19, 20 around their geometric axis.

Thus, it is preferable that the controllably stacked continuous elongate elements 27, 28 can be effected in a radially outward position with respect to the belt structure 4 in an efficient manner.

Preferably and as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 18 is essentially a turret type device and is adapted to hold the auxiliary drums 19, 20 in positions with angular displacement relative to each other, for example, with an angle offset of about 180 °.

Preferably, the moving device 18 is also provided with at least one drive unit 35 adapted to rotate the moving device 18 in general around a substantially vertical axis of rotation YY for locating the auxiliary drums 19, 20 in the first and second operating positions A, B above. .

Preferably, the auxiliary drums 19, 20 and the respective drive units 31, 32 are slidably held by the moving device 18 with a support carriage, not shown in detail in FIG. 1, which, in turn, is slidably mounted on a rotating carrier platform 39 of the moving device 18.

Preferably, each auxiliary drum 19, 20 can perform translational motion together with a corresponding rotating unit 31, 32 along the supporting platform 39.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the moving device 18 comprises at least one drum moving assembly adapted to perform controlled axial movements of the drums 19, 20 to the operating positions A, B or to the pickup position C of the substantially cylindrical sleeve including the belt structure 4 and tread bracelet 5, made in the final paragraph 17.

Preferably, said drum moving unit causes controlled axial movements of not only auxiliary drums 19, 20, but also corresponding rotary nodes 31, 32.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the moving device 18 comprises a pair of drum-moving nodes 33, 34, for example, of a type containing a worm, adapted to engage with a corresponding thread of a nut connected to a carriage carrying auxiliary drums 19, 20.

Obviously, the drum transfer assemblies may contain drive mechanisms other than those indicated above for example, and they can be selected by a person skilled in the art depending on the requirements for a particular application.

Preferably, the drum-moving nodes 33, 34 of the moving device 18 move the drums 19, 20 between the operating positions A, B or the catch position C and the initial position defined between these positions and the rotation axis Y-Y of the moving device 18.

Preferably, said initial positions of the auxiliary drums 19, 20 are defined within the outer perimeter of the rotating support platform 39.

Preferably, the drum moving units 33, 34 move the drums 19, 20 along a radial direction passing through the rotation axis Y-Y of the moving device 18, as shown by the double arrows F3, F4 in FIG. one.

The drum-moving units 33, 34 thus achieve the following technical effects:

I) the effect of proper movement of the auxiliary drums 19, 20 relative to the feed elements 25, 26;

II) the effect of the controlled laying of continuous elongated elements 27, 28 in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure 4 by turns, partially located next to each other and / or partially overlapping each other in accordance with what is required for the manufacture of the tread band 5, having a high level of quality;

III) the effect of the implementation of a given displacement of the belt layers supplied by the laying device 21, for example, to compensate for any structural asymmetries of the tire 2;

IV) the effect of reducing the transverse dimensions and inertia forces when moving the auxiliary drums 19, 20 between the operating positions A and B by moving the auxiliary drums 19, 20 near the Y-Y axis of the moving device 18.

In addition, it is preferable that the drum-moving nodes 33, 34 allow controlled laying of continuous elongated elements 27, 28 while maintaining the motion of the feeding elements 25, 26 and simplifying the mechanical system for laying continuous elongated elements and, thus, reducing the manufacturing cost of installation 1.

Installation 1 further comprises at least one transmission device 36 of a substantially cylindrical sleeve manufactured in the final paragraph 17, adapted for working interaction with one of the auxiliary drums 19, 20 in the above-mentioned pickup position C, in this case essentially coinciding with the first working position A, for transferring a substantially cylindrical sleeve made in the final paragraph 17, in a radially outer position relative to the frame structure 3 made in the assembly point 14.

The transmission device 36 preferably has an essentially annular configuration and operates in a known manner (not shown) such that it is located around an auxiliary drum 19, 20 located in the pickup position C for picking up a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a belt structure 4 and a tread structure bracelet 5, made in the final paragraph, and for transferring the specified sleeve to the frame structure 3, assembled in the assembly point 14.

In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, not shown for simplicity, the installation 1 may further comprise a third feed element of a continuous elongated element of raw elastomeric material, located in the position C pickup (for example, coinciding with the first working position A) essentially cylindrical sleeve made in the final paragraph 17, for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located therein by the moving device 18.

In this case, the installation 1 allows the application of a tread band 5 both in the working position B and in the pickup position C (for example, coinciding with the first working position A) of a substantially cylindrical sleeve, whenever compliance with the requirements for a particular application is required.

Installation 1 further comprises at least one device (which is known and not shown) for forming the frame structure 3 in accordance with a substantially toroidal configuration so as to connect a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a belt structure 4 and a tread band 5 made in the final paragraph 17, with the frame structure 3.

Preferably, this forming device is adapted for working interaction with the primary drum 15 in the assembly point 14 for the implementation, as will be understood further, of the so-called one-stage production process.

Finally, the installation 1 contains a control unit 37, with which the operator 38 can program and control the various work operations that can be carried out by this production installation.

Now, with reference to the setup 1 described above, a first preferred embodiment of the method of the invention for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, for example, the tire 2 described above, will be described.

In particular, the method will be disclosed with reference to the initial operating state shown in FIG. 1, in which the auxiliary drum 19 is in the first working position A and does not hold any semi-finished products, while the auxiliary drum 20 is in the second working position B and holds the belt structure 4 assembled on said drum during the previous step of the method.

During the first step of the method, an essentially cylindrical frame structure 3 is assembled at assembly point 14, comprising at least one frame layer 10 connected to the annular fixing structures 7 spaced apart from one another.

At this point, the carcass ply or layers 10 fed through the supply line 16, on which they are cut into sections of appropriate length corresponding to the circumferential length of the primary drum 15, are wound on the primary drum 15 before being applied to it to form a so-called substantially cylindrical "frame sleeves. "

After that, annular fastening structures 7 are laid on the end rim tapes 10a of the layer / layers 10 for subsequent wrapping of the end rim tapes themselves, causing the fastening structures 7 to be fixed in loops thus formed by the wrapped layer / layers 10. Sidewalls 6 can also be applied to the frame sleeve tires, wherein said sidewalls come in at least one corresponding sideline supply line (not shown) supplying the semi-finished product in the form of a continuous strip of elastomeric material, from which ezayut section of predetermined length, said length corresponding to the circumferential extension of the primary drum 15 and the tire 2 manufactured.

The method according to the invention provides for the production in the final paragraph 17 of a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a tread band 5 imposed in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure 4 comprising at least one belt layer, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, the belt layers 11a, 11b, 12, and possibly 13.

The manufacture of this substantially cylindrical sleeve occurs at least partially simultaneously with the assembly of the components of the frame structure 3 in the form of a substantially cylindrical sleeve (or frame sleeve) on the primary drum 15.

More specifically, the manufacture of a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a belt structure 4 and a tread band 5, carried out in the final paragraph 17, comprises the steps described below.

According to the invention, these steps are carried out at least partially simultaneously.

At the first stage, the first belt structure 4 is assembled in the first working position A on the first auxiliary drum 19 of the final paragraph 17.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly step of the first belt structure 4 involves first applying in a radially outward position with respect to the first auxiliary drum 19 of the first belt layer 11a containing respective reinforcing cords that are inclined relative to the direction of the circumferential extension of the sleeve, and applying in a radially the outer position relative to the first belt layer 11a of the second belt layer 11b containing the reinforcing cords is located laid obliquely along the intersecting direction relative to the specified reinforcing cords of the first belt layer 11A.

Preferably, these steps are carried out using means 24 for feeding the breaker layers, which interacts in the working position with the auxiliary drum 19 located in the first working position A by the moving device 18 and the rotating unit 31, which rotates the auxiliary drum 19 around the geometric axis when applying various semi-finished products.

More specifically, the feeding line 24a of the feeding device 24 feeds the semi-finished products in the form of a continuous strip, which are then cut into sections of a length corresponding to the circumferential length of the auxiliary drum 19, simultaneously with the formation of the respective belt layers 11a, 11b on the same drum, which is simultaneously rotated by the rotating unit 31 .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of assembling the first belt structure 4 thus involves applying in a radially outward position with respect to the first auxiliary drum 19 at least one strip element 23 of raw elastomeric material including reinforcing cord (s), for the formation of axially aligned annular turns in such a way as to obtain a belt layer 12, including reinforcing cords located essentially parallel to the length of the manufactured essentially cylindrical sleeve.

Preferably, said strip element 23 is laid in a radially outer position relative to the second belt layer 11b substantially along the entire circumferential length of the first belt structure 4 or, alternatively, only at the axially opposite ends of the underlying belt layers 11a, 11b.

Preferably, this operation is carried out using the feeding means 22 of the overlay device 21, which is also in the first working position A for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 19 located there, the moving device 18.

In a preferred embodiment, collecting the first belt structure 4 at the end involves applying a belt layer 13 of a semi-finished product, preferably including a plurality of reinforcing cords, preferably inclined relative to the direction of the circumferential extension of the sleeve, in a radially outward position relative to the underlying belt layers, in this case, in a radially outer position relative to the belt layer 12.

Preferably, this operation is carried out using an additional means of feeding the belt layer, preferably including a plurality of reinforcing cords (the feeding means is not shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity) located in the first working position A for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 19 located there by the moving device eighteen.

The manufacture of a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a belt structure and a tread band includes forming a tread band 5 in a radially outward position with respect to the second belt structure 4 assembled on the second sub drum 20 during the previous production step of the method.

According to the invention, this step of forming the tread band 5 on the second auxiliary drum 20 located in the second working position B is carried out at least partially simultaneously with the assembly operation of the first belt structure 4 on the first auxiliary drum 19 located in the first working position A.

More specifically, the method according to the invention provides for the application of a tread band 5 in a second working position B in a radially outward position relative to the second belt structure 4 preassembled on the second auxiliary drum 20 of the finishing point 17 in the first working position A.

Preferably, the operation of applying the tread band 5 is carried out in the second operating position B by stacking in accordance with predetermined routes of said at least two continuous elongated elements 27, 28 of raw elastomeric material in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure 4 assembled on second sub drum 20.

Preferably, the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 are stacked on opposite sides of the second auxiliary drum 20 located in the second operating position B by the moving device 18.

Preferably, the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 are composed of elastomeric materials having different mechanical and / or chemical-physical characteristics to impart the required qualities to the tread band 5.

Preferably, the operation of applying the tread band 5 is carried out using the feeding elements 25, 26 located in the second working position B for working interaction with the auxiliary drum 20 located there by the moving device 18.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, at least one of the feed members 25, 26 may feed at least one of said continuous elongate members 27, 28 in the form of a semi-finished elastomeric material in the form of a continuous strip so as to form part of the tread a bracelet 5, such as its radially inner layer. Preferably, this strip has a width substantially equal to the transverse length of the tread band 5 and is preferably cut into sections of a length corresponding to the circumferential length of the auxiliary drum 20, while forming at least one part of the tread band 5 on the same drum , which is simultaneously rotated by the rotating unit 32.

However, it is preferable that the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 are fed by extrusion from the extruders 29, 30 of the feeding elements 25, 26.

Preferably, the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 supplied by each extruder 29, 30 may preferably have a tapered cross-section to control the thickness of the elastomeric layer formed by them in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure 4, by changing the amount of overlap of adjacent turns and / or orientation profile along the transverse direction of each elongated element 27, 28 coming from the corresponding extruder 29, 30, relative to the underlying surface.

Preferably, the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 are stacked with adjacent annular turns located axially close to each other and / or radially superimposed in a radially outward position relative to the second belt structure 4 held by the auxiliary drum 20 in the second operating position B.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the operation of applying the tread band 5 is carried out by feeding continuous elongated elements 27, 28 using the feeding elements 25, 26 located in the second working position B near the second auxiliary drum 20 simultaneously with winding the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 on the specified drum.

In particular, such winding is carried out by simultaneously implementing the application of continuous elongated elements 27, 28 of the following operations:

- message to the second auxiliary drum 20, carrying the second belt structure 4, of the rotational movement around its geometric axis of rotation in such a way as to distribute continuous elongated elements 27, 28 around the circumference in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure 4;

- the implementation of controlled relative movements between the second auxiliary drum 20 and the feeding elements 25, 26 to form continuous elongated elements 27, 28 of many turns located close to each other to form at least one part of the tread band 5.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, controlled relative movements between the second auxiliary drum 20 and the feeding elements 25, 26 are preferably carried out by moving the second auxiliary drum 20 relative to said feeding elements.

Preferably, the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 are fed by the extruders 29, 30 simultaneously with a controlled rotational movement of the auxiliary drum 20 around its geometric axis and a controlled translational movement of the specified drum relative to the feeding elements 25, 26, for example, along a direction substantially parallel to the specified axis.

Preferably, this rotational-translational motion of the auxiliary drum 20 is carried out by means of the moving device 18, in particular, due to the action of the rotating unit 32 and the moving unit 34 of such a device.

In this preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, and by supplying two continuous elongated elements 27, 28, it is preferably possible to form a tread band 5 from a manufacturing point of view in a very flexible manner, having structural features to achieve the required characteristics of the tire 2.

Thus, for example, advantageously, it is possible to form a tread band 5 in a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a pair of superimposed layers of inner and outer respectively, according to a configuration known in the art as a “two-layer tread”.

According to this preferred embodiment of the invention, the tread band 5 is applied in the second operating position B by laying one of the above continuous elongated elements, for example, a continuous elongated element 27, in a radially outward position relative to the second belt structure 4 held by the auxiliary drum 20, along essentially its entire transverse extent so as to form a radially inner layer of the tread band 5.

Further, the operation of applying the tread band 5 provides for laying the second continuous elongated element 28 in a radially outer position relative to the radially inner layer of the tread band 5 thus formed.

Preferably, the laying of the second continuous elongated element 28 is carried out essentially along the entire transverse length of the specified radially inner layer so as to form a radially outer layer of the tread band 5.

Thus, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, the laying of continuous elongated elements 27, 28 with adjacent annular turns arranged axially close to each other and / or radially superimposed on each other is carried out in two successive stages.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is also preferable to form a tread band 5 comprising two or more axially aligned sectors having predetermined mechanical characteristics corresponding to a configuration that allows for the achievement of many preferred technical effects, for example, such as improved resistance to transverse stresses acting on the tread band 5 when using the tire 2, or the ability to keep essentially constant with the tire grip 2 when the tread band 5 is worn.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operation of applying the tread band 5 is carried out in the second operating position B by laying one of these continuous elongated elements, for example a continuous elongated element 27, in a radially outward position relative to at least one part of the second belt structure 4 held auxiliary drum 20 so as to form the corresponding part of the tread band 5.

Then, the step of applying the tread band 5 involves laying the second continuous elongated element 28 in an axially aligned position relative to the above part formed by the continuous elongated element 27, so as to form an additional part of the tread band 5.

Thus, it is possible to form a tread band 5 having at least two axially aligned parts or sections having different mechanical and chemical-physical characteristics.

In this preferred embodiment, the laying of the continuous elongated elements 27, 28 can be carried out in successive steps and at least partially at the same time.

When the above operations of assembling the first belt structure 4 on the first auxiliary drum 19 and laying the tread band 5 in a radially outward position with respect to the second belt structure 4 pre-assembled on the second auxiliary drum 20 are completed, the method of the present invention provides for the positioning operations of the first an auxiliary drum 19 holding the first belt structure 4 in the second operating position B, and positioning in the second position C picking up the finishing point 17 of the second auxiliary drum 20 holding a substantially cylindrical sleeve including a tread band 5 superimposed in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure 4.

As described above, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the catch position C of the thus manufactured substantially cylindrical sleeve substantially coincides with the first operating position A.

According to the method of the invention, said positioning operations of the auxiliary drums 19 and 20, respectively, in the second operating position B and in the first operating position A are carried out at least partially simultaneously.

In particular, such operations are carried out using a moving device 18.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and due to the fact that the moving device 18 is a substantially turret type device and holds the auxiliary drums 19, 20 in positions, preferably angularly offset from each other, said positioning operations of the auxiliary drums 19 and 20 are carried out by rotation a moving device 18 around a substantially vertical axis YY. In particular, such a rotational movement is carried out using the drive unit 35.

In other words, in this preferred embodiment, the position of the auxiliary drums 19 and 20 is effectively changed almost simultaneously by simply rotating the moving device 18 about the rotation axis YY, for example, in accordance with one or two directions of rotation clockwise or counterclockwise, shown by arrows F1 and accordingly F2 in FIG. one.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention and due to the fact that the auxiliary drums 19 and 20 are slideably held by the moving device 18, the method according to the invention comprises an additional step of translationally moving the auxiliary drums 19 and 20 to the rotation axis YY of the moving device 18 before rotating such devices.

Preferably, this operation is carried out using the nodes 33 and 34 of the translational movement of the drums by translational movement of both auxiliary drums 19, 20 and the corresponding rotating nodes 31, 32, which, preferably, perform a common translational movement with these drums.

Thus, it is preferable to reduce both the transverse dimensions and the inertia forces when the auxiliary drums 19 and 20 are moved between the operating positions A and B while improving the safety features of the installation 1 and reducing the drive force required from the drive unit 35 to rotate the moving device 18 .

Preferably, the auxiliary drums 19 and 20 and the corresponding rotating nodes 31, 32 are translationally moving towards the rotation axis Y-Y of the moving device 18 and are located in the indicated initial positions defined within the outer perimeter of the rotating carrier platform 39 of such a device.

Preferably, the auxiliary drums 19 and 20 of the moving device 18 are in this case at a safe distance from the control unit 37 and the operator 38 while rotating the moving device 18, as shown schematically by the dotted line in FIG. one.

When these simultaneous operations of positioning the first auxiliary drum 19 to the second operating position B and the second auxiliary drum to the pickup position C (in this case, coinciding with the first operating position A) are carried out, the final step 17 is in an operational state in which:

I) a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a second belt structure 4 and a tread band 5, ready to be removed from the second auxiliary drum 20, is located in the catch position C (in this case, coinciding with the same operating position A); and

II) the first belt structure 4, pre-assembled in the first working position A, is held by the first auxiliary drum 19 and is ready to receive a new tread band 5 in the second working position B.

At this point, the method according to the invention involves the operation of transferring a substantially cylindrical sleeve from a position C of picking up the finishing point 17 to a radially outer position relative to the frame structure 3, assembled in the meantime in the assembly point 14.

Preferably, this transfer operation is carried out using a substantially annular transmission device 36 according to methods known in the art.

After this transfer operation, the final point 17 is in the operating position, in which the second auxiliary drum 20 is already located in the first working position A and is ready to receive the new belt structure 4 due to the working interaction with the stacking device 21 located in the specified working position A.

When the above operations are performed in this way, the final point 17 is in working condition, generally similar to the above starting conditions, except for the fact that the two auxiliary drums 19, 20 change their position.

At this point, the method according to the invention provides a cyclic repetition of the operations described above, which are adapted to produce a substantially cylindrical sleeve including the belt structure 4 and the tread band 5 by assembling a new belt structure 4 on the second auxiliary drum 20 in the first operating position A by laying substantially simultaneously in the second working position B of the new tread band 5 in a radially outer position relative to the belt structure uu 4 previously assembled on the first auxiliary drum 19, changing the position of the two drums at the end of these assembling and stacking operations, etc.

At the end of each cyclic repetition of these operations, a new essentially cylindrical sleeve is obtained, including the belt structure 4 and the tread band 5 held in the pickup position C (in this case, in position A) alternately with one of the two auxiliary drums 19, 20 of the final paragraph 17.

Such a sleeve is then transferred from the catch position C of the finishing point 17 to the radially outward position relative to the new frame structure 3 assembled in the assembly point 14 according to the method described above.

Preferably, the manufacturing operation of a substantially cylindrical sleeve including a tread band 5 and the belt structure 4, and transferring such a sleeve from the pickup position C in the final paragraph 17 is carried out for a time interval substantially equal to or less than the time of the assembly operation of the frame structure 3 in assembly point 14.

Thus, it is preferable that a substantially cylindrical sleeve including a tread band 5 and a belt structure 4 can be manufactured and transferred during the cycle time used to assemble the frame structure 3 in the assembly point 14, optimizing the process time periods and increasing the productivity of the production unit 1.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly of the substantially cylindrical sleeve including the tread band 5 and the belt structure 4, with the frame structure 3 not yet configured in a toroidal shape (otherwise referred to as the "frame sleeve"), is carried out on the same primary drum 15 assembly point 14, which is used to assemble the frame sleeve, thereby performing a one-stage production process.

Preferably, in this way a high level of quality of the tire 2 produced is ensured due to the limited number of operations during the assembly of the raw semi-finished products, still in a substantially plastic state. Thus, the semi-finished products are subjected to a correspondingly limited number of potentially deforming stresses, which, therefore, preferably reduces the risk of undesirable structural changes in the manufactured assembled, but not vulcanized tire.

In the framework of this one-stage production process, the transmission device 36, having an essentially annular configuration, works in such a way that it is located around the auxiliary drum 19 or 20 in the pickup position C to pick up a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a belt structure 4 and a tread band 5, from this drum. In a known manner, the auxiliary drum 19, 20 detaches the specified sleeve, which is then axially moved by the transmitting device 36 and placed in a coaxially centered position on the primary drum 15 holding the frame sleeve.

Alternatively, the assembly of the carcass sleeve with the sleeve from the tread band of the 5-belt design 4 can be carried out on the so-called forming drum, to which the carcass sleeve and the sleeve from the tread band of the 5-belt design 4 are transferred, for manufacturing the tire according to the so-called “two-stage production process "

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises, after said transmission operation, the step of forming a substantially cylindrical frame structure 3 in accordance with a substantially toroidal configuration so as to connect it to a substantially cylindrical sleeve including a tread band 5 and a belt structure 4 transmitted to radially outer position relative to the frame structure.

Preferably, this forming operation is carried out by axially moving the annular fixing structures 7 close to each other and simultaneously injecting the fluid under pressure into a kit consisting of a frame structure 3 of a substantially cylindrical sleeve including a tread band 5 and a belt structure 4, so as to introduce the frame layer (s) 10 in contact with the inner surface of the belt structure 4 held by the transmitting device 36.

In this way, an assembled but not vulcanized tire is obtained which can be removed from the primary drum 15 or from the forming drum for a conventional vulcanization operation carried out at a vulcanization point (not shown) of tire manufacturing equipment (not shown) containing the production unit described above one.

It is obvious that the method and device described above make it possible to manufacture a tire 2 having a different structure, for example, when laying additional layers or elements in the first operating position A and / or in the second operating position B and / or in the pickup position C.

All this can be achieved by positioning in such positions suitable feeding equipment, adapted for working interaction with auxiliary drums 19, 20, the moving device 18 located there.

Thus, for example, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the method according to the invention may include an additional laying operation in the catch position C (for example, coinciding with the first working position A) in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure 4 held by the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located in it, an additional first or last continuous elongated element of crude elastomeric material in accordance with a given route in this way, h To start or finish laying the tread band 5 at pickup position C.

In this case, it is preferable that the tread band 5 can be formed using three different elastomeric materials supplied by the feeding elements 25, 26 located in the second operating position B and the feeding element located in the catch position C of the finishing point 17.

Preferably, this laying operation is carried out according to the methods described above, that is, by feeding such a continuous elongated element using an extruder, an additional feeding element (not shown) located in the catch position C (for example, coinciding with the first working position A) near the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located there, and by winding a continuous elongated element on the specified drum.

Also in this case, such winding is carried out by performing simultaneously with the laying of a continuous elongated element the following operations:

- messages to the auxiliary drum 19 or 20 holding the belt structure 4, rotational movement around its geometric axis in such a way as to distribute around the circumference of a continuous elongated element in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure 4;

- the implementation of controlled relative movements between the auxiliary drum 19 or 20 and the feeding element to form a continuous elongated element of a plurality of turns located close to each other to form at least one part of the tread band 5.

Preferably, this additional supply element may be provided with an appropriate drive group (not shown) adapted to move such an element to (and from there) the auxiliary drum 19, 20 located in the catch position C (for example, coinciding with the first operating position), such so as not to interfere with subsequent operations of picking up a substantially cylindrical sleeve including a belt structure 4 and a tread band 5.

Based on repeated tests, it was found that the method and device corresponding to the invention, in their possible alternative embodiments, fully achieve the goal of manufacturing a high-quality tire, coordinating the different performance rates of assembly point 14 for manufacturing the frame structure and the final point 17 for manufacturing a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a belt structure 4 provided with at least one belt layer and a tread band 5 formed after by winding the turns of at least one continuous elongated element.

In addition, it should be noted that the method corresponding to the invention achieves the above goal due to the sequence of work operations that can be carried out using a structurally simple and easily controlled production unit 1.

Preferably, the production unit 1 according to the invention may be located downstream of an existing frame assembly assembly, thereby increasing the productivity of the tire manufacturing equipment in which it is incorporated.

In addition, it is preferable that the carcass sleeve and the sleeve are assembled from an external belt structure / tread band can be carried out on a single drum used to assemble the carcass sleeve to produce a one-step production process that maximizes the productivity of the production equipment and the quality characteristics of the tires produced thereon.

Finally, it should be noted that the number of auxiliary drums and operating positions specified in the final paragraph 17 may be more than two, depending on the requirements for a particular application.

In this case, the auxiliary drums will preferably be held by the moving device 18 in positions with an angular offset relative to each other by an angle substantially equal to approximately 360 ° / n, where n is the total number of auxiliary drums.

In this case, the installation 1 contains a suitable number of stacking devices 21 for laying the belt layers and / or feeding elements for supplying the corresponding continuous elongated elements located in the working positions specified in the final paragraph 17, for working interaction with auxiliary drums placed there by the moving device eighteen.

Claims (41)

1. A method of manufacturing tires for wheels of vehicles, comprising the steps of:
a) assemblies at an assembly point of a substantially cylindrical frame structure comprising at least one frame layer connected to annular fastening structures axially spaced from each other;
b) manufacturing at the final point a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a tread band applied radially outwardly relative to the belt structure comprising at least one belt layer, wherein, in said step b):
b1) assembling the first belt structure in the first working position on the first auxiliary drum of the final point;
b2) the application of the tread band in the second working position in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure previously assembled on the second auxiliary drum of the finishing point, and the application is carried out by laying in accordance with the respective predetermined paths of the first and second continuous elongated elements of unvulcanized elastomeric material in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure;
b3) positioning the first sub drum holding the first belt structure in a second operating position;
b4) positioning the second auxiliary drum holding the thus obtained essentially cylindrical sleeve, in the position of picking up the final paragraph;
c) transferring the substantially cylindrical sleeve from the pick-up position of the final item to the radially outward position with respect to the frame structure assembled in the meantime at the assembly point;
wherein steps b1) to b4) are cyclically repeated;
wherein steps b1) and b2) are carried out at least partially simultaneously with each other; and
steps b3) and b4) are carried out at least partially simultaneously with each other. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which steps b) and c) are carried out for a time interval substantially equal to or less than the time taken for step a) to assemble the frame structure. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step b1), additionally carry out:
I) the imposition in a radially external position relative to the first auxiliary drum of the first belt layer, including the first reinforcing cords, passing with an inclination relative to the direction of the circumferential extension of the sleeve; and
II) the application in a radially external position relative to the first belt layer of the second belt layer containing the second reinforcing cords, passing with an inclination along the intersecting direction relative to the first reinforcing cords. 4. The method according to claim 1 or 3, in which at step b1) is additionally carried out
III) the application in a radially external position relative to the first auxiliary drum of a strip element of unvulcanized elastomeric material, comprising at least one reinforcing cord, to form axially adjacent annular turns to obtain a belt layer comprising reinforcing cords substantially parallel to the direction circumferential length of the sleeve. 5. The method according to claim 4, in which the strip element of unvulcanized elastomeric material is applied in a radially outer position relative to the second belt layer. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1, 3 or 5, in which at step b1) is additionally carried out
IV) the application of an additional layer of unvulcanized elastomeric material in a radially outer position relative to at least one belt layer, and this layer contains many reinforcing cords. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b2) is carried out in a second operating position by laying the first continuous elongated element of unvulcanized elastomeric material in a radially outer position relative to the second belt structure along essentially its entire transverse extent so as to form radially -internal layer of the tread band. 8. The method according to claim 7, in which step b2) is carried out in the second operating position by laying the second continuous elongated element in a radially outer position relative to the radially inner layer of the tread band along essentially its entire transverse extent so as to form a radially outer layer of the tread band. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b2) is carried out in the second operating position by laying the first continuous elongated element in a radially outer position relative to at least one part of the second belt structure so as to form the corresponding part of the tread band. 10. The method according to claim 9, in which step b2) is carried out in the second operating position by laying the second continuous elongated element in an axially aligned position with respect to at least one part of the tread band formed by the first continuous elongated element, so that form an additional part of the tread band. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step b), b5) is additionally applied according to the corresponding predetermined route of a third continuous elongated element of unvulcanized elastomeric material in a pickup position in a radially outward position relative to the second belt structure. 12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the first and second continuous elongated elements are laid on opposite sides of the second auxiliary drum. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b2) is carried out by supplying the first and second continuous elongated elements from the respective feeding elements located in the second operating position near the second auxiliary drum, while winding the continuous elongated elements on the drum. 14. The method according to claim 11, in which step b5) is carried out by feeding a third continuous elongated element from the corresponding feed element located in the pickup position near one of these auxiliary drums, while winding the continuous elongated element on one of the auxiliary drums. 15. The method according to any one of p. 13 or 14, in which the supply of continuous elongated elements is carried out by extrusion from the feed elements. 16. The method according to any one of paragraphs.13 or 14, in which steps b2) or b5) are performed by performing, simultaneously with the application of continuous elongated elements, the steps:
d) communicating to at least one of the auxiliary drums carrying the first or second belt structure about its geometric axis in such a way as to distribute circumferentially extended elongated elements in a radially outer position relative to the first or second belt structure;
e) performing controlled relative movements between the at least one auxiliary drum and the feeding elements to form continuous elongated elements of a plurality of turns located close to each other to form a tread band. 17. The method according to clause 16, in which the movement is carried out by movement of at least one auxiliary drum relative to the feed elements. 18. The method according to clause 16, in which steps d) and e) are carried out using a moving device acting on at least one auxiliary drum. 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating positions of the final point are located with angular displacement relative to each other. 20. The method according to any of p or 19, in which the auxiliary drums are held by the essentially turret type moving device in positions with angular displacement relative to each other, wherein steps b3) and b4) are carried out by rotating the moving device around a substantially vertical axis of rotation . 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the auxiliary drums is slidingly held by the moving device, while at least one auxiliary drum is progressively moved to the axis of rotation of the moving device before the device rotates. 22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pickup position of the cylindrical sleeve essentially coincides with the working position. 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein additionally, after step c), the frame structure and the substantially cylindrical sleeve transferred to the radially outer position relative to it are formed into a substantially toroidal configuration so as to connect the sleeve to the frame structure. 24. The method according to any one of p. 13 or 14, in which the supply of at least one of the continuous elongated elements is carried out by feeding at least one semi-finished product from unvulcanized elastomeric material in the form of a continuous strip using at least one of the feed elements. 25. Installation for the manufacture of tires for wheels of vehicles, containing:
a) an assembly point for assembling a substantially cylindrical carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply connected to annular fixing structures axially spaced from each other;
b) a finishing point for manufacturing a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a tread band placed in a radially outward position with respect to a belt structure comprising at least one belt layer, wherein the ending point comprises:
b1) a first sub drum;
b2) a second sub drum;
b3) a moving device configured to hold the auxiliary drums and position the auxiliary drums in the first working position in which the belt structure is assembled, in the second working position in which the tread band is applied, and in the pickup position of the substantially cylindrical sleeve; moreover, the first and second working positions are set in different zones of the final paragraph;
c) at least one means of transferring a substantially cylindrical sleeve made at the final point, configured to cooperate with one of the auxiliary drums at the pick-up point, for transmitting the substantially cylindrical sleeve to a radially outer position relative to the frame structure assembled in assembly point, characterized in that the final paragraph further comprises:
b4) at least two feed elements for applying the tread band in a radially outward position relative to the belt structure by stacking corresponding continuous elongated elements of unvulcanized elastomeric material in accordance with the predetermined paths, the feeding elements being arranged in a second operating position for interaction during operation with one of the auxiliary drums. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising at least one means for feeding the breaker layers located in the first operating position for working interaction with one of the auxiliary drums. 27. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26, further comprising at least one means for supplying a strip element of unvulcanized elastomeric material, comprising at least one reinforcing cord located in a first working position for working interaction with one of the auxiliary drums to form a belt layer comprising reinforcing cords substantially parallel to the direction of the circumferential extension of the sleeve. 28. Installation according A.25 or 26, containing at least one additional means of supplying a belt layer containing many reinforcing cords, located in the first working position for working interaction with one of the auxiliary drums. 29. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26, further comprising at least a third feed element of a corresponding third continuous elongated element of unvulcanized elastomeric material, located in the pickup position, for working interaction with one of the auxiliary drums. 30. Installation according A.25, in which the feed elements of the continuous elongated elements contain at least one extruder. 31. The installation according A.25, in which at least one of the feed elements of continuous elongated elements is configured to feed a continuous elongated element as a semi-finished product from unvulcanized elastomeric material in the form of a continuous strip. 32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the moving device comprises at least one drum rotation assembly configured to rotate the auxiliary drums around their geometric axis. 33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the auxiliary drums are slidably held by the moving device. 34. The installation according A.25, in which the moving device contains at least one node of the translational movement of the drum, configured to perform controlled axial movements of the auxiliary drums in the working position or in the pickup position. 35. The installation according A.25, in which the moving device is essentially a turret type device and is configured to hold auxiliary drums in positions with angular displacement relative to each other. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising at least one drive unit configured to rotate the moving device about a substantially vertical axis of rotation. 37. The installation according to clause 34, in which the translational movement of the drum of the moving device is arranged to translate the auxiliary drums between the working positions or the pickup position and the initial position defined between the working positions or the pickup position and the axis of rotation of the moving device. 38. Installation according A.25, in which the feed elements of continuous elongated elements are located in the second working position for working interaction on opposite sides of the auxiliary drums. 39. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the pickup position of the cylindrical sleeve substantially coincides with the first operating position. 40. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising at least one device for forming the frame structure in accordance with a substantially toroidal shape so as to connect a substantially cylindrical sleeve comprising a belt structure and a tread band to the frame structure. 41. Equipment for the manufacture of tires for vehicle wheels, containing the installation according A.25 and at least one vulcanization point for vulcanizing tires obtained in the installation.

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