Abstract: A vehicle wheel tire includes a carcass, a tread, a pair of side walls ending with beads for mounting the tire on a rim, a belt structure, and at least one breaker layer. The belt structure includes first, second, and third belts strips. The first and second belt strips each include metal cords parallel with respect to each other. The first metal cords are crossed with respect to the second metal cords. The third belt strip is in a radially external position with respect to the first and second belt strips. The at least one breaker layer includes reinforcing cords that are inclined with respect to the equatorial plane and is in a radially external position with respect to the belt structure. At least one reinforcing cord of the at least one breaker layer includes at least one metal wire deformed by a substantially sinusoidal deformation lying in a plane.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy in a tire for a vehicle includes at least one piezoelectric element that generates electrical energy when deformed. The at least one piezoelectric element is associated with the tire and is elongate. The at least one piezoelectric element extends along at least a portion of the tire and is electrically connected to an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is not in electrical communication with the vehicle. The tire is mounted on a rim of the vehicle. An associated tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carcass structure for vehicle tires includes the steps of making at least one carcass ply by deposition of elongated sections circumferentially distributed on a toroidal support and applying annular reinforcing structures to a region close to inner circumferential edges of the at least one carcass ply. Each of the elongated sections extends in a U-shaped configuration around a cross-sectional outline of the toroidal support to define two side portions mutually spaced apart in an axial direction and one crown portion extending at a radially outer position between the side portions. Each of the elongated sections is laid down substantially in a plane parallelly offset relative to a meridian plane of the toroidal support. A related carcass structure and tire are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, and a tread band. The tread band pattern includes a central zone and two axially-opposite shoulder zones. The central zone is delimited between axially-inner circumferential grooves and includes at least two intermediate circumferential grooves and a plurality of first transverse recesses inclined relative to a circumferential direction of the tire. The first transverse recesses are connected to at least one of the intermediate circumferential grooves. The shoulder zones are each delimited between axially-inner and axially-outer circumferential grooves. The shoulder zones include a plurality of second transverse recesses inclined relative to the circumferential direction. The at least one of the intermediate circumferential grooves includes a substantially V-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A device for continuously measuring deformations in a tire mounted on a rim includes at least one emitter, at least one reflecting element, and at least one optical sensor of luminous intensity. The at least one emitter and the at least one optical sensor are disposed on the rim. The at least one reflecting element is disposed on a portion of an inner surface of the tire. The at least one emitter emits a light beam toward the at least one reflecting element, the at least one reflecting element reflects the light beam toward the at least one optical sensor, and the at least one optical sensor receives the reflected light beam, measures a prechosen physical parameter associated with the reflected light beam, and provides a signal representing a deformation of the tire on the portion of the inner surface of the tire.

Abstract: A system for determining interaction between a tire and a contact surface during movement of a motor vehicle includes at least one first sensor and processing means. The at least one first sensor includes one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements which extend along at least a first portion of the tire. The at least one first sensor supplies a first signal to the processing means. The first signal is generated by rotation of the tire and is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tire. The processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the first signal. A tire including the system, a kit for detecting behavior of a tire moving with respect to a contact surface, a method for monitoring events correlated with interactions between tires of a moving vehicle and a contact surface, and related systems, tires, methods, and vehicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for monitoring deformations of a moving tire mounted on a rim associated with a vehicle includes a moving station and a fixed station. The moving station is operatively coupled to the rim. The moving station measures, at least intermittently and in at least one direction, a distance between the moving station and an inner surface of the tire. The fixed station is operatively coupled to the vehicle. The fixed station receives from the moving station, at least intermittently, at least one first signal associated with the measurement. The moving station measures the distance within a time interval when a first antenna associated with the moving station and a second antenna associated with the fixed station are in proximity to each other. Related methods for monitoring deformations of a moving tire mounted on a rim associated with a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire designed to be fitted on the driving axles of a motor vehicle for medium or heavy load. This tire is provided with a tread comprising a plurality of full-depth transverse grooves and four circumferential series of inclined grooves and four circumferential series of inclined incisions which delimit five circumferential rows of blocks, namely two axially outer rows, two intermediate rows, and one central row lying essentially across the equatorial plane. Each transverse groove extends across the whole width of the tread, and consists of a central portion, located between a pair of consecutive blocks of the central row, and a pair of lateral portions, located between pairs of consecutive blocks of the intermediate and shoulder rows. The two lateral portions of each transverse groove are staggered circumferentially with respect to each other and penetrate into the body of the central row of blocks.

Abstract: A carcass structure for vehicle wheel tires includes at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular reinforcing structures. The at least one carcass ply includes a first and a second series of strip segments consecutively arranged along a circumferential development of a toroidal support and including at least two filiform elements, positioned longitudinally and parallel to each other, at least partially coated by at least one layer of raw elastomer material. The annular reinforcing structures include at least one primary portion and at least one additional portion. The at least one primary portion includes a first circumferential-inextensible annular insert, a filling body, and at least one second circumferentially-inextensible annular insert. The at least one additional portion comprises at least one third circumferentially-inextensible annular insert. The annular inserts are each formed by at least one elongated element extending in concentric turns.

Abstract: A carcass structure for a vehicle wheel tyre includes at least one carcass ply comprising thread elements substantially disposed transversely of a circumferential extension of the carcass structure, and at least one pair of annular reinforcing structures disposed close to respective inner circumferential edges of the at least one carcass ply. Each of the annular reinforcing structures includes at least one first circumferentially-inextensible annular insert formed of at least one first elongated element extending in concentric coils, and at least one second circumferentially-inextensible annular insert formed of at least one second elongated element extending in concentric coils. The at least one carcass ply has end flaps each turned back around an inner circumferential edge of a respective first annular insert and each axially interposed between respective first and second annular inserts. A method of manufacturing the carcass structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel, capable of withstanding the load at low pressure or zero pressure, includes a carcass, a crown, two axially opposed sidewalls, two bead cores, two compression-resistant annular reinforcing elements, and, optionally, a belt structure. The annular reinforcing elements are made of material having high rigidity and very low elastic hysteresis. Each annular reinforcing element is in or adjacent to a zone joining the crown to a sidewall and in a first plane parallel to an equatorial plane of the tire. Each bead core is in a second plane parallel to the equatorial plane. The distance between the first planes is greater than or equal to the distance between the second planes. A camber of an arc between a bead core and an intersection of a carcass ply line with a cylindrical surface passing through the reinforcing elements does not exceed 15% of the arc length.

Abstract: A tire for vehicle wheels provided with a tread pattern includes at least one continuous central circumferential groove straddling an equatorial plane of the tire, at least two continuous lateral circumferential grooves having median planes substantially parallel to the equatorial plane of the tire, and a plurality of transverse grooves. These grooves delimit at least four circumferential rows of blocks, two central rows and two shoulder rows. Each block of the central rows is defined by a plurality of sides and at least four vertices, a pair of front vertices and a pair of rear vertices, in relation to a predetermined running direction of the tire. The blocks of the central rows include a first transverse notch having a first terminal end inside a respective block of the central rows and a first starting end communicating with the at least one central circumferential groove.

Abstract: A closed mixer includes a mixing chamber, a pair of rotors, and a pressing ram. The pressing ram is moveable between a resting condition, which allows introduction of material into the mixing chamber, and a working condition. A method of processing polymer-based mixtures and compounds in the closed mixer includes introducing material into the mixing chamber, moving the pressing ram from the resting condition to an upper end-of-stroke position, and moving the pressing ram from the upper end-of-stroke position to a lower end-of-stroke position. A position-time profile of the pressing ram is controlled during moving the pressing ram from the upper end-of-stroke position to the lower end-of-stroke position.

Abstract: A method for producing types of tires different from each other includes the steps of making a plurality of structural components for the tires, manufacturing the tires by assembling the structural components in proximity to corresponding work stations, moving the tires being manufactured to and from the corresponding work stations arranged in a manufacturing unit, transferring the manufactured tires to a vulcanizing unit, and vulcanizing the tires in corresponding vulcanizing moulds. The step of manufacturing the tires includes providing at least one series of tires to be produced, wherein the at least one series of tires includes a sequence of at least a first type of tire and a second type of tire arranged in a predetermined order, and modifying the predetermined order in proximity to at least one of the corresponding work stations. An associated plant for producing types of tires different from each other is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular reinforcing structures. The at least one carcass ply includes a first and second series of strip segments. Each strip segment extends around a cross-section profile of the carcass structure to define two lateral portions and an annulus portion. Each annular reinforcing structure includes at least one primary portion and at least one additional portion. The at least one primary portion includes a first circumferentially-inextensible annular insert and a filling body. The at least one additional portion includes at least one second circumferentially-inextensible annular insert. The first annular insert and the at least one second annular insert include one or more elongated elements extending in substantially-concentric turns. A radial extension of the at least one second annular insert is less than a radial extension of the first annular insert.

Abstract: A method for generating an electric current within a tyre includes the step of including a variable magnetic field in at least one winding. The tire includes at least one bead core and the at least one winding. The at least one winding includes at least one turn wound around the at least one bead core. The electric current may power one or more electronic devices. The one or more electronic devices may include means for sensing one or more parameters associated with the tire, such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or a pair of extensometers orientated perpendicularly to each other to sense deformations of the at least one bead core. The at least one winding may form at least part of a first inductive element associated with and movable with respect to at least one second inductive element to form an electrical generator.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composition of matter from components includes combining the components to produce a blend and combining the blend with a crosslinking system to produce the composition. The components include a polymer base, a silica reinforcing filler, a silica-binding agent, and further product and process additives. Combining the components is carried out in a closed mixer comprising a piston and a pair of rotors. While combining the components, values of at least two indirect parameters and at least two direct parameters are measured at least every two minutes. The at least two indirect parameters comprise blend temperature and power absorbed by the rotors. The at least two direct parameters comprise pressure exerted by the piston and rotations of the rotors. The at least two indirect parameters are maintained within respective ranges of predetermined values by controlling one or more of the at least two direct parameters.