Abstract: A system for sensing at least one characteristic parameter of a tyre fitted to a vehicle includes a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit is combined with the tyre and includes a device for sensing the at least one characteristic parameter, a device for transmitting a signal out of the tyre that relates to the at least one characteristic parameter, and a device for generating electrical energy. The fixed unit is combined with the vehicle and includes a device for receiving signals from the movable unit. The electrical energy generating device is capable of supplying electrical energy to the sensing device and to the transmitting device. The electrical energy generating device includes a capacitor that charges itself with electrical energy in response to mechanical stresses applied to the tyre. The movable unit and a vehicle wheel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of building a tyre includes forming a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply, applying a belt structure at a radially external position with respect to the at feast one carcass ply, applying a pair of sidewalls at an axially external position with respect to side surfaces of the at least one carcass ply, applying a tread band to the belt structure at a radially external position of the belt structure, and applying annular stiffening inserts against the side surfaces of the at least one carcass ply before applying the sidewalls. Ends of the at least one carcass ply engage respective circumferentially inextensible annular anchoring structures. Each sidewall extends radially away from one of the annular anchoring structures. Each annular insert extends between one of the annular anchoring structures and a corresponding edge of the belt structure. A tyre for a two-wheeled vehicle is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable bladder has at least one first layer of a natural or synthetic rubber-based material or a mixture thereof, and one second layer of silicone material, radially external to the first layer. The first and second layers have an undulated interface profile defining mechanical-engagement elements between the first and second elastomer materials. A process for manufacturing a bladder as well as a tyre manufacturing apparatus incorporating bladders is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for measuring at least one characteristic property of a pneumatic tire for a vehicle wheel includes arranging at least one array of deformable sensors along a first direction; making the tire pass at speed over the sensors along a second direction; generating an electrical signal proportional to a speed of deformation of each sensor when the tyre contacts the sensor; detecting the electrical signal generated by each sensor; and determining, starting with the detected signals, the at least one characteristic property. The second direction is a motion direction of the tire. The first direction is transverse to the second. The at least one array of sensors extends in the first direction for a distance greater than or equal to a dimension of the tire in the first direction. When the at least one array includes a plurality of arrays, the arrays may be arranged substantially in parallel.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass, a tread band radially external to the carcass, and a pair of axially distanced sidewalls. The carcass includes at least one carcass ply including ends associated with bead cores. Each bead core is incorporated in a respective bead and each bead includes a bead filler. Each sidewall is disposed, in a radial direction, between the tread band and a respective bead and is disposed in an axially outermost position. Each bead core includes a plurality of windings of a single wire. The plurality of windings is axially arranged side-by-side in a plurality of radially superposed layers, defines a transverse hexagonal section symmetrical with respect to an axis substantially parallel to the radial direction, and includes radially innermost and radially outermost layers. An axial width of the radially innermost layer is greater than an axial width of the radially outermost layer.

Abstract: A tire for vehicles includes a tread having a vulcanized polymeric base including at least one reinforcing filler dispersed in the polymeric base; an amount of extractable residue of at least one vulcanization accelerator, containing at least one carbon atom bound to at least two sulfur atoms, from 0.5% to 1.8% by weight based on a total weight of the tread; an amount of at least one activator, expressed as equivalents of zinc oxide, not higher than 2% by weight based on the total weight of the tread; and an amount of combined sulfur lower than 2.5% by weight based on the total weight of the tread. A tread for vehicle tires, a vulcanizable rubber composition for the manufacture of such a tread, and a vulcanizing system, all related to the tire for vehicles, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric polymer including carboxylic groups, and at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer including greater than or equal to 0.1 mol % and less than or equal to 20 mol % of epoxide groups relative to a total number of moles of monomers present in the at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer. The composition is crosslinkable in a substantial absence of additional crosslinking agents. A tyre for vehicles includes a carcass structure, a belt structure extended coaxially around the carcass structure, and a tread band extended coaxially around the belt structure. The tread band comprises an external rolling surface intended to come into contact with the ground. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread band includes at least one crosslinked elastomeric material. A process for producing the tyre is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a vehicle tire includes means for preparing and toroidally shaping a carcass structure, preparing and arranging a belt structure as a crown around the carcass structure, and wrapping a tread around the belt structure. The means for preparing the belt structure includes an extrusion apparatus for forming a sheet of rubber-coated fabric including a plurality of reinforcing cords substantially parallel to one another, means for conveying the sheet, a first cutting device for cutting the sheet to obtain a plurality of strips, a device for transferring the strips, a device for splicing the strips to form a substantially continuous belt assembly, means for conveying the strips and the belt assembly, second and third cutting devices, means for conveying the belt strips and portions of the belt strips, and at least one assembly drum adapted to support the portions of the belt strips.

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 behaviour 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: An elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric diene polymer, at least one thermoplastic polymer, and at least one polymer comprising functional groups. The at least one thermoplastic polymer comprises a main hydrocarbon chain. Hydrophilic groups are linked to the main hydrocarbon chain. The functional groups are reactive with the hydrophilic groups. The composition may also include at least one reinforcing filler. The at least one reinforcing filler may include carbon black, silica, or both carbon black and silica. The composition may further include a silica coupling agent, a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent, or both a silica coupling agent and a sulfur-based vulcanizing agent. A tire for vehicle wheels including at least one element including an elastomeric material, where the at least one element include the composition, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high-performance tire for a motor vehicle includes a carcass and tread band. The tire may be, for example, of the asymmetrical or directional type. The tread band includes a pattern including a central region, first and second shoulder regions, and first and second circumferential grooves. The first circumferential groove divides the first shoulder region from the central region, while the second circumferential groove divides the central region from the second shoulder region. The shoulder regions include shoulder blocks, separated from each other by transverse grooves, but joined to each other along axially inner ends of the shoulder blocks by respective circumferential portions. The central region includes rows of blocks and first and second annular projections or a central annular projection. The blocks of the central region, the shoulder blocks, the circumferential grooves, the transverse grooves, and the one or more annular projections help define the tread pattern.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, a tread band, and a pair of sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one carcass ply shaped in a substantially toroidal configuration. Opposite lateral edges of the carcass structure are associated with respective bead wires. Each bead wire is enclosed in a respective bead. The belt structure includes at least one belt strip. The tread band includes a radially outer layer designed to contact the ground and a radially inner layer between the belt structure and the radially outer layer. The radially inner layer includes a crosslinked elastomeric composition. The crosslinked elastomeric composition includes at least one diene elastomeric polymer and at least one layered inorganic material comprising an individual layer thickness greater than or equal to 0.01 nm and less than or equal to 30 nm. A process for producing the tyre is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle wheel includes at least one first component and at least one second component. The at least one first component includes a first elastomeric material crosslinked in substantial absence of sulfur. The at least one second component includes a second elastomeric material crosslinked with sulfur. The at least one first component is in contact with the at least one second component. The first elastomeric material includes an elastomeric polymer including carboxylic groups. The first elastomeric material is crosslinked by reacting the elastomeric polymer including carboxylic groups with an epoxidized liquid organic compound. The epoxidized liquid organic compound comprises epoxide groups located internally along a molecule of the epoxidized liquid organic compound. The second elastomeric material includes at least one elastomeric polymer functionalized with at least one epoxide group, at least one carboxylic group, or at least one epoxide group and at least one carboxylic group.

Abstract: A tire-assembling apparatus includes an assembling drum, radial-movement devices, and at least one axial-movement actuator. The assembling drum includes first and second halves axially opposed along a geometric axis of the drum. Each of the halves includes a plurality of circumferentially-distributed radial sectors. The radial-movement devices associated with each of the halves selectively translate corresponding radial sectors between a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The at least one axial-movement actuator translates the halves relative to each other between an approaching condition and a spaced-apart condition. Each of the radial sectors includes a holding member and a supporting member. The holding member defines an engagement seat of an annular anchoring structure to a bead-part of a carcass sleeve fitted on the drum.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the deformations of a moving tyre fitted on a rim associated with a vehicle includes a moving station associated with the rim and a fixed station associated with the vehicle. The moving station includes a device for measuring the deformations in at least one predetermined direction, a unit for supplying power to the measuring device, and a device for enable the unit to supply the power. The fixed station receives information related to the deformation measurements from the moving station. A method for monitoring deformations of a moving tyre fitted on a rim includes enabling the moving station, activating the moving station to measure the deformations, and receiving information related to the deformation measurements. A related wheel for a vehicle includes a tyre, a rim, and the moving station.

Abstract: A tire for a motor vehicle includes at least one carcass ply, a belt structure radially external to the at least one carcass ply, a tread band radially external to the belt structure, a pair of sidewalls axially-external to the at least one carcass ply, and a pair of beads. The beads include bead wires or circumferentially-inextensible annular inserts. Opposite lateral edges of the at least one carcass ply are associated with respective beads. The at least one carcass ply includes a first composition having an elastic modulus at 70° C. less than or equal to 5.0 MPa and a viscous modulus at 70° C. less than or equal to 0.50 MPa. The sidewalls include a second composition having an elastic modulus at 70° C. greater than or equal to 3.5 MPa and a viscous modulus at 70° C. less than or equal to 0.50 MPa.

Abstract: A crosslinkable elastomeric composition includes at least one elastomeric polymer including carboxylic groups, and at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer including greater than or equal to 0.1 mol % and less than or equal to 20 mol % of epoxide groups relative to a total number of moles of monomers present in the at least one epoxidized elastomeric polymer. The composition is crosslinkable in a substantial absence of additional crosslinking agents. A tire for vehicles includes a carcass structure, a belt structure extended coaxially around the carcass structure, and a tread band extended coaxially around the belt structure. The tread band comprises an external rolling surface intended to come into contact with the ground. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread band includes at least one crosslinked elastomeric material. A process for producing the tire is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for designing a tyre includes defining at least one profile of the tyre based on a group of predefined dimensional constraints; defining at least one additional profile of the tyre based on predefined dimensional values of structural parts of the tyre; defining, within a cross-section of the tyre, shapes of the structural parts of the tyre; and approximating each shape by filling with a respective basic component depending on a function of the respective structural part. A method for producing at least one tyre includes obtaining information from a client's processing system; supplying the information to a manufacturer's processing system; obtaining manufacturing instructions based on the information; and manufacturing the at least one tyre using the manufacturing instructions. The manufacturer's processing system is connected to a computer-controlled tyre factory via a communications link. The at least one tyre is manufactured at the computer-controlled tyre factory.