Abstract: A method for manufacturing a reinforcing structure for tires of vehicles includes the steps of preparing a plurality of strip segments having substantially parallel, longitudinal filiform elements at least partially coated by at least one layer of elastomeric material, and applying the plurality of strip segments along a circumference of a toroidal support, to form at least one continuous reinforcing layer about a geometric axis of rotation of the toroidal support. During the applying step, a relative angular rotation, between at least one of the plurality of strip segments and the toroidal support, occurs about an axis of correction substantially radial to the geometric axis of rotation. A related apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcing structure for tyres of vehicles 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.

Abstract: A method of molding and curing a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes building an unvulcanized tyre on a toroidal support; heating the support; pressing an inner surface of the tyre against an outer surface of the support; and pressing an outer surface of the tyre against walls of a molding cavity defined in a vulcanization mold. The inner surface of the tyre is pressed against the outer surface by at least one secondary working fluid. The outer surface of the tyre is pressed against the walls by at least one primary working fluid. The at least one primary working fluid is heated, causing vulcanization of the tyre. An apparatus for molding and curing a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes the vulcanization mold, at least one passage device, a feeding device, and first and second heating devices. It may also include an airtight device arranged to receive the support.

Abstract: A system for notifying detected tyre operating conditions includes a device for receiving tyre operating parameters detected by at least one sensor associated with at least one tyre of a vehicle and a device for notifying one or more persons inside the vehicle of an indication of operating conditions of the at least one tyre, determined on a basis of the received tyre operating parameters. The notifying device includes a radio data system transmission module for generating a signal receivable by a radio receiver compatible with the RDS standard, the RBDS standard, or the RDS and RBDS standards, and for transmitting the indication of the operating conditions, exploiting the RDS or RBDS protocol. The one or more persons are notified of the indication of the operating conditions through the radio receiver. A method for notifying detected operating conditions of at least one tyre of a vehicle is also disclosed.

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 system for checking at least one status parameter of a tire for a motor vehicle includes at least one wheel, including a tire mounted on a rim, an inner tube inserted into a cavity defined between the tire and the rim, a first device for measuring the at least one status parameter associated with the at least one wheel, a second device for transmitting a signal indicating a value measured by the first device, a third device for receiving the signal, and a fourth device for sensing movement of the at least one wheel and for enabling energization of the second device when the at least one wheel is moving, wherein the first, second, and fourth devices are housed in a container inserted into a wall of the inner tube in a radially-inner position of the inner tube respect to the at least one wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tyres of different types simultaneously includes a central processing unit, work stations, and local processing units. The central processing unit causes sequential execution of a plurality of operating steps at the work stations according to one or more predetermined sequences of types of tyres. Each work station includes at least one operating unit. A local processing unit is associated with each work station. The local processing units associated with the work stations identify types of tyres corresponding to supporting members for the tyres. The local processing units associated with the work stations also select, from a predetermined group of operating procedures for each operating unit, a specific procedure for a type of tyre corresponding to a respective supporting member at a respective operating unit. A related method for producing tyres of different types simultaneously is also disclosed.

Abstract: Within the scope of the manufacturing of a tyre, a belt structure (2) is manufactured by means of strip-like segments (5) each comprising parallel strips incorporated in an elastomeric layer, sequentially laid in mutual circumferential approach relationship onto a toroidal support (3). During the laying of each segment (5), an angular rotation of the toroidal support (3) is caused about an axis of correction (Y-Y) radial to the axis of rotation (X-X) of the toroidal support itself, situated in substantially barycentric position relative to the segment (5) which is about to be laid. A perfect match is thereby assured of each strip-like segment (5) with the adjacent strip-like segments, even when the toroidal support (3) presents a crown area with curvilinear cross section profile.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a reinforcing structure for tyres of vehicles includes the steps of preparing a plurality of strip segments having substantially parallel, longitudinal filiform elements at least partially coated by at least one layer of elastomeric material, and applying the plurality of strip segments along a circumference of a toroidal support, to form at least one continuous reinforcing layer about a geometric axis of rotation of the toroidal support. During the applying step, a relative angular rotation, between at least one of the plurality of strip segments and the toroidal support, occurs about an axis of correction substantially radial to the geometric axis of rotation. A related apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcing structure for tyres of vehicles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for designing a tyre comprising a plurality of structural parts which are different from each other in terms of size, composition or position within the cross section of said tyre, which includes the steps of defining at least one profile of said tyre on the basis of a group of predefined dimensional constraints, defining remaining profiles on the basis of correlations between dimensional values of said structural parts, defining within the cross section the shape of said structural parts, filling each shape with a basic component depending on the composition of the structural part defined by said shape.

Abstract: Plant for producing tyres of different types simultaneously, comprising a plurality of operating units operating in succession, comprising a central processing unit capable of causing the sequential execution of a plurality of operating steps at work stations, each of which comprises at least one of the said operating units, according to one or more predetermined sequences of types of tyres. The plant also comprises a local processing unit associated with each work station and capable of identifying the type of tyre corresponding to a drum supplied to each of the said operating units, and of selecting, from a predetermined group of operating procedures for each of the said operating units, a specific procedure for the type of tyre corresponding to the drum being worked on.

Abstract: A method of foreseeing and controlling wearing in the tread of a tire based on the use of cuts of a limited depth (in the order of tenth parts of one millimeter) formed on the external surface of the tread, in the thickness of the elastomeric material. The cut is preferably made by a laser beam. Rotation of the tire on a road or on any other friction surface enables both the uneven wearing of the tread, highlighted by localized spots devoid of cuts, to be quickly verified by inspecting the maintenance state of said cuts, and the wear rate of the tread, which can be drawn from calculation of the time elapsing between the disappearance of two groups of cuts of different depth.

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: An inflation and deflation device for an inner tube and an inner tube provided with this device are described. The inner tube is elastically expandable for the introduction of fluid into its internal volume and can be housed in the space between tire and rim, which can be isolated from the external environment at atmospheric pressure. The device does not have elements for connecting the internal volume of the inner tube and the environment outside the wheel.

Abstract: A system for checking at least one status parameter of a tire for a motor vehicle includes at least one wheel, including a tire mounted on a rim, an inner tube inserted into a cavity defined between the tire and the rim, a first device for measuring the at least one status parameter associated with the at least one wheel, a second device for transmitting a signal indicating a value measured by the first device, a third device for receiving the signal, and a fourth device for sensing movement of the at least one wheel and for enabling energization of the second device when the at least one wheel is moving, wherein the first, second, and fourth devices are housed in a container inserted into a wall of the inner tube in a radially-inner position of the inner tube with respect to the at least one wheel.

Abstract: A device for inflating and deflating a flexible container which is elastically expandable for introduction of pressurized fluid into an internal volume of the container is described. The device is housed inside a cavity isolable from a surrounding environment, the device being inserted in a wall of the container. Pressurized fluid can flow from the surrounding environment into the cavity and from the cavity out to the surrounding environment. The device does not have elements for connecting the internal volume of the container and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: Within the scope of the manufacturing of a tire, a belt structure (2) is manufactured by means of strip-like segments (5) each comprising parallel strips incorporated in an elastomeric layer, sequentially laid in mutual circumferential approach relationship onto a toroidal support (3). During the laying of each segment (5), an angular rotation of the toroidal support (3) is caused about an axis of correction (Y-Y) radial to the axis of rotation (X-X) of the toroidal support itself, situated in substantially barycentric position relative to the segment (5) which is about to be laid. A perfect match is thereby assured of each strip-like segment (5) with the adjacent strip-like segments, even when the toroidal support (3) presents a crown area with curvilinear cross section profile.

Abstract: A method of foreseeing and controlling wearing in the tread of a tire based on the use of cuts of a limited depth (in the order of tenth parts of one millimeter) formed on the external surface of the tread, in the thickness of the elastomeric 7 material. The cut is preferably made by a laser beam. Rotation of the tire on a road or on any other friction surface enables both the uneven wearing of the tread, highlighted by localized spots devoid of cuts, to be quickly verified by inspecting the maintenance state of said cuts, and the wear rate of the tread, which can be drawn from calculation of the time elapsing between the disappearance of two groups of cuts of different depth.

Abstract: A method of foreseeing and controlling wearing in the tread of a tire based on the use of cuts of a limited depth (in the order of tenth parts of one millimeter) formed on the external surface of the tread, in the thickness of the elastomeric material. The cut is preferably made by a laser beam. Rotation of the tire on a road or on any other friction surface enables both the uneven wearing of the tread, highlighted by localized spots devoid of cuts, to be quickly verified by inspecting the maintenance state of the cuts. Also, and the wear rate of the tread can be drawn from calculation of the time, during the rotation, elapsing between the disappearance of two groups of cuts of different depth.