Abstract: A self-supporting tyre (1) has reinforcing structures at the beads (4) defining rest surfaces (4a) for a corresponding rim (1a) which have a profile converging towards the tyre rotation axis away from the equatorial plane (X-X) of the tyre itself. The carcass plies (3a, 3b) are each made by sequential deposition of strip-like sections circumferentially distributed on a toroidal support (11). Elastic-support inserts (16, 21) are interposed between the side portions (13a, 14a) of axially internal sections (13), axial intermediate sections (15). In this manner around at least one of said support inserts opening degree of which can be modulated depending on requirements, by modifying the land/empty space ratio determined by the distance existing between the side portions (13a, 14a, 15a) of the strip-like sections (13, 14, 15) covering each of the axially opposite sides of the support insert itself.

Abstract: A tire for a vehicle includes a radial carcass, a tread band disposed radially outward of the carcass, and a belt structure interposed between the carcass and the tread band. The tread band also includes a first portion of a first elastomeric compound having a first modulus of elasticity between about 12 MPa and 16 MPa, measured at 23° C., and a second portion of a second elastomeric compound having a second modulus of elasticity between about 7 MPa and 11 MPa, measured at 23° C. Additionally, a first tread pattern formed on the first portion is different from a second tread pattern formed on the second portion. A related tread band, method for making an asymmetrical tire, and wheel for a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a carcass structure, a belt structure, a tread band, and sidewalls. The carcass structure includes at least one first and second carcass ply and a pair of annular reinforcing structures. The carcass plies are formed of strip sections extending in a substantially U-shaped conformation, including at least two parallel thread elements at least partly coated with elastomer material. The at least one first (second) carcass ply includes a first (third) and second (fourth) series of strip sections arranged in mutually-alternating sequence along a circumferential extension of the carcass structure. The annular reinforcing structures include first and second primary portions. The first (second) primary portion includes an axially-inner side turned towards end flaps of the strip sections of the first (third) series and an axially-outer side turned towards end flaps of the strip sections of the second (fourth) series.

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: An apparatus for manufacturing components for a tyre being worked is provided. The apparatus includes a toroidal support for carrying the components of a tyre being worked. The toroidal support has an outer surface substantially matching an inner shape of the tyre. The apparatus also includes means for feeding at least one elongated element through at least one delivery member disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the toroidal support. The apparatus also includes means for circumferential distribution arranged to drive the toroidal support in rotation around a geometric axis of rotation of the toroidal support so that the at least one elongated element is circumferentially distributed on the toroidal support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing components for a tire for vehicle wheels includes the steps of picking up a toroidal support using a robotized arm, feeding at least one elongated element from a delivery member disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the toroidal support, giving the toroidal support a rotatory motion around a geometric axis of rotation of the toroidal support so that the at least one elongated element is circumferentially distributed onto the toroidal support, and carrying out controlled relative displacements, for transverse distribution, between the toroidal support and the delivery member to form with the at least one elongated element a plurality of coils disposed mutually in side-by-side relationship in order to define a tire component. A method of manufacturing a tire, an apparatus for manufacturing components for a tire, a plant for making tires, and a tire including the manufactured components are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carcass structure for vehicle tires includes preparing strip sections, each comprising longitudinal and parallel thread elements coated at least partly with at least one layer of raw elastomer material. A first series of strip sections is laid down onto a toroidal support. First primary portions of annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the first series strip sections. At least one second series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Together, the first and second series define a first carcass ply. A third series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Second primary portions of the annular reinforcing structures are applied against end flaps of the third series strip sections. At least one fourth series of strip sections is laid down onto the toroidal support. Together, the third and fourth series define a second carcass ply.

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 high and medium performance tyre for vehicles comprises a tread band provided with a central zone of predetermined width, at the edges of which two intermediate and two shoulder zones extend. Each intermediate zone comprises two sequences of pairs of transversal grooves, first and second respectively, alternating in succession over the circumferential length of the tyre; each pair is made up of two grooves, at least partly parallel. The pairs of grooves of the first sequence start from the shoulder zone and terminate inside the intermediate zone and the pairs of grooves of the second sequence start from the edges of the central zone and terminate inside the intermediate zone at a predetermined distance from the longer groove of the pairs of the first sequence. The configuration of the pairs of grooves is such as to determine two zigzagging circumferential ribs and a plurality of continuous portions extending alternatively from both sides of each rib.

Abstract: A low-section tire includes an air tube including an internal wall and two air tube sidewalls. The internal wall comprises a greater rigidity than the tube sidewalls so that, when a carcass and the tube are mounted on a rim, and during inflation, the tube sidewalls contact the carcass sidewalls no later than the internal wall contacts a crown portion of the carcass. A process for manufacturing the air tube includes moulding two tube sidewalls separated from each other, moulding a central core, arranging the tube sidewalls and central core in a single vulcanization mould, closing the vulcanization mould to form the tube, feeding pressurized fluid into at least two distinct circumferential portions of the tube, and vulcanizing the tube to join the central core and tube sidewalls. A mould for manufacturing the an air tube includes two axially-external cheeks, two axially-intermediate male dies, and two axially-inner spacers.

Abstract: A method for reducing the working temperature of a tire tread for vehicles utilizing a tire tread comprising a first portion and a second portion. The first portion comprising 100 parts by weight of an elastomeric material, 40-120 parts by weight of a filler, comprising from 50 to 100% by weight of carbon black and from 0 to 50% of silica, and 3-40 parts by weight of at least a conventional additive. The second portion comprising 100 parts by weight of an elastomeric material, 40-120 parts by weight of a filler, comprising from 30 to 100% by weight of silica and from 0 to 70% of carbon black, and 3-40 parts by weight of at least a conventional additive. However, the silica content in the second portion is at least 20% higher than in the first portion. Tires wherein the area of the first portion exceeds 37.1% of the total area of the tire tread are 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: The invention relates to a method, a system and a pneumatic wheel for measuring the deformations of the casing of a tyre in operation, for the purpose of taking appropriate corrective action on the vehicle driving and/or control system by comparing the said measured deformations with predetermined values of the deformations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring deformations of a moving tyre 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 tyre. 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 tyre mounted on a rim associated with a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of tire for high speed two-wheeled vehicles comprising making a cylindrical sleeve, attaching annular bead wires to the axial ends of said sleeve and shaping the sleeve into a toroidal configuration. A belt structure made of coils of cords is applied to the crown of said toroidal configuration. The belt is reinforced with HE cords which can be deformed to enable the tire carcass to be so largely expanded into the sold to achieve completely molding of a tread band.

Abstract: Formation of a carcass ply takes place by laying down onto a toroidal support (11), a first and a second series of strip-like sections (13, 14) cut to size from a continuous strip-like element (2a) and each comprising longitudinal thread-like elements (15) incorporated into a layer of elastomer material (18). The sections (13) of the first series are sequentially disposed at some circumferential distance from each other, to form side portions (19) to the end flaps (19a) of which primary portions (4a) of respective bead-reinforcing structures (4) are applied. The sections (14) of the second series are each interposed in the space defined between two sections of the first series (13), with the respective end flaps (20a) overlapping the primary portions (4a) of the annular structures (4). Additional portions (24) of the annular structures are applied to the end flaps (20a) of the sections (14) belonging to the second series.

Abstract: Plant for producing tires of tire which are different from each other, comprising: a complex manufacturing unit (2) having a plurality of work stations (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), each designed to assemble at least one corresponding structural component on at least one type of tire being processed, a complex vulcanizing unit (3), having vulcanizing molds (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) for the types of tires which have been manufactured, devices for the functional transfer and movement of the tires being processed. operating between the said work stations (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and the complex vulcanizing unit (3), holding stations (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) associated with the said work stations, the number of the said holding stations, of the said molds, and of the said functional transfer and movement devices being selected with respect to each other in order to obtain series corresponding to the number of tires of each type to be produced.

Abstract: A method for curing a tire includes the steps of closing the tire in a mold, heating at least one lower hot table, at least one upper hot table, and at least one annular hot table to transmit heat to the tire. The at least one lower hot table, the at least one upper hot table, and the at least one annular hot table are associated with the mold. The at least one annular hot table is thermally-connected to a circumferential development of the mold. A quantity of heat provided to the at least one lower hot table is different from a quantity of heat provided to the at least one upper hot table. An associated apparatus includes a mold; at least one lower, upper, and annular tables; and devices for supplying one or more heating fluids to the at least one lower, upper, and annular tables.

Abstract: A manufacturing line (2) is provided with work stations (5-10), each arranged to make and assemble at least one structural component of the tires (A-F) being processed. The structural components of each tire are assembled on a toroidal support provided with bar codes through which the model of the tire to be manufactured s identified and consequent adaptation of the work stations (5-10) to the particular tire working is carried out. Robotized arms (12-18) sequentially transfer the individual tires (A-F) between the different work stations (5-10), as well as to a curing line (3) equipped with molds (24-29) mounted on a turntable (30). The transfer rate on the curing line (3) is the same as the transfer rate between the work stations (5-10).