1. A tire curing press comprising:
a bottom structure (2);
a top structure (1) capable of moving axially with respect to the bottom
structure (2) and being locked at different positions;
a tire mold with mold height and comprising an upper mold (53) and a lower
mold (54);
an upper mold adapter (34) mounted to the top structure (1), the upper mold
(53) being connected to the upper mold adapter (34);
a heating vessel arrangement comprising:
a top inner heating vessel (35) connected to the mold adapter (34);
a top outer heating vessel (36) axially aligned to the top inner heating
vessel (35), and configured to slide relative to the top inner heating vessel
(35);
a bottom heating vessel (37) mounted on the bottom structure (2) and
axially aligned to the top outer heating vessel (36), the lower mold (54)
being connected to the bottom heating vessel (37);
wherein the position of the top outer heating vessel (36) is variable
for different mold heights.
2. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding movement of
the top outer heating vessel (36) relative to the top inner heating vessel (35) is
controlled by at least one actuator (43) mounted on the top structure (1).
3. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 1, wherein a position feedback
mechanism is provided to obtain the position of the top outer heating vessel (36).
4. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
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a first squeeze cylinder (27) fixed at a first position below the bottom
structure (2),
a second squeeze cylinder (27) fixed at a second position below the bottom
structure (2),
a first squeeze piston (31) capable of sliding inside the first squeeze cylinder
(27), and
a second squeeze piston (31) capable of sliding inside the second squeeze
cylinder (27).
5. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 4, comprising:
first and second strain rods (25) having a first end either fixed to the top
structure (1) or connected by respective rod holders (26) to transfer force through
the respective rod holders (26) to the top structure (1), said first and second strain
rods (25) being axially aligned to the first and second squeeze cylinders (27),
respectively;
the first and second strain rods (25) are capable of being locked at a second
end within the first and second squeeze cylinders (27), respectively, to lock the top
structure (1) with respect to the bottom structure (2);
the top structure (1) is capable of moving toward and away from the bottom
structure (2) together with the strain rods (25); and
the strain rods (25) capable of sliding up and down through a bush set-up
(52) actuated by at least one strain rod lift cylinder (21).
6. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second
squeeze cylinders (27) are provided with hydraulic fluid creating sufficient
hydraulic oil pressure (57) to push the first and second squeeze pistons (31)
downwards, causing the first and second strain rods (25) and the top structure (1) to
be pulled downwards and squeeze the top mold (53) against the bottom mold (54).
7. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
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first and second strain rods (25) having a first end either fixed to the top
structure (1) or connected by respective rod holders (26) to transfer force through
the respective rod holders (26) to the top structure (1), said first and second strain
rods (25) being axially aligned to the first and second squeeze cylinders (27),
respectively,
wherein each of the first and second strain rods (25) comprises a plurality of
grooves to facilitate the locking of the top structure (1) at a predetermined distance
from the bottom structure (2).
8. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top structure (1) is
capable of being locked at a predetermined position corresponding to the mold
height by means of a height setting apparatus (51) comprising an height adjustable
switch (55) and a distance measurement sensor (10).
9. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 1, wherein
a first seal (40) is disposed between the top inner heating vessel (35) and the
top outer heating vessel (36) to provide sealing during sliding movement; and
a first insulation (33) is provided between the bottom structure (2) and the
bottom heating vessel (37).
10. The tire curing press as claimed in claim 1, wherein
a second seal (60) is disposed between the bottom heating vessel (37) and
the top outer heating vessel (36); and
a second insulation (32) is provided between the top structure (1) and the
mold adaptor (34).