FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10, rule 13)
1. Title of the invention: APPLICATION OF ABSORBENT MATERIAL IN A PNEUMATIC
TYRE
2. Applicant(s)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS
CEAT LIMITED Indian RPG HOUSE, 463, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai-Maharashtra 400030, India
3. Preamble to the description
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to approaches and mechanisms for
application of an absorbent material within an inner surface of a pneumatic tyre.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Tyres enable movement of automobile on road surfaces. During
motion, cavity resonance occurring in a pneumatic tyres may result in generation of noise. This noise may in turn propagate into the passenger compartment, there having an impact on passenger and driving comfort. Different approaches have been adopted to reduce cavity resonance, and in turn minimize the noise that may be generated by the tyres during motion. One such approach involves applying one or more layers of a porous absorbent material in the inner surface of the pneumatic tyre. Examples of such material may include, but is not limited to, polyurethane foam. Such material provide a noise dampening effect and thereby reduce the amount of noise that may enter the passenger cabin.
BRIEFDESCRIPTIONOF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0004] FIGS. 1-3 illustrates a system for automatic installation of the
absorbent material within the inner surface of the tyre in various stages of operation, as per one example.
[0005] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate
similar, but not necessarily identical elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the

description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] One of causes of noise generated in pneumatic tyres is cavity
resonance associated with vibration of the air filled inside a tyre. When the automobile is in motion, the air inside the tyre may vibrate, which generates this cavity resonance sound. The sound thus generated may traverse and enter the passenger compartment thereby impacting the passenger comfort and ride quality. To this end, one or more layers of a porous absorbent material in the inner surface of the pneumatic tyre. Examples of such material may include, but is not limited to, polyurethane foam. Such material provide a noise dampening effect and thereby reduce the amount of noise that may enter the passenger cabin.
[0007] Generally, such the application of such absorbent material is done
manually. For example, the absorbent material may be provided in the form of rolls from which defined length of the absorbent material may be pulled and cut, and then installed within the inner surface of the tyre. The absorbent material, in such cases, may be provided with an adhesive layer one its surface which may be aid in securing the absorbent material to the inner surface of the tyre. In other cases, certain amount of adhesive may be applied separately as well, in case the layer of absorbent material does not have any adhesive layer provided therein.
[0008] The manual application of the absorbent material posed certain
technical challenges. Like most manual activities, the application of the absorbent material took time and therefore impacted the time to produce a finished pneumatic tyre. Furthermore, manual application may vary from between tyres thereby making it challenging for the tyre to adhere to desired quality parameters. Furthermore, owing to the limited space and the improper positioning of the tyres, the application may be non-uniform or may not be symmetrical. For example, improper application of the absorbent material

manually may result in bulges or other perturbation on the surface of the
applied absorbent material. Owing to such perturbations, the absorbent
material may not be properly secured within the inner surface of the tyres may
be prone to becoming dislodged or separated during the tyre use, which in
turn may impact the longevity and performant operation of the tyre.
[0009] System for automatic installation of the absorbent material within
the inner surface of the tyre, are described. Such systems enable handling the tyre in a uniform manner which in turn aides in the application of the absorbent material. The absorbent material is also handled through electro-mechanical means which ensure efficient dispensing of the required amount of absorbent material. Furthermore, the system includes mechanisms which ensure that the dispensed absorbent material is applied properly, quickly and in a uniform manner.
[0010] In an example, the system for automated dispensing and
application of an absorbent material within the tyre comprises a support mechanism, a dispensing mechanism and an application mechanism. The support mechanism enables supporting the tyre while the dispensing mechanism is to dispense a predefined length of the absorbent material which may be applied onto the inner surface of the tyre. The support mechanism is support and maintain the tyre in a position which will enable the application of the absorbent material. In an example, the support mechanism may include a plurality of roller and guides which maintain the position of the tyre in an upright position while the absorbent material is applied. The rollers may cause the tyre to be rotated about an axis of rotation which is parallel to a horizontal plane.
[0011] The dispensing mechanism controls dispensing of portions of the
absorbent material which may then be applied to the inner surface of the tyre. In an example, the dispensing mechanism moveable in a direction along the axis of rotation of the tyre and with respect to the support mechanism. This allows the dispensing mechanism to position a source of the absorbent material at a point which is about a radial center of the tyre.

The dispensing mechanism may then dispense a certain length of the absorbent material. The application mechanism then successively urges a portion of the dispensed absorbent material towards the inner surface of the tyre. This may be repeated along the length of the predefined length of the absorbent material which has been dispensed by the dispensing mechanism.
[0012] The claimed system overcomes the technical challenges that
were posed by the conventional approaches and method for applying a layer to the inner surface of the tyre. For instance, the claimed system takes less time in applying the absorbent material to the tyre. Furthermore, owing to the precise positioning of the dispensing mechanism with respect to the tyre, the absorbent material thus applied is uniform and consistent, and devoid of any perturbations that may otherwise have been caused by manually applying the absorbent material into the tyre.
[0013] The above examples are further described in conjunction with
appended figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that various arrangements that embody the principles of the present subject matter, although not explicitly described or shown herein, may be devised from the description, and are included within its scope. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components.
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for automatic installation of the
absorbent material within the inner surface of the tyre, as per one example. It may be noted that the present figures only depicts certain components of the system 100. Other components may also be present within the system although the same have not been depicted for ease of explanation. Although

not depicted, examples of system 100 which includes such components would
also be within the scope of the present subject matter, without limitations.
[0015] Continuing further, the system 100 may further include a support
mechanism 102, a dispensing mechanism 104, and an application mechanism 106. The operation of the support mechanism 102, the dispensing mechanism 104, and the application mechanism 106 enables automated application of absorbent material within inner surface of the tyre, such as the tyre 108. The support mechanism 102 for the tyre 108 may further include supporting rollers 110 onto which the tyre 108 may be positioned. In the event that the tyre 108 is to be fitted or provided with some absorbent material, the tyre 108 may be vertically positioned, as depicted. When erected in this position, the tyre 108 may be such that its axis of rotation may extend in parallel to the horizontal (e.g., the plane onto which the system 100 may be deployed). The support mechanism 102 may further include certain other restraining means by which the tyre 108 may be maintained in its position. When the tyre 108 is installed onto the support mechanism 102, it is such that it is restricted from any lateral movement but may be capable of rotating about its axis of rotation as indicated by axis A. When mounted onto the support mechanism 102, the tyre 108 may thus be more or less freely rotatable.
[0016] In an example, the tyre 108 may be in contact with the supporting
rollers 110. The supporting rollers 110 in turn may be coupled to certain actuating mechanism which enables the rotation of the supporting rollers 110. Since the tyre 108 is freely rotatable when mounted, the rotation of the supporting rollers 110 in turn may affect rotation of the tyre 108. The speed of rotation of the tyre 108 may be controlled through the actuating mechanism which may be driving the supporting rollers 110. In an example, the actuating mechanism may be configured to rotate the tyre 108 at a predefined rotational speed. The supporting rollers 110, the actuating mechanism and any control circuitry or operational machinery, may be installed and enclosed within the base 112.

[0017] Proceeding further, the dispensing mechanism 104 may further
include a first motor 114 and a second motor 116. In an example, the first motor 114 may be controlled in order to move the dispensing mechanism 104 either away or towards the support mechanism 102. In another example, the second motor 116 may be used for controlling the application mechanism 106, as will be described further. The dispensing mechanism 104 may further include chassis 118 or other support implements for supporting the first motor 114 and the second motor 116. Along with the first motor 114 and the second motor 116, the chassis 118 may further include other machinery for transferring motion from one of the first motor 114 and the second motor 116 to other components of the dispensing mechanism 104 and the application mechanism 106. In an example, the dispensing mechanism 104 may further include a conveyor mechanism 120 which enable lateral displacement of the dispensing mechanism 104 in the direction B, as indicated. The conveyor mechanism 120 may be coupled to the first motor 114 which in turn may drive the dispensing mechanism 104 towards or away from the support mechanism 102.
[0018] The dispensing mechanism 104 may further include a shaft 122
which couples the dispensing mechanism 104 to the application mechanism 106. In an example, the shaft 122 may be coupled to the second motor 116. The second motor 116 may be in turn cause the rotation of the shaft 122 which in turn may affect the dispensing of a portion of the absorbent material. In an example, the application mechanism 106 may be provided on the other end of shaft 122. The application mechanism 106 in turn may further include an actuation device 124. The actuation device 124 may be further coupled to a roller 126. In an example, the second motor 116 may cause rotation of the shaft 122 which in turn dispenses the absorbent material from the roller 126, at a rate which is dependent on the rate of rotation of the tyre 108 as affected by the supporting rollers 110 of the support mechanism 102. Although depicted as separate mechanisms, the supporting rollers 110 and the shaft 122 may be both coupled to the second

motor 116 through couplings or a geared mechanism, or a combination thereof (not depicted in FIG. 1). Such examples would still be within the scope of the present subject matter without limitations.
[0019] The roller 126 may be a roll of absorbent material which is to be
applied to the inner surface of the tyre 108. It may be noted that the reference to the roller 126 would include reference to a roll of absorbent material which may be used for lining an inner surface of the tyre 108. As discussed previously, the absorbent material reduces and suppresses cavity resonance within the tyre 108, and thereby reduces noise which may be entering the passenger compartment of an automobile. In an example, the absorbent material may be polyurethane foam. It may be noted that this is just one of the many other examples of absorbent material. Other types of absorbent material may also be used without deviating from the scope of the present subject matter. The dispensing mechanism 104 and the support mechanism 102 may be collectively supported by the supports 128. The roller 126 may be further coupled to the actuation device 124 through retractable arms 128 which when actuated may move the roller 126 in a lateral direction.
[0020] It may be noted that the operation of the dispensing mechanism
104 and the application mechanism 106 may be controlled through control circuitry (not shown in FIG. 1). Such control circuitry may be implemented through a combination of hardware or software, or through electronic circuitry. Such control circuitry may be further coupled to mechanical components (not shown in FIG. 1) which may be used for causing the movement and operation of the dispensing mechanism 104 and the application mechanism 106. The operation of the system 100 is now depicted in conjunction with FIGS. 2-3. As depicted in FIG. 1, the application mechanism 106 and the roller 126 are in a retracted position. As will be described subsequently, the application mechanism 106 may be inserted into the tyre 108 wherein which the absorbent material may be dispensed from the roller 126.

[0021] To implement the application of the absorbent material, the tyre
108 may be initially installed or mounted on the support mechanism 102. In addition, the roller 126 may be mounted onto the end of the shaft 122 of the dispensing mechanism 104. The roller 126 includes a given length of absorbent material from which smaller portions of predefined length are dispensed. In an example, the predefined length may correspond to a measure of the inner circumference of the tyre 108. The predefined length may be determined based on certain rotations of the shaft 122 or may be based on the rate at which the predefined length of the absorbent material is being dispensed by the roller 126.
[0022] FIGS. 2-3 depicts the system 100 in a stage of operation. At the
stage depicted in FIG. 2, the application mechanism 106 is inserted into the tyre 108 as shown. In an example, once the roller 126 is mounted with the roll of absorbent material, the first motor 114 may be actuated. The actuation of the first motor 114 may in turn actuate the conveyor mechanism 120 which moves the dispensing mechanism 104 towards the base 112 of the support mechanism 102. In an example, the first motor 114 may actuated to operate so as to move the dispensing mechanism 104 by a specified distance in the direction B. At such a specified distance, the roller 126 may be so positioned such that it is present in the radial plane of the tyre 108. The radial plane may be such that it extends orthogonally to the axis of rotation A of the tyre 108.
[0023] Once the roller 126 reaches the point within the tyre 108, the first
motor 114 may be deactivated. Thereafter, the second motor 116 may be actuated to activate the shaft 122. At this stage, the supporting rollers 110 may also be activated to begin rotating the tyre 108. As described previously, the rate of rotation of the shaft 122 may be proportional to the rate of rotation of the tyre 108. As the shaft 122 rotates, it may further cause the roller 126 to rotate and dispense a portion of the absorbent material from the roller 126. In an example, the actuation device 124 may be activated to extend the retractable arms 128. As the retractable arms 128 extend (in the

direction C depicted in FIG. 3), they may move the roller 126 closer to the
inner surface of the tyre 108. The roller 126 may then urge the absorbent
material thus dispensed to come into contact with the inner surface.
Thereafter, an adhesive substance may be used for securing the absorbent
material thus dispensed to the inner surface of the tyre 108. This process
may be performed throughout the predefined length of the absorbent
material dispensed from the roller 126 to line the inner surface of the tyre
108 with the absorbent material. The position of the roller 126 as it assumes
a position closer to the inner surface of the tyre 108 is depicted in FIG. 3.
[0024] In an example, the absorbent material dispensed from the roller
may be such that it may be provided with an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be protected by a removeable protective film which may be removably adhering to the surface of the absorbent material which is to be applied to the inner surface of the tyre 108. As a portion of the absorbent material is dispensed, the removeable protective film may be removed from the adhesive bearing surface of the absorbent material. In an example, the application mechanism 106 may further include an induction motor which may be used for removing the removeable protective film extracted from the adhesive bearing surface of the absorbent material.
[0025] The absorbent material with the adhesive surface may be then
be moved closer to the inner surface through the action of the roller 126. For example, the roller 126 may, as a result of the extending of the retractable arms 128, may move closer to the inner surface urging the adhesive bearing layer to make contact with the inner surface of the tyre 108. The roller 126 may be used to provide some adhering force which may enable the setting of the adhesive layer and securing the absorbent material to the inner surface of the tyre 108. As may be noted, the roller 126 may continue to rotate and dispense portions of the absorbent material, which are continuously applied to the inner surface of the rotating tyre 108. In this manner, the entire inner circumference may be provided or covered with the absorbent material. Once the predefined length is dispensed, a cutting

mechanism may be activated to sever the applied portion of the absorbent
material from the absorbent material which may have been left remaining
on the roller 126. The same may thereafter be utilized for providing
subsequent tyres, such as the tyre 108, with the absorbent material.
[0026] Once the absorbent material has been applied to the tyre 108,
the first motor 114 may again be activated, moving the dispensing
mechanism 104 away from the support mechanism 102 of the tyre 108.
Thereafter, another tyre may be mounted on the support mechanism 102
and the process as described above may be repeated for other tyres.
[0027] In an example, the system 100 may be coupled with actuating
controls which may initiate the automatic installation of the absorbent material within the inner surface of the tyre, such as the tyre 108. The controls may be implemented in any manner, example through pressure switches or through touch enabled screens, without limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. As may be noted, such approaches enable efficient application of absorbent material on the inner surface of the tyre. The absorbent material thus applied is free from any perturbations that may typically arise in instances when the absorbent material is applied manually. Furthermore, the system 100 also ensures that the absorbent material is applied in a consistent manner across multiple tyres. It is thus clear that the system 100 affords these technical advantages over conventional approaches involving manual application of the absorbent material onto the inner surface of the tyres.
[0028] Although examples for the present description have been
described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it should be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed and explained as examples of the present description.

We Claim:
1. A system for applying absorbent material inside the tyre, comprising:
a support mechanism to support and rotate a tyre about an axis of rotation;
a dispensing mechanism moveable in a direction along the axis of rotation
of the tyre and with respect to the support mechanism, wherein the
dispensing mechanism is provided with a source of an absorbent material
and is to dispense a predefined length of the absorbent layer at a predefined
rate from the source, with the predefined rate corresponding to the rate of
rotation of the tyre; and
an application mechanism coupled to the dispensing mechanism, wherein the application mechanism is to urge a portion of the absorbent material towards an inner surface of the tyre and cause the portion of the absorbent material to contact with the inner surface of the tyre.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, the support mechanism is to rotate the tyre such that the axis of rotation of the tyre is parallel to a horizontally extending plane.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support mechanism is coupled to first actuation mechanism, wherein the actuation mechanism is to rotate the tyre at the predefined rate.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the layer of absorbent material comprises an adhesive layer provided on one of the surfaces of the absorbent material, wherein the adhesive layer is further protected by a removeable protective film.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dispensing mechanism is to:

on detecting the tyre to be loaded onto the support mechanism, cause the
dispensing mechanism to move in a direction along the axis of rotation of
the tyre;
actuating the source of the absorbent material to dispense predefined length
of absorbent material; and
cause removal of the protective film to expose the adhesive layer.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing
mechanism comprises:
a mounting segment for mounting a roll of absorbent material onto the dispensing mechanism; and
a second actuation mechanism coupled to the mounting segment, wherein the second actuation mechanism is to unroll the roll of the absorbent material to at a dispensing rate corresponding to the predefined rate.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the dispensing mechanism is to position the roll of absorbent material within the space enclosed in the tyre and in the plane in which the tyre is to rotate.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application mechanism comprises a rolling element, wherein the rolling element is to abut against a first surface of the tyre laying opposite to a second surface and is to urge the absorbent material in a radially outward direction with respect to the axis of rotation of tyre, so as to enable contact between the second surface and the inner surface of the tyre.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application mechanism is to cut the layer of absorbent material being dispensed on determining that the predefined length to have been dispensed.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the absorbent material is
made of a material comprising polyurethane foam.