| 摘要 |
Method and apparatus for constrained post cure inflation (CPCI), for improvement of tire uniformity, footprint shape factor, and tread wear. The method comprises the steps of: (1) initiating the method on a tire after the tire has been removed from a tire curing mold (preferably while the tire is still hot); (2) providing 360 degree circumferential tread restraint which holds the tread in an ideal tread shape, concentric to the axis of rotation and nominally perpendicular to the equatorial plane; (3) sealingly holding the beads concentric to, and equidistant from, the axis of rotation, and symmetrically spaced about the equatorial plane; and (4) inflating the tire to a controlled pressure, and holding the controlled pressure for a controlled time while the tread is restrained and the beads are sealingly held. Optional additional steps include: before the inflating step, heating the tire, preferably to a controlled temperature above a glass transition temperature of the tire's ply cord material; and before the end of the controlled time, cooling the tire below the glass transition temperature. An apparatus (CPCI device) is disclosed which is suitable for implementing the inventive method.
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