Microwave vulcanization device for tires

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of tire microwave vulcanization device, comprising: center mechanism, capsule component, metal mould and microwave feed system.Wherein, center mechanism includes oppositely arranged first disc body and second disc body, first disc body is configured to be able to be far away or close to second disc body;Capsule component two side edges are connected at the circumference of first disc body and second disc body respectively, and form a volume variable airtight space with center mechanism;Metal mould includes detachably connected first mould and second mould, first mould and second mould are configured to form airtight metal mould cavity when being connected, the space of metal mould cavity located outside capsule component is the accommodating space of tire blank of tire;And microwave feed system, including microwave antenna, microwave isolation window and waveguide joint, wherein microwave antenna extends into airtight space, microwave isolation window is connected with microwave antenna installation, waveguide joint is connected with microwave isolation window installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of tire vulcanization technology, and more particularly to a tire microwave vulcanization apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Rubber tires play an irreplaceable role as a crucial component of transportation vehicles. Vulcanization is the final and most important step in tire manufacturing. Currently, traditional vulcanization methods involve heat conduction from the outside in, with heat gradually diffusing from the exterior of the object to the interior of the tire through thermal conduction. Common vulcanization methods include superheated water pressure vulcanization and high-pressure steam vulcanization. However, both superheated water pressure vulcanization and high-pressure steam vulcanization generally suffer from problems such as complex production condition control, slow heating speed, low efficiency, high energy consumption, and high production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a microwave vulcanizing apparatus for tires, in order to at least solve some of the aforementioned technical problems. To achieve the above objective, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0004] As one aspect of the present invention, a tire microwave vulcanization apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0005] The central mechanism includes a first disk and a second disk arranged opposite to each other, the first disk being configured to be able to move away from or close to the second disk;

[0006] The capsule component has its two side edges connected to the periphery of the first and second discs respectively, forming a variable-volume sealed space with the central mechanism;

[0007] A metal mold, comprising a detachably connected first mold and a second mold, the first mold and the second mold being configured to form a sealed metal mold cavity when connected, the space of the metal mold cavity located outside the capsule component serving as a space for receiving the blank; and

[0008] A microwave feeding and radiating system includes: a microwave antenna extending into a sealed space, the microwave antenna having a cavity and a microwave feed port; a microwave isolation window, connected and installed with the microwave antenna, suitable for isolating the cavity of the microwave antenna from the external environment to form a transmission cavity, allowing microwaves from an external microwave source system to be transmitted and radiated to the metal mold cavity through the transmission cavity and the microwave feed port to provide the heat energy required for the vulcanization of the blank, and allowing external gas to be filled into the sealed space through the transmission cavity to provide the gas pressure for the vulcanization of the blank; and

[0009] The waveguide joint, connected and installed with the microwave isolation window, is used to drive the microwave antenna to rotate, thereby improving the uniformity of microwave heating and vulcanization of the blank.

[0010] Optionally, the central institution may also include:

[0011] The telescopic tube is slidably mounted on the microwave antenna, and one end of the telescopic tube passes through the second disk and is fixed to the first disk.

[0012] In this process, when the telescopic cylinder slides along the microwave antenna, the first disk moves away from or closer to the second disk, causing the capsule component to extend or retract.

[0013] Optionally, the standing wave ratio of the microwave isolation window is 1 to 1.2.

[0014] Optionally, the waveguide joint includes: a waveguide rotary joint connected to a microwave isolation window and suitable for driving the microwave antenna to rotate circumferentially; and a waveguide fixed joint movably connected to the waveguide rotary joint and connected to the microwave source system.

[0015] Optionally, the microwave antenna is provided with a first air inlet, which is connected to an external air intake device and is suitable for inputting gas from the external air intake device into the cavity of the microwave antenna.

[0016] Optionally, the telescopic cylinder and the microwave antenna are provided with a matching second air inlet, which is suitable for filling the sealed space with gas through the second air inlet.

[0017] Optionally, the microwave antenna is a waveguide slot antenna.

[0018] Optionally, the slot of the waveguide slot antenna serves as a microwave feed port and / or a third air inlet.

[0019] Optionally, the slots are distributed in multiple groups along the axial direction of the microwave antenna, and each group of slots is evenly distributed along the circumference of the microwave antenna.

[0020] The tire microwave vulcanizing apparatus of this invention radiates microwaves into a sealed space via a microwave antenna connected to a microwave source system. This allows the tire blank within the metal mold cavity to directly receive the microwaves, converting the microwave energy into heat energy for heating. Simultaneously, it can heat the bladder component within the sealed space, which then indirectly heats the tire blank through heat conduction. This combined direct and indirect heating ensures uniform heating of the tire blank, resulting in rapid heating, high efficiency, and energy savings. This significantly shortens the rubber vulcanizing time, improves heating uniformity, and enhances vulcanization quality. Furthermore, the microwave vulcanizing apparatus of this invention can bypass the induction stage, where rubber is prone to adhesion, and enter the pre-vulcanization stage in a shorter time. This eliminates the use of talc powder in older processes, preventing excessive dust levels in the air and meeting environmental protection requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1This is a cross-sectional view of the tire microwave vulcanization device during the vulcanization process in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the tire microwave vulcanizing device before or after vulcanization in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The meanings of the reference numerals in the above figures are as follows:

[0024] 1. Central Institution

[0025] 1-1 First plate, 1-2 Second plate

[0026] 2. Microwave antenna

[0027] 3. Capsule components

[0028] 4. Metal molds

[0029] 4-1 First mold, 4-2 Second mold, 4-3 Metal mold cavity

[0030] 5. Enclosed spaces

[0031] 6. Blank

[0032] 7. Telescopic cylinder

[0033] 8. Microwave isolation window

[0034] 9. Waveguide Joint

[0035] 9-1 Waveguide Rotary Joint, 9-2 Waveguide Fixed Joint

[0036] 10-1 First air intake, 10-2 Second air intake

[0037] 11. Microwave feed port Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0039] Rubber tires are typically vulcanized using heat conduction methods, such as traditional hot water vulcanization and high-pressure steam vulcanization. Due to rubber's poor thermal conductivity, especially in the case of thick tire blanks, heat takes a considerable amount of time to reach the center of the blank. Heating tires via heat conduction is prone to uneven heating and low efficiency, resulting in high energy consumption and long heating times during the rubber vulcanization process. This invention improves upon heat conduction by directly heating the tire, thus increasing the heating efficiency of rubber vulcanization. Furthermore, it combines this with indirect heating to improve the uniformity of microwave heating of the tire blank, thereby enhancing the vulcanization efficiency of rubber tires and shortening the vulcanization time.

[0040] Specifically, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a tire microwave vulcanization apparatus is provided. Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the tire microwave vulcanization device during the vulcanization process in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the tire microwave vulcanizing device mainly includes: a central mechanism 1, a capsule component 3, a metal mold 4, and a microwave antenna 2. The central mechanism 1 includes a first disk 1-1 and a second disk 1-2 arranged opposite each other, the first disk 1-1 being configured to be able to move away from or closer to the second disk 1-2; the capsule component 3 has its two side edges connected to the peripheries of the first disk 1-1 and the second disk 1-2 respectively, forming a variable-volume sealed space 5 with the central mechanism 1; the metal mold 4 includes a detachably connected first mold 4-1 and a second mold 4-2, the first mold 4-1 and the second mold 4-2 being configured to form a sealed metal mold cavity 4-3 when connected, the space of the metal mold cavity 4-3 located outside the capsule component 3 serving as the accommodating space for the tire blank 6; and a microwave feeding system. The system includes: a microwave antenna 2 extending into a sealed space 5, the microwave antenna 2 having a cavity and a microwave feed port 11; a microwave isolation window 8, connected and installed with the microwave antenna 2, suitable for separating the cavity of the microwave antenna 2 from the external environment to form a transmission cavity, allowing microwaves from an external microwave source system to be transmitted and radiated to the metal mold cavity 4-3 through the transmission cavity and the microwave feed port 11 to provide the heat energy required for the vulcanization of the blank 6, and allowing external gas to be filled into the sealed space 5 through the transmission cavity to provide the gas pressure for the vulcanization of the blank 6; and a waveguide joint 9, connected and installed with the microwave isolation window 8, used to drive the microwave antenna 2 to rotate, thereby improving the uniformity of microwave heating and vulcanization of the blank 6.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, microwaves are radiated into the sealed space 5 via a microwave antenna 2 connected to a microwave source system. This allows the tire blank 6, located within the metal mold cavity 4-3, to directly receive the microwaves, converting the microwave energy into heat energy for heating. Simultaneously, the bladder component 3 within the sealed space 5 is also heated, and the heated bladder component 3 indirectly heats the tire blank 6 through heat conduction. The combined effect of direct and indirect heating ensures uniform heating of the tire blank 6, resulting in rapid heating, high efficiency, and energy savings. This significantly shortens the rubber vulcanization time, improves heating uniformity, and enhances vulcanization quality. Furthermore, the microwave vulcanization device of this invention can bypass the induction stage, where rubber is prone to adhesion, and enter the pre-vulcanization stage in a shorter time. This eliminates the use of talc powder in the old process, preventing excessive dust content in the air and meeting environmental protection requirements.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the central mechanism 1 includes a first disc 1-1 and a second disc 1-2 disposed opposite to each other. The relative distance between the first disc 1-1 and the second disc 1-2 can be shortened or increased. When the first disc 1-1 is far away from the second disc 1-2, the relative distance increases; when the first disc 1-1 is close to the second disc 1-2, the relative distance shortens.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the two sides of the capsule component 3 are respectively connected to the peripheries of the first disc 1-1 and the second disc 1-2, a three-dimensional sealed space 5 is formed within the three-dimensional microwave vulcanizing device. When the first disc 1-1 moves away from the second disc 1-2, the first disc 1-1 stretches the capsule component 3, and the sealed space 5 is an approximately cylindrical shape with the first disc 1-1 as the top or bottom and the second disc 1-2 as the bottom or top, and the capsule component 3 as the outer circumference. As the first disc 1-1 moves away from the second disc 1-2, the height of the approximately cylindrical shape increases, and the volume of the sealed space 5 changes, making it suitable for placing the pre-vulcanized tire blank 6 or removing the vulcanized tire blank 6. When the first disc 1-1 approaches the second disc 1-2, the first disc 1-1 compresses the capsule component 3, causing the capsule component 3 to fit into the metal mold cavity 4-3 where the tire blank 6 is placed, forming a sealed space 5 that is approximately cylindrical in shape similar to the tire blank 6.

[0044] According to embodiments of the present invention, the composition of the capsule component 3 can be changed. By selecting capsule components 3 with different dielectric constants, the ratio of microwave power absorbed by the capsule component 3 and the tire blank 6 can be adjusted to meet different requirements for uniform vulcanization of tires. When the temperature of the tire blank 6 is unevenly heated by microwaves, a capsule component 3 with a higher dielectric constant can be selected to reduce the direct radiative heating of the tire blank 6 by microwaves while increasing the heating of the capsule component 3 by microwaves. This enhances heat conduction, thereby increasing the temperature of the tire blank 6 and improving the uniformity of heating of the tire blank 6.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the metal mold 4 includes a first mold 4-1 and a second mold 4-2 that are detachably connected. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the tire microwave vulcanizing device before or after vulcanization in an embodiment of the present invention. For example... Figure 2 As shown, before or after vulcanization in the microwave vulcanization device, the first mold 4-1 is disassembled or removed, and the first disc 1-1 is stretched, causing the first disc 1-1 to move the capsule component 3 away from the second disc 1-2 and form a nearly cylindrical sealed space 5. Before vulcanization, the center of the annular tire blank 6 is inserted from the first disc 1-1 and placed inside the metal mold cavity 4-3. The first disc 1-1 is compressed, causing the first disc 1-1 to move the capsule component 3 closer to the second disc 1-2 and form a sealed space 5 that is approximately the shape of the tire blank 6. Vulcanization begins after the first mold 4-1 is installed. During the vulcanization process, the metal mold cavity 4-3 is the boundary of the microwave vulcanization reaction chamber, providing vulcanization space for the tire blank and preventing microwave leakage during heating, thus ensuring the safe use of the equipment.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first mold 4-1 and the second mold 4-2 can be completely or partially separated. The first mold 4-1 and the second mold 4-2 can be made of stainless steel. The inner surfaces of the first mold 4-1 and the second mold 4-2 have patterns for forming the outer surface of the tire. The metal mold cavity 4-3 serves as the outer mold for the vulcanization of the tire blank 6. Under the pressure of the bladder component 3, the tire blank 6 is extruded to form the pattern, thus forming the tire shape. The pattern on the outer surface of the tire can be any pattern that can increase the friction of the tire outer surface, such as lines, treads, raised areas, or special markings.

[0047] According to embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, during the operation of the microwave vulcanizing device, the first mold 4-1 and the second mold 4-2 are closed to form a metal mold cavity 4-3. The tire blank 6 is placed inside the metal mold cavity 4-3, with its outer surface close to the metal mold cavity 4-3 and its inner surface close to the bladder component 3. During the operation of the microwave vulcanizing device, a high-pressure environment is created in the sealed space 5, which causes the bladder component 3 to come into close contact with and compress the inner surface of the tire blank 6. On the one hand, the bladder component 3 indirectly heats the tire blank 6 by contacting it; on the other hand, the bladder component 3 compresses the tire blank 6 into the metal mold cavity 4-3, forming a smooth surface on its inner surface and a rough outer surface on its outer surface. Under certain pressure and temperature conditions, the bladder component 3 compresses the tire blank 6 towards the metal mold 4 through heating and pressurization, and the tire blank 6 is shaped into a tire shape under the bidirectional compressive force.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the microwave feeding system includes a microwave antenna 2, one end of which is connected to a microwave feed line providing microwave energy, and the other end extending directly into the enclosed space 5, serving as a radiating end to radiate microwaves to the metal mold cavity 4-3 and the capsule component 3, providing the temperature required for the vulcanization of the tire blank. Directly placing the microwave radiating end close to the radiated object further enhances the radiation intensity and thermal energy, shortening the heating time. The microwave feeding system also includes a microwave isolation window 8, connected and installed with the microwave antenna 2, suitable for isolating the enclosed space 5 from the external air pressure environment.

[0049] According to embodiments of the present invention, the microwave source system used in the present invention can be any existing system that can provide a microwave source, and will not be described in detail here.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the central mechanism 1 further includes a telescopic cylinder 7, which is slidably sleeved on the microwave antenna 2, and one end of the telescopic cylinder 7 passes through the second disk 1-2 and is fixed to the first disk 1-1; wherein, when the telescopic cylinder 7 slides along the microwave antenna 2, the first disk 1-1 moves away from or closer to the second disk 1-2, and drives the capsule component 3 to extend or retract.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first disk 1-1 and the second disk 1-2 are connected by a telescopic cylinder 7. One end of the telescopic cylinder 7 is fixedly connected to the first disk 1-1, which can drive the first disk 1-1 to move; the other end of the telescopic cylinder 7 passes through the second disk 1-2 and is fixedly connected to the second disk 1-2, remaining relatively stationary with respect to the second disk 1-2. When the telescopic cylinder 7 extends, it moves the first disk 1-1 away from the second disk 1-2; when the telescopic cylinder 7 shortens, it moves the first disk 1-1 closer to the second disk 1-2, thereby achieving a change in the volume of the sealed space 5. The telescopic cylinder 7 is slidably sleeved on the microwave antenna 2, used to connect the central mechanism 1 and the microwave antenna 2.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the standing wave ratio of the microwave isolation window 8 is 1 to 1.2.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, during the operation of the microwave vulcanizing apparatus, the capsule component 3 needs to be under a high-pressure environment. However, since the microwave antenna 2 is a hollow structure, leakage will occur after the high-pressure gas enters the sealed space 5 from the microwave antenna 2, making it impossible to maintain a high-pressure environment. Therefore, a microwave isolation window 8 is provided inside the microwave antenna 2 to isolate the sealed space 5 from the external air pressure, ensuring that the sealed space 5 is always under a high-pressure environment. The standing wave ratio (SWR) of the microwave isolation window 8 is controlled within the range of 1 to 1.2, indicating that more than 99% of the microwaves are transmitted, and only less than or equal to 1% of the microwaves are reflected. The effect of the microwave isolation window 8 on microwave transmission is small and negligible.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide joint 9 includes: a waveguide rotation joint 9-1, connected to the microwave antenna 2 and adapted to drive the microwave antenna 2 to rotate circumferentially; and a waveguide fixed joint 9-2, movably connected to the waveguide rotation joint 9-1 and connected to the microwave source system.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide joint 9 includes a waveguide rotation joint 9-1 and a waveguide fixing joint 9-2. The waveguide rotation joint 9-1 is fixedly connected to the microwave isolation window 8 and drives the microwave isolation window 8 and the microwave antenna 2 to rotate. The microwave antenna 2 rotates 360 degrees circumferentially, which can periodically change the electric field distribution inside the capsule component 3 and the blank 6, thereby achieving uniform microwave radiation and effectively improving the uniformity of heating the blank 6 and the capsule component 3. The waveguide fixing joint 9-2 is used to fix the microwave feed line and does not rotate circumferentially.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the microwave antenna 2, the microwave isolation window 8, and the waveguide joint 9 together constitute a microwave feeding system. While the microwave antenna 2 transmits both microwaves and gas, the microwave isolation window 8 provides the high-pressure environment required for vulcanization, and the waveguide rotation joint 9-1 ensures uniform radiation of heat energy during vulcanization. Extending the microwave feeding system into the central mechanism 1 enables direct and indirect heating of the tire blank 6 under high temperature and high pressure, thereby improving the vulcanization efficiency of the tire blank.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the microwave antenna 2, in addition to feeding and radiating microwaves, also serves as a gas transmission channel. The microwave antenna 2 is provided with a first air inlet 10-1, which is connected to an external air intake device and is suitable for inputting gas from the external air intake device into the cavity of the microwave antenna 2. The telescopic cylinder 7 and the microwave antenna 2 are provided with a matching second air inlet 10-2, suitable for filling the sealed space 5 with gas through the second air inlet 10-2.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an inert gas is introduced into the sealed space 5 through the first air inlet 10-1 by an air intake device. After entering the microwave antenna 2, the gas enters the sealed space 5 through the second air inlet on the microwave antenna 2 and the telescopic cylinder 7. The gas is transported by the microwave antenna 2 and fills the sealed space 5, thus forming a stable air pressure environment within the sealed space 5, with an air pressure reaching 2.8-3.0 MPa. The first air inlet 10-1 is positioned closer to the central mechanism 1 than the microwave isolation window 8. During air intake, the microwave isolation window 8 obstructs the flow at the center of the microwave antenna 2, ensuring that the gas can only be transported unidirectionally into the sealed space 5, thereby maintaining the air pressure level within the sealed space 5. The inert gas introduced can be nitrogen.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the microwave antenna 2 is a waveguide slot antenna. The slot of the waveguide slot antenna serves as a microwave feed port 11 and / or a third air inlet.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waveguide slot antenna can be an omnidirectional circular waveguide slot antenna. A circular waveguide slot antenna can radiate microwaves with maximum uniformity. By rationally designing the shape, position, and size of the microwave feed port 11 on the circular waveguide antenna, as much microwave energy as possible can be fed into the reaction cavity, achieving uniform heating of the capsule component 3 and the blank 6.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the microwave feed port 11 can be an inclined slot, with eight slots forming a group, evenly distributed along the circumferential surface of the microwave antenna 2, and 6-8 groups distributed in the axial direction, exhibiting a centrally symmetrical distribution. Each group of slots has the same inclination angle, while the inclination angles of adjacent slots within each group can differ, but their length and width remain consistent. The slot dimensions can be specifically adjusted according to the actual dimensions of the microwave antenna and the central mechanism to ensure maximum output power and optimal radiation uniformity. The position of the microwave feed port 11 can be aligned with the position of the second air inlet 10-2 for better gas transmission and microwave radiation, or the microwave feed port 11 can be directly used as a third air inlet for gas transmission.

[0062] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microwave vulcanizing device for tires, comprising: The central mechanism includes a first disk and a second disk disposed opposite to each other, the first disk being configured to be able to move away from or close to the second disk; The capsule component has its two side edges connected to the peripheries of the first disc and the second disc, respectively, forming a variable-volume sealed space with the central mechanism; The metal mold includes a first mold and a second mold that are detachably connected. The first mold and the second mold are configured to form a closed metal mold cavity when connected. The space outside the capsule component of the metal mold cavity is a space for receiving the blank. as well as The microwave feed system includes: A microwave antenna extends into the enclosed space, and the microwave antenna has a cavity and a microwave feed port; A microwave isolation window, connected and installed with a microwave antenna, is suitable for isolating the cavity of the microwave antenna from the external environment to form a transmission cavity. This allows microwaves from an external microwave source system to be transmitted and radiated to the metal mold cavity through the transmission cavity and the microwave feed port, providing the heat energy required for the vulcanization of the blank. It also allows external gas to be introduced into the sealed space through the transmission cavity to provide the gas pressure for the vulcanization of the blank. A waveguide joint, connected and installed with the microwave isolation window, is used to drive the microwave antenna to rotate, thereby improving the uniformity of microwave heating and vulcanization of the blank; The waveguide joint includes a waveguide rotary joint, which is connected to the microwave isolation window and is suitable for driving the microwave antenna to rotate circumferentially. The waveguide fixed joint is movably connected to the waveguide rotary joint and is also connected to the microwave source system. The microwave antenna is a waveguide slot antenna, and the slot of the waveguide slot antenna serves as a microwave feed port and / or a third air inlet. The slots are distributed in multiple groups along the axial direction of the microwave antenna, and each group of slots is evenly distributed along the circumference of the microwave antenna.

2. The tire microwave vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The central organization also includes: A telescopic cylinder is slidably fitted onto the microwave antenna, and one end of the telescopic cylinder passes through the second disk and is fixed to the first disk. When the telescopic cylinder slides along the microwave antenna, the first disk moves away from or closer to the second disk, causing the capsule component to extend or retract.

3. The tire microwave vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The standing wave ratio of the microwave isolation window is 1 to 1.

2.

4. The tire microwave vulcanizing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The microwave antenna is provided with a first air inlet, which is connected to an external air intake device and is suitable for inputting gas from the external air intake device into the cavity of the microwave antenna.

5. The tire microwave vulcanizing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The telescopic cylinder and the microwave antenna are provided with a matching second air inlet, which is suitable for filling the sealed space with gas through the second air inlet.

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