Adjustable Forming Drum for Flexible Tyre Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tyre production processes require specific drums and equipment for each tyre size, limiting production flexibility and resulting in uneven structural components.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus that allows strip-like elements to be laid on a forming drum with a diameter corresponding to a multiple integer of the arc of a circumference, with the drum then expanded to achieve desired dimensions, enabling flexible production without the need for multiple machinery setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If specific drums and equipment are used for each tyre size, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but production flexibility is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forming drum is designed with adjustable diameter capability, allowing a single drum to serve multiple tyre sizes. The drum can be expanded or contracted to match the required circumference for different tyre specifications, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated drums for different tyre sizes while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The forming drum incorporates dynamic size adjustment through expansion/contraction mechanisms. This allows the drum diameter to be dynamically changed during production to accommodate different tyre circumferences, providing both precision for each size and flexibility across sizes
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple dedicated equipment setups are used for different tyre sizes, then manufacturing precision is ensured, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single forming drum with adjustable diameter replaces multiple dedicated drums. The drum can be reconfigured for different tyre sizes through expansion/contraction, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining the precision required for each specific tyre size through controlled diameter adjustment
3Device complexity
If a fixed diameter forming drum is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different tyre sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The forming drum incorporates dynamic size adjustment capability through expansion and contraction mechanisms. This allows the drum to adapt its diameter to match different tyre circumferences, providing versatility across tyre sizes while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through a single adjustable component rather than multiple fixed components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances production flexibility and achieves even, homogeneous tyre structures by allowing adjustable expansion of the forming drum to meet design specifications, reducing the need for dedicated equipment for each tyre size.
Implementation Method 1
the forming drum is radially expanded while keeping its laying surface to a substantially cylindrical shape, up to a predetermined second work diameter, to determine a permanent expansion of said at least one first annular reinforcing layer
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of strip-like elements is applied onto a forming drum externally having a substantially cylindrical laying surface. The strip-like elements are disposed in mutually approached relationship to form at least one first annular reinforcing layer on the forming drum itself set to a first work diameter at which each of the applied strip-like elements on the laying surface subtends an arc of a circumference of a width as large as a submultiple integer of the overall circumferential extension of the laying surface itself. Adjustment devices operating on the forming drum subsequently carry out expansion of the latter to a second work diameter larger than the first work diameter, while maintaining its laying surface substantially cylindrical.