Annular Member Attaching Device Radial Circumferential Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching an annular member to the inner peripheral surface of a tire often result in uneven attachment and wrinkles due to the separation of the annular member from the tire's surface during the attachment process.

Innovation Solution

An attaching device with holders, a moving mechanism, and a rotating mechanism, controlled by a control device, that moves the holders radially and circumferentially to attach the annular member uniformly to the tire, using rollers to reduce resistance and ensure complete coverage without separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the inscribed shafts are moved to the radially outer side to attach the annular member to the tire, then the annular member is adhered to the inner peripheral surface, but the portions between adjacent adhered portions are separated from the tire surface causing wrinkles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment uniformityVSAvoidannular member integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A pressing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the inscribed shafts and the annular member. This pressing member applies continuous radial pressure to the annular member during the attachment process, preventing separation and wrinkle formation while allowing the inscribed shafts to move the annular member into position. The pressing member mediates between the discrete attachment points and the continuous surface contact needed to prevent wrinkles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member is positioned to apply pressure to the annular member before the inscribed shafts complete the attachment process. This preliminary pressing action ensures that the annular member remains in continuous contact with the tire inner peripheral surface from the beginning of the attachment process, preventing separation and wrinkle formation before adhesion occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the inscribed shafts press the annular member in the circumferential direction to move it along the tire surface, then attachment progresses, but wrinkles are likely to occur in the annular member

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidattachment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member serves as a mediator that distributes the circumferential pressing force uniformly across the annular member's surface. Instead of the inscribed shafts directly pressing and causing localized wrinkles, the pressing member transfers this force in a controlled manner, maintaining attachment speed while ensuring uniform contact and preventing wrinkle formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member changes the pressure distribution parameter from concentrated forces at discrete shaft locations to a more uniform continuous pressure across the annular member surface. This parameter change allows the annular member to be moved and attached efficiently while maintaining uniform contact with the tire surface, preventing wrinkles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the holders move the annular member radially outward to attach it to the tire, then attachment is achieved, but the process requires multiple operations increasing cycle time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment completenessVSAvoidattachment cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member enables continuous useful action by maintaining constant radial pressure on the annular member throughout the entire attachment process. This continuous pressing action eliminates the need for multiple separate operations to ensure complete attachment, as the adhesion occurs uniformly across the entire surface in a single continuous process, reducing cycle time while ensuring complete attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3888896B1Attaching device, attaching system, and attaching method for annular member, and tire
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3888896B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3888896B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3888896B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An attaching device includes a plurality of holders, a moving mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and a control device which controls operation of the holders, the moving mechanism, and the rotating mechanism so as to perform operations of: holding an inner peripheral surface of an annular member by the holders; moving the holders holding the annular member, outwardly in a radial direction toward a predetermined attaching position to attach a part of the annular member to an inner peripheral surface of a tire; releasing the holding of the annular member by the holders; moving the holders to a retraction position which is located inward of the attaching position in the radial direction, to separate the holders from the annular member; moving the holders in the circumferential direction; and moving the holders to the attaching position to attach another part of the annular member to the inner peripheral surface of the tire.