Rotating Carousel Feeding Station for Tyre Building

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tyre building apparatuses are bulky and inefficient, requiring excessive space and complicating the ergonomics of the plant due to their large dimensions and need for multiple access points, which is particularly problematic for compact and high-performance tyre production.

Innovation Solution

A rotating carousel divided into two operating units, one for the work station and one for the loading/unloading station, allows simultaneous feeding and loading/unloading procedures, reducing overall dimensions and improving ergonomics by providing a single access point and enabling efficient use of space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If existing tyre building apparatuses are used, then tyre production can be carried out, but the apparatuses occupy excessive space and complicate plant ergonomics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplant spaceVSAvoidergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the feeding function and loading/unloading function into a single integrated carousel apparatus. The carousel simultaneously performs feeding of semi-finished products to the tyre building line and loading of new reels/unloading of empty reels, merging two previously separate operations into one compact unit. This reduces the overall space required while maintaining ergonomic access through the single access point design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If existing tyre building apparatuses are used, then tyre production can be carried out, but multiple access points are required complicating operator operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator operationsVSAvoidaccess points
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carousel is designed as a universal apparatus that performs multiple functions through a single access point: feeding semi-finished products, loading full reels, and unloading empty reels. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized access points, simplifying operator operations while maintaining all necessary functions. The single access point serves as a universal interface for all feeding and loading/unloading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If a compact carousel configuration is used, then space is reduced, but simultaneous feeding and loading/unloading operations must be enabled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus dimensionsVSAvoidsimultaneous operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The carousel is segmented into two independent operating units: a feeding unit with a feeding reel for supplying semi-finished products, and a loading/unloading unit with a loading reel for reel operations. These segmented units operate simultaneously and independently on the same carousel structure, enabling compact space utilization while maintaining high productivity through parallel operations. The segmentation allows each unit to function autonomously without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4263192B1Method of feeding a semi-finished product for the assembly of a tyre component and its feeding station
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 PIRELLI TYRE SPA
  • EP4263192B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4263192B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4263192B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A feeding station (10) comprises a carousel (14) rotating around an axis (15) arranged centrally between a work station (10a) and a loading/unloading station (10b). The carousel (14) is divided into two operating units (14a, 14b), each comprising a dispensing reel (19) and a service reel (20). A control unit (U) is programmed for carrying out a feeding procedure in the operating unit (14a) located in the work station (10a) and a loading/unloading procedure in the operating unit (14b) located in the loading/unloading station (10b), rotating the carousel (14) around said axis (15) so as to reverse the positions of said two operating units (14a, 14b) and repeating the feeding procedure in the operating unit (14b) located in the work station (10a) and the loading/unloading procedure in the operating unit (14a) located in the loading/unloading station (10b).