Clamping Unit for Bead and Separator Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing equipment for transferring and placing beads in tyre manufacturing is complex, leading to high operational costs, weight, and energy consumption, with a need for simplification and cost savings.
Innovation Solution
A simplified equipment design with a clamping unit having radially movable arms for clamping beads and separators, using a coordinate drive or industrial robot for movement on multiple axes, and modified separator trays with radial openings for efficient transfer and placement, reducing the complexity and energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex equipment with separate clamping devices for spacer and bead is used, then reliable transfer and placement of beads and spacers is achieved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clamping functions for both the spacer and bead into a single clamping device. The device includes a first clamping element for clamping the spacer and a second clamping element for clamping the bead, both integrated into one unit that can perform both functions sequentially. This merging eliminates the need for separate clamping devices while maintaining reliable transfer and placement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The single clamping device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can clamp the spacer, release the spacer, clamp the bead, and transfer both components. The device acts as a universal tool that handles both spacer and bead operations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If heavy and complex equipment is used, then transfer precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is segmented into distinct functional elements: a first clamping element for the spacer and a second clamping element for the bead. Each element can be actuated independently and released separately. This segmentation allows for more efficient actuation sequences and reduces the energy required to move and manipulate the entire assembly, while maintaining precise transfer capabilities.
3Reliability
If multiple separate equipment sets are used for gripping spacer and bead, then reliable handling is achieved, but operational costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple gripping functions into a single clamping device that can handle both the spacer and bead. This consolidation reduces the total number of equipment sets required, lowering operational costs, maintenance requirements, and complexity while maintaining reliable handling through coordinated actuation of the integrated clamping elements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method comprises the steps of: i) moving the clamping unit (1) to the stacking point A (6); ii) overhead clamping of the first bead (3) stored on the stack by the clamping unit (1), if one or more separators (2) are on top, the clamping is performed by vertical entry of the jaws of the clamping unit through a radial holes (2.1) of the separators (2); iii) transfer of the clamping unit (1) with the clamped beads and any separators placed on the beads (3) to the transfer point B (8) and release of the beads to the mobile unit, if one or more separators are mounted on the transferred bead, the lowermost separator (2) is clamped; iv) moving the clamping unit (1) with the separator (2) or the separators to the stacking point A, and releasing the separators onto the tray. The present invention also relates to the equipment for this method.