Coaxial Drum Drive Unit for Green Tire Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for manufacturing green tires face challenges in achieving symmetric and precise movement of drum parts, leading to issues such as increased complexity, deformation, and higher costs due to non-coaxial arrangements and complex torque transmission, which affect the reliability and precision of tire bead positioning.

Innovation Solution

A coaxial drive system with bolt systems having opposite-threaded portions and springs allows for independent and synchronized movement of drum parts along a vertical axis, reducing the number of components and maintaining precise alignment, thereby simplifying maintenance and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If non-coaxial bolt arrangement is used to achieve torque transmission, then torque transmission is enabled, but additional bending moments occur that increase bolt strength requirements and shaft diameter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidshaft diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric bolt arrangements (non-coaxial positioning) to enable torque transmission while accepting the resulting bending moments. The design accommodates these moments by selecting appropriate bolt strengths and shaft dimensions, transforming the asymmetric loading into a design parameter rather than a constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs epicyclic gearing with curved tooth profiles and rotating components to transmit torque through the asymmetric bolt arrangement. The curved geometry of the epicyclic gears enables smooth torque transmission while distributing the bending moments across multiple contact points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Device complexity

If coaxial bolt arrangement is used, then additional bending moments are minimized, but torque transmission beyond the rotation axis becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft diameterVSAvoidtorque transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the epicyclic gearing system - that acts as a mediator between the coaxial bolt arrangement and the torque transmission requirement. This intermediary mechanism enables torque transmission perpendicular to the rotation axis while maintaining the coaxial alignment of the bolts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If pneumatic couplings are used for driving drum parts, then independent movement is enabled, but switching time increases and system reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent movementVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic coupling system with a direct mechanical drive system. The drum parts are driven mechanically through direct connection to the rotating shaft, eliminating the need for pneumatic switches and their associated delays and reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Stability of the object's composition

If pneumatic locking devices are used to maintain synchronous movement, then synchronous movement is achieved, but productivity decreases due to stopping and waiting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronous movementVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves continuous synchronous movement of drum parts through direct mechanical connection to the rotating shaft. All drum parts rotate continuously without stopping, as the mechanical drive system maintains synchronous motion throughout the entire operation cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

5Ease of operation

If long traction and pressure rods are used for moving drum parts, then independent symmetrical movement is achieved, but rod deformations increase and precision of tyre bead position decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent symmetrical movementVSAvoidtyre bead position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the long traction and pressure rods from the system. Instead of using these prone-to-deformation rods, the design directly connects the drum parts to the rotating shaft through shorter, more rigid mechanical linkages that maintain positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The coaxial drive system ensures symmetric and precise movement of drum parts, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the tire manufacturing process by minimizing additional bending loads and deformations, thus improving the overall productivity and reducing the complexity and cost of the equipment.

Implementation Method 1

A coaxial drive system with bolt systems having opposite-threaded portions and springs allows for independent and synchronized movement of drum parts along a vertical axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3706991B1Building drum drive unit
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 MESNAC EURO RES & TECHNICAL CENT SRO
  • EP3706991B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3706991B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3706991B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Drive system for driving of a drum for green tyre manufacturing comprising a hollow shaft (13), the first bolt system (2.1) and the second bolt system (3.1) provided with drivers (20,21,22) are coaxially and in principle arranged after each other inside the said shaft (13).