Continuous Strip Cutting Device for Tire Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting devices for continuous strips in tire component production cause jerks and jolts due to intermittent cutting and feeding, requiring buffers like festooners or dancer rolls to absorb these disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device with a cutting member and manipulator that move together in the feeding direction, synchronized by drives, allowing continuous feeding and eliminating the need for buffers by retracting the feeding member to expose the strip for cutting, thus preventing interruptions and jerks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If intermittent cutting and feeding is used, then the cutting device can be simpler in structure, but jerks and jolts occur in the continuous strip upstream of the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting device structureVSAvoidjerks and jolts in continuous strip
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feeding of the continuous strip through the cutting device by coordinating the feeding member and cutting member movements. The feeding member continuously feeds the strip while the cutting member moves with it, eliminating intermittent stopping and starting that causes jerks and jolts in the strip upstream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting member is merged with the manipulator so they move together in the feeding direction. This combination allows the cutting action to occur while the strip continues to move forward without interruption, preventing disturbances upstream while maintaining cutting functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a buffer such as a festooner or dancer roll is used to absorb jerks and jolts, then the feeding stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding stabilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By maintaining continuous feeding action throughout the cutting process, the patent eliminates the need for buffers like festooners or dancer rolls. The coordinated movement of feeding and cutting members ensures stable feeding without requiring additional complexity to absorb jerks and jolts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the cutting member and manipulator move together in the feeding direction, then continuous feeding is achieved without interruptions, but the synchronization control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous feedingVSAvoidsynchronization control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting member is combined with the manipulator so they move together as a unit in the feeding direction. This merging simplifies the control system by reducing the number of independent movements that need synchronization, while still achieving continuous feeding and uninterrupted cutting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If the feeding member is retractable to expose the continuous strip for cutting, then the cutting precision is improved, but the feeding mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidfeeding mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding member is designed to be dynamically retractable, allowing it to move back and forth as needed. This dynamic capability enables precise positioning of the strip for cutting while maintaining overall system simplicity through coordinated movement with the cutting member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3558655B1Cutting device and method for cutting-off a length of a continuous strip to form a tire component
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 VMI HOLLAND BV
  • EP3558655B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3558655B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3558655B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting device (1) and a method for cutting-off a length (L) of a continuous strip (S) to form a tire component (9), wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting member (2) for cutting the continuous strip at a cutting position (C) and a feeding member (3) that is movable in a feeding direction (F) for feeding the length of the continuous strip in said feeding direction past said cutting position (C), wherein the feeding member (3) is retractable in a retraction direction (R) and wherein the cutting device further comprises a manipulator (5) for retaining the length (L) as the feeding member (3) is retracted in the retraction direction, wherein the cutting position is located on the manipulator and wherein the cutting member (2) and the manipulator (5) are movable together in the feeding direction (F) to cut-off of the length of the continuous strip at the cutting position on the manipulator while moving the length of the continuous strip in said feeding direction.