Radially Contracting Forming Drum for Tire Building

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire manufacturing apparatuses face limitations in flexibility, requiring large spaces and lengthy production times due to bulky and inflexible designs, which hinder efficient movement and configuration of forming drums between delivery stations.

Innovation Solution

A compact and lightweight forming drum system with a grip unit comprising concentric and coaxial shafts, allowing for radial contraction and expansion, enabling efficient movement and management of forming drums between delivery stations, reducing production time and space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a bulky and inflexible forming drum system is used, then structural stability is maintained, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forming drum is divided into multiple independent circumferential sectors that can be individually positioned and controlled. These sectors are connected through a centralized body with radial arms, allowing each sector to be independently managed while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the drum to be compact when not in use while remaining stable during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The forming drum transitions from a static, bulky structure to a dynamic, compact configuration. The sectors can be rotated into position during operation and then collapsed inward when not in use, allowing the same structure to provide both stability during tire building and compactness for storage and movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a bulky forming drum system is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the area occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The forming drum is divided into multiple independent circumferential sectors that can be individually positioned and controlled. These sectors are connected through a centralized body with radial arms, allowing each sector to be independently managed while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the drum to be compact when not in use while remaining stable during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The forming drum utilizes radial expansion and contraction to transition between operational and storage states. During operation, sectors extend radially outward to form the required drum structure. When not in use, sectors collapse radially inward, significantly reducing the area occupied while maintaining the ability to quickly deploy the full structure when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional forming drum movement is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but speed of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddrum movement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The forming drum is divided into multiple independent circumferential sectors that can be individually positioned and controlled. These sectors are connected through a centralized body with radial arms, allowing each sector to be independently managed while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the drum to be compact when not in use while remaining stable during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The forming drum transitions from a static, bulky structure to a dynamic, compact configuration. The sectors can be rotated into position during operation and then collapsed inward when not in use, allowing the same structure to provide both stability during tire building and compactness for storage and movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If a compact forming drum system is used, then space requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated structure. The centralized body serves as both the structural core and the mounting point for all radial arms and sectors. The grip unit combines gripping, rotating, and positioning functions in a single mechanism that interfaces with the sectors. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as the rotation center for sectors, serves as the mounting point for radial arms, and facilitates the grip unit's operation. The radial arms simultaneously provide structural connection and enable sector positioning. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the compact configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables faster tire production by optimizing drum movement and configuration, reducing space needs and production time, while allowing for flexible operation in limited spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a grip unit (8) configured for coupling and uncoupling the forming drum (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical coupling: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

making it rotate around a symmetry axis (x-x) thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Implementation Method 3

contracting the radially outer surface (3a) of the forming drum (3) in order to release the sleeve from said drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP3174701B1Apparatus and process for building tyres for vehicle wheels

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 PIRELLI TYRE SPA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention is related to an apparatus and to a process for building tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus comprises: a forming drum (3), a plurality of delivery stations (4) for delivering semifinished products (17) and a handling device (7) configured for carrying the forming drum (3) to the delivery stations (4) for delivering semifinished products (17) and for making it rotate around a symmetry axis (x-x) thereof. The forming drum (3) has a radially outer surface (3a) and comprises a first body (20) and a second body (21) that are movable with respect to each other, wherein a relative movement between the first body (20) and the second body (21) causes the passage between a radially contracted configuration and a radially expanded configuration of the radially outer surface (3a). The handling device (7) is provided with a grip unit (8) comprising a first (41) and a second shaft (42) that are removably engageable with the drum (3).