Tire Curing Mold Lining Element with Intersecting Sipe Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing curing moulds for tyres often result in tread patterns with thin rubber tongues due to complex intersections of protruding patterns, leading to irregular wear and suboptimal moulding quality.

Innovation Solution

A lining element for the curing mould with recessed and protruding patterns, where a moulding element fills the second recessed pattern formed by the intersection of two sipe blades, one with a fork cross-section and the other with a bulge, to prevent the formation of thin rubber tongues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex intersections of protruding patterns are used in the lining, then the tread pattern design flexibility is improved, but thin rubber tongues are formed leading to irregular wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetread pattern design flexibilityVSAvoidwear uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filling the second recessed pattern with a moulding element before the curing process. This ensures that when the green tyre is moulded against the lining, the second recessed pattern is already occupied, preventing the formation of thin rubber tongues at complex intersections while maintaining design flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The moulding element acts as an intermediary substance that fills the second recessed pattern created by the intersection of protruding patterns. This intermediary element prevents direct contact between the green tyre and the complex intersection geometry, thereby avoiding the formation of problematic thin rubber tongues while preserving the intended tread pattern design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If standard lining patterns are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but moulding quality deteriorates due to thin rubber tongue formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelining manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtread pattern quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lining into distinct functional zones: first protruding patterns, first recessed patterns, second protruding patterns, and second recessed patterns. The moulding element is specifically placed in the second recessed patterns, creating a segmented solution that addresses only the problematic areas without complicating the entire lining structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by introducing moulding elements only in specific second recessed patterns where complex intersections occur, rather than modifying the entire lining uniformly. This localized approach improves tread pattern quality at critical locations while maintaining manufacturing simplicity elsewhere

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230347608A1Lining element for a tire curing mold comprising a suitable molding part

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

A lining element (16) of a curing mold (10) for a tire forms a molding surface (14), the molding surface comprising recessed and protruding patterns, a first protruding pattern (30) delimiting a first recessed pattern (50), and a second protruding pattern (36) forming an intersection (48) with the first protruding pattern, the intersection partially delimiting at least one second recessed pattern, the second recessed pattern protruding with respect to the first recessed pattern (50), the lining element having a molding element (52) designed to fill the second recessed pattern.