Demoldability Prediction Model for Tire Tread Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for predicting the demoldability of new tire tread patterns are costly and inefficient, often requiring the production of multiple molds and relying on subjective assessments, which can lead to increased manufacturing time and expense.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of control and test specimens with different surface areas to measure and calculate the ratio of demolding forces, allowing for the extrapolation of demolding forces for various tire sizes and materials, thereby reducing the need for multiple mold productions and subjective evaluations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple complete molds are produced to measure demolding forces for different tread patterns and sizes, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemolding force measurement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of molds to be produced

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the complete mold into separate components: a standardized support mold and interchangeable tread pattern inserts. This segmentation allows the same support mold to be used for measuring multiple different tread patterns by simply changing the inserts, thereby reducing the need to produce multiple complete molds while maintaining measurement accuracy for each specific tread pattern and size combination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support mold is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various tread pattern inserts and different tire sizes. This multi-functional design enables a single support mold to serve multiple measurement purposes across different tread patterns and dimensions, eliminating the need to manufacture separate complete molds for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If subjective assessments by operational staff are used to evaluate demoldability, then evaluation speed is improved, but reliability and objectivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation speedVSAvoiddemoldability assessment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the subjective mechanical sensing and assessment by operational staff with an objective dynamometric measurement system. The dynamometer quantitatively measures the demolding force in newtons, providing reliable and repeatable data that eliminates subjective biases while maintaining evaluation efficiency through direct measurement rather than manual assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the molding surface area is increased to accommodate larger tire sizes, then adaptability is improved, but demolding force and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire size range coverageVSAvoiddemolding force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically varies the molding surface area parameter by using the same support mold with different tread pattern inserts for different tire sizes. This allows the study of demolding force changes as a function of surface area, enabling the establishment of predictive models that account for the non-linear relationship between surface area and demolding force across different tire dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standardized support mold copies that can be reused across different tire size applications. Instead of creating entirely new molds for each tire size, the same support mold structure is copied and adapted with different inserts, maintaining consistency in the measurement system while accommodating variations in tire dimensions and surface areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

This approach allows for precise and cost-effective prediction of demoldability, enabling the determination of necessary production means and reducing manufacturing costs by establishing a law of change in adhesion forces based on surface area, facilitating the production of tires with complex tread patterns.

Implementation Method 1

the adhesion of the green casing to the mold which arises during the curing phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10551279B2Surface demoldability prediction model

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)

AI summary

The prediction model includes the steps of calculating a surface area S1 of a control mold, measuring the force F1 for demolding from the control mold, determining first and second test specimens with respective surface areas S0, S′0, measuring the force F0 for demolding from the first test specimen, measuring the force F′0 for demolding from the second test specimen, calculating the ratio of S0 and S′0 so as to define a test specimen surface area ratio Rse, calculating the ratio of the force F0 for demolding from the first test specimen and F′0 for demolding from the second test specimen so as to define a force ratio Rfe, measuring the molding surface area Sm of a mold to be measured and calculating the force Fm for demolding from the mold to be measured such that Fm=F1×Sm/S1×Rfe/Rse.