Dynamic Pick-Up Logic for Flexible Tire Vulcanization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tire production systems lack flexibility in managing green tires for simultaneous mass production and small-scale, varied production, leading to inefficiencies and productivity losses due to rigid pick-up logics and storage area configurations.

Innovation Solution

Each vulcanizer in the production plant is associated with a specific pick-up logic that can be dynamically changed based on current production requirements, allowing for flexible selection and transfer of green tires from storage to vulcanization, enabling efficient management of tires with varying specifications and subspecifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid pick-up logic is used for green tyres in storage areas, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different production requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to production requirementsVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pick-up logic is made dynamic and changeable rather than fixed. Each vulcanizer can have its pick-up logic modified in real-time based on production needs, allowing the system to adapt between mass production (FIFO) and small-scale varied production (random or specific selection) without physical reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of pick-up logic type for each vulcanizer based on production requirements. The processing unit can switch between different pick-up logics (FIFO, random, specific specification) for different vulcanizers, enabling flexible adaptation to varying production demands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate storage areas are created for mass production and small-scale production, then the adaptability to different production types is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction type flexibilityVSAvoidstorage area configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each storage area is designed to be universal and can supply green tyres to any vulcanizer regardless of production type. The distinction between mass production and small-scale production storage areas is eliminated, as the same storage areas can serve different purposes based on which pick-up logic is activated for each vulcanizer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If rigid pick-up logics are used, then the system is easy to operate, but the productivity is reduced due to waiting times

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit continuously monitors production requirements and vulcanizer status, then dynamically adjusts pick-up logics in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that the most appropriate pick-up logic is applied to maximize productivity while minimizing waiting times, with the complexity managed through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pick-up logic cannot be changed during production, then the system stability is maintained, but the adaptability to varying production needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time adaptation capabilityVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pick-up logic for each vulcanizer is made dynamically changeable during production operations. The processing unit can modify the pick-up logic of any vulcanizer at any time based on current production requirements, enabling real-time adaptation while maintaining system stability through automated control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12129117B2Method and plant for producing tyres for vehicle wheels

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 PIRELLI TYRE SPA

AI summary

Method and plant for producing tyres for vehicle wheels in which: each vulcanizer (30) of a plurality of vulcanizers (30) is associated with a respective pick-up logic of green tyres from at least one storage area (20) of green tyres; upon each request to vulcanize a green tyre in a vulcanizer (30) of the plurality of vulcanizers (30), the pick-up logic associated with said vulcanizer (30) is applied to select and pick up a green tyre from the storage area (20); the respective pick-up logic associated with each vulcanizer (30) comprises a first pick-up rule of green tyres from the storage area (20) and, for at least one of the plurality of vulcanizers (30), the first pick-up rule is changed into at least one second pick-up rule at least once during the production in the plant (1) of at least one lot of tyres.