Elastically Deformable Plating Element for Tyre Layer Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing tire manufacturing process is time-consuming, particularly for large tires, due to the need for multiple drum rotations to ensure proper adhesion of layers during the rolling process, which can lead to inefficiencies and defects.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using an elastically deformable plating element that applies radial pressure around the outer layer, allowing for quick axial translation to ensure adhesion without rotating the drum, thereby reducing the time required for layer joining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pneumatic cylinder roller is used to press the layer against the drum surface during rotation, then the layers adhere to each other and air is drained, but the process takes a long time for large tires requiring multiple drum rotations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer adhesion qualityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a unidirectional pressing approach (roller moving axially during drum rotation) to a radial pressing approach (bellows element expanding circumferentially around the layer). This dimensional change allows simultaneous contact with the entire layer circumference, eliminating the need for multiple rotation cycles and dramatically reducing production time while maintaining adhesion quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The bellows element provides dynamic, adjustable radial pressure that can be controlled during the pressing operation. The element can be expanded to apply pressure and then contracted, allowing for optimized pressing cycles that maintain high adhesion quality while minimizing process time, unlike the fixed unidirectional roller approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple drum rotations are performed to ensure complete surface sealing, then adhesion is ensured, but operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing completenessVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows element applies radial pressure circumferentially around the entire layer in a single drum rotation, achieving complete sealing coverage without requiring multiple rotation cycles. This transforms the sealing process from a time-consuming sequential operation to a simultaneous radial compression action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the roller moves axially during drum rotation to apply pressure over the entire surface, then air is drained effectively, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair inclusionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows element design separates the air drainage function from the complex coordinated motion of axial roller movement during rotation. The radial expansion and contraction of the bellows creates pressure differentials that naturally drain air from between layers, simplifying the overall process control while maintaining effective air removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 significantly reduces the time needed for layer adhesion, improves operational efficiency, and ensures consistent, high-quality tire production by eliminating the need for multiple drum rotations, especially for larger tires.

Implementation Method 1

a plating element surrounding said outer layer and elastically deformable between a so-called enlarged configuration and a so-called plating configuration of said outer layer, in which said plating element exerts a radial pressure on said outer layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2519403B1Method and apparatus for joining a layer of material in order to produce a raw tyre blank
Publication Date: 2014.04.09 MICHELIN & CO (CIE GEN DES ESTAB MICHELIN)
  • EP2519403B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for joining an external layer (12) of material to a base layer (14) in order to produce a raw tyre blank that has an axis of revolution (X). The method comprises a step in which the external layer (12) is applied to the base layer (14), followed by a step in which the external layer (12) is joined to the base layer (14). The joining step is performed using a pressure application element (18) surrounding the external layer (12) and being elastically deformable between a so-called expanded configuration and a so-called pressure application configuration in which pressure is applied to the external layer (12), the pressure application element (18) exerting radial pressure on said external layer. The joining step comprises the following steps: passage of the pressure application element (18) from the expanded configuration into the pressure application configuration; and movement of the pressure application element (18) in the pressure application configuration along the axial direction (X) of the blank.