Elastomer Membrane Data Carrier Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

During the vulcanization process of elastomer membranes with embedded electronic data carriers, the data carriers tend to migrate to the edge of the mold cavity, leading to potential damage and making it difficult to maintain their position accurately, which affects production quality and traceability.

Innovation Solution

The method involves temporarily connecting the electronic data carrier to a positioning aid during compression molding, which limits its movement and ensures it remains at a predetermined position within the membrane, using various aids like plastic encapsulation, printed circuit board materials, or supporting fabrics to secure the data carrier relative to the compression molding tool.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the electronic data carrier is placed between layers during compression molding, then the membrane can be produced with embedded data carrier, but the data carrier migrates to the edge of the mold cavity during vulcanization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembedding data carrier in membraneVSAvoidposition accuracy of data carrier

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging the electronic data carrier between two layers at a predetermined position before the actual compression molding and vulcanization process. The positioning aid is prepared in advance to ensure the data carrier starts at the correct location, preventing migration during the subsequent heating and vulcanization stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a positioning aid as an intermediary element between the electronic data carrier and the compression molding tool. This positioning aid temporarily holds the data carrier in place during the vulcanization process, acting as a mediator that prevents direct contact and potential migration while allowing the vulcanization to proceed. The positioning aid can be removed after vulcanization or remain as part of the final product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the data carrier is free to move during compression molding, then the vulcanization process is simpler, but the data carrier wanders out of position and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevulcanization process efficiencyVSAvoiddata carrier integrity and position

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning aid serves as an intermediary that enables the vulcanization process to proceed efficiently while simultaneously ensuring the reliability of the data carrier. It allows the data carrier to remain stationary during the heating and pressure application, preventing damage and position loss, yet does not complicate the vulcanization process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning aid is used temporarily during the vulcanization process and then discarded or removed after it has served its purpose. This allows the data carrier to be protected during the critical vulcanization phase without requiring permanent fixtures or complex positioning systems that would complicate the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Extent of automation

If optical recognition is used to identify membrane type, then the process can be automated, but the dark or black membrane characteristics make optical recognition impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction line automationVSAvoidmembrane type identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical recognition with an electronic data carrier that stores information about the membrane type. Instead of attempting to optically read the dark membrane characteristics, the system uses an electronic copy or representation of the membrane information that can be reliably detected and processed by automated systems, enabling automation without being limited by the membrane's optical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the optical recognition system with an electronic detection system. The electronic data carrier provides a non-optical means of identifying membrane type, replacing the mechanical/optical approach with an electronic one that is not affected by the dark or black characteristics of the membrane material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3388143B1Method for producing an elastomer membrane

Publication Date: 2019.10.09 GEMUE GEBR MUELLER APP GMBH & CO KOMMAND

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~7

AI summary

A method for manufacturing an elastomer membrane (20) is proposed. This method comprises arranging an electronic data carrier (4) between two layers (6, 8) at a predetermined position, wherein the electronic data carrier (4) is at least temporarily connected to a positioning aid (10). The method also includes compression molding of the two layers (6, 8) with the electronic data carrier (4) positioned between them, wherein the positioning aid (10) limits the movement of the electronic data carrier (4) from the predetermined position during compression molding.