Expandable Mandrel Axial Width Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire building drums require time-consuming and inventory-intensive adjustments to change widths for manufacturing tires of different sizes, as they often rely on physical spacer exchanges or external axial positioning mechanisms not applicable to rotary REC drums.
Innovation Solution
A rotary REC tire building drum with segments that can be selectively axially positioned using inboard and outboard leadscrews, allowing for adjustable width without the need for spacer exchanges, enabling faster and more efficient width adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If physical spacer exchanges are used to adjust drum width, then the drum can be adapted to different tire widths, but the adjustment time increases and downtime occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the drum width adjustable through a mechanical expansion mechanism. The drum circumference is divided into segments that can be selectively positioned to expand or contract the drum width. This allows the drum to dynamically adapt between different tire widths without requiring physical exchange of spacers, thereby reducing adjustment time and downtime while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical spacer exchanges are used to adjust drum width, then different tire widths can be manufactured, but inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spacer component from the system by eliminating the need for physical spacers entirely. Instead of using separate spacer parts that require inventory management, the invention integrates the width adjustment capability directly into the drum structure through segments that can be repositioned. This removes the harmful element (spacers) while maintaining the beneficial function (width adjustment), thereby reducing inventory requirements.
3Ease of operation
If external axial positioning mechanisms are used, then segment positioning is enabled, but the mechanism cannot be mounted in rotary REC drums
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the drum circumference into multiple segments that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the complex positioning function to be distributed across multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex external mechanism. The segments are mounted on the drum and can be selectively positioned to achieve the desired width, making the system more adaptable to rotary REC drum configurations.
4Stability of the object's composition
If gap shields are used to cover segment gaps, then the drum structure is maintained, but width adjustment remains time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the drum width to be dynamically adjusted through segment repositioning rather than using static gap shields. The segments can be selectively moved to expand or contract the drum width while maintaining structural integrity through the segment connections and drum framework. This dynamic adjustment capability significantly improves productivity by reducing the time required for width changes compared to manual gap shield adjustments.
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
Enables rapid and efficient width adjustments of tire building drums, reducing downtime and inventory needs by allowing axial positioning of segments through a rotatable hub assembly, facilitating the production of tires of varying widths.
Implementation Method 1
The axial positioning mechanism operates through a main shaft, in which the push/pull mechanism is located... rotation of the outboard leadscrews causes relative movement of the inboard leadscrews and the outboard leadscrews causing the axial separation of the inboard hub and the outboard hub to be adjusted
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary radial expand collapse tire building drum comprises segments defining an outer circumference of said drum, said segments being divided into two sets, one set being located to each opposite side of a transverse central plane of the drum, said central plane being disposed normal to a rotational axis of the drum, said two sets being adapted to be driven by a rotatable hub assembly between a collapsed position in which a formed tire carcass may be removed from the drum and an expanded position in which a tire carcass may be formed on said drum wherein each set of segments are mounted for selective relative axial using positioning means, and adjustment means is located outside of the rotational axis of the drum, which is arranged to adjust an overall working width of said drum. The invention allows for an axial positioning mechanism of a REC building drum.