Extruder Head Insertion Slot for Cord Guide Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing extruder systems for cord reinforced tire components face challenges in accurately aligning and positioning the cord guide with respect to the die, leading to potential leaks and blockages during the extrusion process, which complicates changeovers and removals.

Innovation Solution

The extruder system incorporates an insertion slot in the extruder head that allows simultaneous insertion and retraction of the die and cord guide, with a holder and sealing elements to improve alignment and prevent leaks, enabling precise positioning and easy changeovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cord guide is placed on a slidable carriage to allow easy access and preparation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the alignment precision between the cord guide and die deteriorates due to tolerance accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to cord guideVSAvoidalignment between cord guide and die

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two main segments: a fixed die mounted on the extruder head, and a movable cord guide on a carriage. This segmentation allows the die to remain stationary for precision while the cord guide can be accessed and prepared independently on the movable carriage, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A positioning mechanism acts as an intermediary between the movable cord guide carriage and the fixed die. This intermediary component enables precise alignment and positioning of the cord guide relative to the die while maintaining the mobility of the carriage, thus resolving the contradiction between movability for ease of operation and precision for alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the extruder head remains closed during operation, then the system stability is improved, but the ability to check and adjust alignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextruder head closureVSAvoidalignment checking

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The extruder head is designed with a dynamically adjustable closure mechanism that can transition between open and closed states. During alignment checking and adjustment, the head can be opened to provide access, while during operation it closes to maintain stability. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between stability during operation and accessibility for alignment checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cord guide is frequently removed and reinserted for changeovers, then the adaptability is improved, but the time required for changeover increases due to alignment adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord guide changeoverVSAvoidchangeover time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cord guide can be prepared and positioned in advance on the movable carriage before being transferred to the die. This preliminary positioning action allows for pre-alignment and preparation without requiring time-consuming adjustments during the actual changeover process, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability for changeovers and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A positioning mechanism with pre-set alignment features replaces manual alignment adjustments during changeover. The mechanism incorporates mechanical guides and positioning elements that automatically align the cord guide with the die, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment and thereby reducing changeover time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If small amounts of extrusion material leak between the cord guide and extruder head, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates due to friction and blockage after vulcanization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord guide movementVSAvoidcord guide removal and reinsertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of material leakage is extracted and isolated by providing a dedicated sealing interface between the cord guide and extruder head. The sealing mechanism prevents extrusion material from leaking into spaces where it would cause friction and blockage, while maintaining the ease of operation for cord guide movement and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11400631B2Extruder system and method for extruding cord-reinforced tire components

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 VMI HOLLAND BV

AI summary

The invention relates to an extruder system and a method for extruding cord reinforced extrudate, in particular for tire components, wherein the extruder system comprises an extruder head with flow channels for receiving an extrusion material from an extruder, a die for receiving said extrusion material from the flow channels and a cord guide for guiding cords side-by-side in a cord plane into the die, wherein the extruder head is provided with an insertion slot that extends in an insertion direction parallel to the cord plane through the extruder head, wherein the flow channels debouch into the insertion slot at a flow area, wherein the insertion slot is arranged for receiving the die and the cord guide in the insertion direction into a die position downstream of the flow area and a cord guide position upstream of the flow area, respectively, with respect to the insertion direction.