Flexible Strip Tire Assembly Support Eliminates Stepped Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tyre-building support for green tyre blanks has a stepped profile with protruding corner edges, which can damage fragile raw rubber plies during assembly, and lacks a smooth bearing surface.
Innovation Solution
A support with a baseplate and symmetrical members connected by a flexible, non-extensile metal strip that allows elements to orient themselves parallel to each other, eliminating the stepped effect and providing a smooth surface, along with a cam system that can change positions to define different shapes for the support surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If external elements are mounted with the ability to slide independently on a baseplate, then the support can be variable-geometry and adaptable to different tyre types, but the elements create a stepped profile with protruding corner edges that can damage fragile raw rubber plies
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible strip connects the external elements, allowing them to move relative to the baseplate while maintaining a continuous, smooth bearing surface. The flexible strip acts as a thin film that transmits motion while preventing the formation of stepped profiles, thereby eliminating the harmful corner edges that could damage raw rubber plies.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible strip is used to attach elements instead of guiding them on a base, then the bearing surface becomes smooth and free of protruding edges, but the elements may move too far apart creating large voids
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible strip is designed with specific mechanical properties (elasticity and non-extensibility) that balance two opposing requirements: enough flexibility to allow elements to orient themselves and form a smooth surface, but sufficient rigidity to prevent excessive movement that would create large voids. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between surface smoothness and positioning stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If elements are rigidly fixed to the base, then positioning is precise, but the stepped profile effect cannot be eliminated and the support cannot adapt to different shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The external elements are mounted with the ability to move relative to the baseplate through the flexible strip connection. This dynamic mounting allows the elements to adjust their positions and orientations to form different bearing surface shapes while maintaining precise relative positioning through the constraints of the flexible strip and return members.
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
The solution provides a smooth, corner-edge-free bearing surface for assembling green tyre blanks, reducing the risk of damaging raw rubber and allowing for the creation of various tyre shapes with a single set of cams, enhancing the geometric definition and stability of the support.
Implementation Method 1
the strip is elastically flexible
Implementation Method 2
the strip is non-extensile. This then prevents the elements from moving too far apart at the bearing surface and thus creating large voids therein
Implementation Method 3
the return member is mounted with the ability to rotate with respect to at least one out of the element and the base about an axis perpendicular to a main axis of the support
Data Source
AI summary
A support for assembling a green tire includes a baseplate with symmetry of revolution and members fixed to the baseplate. Each of the members includes: external elements mounted to be movable relative to one another; and a flexible strip attached to the elements of the member, such that the elements of the member are attached to one another via the flexible strip.