Green Tire Shape Correction via Pressurized Fluid Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for correcting the shape of green tires fail to address crush deformation in side wall portions, leading to uniformity issues and radial force variation during vulcanization, especially when tire side walls are thin and subjected to temporary storage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that uses pressurized fluid to deform the side wall portions outward, generating internal tension and correcting crush deformation by aligning the central axis of the tread portion with the bead portions, thereby improving tire uniformity before vulcanization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the green tire is temporarily stored by hanging on storage rods, then the tire can be stored during processing, but crush deformation is generated in the side wall portions and the base width of bead portions varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing shape correction on the green tire before vulcanization. The correcting apparatus includes upper and lower bead correcting means that press the bead portions to restore their original shape and eliminate crush deformation caused by temporary storage, ensuring uniform base width before the tire undergoes vulcanization processing
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional shape correcting apparatus is used, then the base width and circularity of bead portions can be corrected, but crush deformation in side wall portions cannot be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a correcting apparatus that performs multiple functions: the upper and lower bead correcting means correct the shape of bead portions, while simultaneously the side wall correcting means addresses crush deformation in the side wall portions. This multi-functional apparatus corrects both bead portion geometry and side wall deformation in a single process, making it adaptable to various deformation types
3Weight of moving object
If side wall portion thickness is reduced for weight reduction, then tire weight decreases, but crush deformation level increases and uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the correcting apparatus to counteract crush deformation before vulcanization. The upper and lower bead correcting means apply corrective pressure to the bead portions, and the side wall correcting means applies pressure to the side wall portions to restore their original shape, thereby preventing the deterioration of tire uniformity that would otherwise occur due to reduced side wall thickness
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
Effectively recovers crush deformation in side wall portions, enhancing the uniformity of vulcanized tires, particularly those with thin side walls, and simplifies the correction process while ensuring secure holding and coaxial alignment of bead portions.
Implementation Method 1
deforming the side wall portion outward to thereby generate an internal tension in meridian direction of the side wall portion
Implementation Method 2
applying the pressurized fluid into the inner chamber of the green tire
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and method for correcting the shape of a green tire configured so that, even if a side wall portion (S) is subjected to local crushing deformation during its temporary storage, such deformation is effectively corrected to easily improve the tire uniformity. A pressurized fluid is applied to an inner chamber of a green tire (G) having bead portions (B) held coaxially by upper and lower holders (56, 89), for setting the tread portion (T) of the green tire (G) coaxially to the bead portions (B). The side wall portions (S) is deformed outward and applied with an internal tension in the meridian direction, for correcting the shape of the green tire (G). Crushing deformation on the side wall portion (S) is thereby effectively recovered and corrected before vulcanization.