Infrared Heating Elements in Tire Vulcanization Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire vulcanization processes using internal heaters result in uneven temperature distribution and energy losses due to the use of heating media like superheated steam, leading to suboptimal tire quality and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of infrared radiation elements on the piston rod inside the heating bladder to directly heat the tire interior, eliminating the need for heating media and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If superheated steam is used as heating medium in the bladder, then the tire interior can be heated, but uneven temperature distribution occurs and energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the heating medium (superheated steam) from the system by replacing it with direct infrared radiation heating elements mounted on the piston rod. This removes the source of energy loss associated with steam generation, transport, and condensation, while achieving more uniform temperature distribution through direct radiant heating of the tire interior surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal system of steam heating with an electromagnetic radiation system (infrared heating elements). This substitution eliminates the need for steam generation and transport infrastructure, reducing energy losses while providing more direct and uniform heat transfer to the tire interior surfaces.
2Temperature
If superheated steam is used for heating the bladder, then heating can be achieved, but water condensation forms insulating lakes that cause uneven vulcanization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the water-based heating medium entirely from the system, replacing it with infrared radiation elements that directly heat the tire interior without producing condensation. This eliminates the formation of insulating water lakes that cause uneven temperature distribution and poor vulcanization quality in the lower tire areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal conduction through water/steam to direct infrared radiation. This parameter change in the heating method eliminates the phase change and condensation issues inherent in steam heating, providing more uniform heat distribution across all tire surfaces including the lower sidewalls and bead areas.
3Temperature
If heating medium is transported through supply lines, then heating can be provided, but significant energy losses occur during transport and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for supply lines and heating medium transport by mounting infrared heating elements directly on the piston rod inside the bladder. This eliminates the energy losses associated with pumping, transporting, and removing large volumes of superheated steam through complex supply and return line systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements are integrated into the piston rod structure itself, allowing the moving component to serve dual functions: mechanical actuation of the bladder and provision of heating. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate heating medium delivery systems and reduces overall system energy consumption.
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
Achieves even vulcanization across tire areas, enhancing tire quality and reducing energy losses associated with heating media use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one infrared radiation element which is arranged on the section of the piston rod located inside the heating bladder when the tire is molded in
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Device for vulcanizing a vehicle tire, comprising a heating press containing a vulcanization mold (2) and having an internal heating means with a heating bladder (11) lying against the inside of the tire, and an external heating means which heats the outside of the vehicle tire (10) via components of the vulcanization mold (2), the heating bladder (11) being held between an upper bladder plate (13a) and an upper bladder clamping ring (14a) and between a lower bladder plate (13b) and a lower bladder clamping ring (14b), and having a piston rod (15) which is operatively connected to the upper bladder plate (13a) and has a section (15a) located inside the heating bladder when the tire (10) is molded in, for actuating the retraction and extension of the heating bladder (11) into and out of the tire.The internal heating is formed by at least one infrared radiation element (16a, 16b, 16c) which is arranged on the section (15a) of the piston rod (15) located inside the bladder when the tires are molded in.