Tyre Building Machine with Interchangeable Drums for Two Carcass Methods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tire manufacturers require separate tire building machines for producing tire carcasses using the shoulder-type and flat-drum-type methods, limiting flexibility and efficiency in tire production.

Innovation Solution

A tire building machine with interchangeable first and second tire building drums, allowing production of tire carcasses using both the shoulder and flat drum methods, facilitated by a displacement shaft and adjustment mechanism for changing and adjusting drum diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate tire building machines are used for shoulder-type and flat-drum-type methods, then each machine can be optimized for its specific method, but the overall production flexibility and efficiency are limited due to requiring multiple machines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of machines required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single tire building machine that can perform both shoulder-type and flat-drum-type building methods through interchangeable drums. The machine is equipped with a receiving shaft that can accommodate different drum types (first drum for shoulder method, second drum for flat-drum method), allowing one machine to replace multiple specialized machines, thereby improving production flexibility while reducing the total number of machines required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a single machine is designed to handle both building methods, then production flexibility improves, but the machine complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to drum interchangeability requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by incorporating a displacement shaft that can be moved axially to facilitate drum interchangeability. The displacement shaft enables dynamic adjustment of the receiving shaft position, allowing smooth transition between different drum configurations. This dynamic mechanism simplifies the operation of changing drums compared to fixed designs, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining high production efficiency through versatile building methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If drum diameter adjustment mechanisms are added to accommodate different building methods, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrum configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the drum system into interchangeable modular components (first drum, second drum, displacement shaft, receiving shaft). Each component can be manufactured independently with specific functions, and the modular design allows for standardized interfaces that simplify assembly and manufacturing processes. This segmented approach enables drum diameter adjustment and configuration flexibility without significantly increasing overall manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4112287B1Tyre assembly machine and method of operating a tyre assembly machine
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4112287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4112287B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a tire building machine (10) for use in the first building stage of a two-stage tire building process, comprising a receiving shaft (12) for receiving a tire building drum (26, 28, 38), a first tire building drum (26, 28) configured for use in the production of a tire carcass according to a first building method, and a second tire building drum (38) configured for use in the production of a tire carcass according to a second building method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a tire building machine (10).