Inverted Tire Sidewall Assembly for Stable Splicing Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tire assembly processes are complex due to the need for adapting conveying units to the varying surface profiles of sidewalls, leading to unstable processing and poor splice quality.

Innovation Solution

A method for tire construction where sidewalls are placed with their flat side facing down, allowing for uniform cutting and guiding, and are raised along the carcass with their raised side facing the carcass, facilitating automated and precise assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conveying units are adapted to the raised surface profile of the sidewall, then the sidewall can be conveyed and processed, but the device complexity increases and the process becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesidewall conveying and processingVSAvoidconveying unit adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing the sidewall with its flat side facing down on the drum instead of facing up. This inversion eliminates the need to adapt conveying units to the raised surface profile, as the flat side provides a stable, uniform contact surface for conveying and processing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Shape

If the sidewall is placed with the raised side facing up, then the surface profile is visible on the outside after vulcanization, but the cutting and conveying processes become problematic and splice quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesidewall surface profile positioningVSAvoidsplice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by placing the sidewall with its flat side down and raised side facing the carcass during assembly. After vulcanization, the sidewall is turned inside out, which positions the raised surface profile on the external visible surface of the tire while having maintained the stable flat-side-down orientation during all cutting and conveying operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional sidewall assembly processes are used, then the sidewall can be joined to the carcass, but the process complexity increases and automation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesidewall to carcass joiningVSAvoidtire construction automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional assembly sequence by first placing the sidewall flat-side-down on the drum, joining it to the carcass in this inverted orientation, and then turning the sidewall inside out after vulcanization. This approach simplifies the automation process because the flat surface provides stable positioning and contact during automated joining operations, eliminating the complexity of handling raised surface profiles during automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4015205B1Method for building a vehicle tyre with an inverted side wall
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 CONTINENTAL REIFEN DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4015205B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1e
  • EP4015205B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4015205B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for constructing a vehicle tire, the method comprising the production of a tire blank comprising a carcass (9), at least two sidewalls (1, 1') and a belt pack (15), wherein the production of the tire blank comprises at least the following steps: i) providing at least two sidewalls (1, 1'), wherein the sidewalls (1, 1') each have a flat and a raised side (3, 3', 5, 5'), ii) placing the at least two sidewalls (1, 1') with the flat side (3, 3') onto at least one drum (7), iii) forming the at least two sidewalls (1, 1') each along a surface of the carcass (9), wherein the raised side (5, 5') of the sidewalls faces towards the carcass (9), and iv) joining the at least two sidewalls (1, 1') with the carcass (9) and the belt pack (15) to form a tire blank, wherein the joining step is performed before or This can happen after working your way up.