Laser Cleaning of Tire Inner Surface for Puncture Protection Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying a self-sealing puncture protection layer to the inside of a pneumatic vehicle tire face challenges in effectively removing lubricant residues from the tire's interior surface after vulcanization, which impairs adhesion and requires inefficient cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a laser beam to clean the interior surface of the tire by projecting a linear laser beam between the tire shoulders, with optional rotation and focus adjustment, followed by application of the puncture protection layer using a nozzle, ensuring optimal adhesion and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cleaning methods are used to remove lubricant residues, then cleaning can be achieved, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical cleaning methods with a laser-based cleaning system. The laser beam directly removes lubricant residues from the tire inner surface through optical energy, eliminating the need for mechanical scrubbing or chemical cleaners, thereby significantly increasing cleaning speed and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameters of the laser beam (wavelength, power density, pulse duration) to optimize the cleaning process. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves rapid removal of lubricant residues without damaging the tire structure, enabling high-speed cleaning that was not possible with conventional methods.
2Reliability
If the inner surface is not cleaned, then the cleaning process is simplified, but adhesion of the puncture protection layer is severely impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cleaning systems with a laser-based system that directly addresses the adhesion problem. The laser beam precisely removes lubricant residues without requiring complex mechanical apparatus, achieving reliable adhesion preparation while maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser cleaning process is self-regulating and automatically adjusts to the surface conditions. The system provides consistent cleaning results without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms, ensuring reliable adhesion while keeping the process simple and automated.
3Productivity
If a linear laser beam is used for cleaning, then process speed increases, but cleaning coverage is limited to specific areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotating tire configuration where the linear laser beam remains stationary relative to the tire cavity, but the tire itself rotates to present different surfaces to the beam. This dynamic arrangement allows the single linear beam to effectively clean the entire inner surface area of the tire as it rotates, maintaining high process speed while achieving comprehensive coverage.
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 method achieves complete removal of lubricant residues at high speeds, ensuring optimal adhesion and effective application of the puncture protection layer, maintaining tire integrity and preventing pressure loss.
Implementation Method 1
The laser beam cleans the inside of the tire of lubricant residues
Implementation Method 2
The laser beam has a linear projection directed onto the inside of the tire
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves placing a finished vulcanized tire (1) into a cleaning device, and positioning a laser optic (8) with a holding device (13) in the cleaning device, where the laser beam (14) of the laser optic is aligned to the tire inner side (2). The laser beam is activated, where the laser beam directed to the tire inner side partially penetrates the lubricant residues (3) and detaches the adhering lubricant residues from the surface of the tire inner side by the energy irradiation and a thermal heating of the surface. The powdered lubricant residues are suctioned off by a suction device (10). A self-sealing puncture protection layer is applied to the cleaned tire inner side of the vehicle pneumatic tire.