Lateral Abutment Guide for Tire Element Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for building tires struggle with the precise and consistent laying of elongated elements on forming drums, leading to deformation and improper positioning, which affects the quality and symmetry of the tire products, especially when dealing with elastomeric materials without reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
The use of lateral abutment guides that utilize the weight of the elongated elements to guide them precisely onto the forming drum, minimizing deformation by controlling the pressure through gravity, ensuring accurate and repeatable placement of pairs of elongated elements for symmetric tire construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional conveying methods are used to transport elongated elements to the forming drum, then the production process can proceed continuously, but the elongated elements undergo deformation and improper positioning, affecting tire quality and symmetry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lateral abutment guides as intermediary devices between the conveying system and the forming drum. These guides act as mediators that receive the elongated elements from the conveyors and precisely position them against the forming drum surface, preventing deformation during the transfer process while maintaining continuous production flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical positioning systems that apply active forces with a gravity-based passive positioning system. The elongated elements are tilted to abut against the forming drum by gravity alone, eliminating complex mechanical positioning mechanisms and reducing deformation risks associated with mechanical contact and adjustment systems
2Measurement precision
If the elongated elements are tilted to abut against the forming drum by gravity, then precise and repeatable placement is achieved, but additional alignment mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-aligning mechanism where the elongated elements automatically tilt and abut against the forming drum through their own weight. The system uses the elements' inherent gravitational force to achieve precise placement without requiring external active positioning systems, complex sensors, or automated adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a gravitational equipotential alignment system where the elongated elements naturally settle into their correct position on the forming drum surface. By tilting the elements to match the drum's surface angle, the system eliminates the need for complex active alignment mechanisms, as gravity alone provides the precise positioning force
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
This approach ensures the production of high-quality tires with uniform structural characteristics and radial symmetry by reducing deformation and maintaining the integrity of the elongated elements, resulting in consistent tire products.
Implementation Method 1
a respective lateral abutment guide (34) for guiding said elongated element along the respective supply path, said pressure being controlled by exploiting part of the weight of each elongated element to constrain it against the respective lateral abutment guide (34)
Implementation Method 2
at least part of said support surface is tilted towards the lateral abutment guide, in order to make a longitudinal edge of the respective first or second elongated element abut by gravity against said lateral abutment guide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6A
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention regards an apparatus and a process for obtaining tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus comprises a pair of devices (11 a, 11b) for dispensing a first and a second elongated element (10a, 10b), at least one forming drum (6) adapted to receive on a radially outer surface (6a) thereof the first and the second elongated element (10a, 10b), a first and a second conveyor (12a, 12b) for advancing the first and the second elongated element (10a, 10b) towards the forming drum (6). A first and a second lateral alignment devices (27a, 27b) are operatively active along respective supply paths and each comprises: at least one support surface configured for receiving in abutment a lower face of the respective elongated element (10a, 10b) and supporting part of the weight thereof and at least one lateral abutment guide (34).