Discontinuous Mixer Pressure Piston Position Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the production of elastomeric compounds for tires, existing discontinuous mixers face challenges in achieving optimal processing conditions due to various variables such as ingredient features, sequence, temperature, pressure, torque, speed, and filling level, which can improve compound features but often at the expense of productivity.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an adjusting device with multiple lower end-of-stroke positions for the pressure piston in discontinuous mixers, allowing for precise control of the mixing process, including the ability to vary the end-of-stroke position during processing, to optimize compound properties and tire performance while maintaining or increasing productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If mixing time is increased to improve compound features, then compound quality is improved, but productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompound qualityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the lower end-of-stroke position of the pressure piston (a key process parameter) to optimize the mixing process. By adjusting this position, the system achieves improved compound quality (better aggregation, elasticity, viscosity) without requiring increased mixing time, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the pressure piston's end-of-stroke position adjustable and variable during processing. The system can dynamically modify the inner mixing volume by changing the piston position, allowing optimization of both compound quality and processing efficiency, thereby eliminating the trade-off between quality improvement and productivity loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If process parameters are adjusted to improve compound features, then compound quality is improved, but mixing time increases reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompound featuresVSAvoidmixing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the process parameter of pressure piston position to optimize mixing efficiency. By adjusting the lower end-of-stroke position, the system improves compound features (aggregation, elasticity, viscosity) while actually reducing or maintaining mixing time, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If inner mixing volume is modified to improve compound properties, then compound quality is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompound propertiesVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mixing volume dynamic by allowing adjustment of the pressure piston's end-of-stroke position. This single adjustable parameter enables control over compound properties (aggregation, elasticity, viscosity) without requiring complex multi-parameter control systems, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the mixing volume parameter through simple positional adjustment of the pressure piston. This straightforward parameter modification achieves improved compound properties without introducing complex control mechanisms, eliminating the trade-off between manufacturing precision and control complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2598300B1Apparatus for producing elastomeric compounds
Publication Date: 2015.11.25 PIRELLI TYRE SPA
  • EP2598300B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2598300B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2598300B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing tyres and an apparatus for producing elastomeric compounds. The apparatus comprises a mixer (1) provided with a pair of rotors (2, 3) housed in a mixing chamber (4) and a pressure piston (7) movable between a raised position spaced apart from the pair of rotors (2, 3) and "r" lower end-of-stroke positions different from each other, which are close to the pair of rotors (2, 3), wherein "r" is equal to or greater than two. Based on the compound to be produced, "q" lower end-of-stroke positions are selected among the possible "r" lower end-of-stroke positions of the pressure piston (7), wherein "q" is equal to or greater than one. During mixing, the pressure piston (7) is moved "m" times from the raised position to the selected "q" lower end-of-stroke positions and vice versa, where "m" is equal to or greater than one.