Mold Preheating with Insulating Hood and Steam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preheating tire curing press molds are inefficient, posing occupational safety risks and requiring significant manual effort due to the need to handle hot molds and dismantle tubing during the preheating process, which increases cycle time and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a receiving container and insulating hood positioned vertically, where the mold is preheated inside the container, with an automatic steam heating system and controlled pneumatic or hydraulic mechanisms to manage the insulating hood's movement, ensuring safe and efficient preheating without direct physical contact or unwanted heat radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the mold is preheated outside the tire curing press using tubing connected to a superheated steam source, then the mold can be heated effectively, but the tubing must be dismantled from the hot mold and the mold is freely accessible causing occupational safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold temperatureVSAvoidoccupational safety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is placed inside a receiving container that is positioned within the tire curing press. The insulating hood is then lowered over the receiving container, creating a nested structure. This allows the mold to be heated by superheated steam while being protected within the press, eliminating the need for external tubing connections and preventing occupational safety risks associated with handling hot molds outside the press.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving container acts as an intermediary between the superheated steam source and the mold. It provides a controlled environment for heating the mold with superheated steam while remaining inside the tire curing press, thus avoiding the need for external tubing connections and reducing occupational safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the mold is preheated outside the tire curing press, then heating can be performed, but significant manual effort is required to handle hot molds and dismantle tubing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold temperatureVSAvoidhandling effort
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is placed inside a receiving container that is positioned within the tire curing press. The insulating hood is then lowered over the receiving container, creating a nested structure. This allows the mold to be heated by superheated steam while being protected within the press, eliminating the need for external tubing connections and reducing occupational safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses automatic coupling mechanisms that connect the superheated steam source to the receiving container automatically. The insulating hood is lowered and raised automatically, and the superheated steam is supplied automatically through controlled coupling, eliminating the need for manual handling of hot molds and tubing dismantling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If traditional preheating methods are used outside the press, then the process can be performed, but the cycle time is significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold temperatureVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is preheated inside the tire curing press using superheated steam before the actual curing process begins. This preliminary heating action is performed while the mold is already in position within the press, eliminating the need for separate external preheating steps and reducing the overall cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mold is placed inside a receiving container that is positioned within the tire curing press. The insulating hood is then lowered over the receiving container, creating a nested structure. This allows the mold to be heated by superheated steam while being protected within the press, eliminating the need for external tubing connections and reducing occupational safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Temperature

If the mold is preheated outside the tire curing press, then heating can be achieved, but energy consumption increases due to unwanted heat radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemold temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating hood, which could be seen as an additional component, actually converts the potential harm of heat loss to benefit by trapping and retaining the heat within the receiving container. The superheated steam heating is contained within the insulated environment, preventing heat radiation losses and improving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating hood provides a flexible or rigid insulating barrier that envelops the receiving container containing the mold. This insulation layer prevents unwanted heat radiation and heat loss to the surrounding environment, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective mold heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 reduces cycle time, conserves energy, enhances work safety, and simplifies handling by allowing rapid preheating within a controlled environment, using superheated steam for efficient heating and precise temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

The superheated steam flowing through a heating jacket of the mold heats the mold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

superheated steam flowing through a heating jacket of the mold heats the mold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the insulating hood is in a vertical Direction is moved and that the preheating of the mold is carried out inside the receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2961593B1Method for preheating at least one mould
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 HARBURG FREUDENBERGER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP2961593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2961593B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2961593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for preheating at least one mould for a tyre heating press, which has a coupling for applying a heating medium to the mould. The mould to be heated is enclosed by a receiving container (19), which is secured within a framework and creates the coupling for the heating medium. The device helps to provide effective preheating of the mould by an insulating shroud (2), which is positioned over the receiving container (19) during the preheating process and reduces heat dissipation into the surroundings.