Mold Twist Lock Apparatus for Tire Curing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mold assembly technologies for pneumatic tire curing lack a secure and easy-to-use mechanism for attaching and locking heavy metal mold sectors during the vulcanization process, which can lead to safety and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A mold twist lock apparatus comprising a securing pin with a coaxial spring, a cross pin, and a second spring, along with a recess, provides a secure and easy-to-use attachment mechanism by forming an interlocking column between mold sectors and the mold back, utilizing a coaxial spring for tension and a second spring to maintain engagement, allowing for quick connection and detection of locking failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple pin connection is used to attach mold sectors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the attachment is insufficient for heavy metal mold sectors
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a securing pin for basic attachment, a cross pin for lateral securing, and a latch element for engagement verification. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while keeping the overall structure manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross pin is positioned within a slot in the securing pin, and the latch element engages with a corresponding feature on the securing pin. This nested arrangement allows multiple locking actions to occur within a compact space, increasing reliability without proportionally increasing the overall device footprint or complexity.
2Ease of operation
If mold sectors are securely locked during curing, then the safety and quality are improved, but the ease of operation for pattern changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The securing pin, cross pin, and latch element are pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage when mold sectors are brought together. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for manual alignment or complex locking procedures during pattern changes, improving ease of operation while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latch element automatically engages with the securing pin when the mold sectors are properly positioned, and visually indicates when locking is complete. This self-acting mechanism reduces the need for operator intervention and ensures consistent reliable locking without adding operational complexity.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a visual indication system is added to detect locking failures, then the measurement precision of locking status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch element is designed to provide visual indication of its engagement state, allowing operators to quickly detect locking status without complex instrumentation. This simple visual feedback system improves detection capability while avoiding the complexity of electronic sensors or indicators.
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 solution ensures secure and efficient attachment of mold components, enabling easy pattern changes without removing the mold from the curing press and providing visual detection of locking failures, thereby enhancing safety and quality in the tire molding process.
Implementation Method 1
a coaxial spring positioned about the proximal end of the securing pin
Implementation Method 2
a second spring positioned between an extension of the securing pin and the enlarged end of the cross pin
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A mold twist lock apparatus comprising a securing pin having a distal end and a proximal end on a longitudinal axis of the securing pin, the proximal end having a hole there through, a coaxial spring positioned about the proximal end of the securing pin, a cross pin disposed through the hole in the proximal end of the securing pin, the cross pin having an enlarged end and a second spring positioned between an extension of the securing pin and the enlarged end of the cross pin.